"What tidings did you bring?" Elias muttered under his breath as he gazes off into the horizon. Though the stone walls were nothing like the capital, they were still sturdy and tall. Burning a small portion of his reserves, Elias's now golden eyes could look at the forest beyond where the ruins of the old orphanage now lies.

The party had waited long enough as Elias impatiently taps the parapet. "Sir, I regret to be the bearer of ill news, but a snowstorm had hit the Elium pass. Reinforcements that should have been here are further delayed, we all but beseech your patience. Sir." The tapping stopped.

"...I have waited for almost a month now scout. This cannot stand." Elias spoke with restraint as the man nodded stiffly.

"I understand young lord, but-"

"With every passing day, those vermins grew stronger. With every day we waste here, their numbers grew... I am running out of time." Elias said as he finally turned to face the man.

Though he wore the colors of his house, the scout bore no armor save for his sturdy blue and silver leather. Elias could only imagine the cold the man has to endure to bring such news swiftly. Any other day, Elias would have commended the man. Any other week, he would have shared a warm mead with him. Any other day, he would have, alas, it was not one of those days.

"The men would set out a week from now. If the others could not arrive by then, I'm sorry. I cannot wait here any longer." Elias said as he quickly went past the man who followed hastily.

"Sir please reconsider-"

"The sooner we're done here, the sooner we can leave." Elias cut off as they walked towards the busy headquarters.

Knights in cobalt hue diligently sharpened and maintained their gear as Elias and the scout weaved past them. The smell of oil and sharpening whetstone filled the air as the commoners were few and far between.

The common folk were not barred entrance by any means, but the locals had the foresight to mind their own business, causing the small part of the town to feel more like a fortress than a warm and homely stop.

"This is a monster tide sir! Not some meager lost raiders or petty banditry! A monster tide! Please see reason, sir!" The scout said.

"Which is why we must strike now before it is too late." Elias remained unperturbed as the scout finally snapped.

"This is not about the extermination, is it sir? This is all about the young lady." Elias paused dead in his tracks as he turned and shot a glare.

"Watch your tongue." Elias hissed, but the man stands his ground.

"With all due respect sir, the young lady has not been found for almost 2 and a half months now. No sign of her tracks, no sightings of her, nothing. This search had drained not only your father and you sir, but the men as well sir... isn't it about time to accept it?" The man barely had the time to blink as Elias tapped into his well, power coursing through his veins.

All it took was a blink of an eye to send the man down violently with a single strike. A loud crack echoed across the building as all eyes turned wide. The man blinked again before he finally realized what had just happened.

Elias could see the scout holding in the groan for a fraction of a moment before screaming. With it, his anger resurges. "Another word... if I hear so much as another word..." Elias restrained the roar with every discipline on his body as the scout nodded stiffly.

"Whether my sister is dead or alive, is none of your business. Whether she eloped to a bastard in the countryside or rotting in the caves of a troll, is none of your business. But if you so much as speak of her death so easily again, Kalva be damn, it will be your last, am I making myself clear?" Elias growled as the scout nodded back without a word.

"...Get yourself cleaned up." The scout gratefully took the offer as he scrambled away from Elias. The young man's anger slowly subsided as his ears perked up at the presence approaching.

"Sir." Osmond saluted as Elias turned with a nod.

"Am I expecting more ill news, or did you bring something good at last?" Elias huffed as Osmond hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Both actually sir. We believe we have found a possible lead to the murders lately." The knight steeled his face from morphing into disgust as memories of the terrified dead still haunt his mind.

"And the bad news?" Elias asked as Osmond sighed.

"The lad refuses to talk. A squire by the name of Reil who reported the incident is too horrified to even speak." Elias grunted before burying the frustration within.

"Offer him a coin and a long rest. That should buy him in. If anyone asked, send them to me." Elias said, expecting the matter to be dealt with when he saw Osmond.

The knight stiffened considerably as he replied with an equal measure of caution and trepidation. "Sir... there is something else that you should know." Osmond said. "The boy... he is out of his mind." Elias's brows furrowed.

"Come again?" Osmond swallowed his hesitation as he spoke softly.

"He... he speaks ill of your name, sir." Elias let out a groan escape when Osmond continued. "Said that you... treated the young lady... wrongly." Elias felt his heart still for a moment before it beats terribly in cold rhythms of fury.

"...What?" Elias whispered deathly, eyes burning in cold outrage.

"It is what exactly as I said it is sir. The boy is spouting madness. Had to gag his tongue before the fool kills himself." Osmond replied as Elias repeatedly balls and releases his right hand.

Closing his eyes, Elias took a deep cold breath as his arms shake. There had been no memory of such a thing. Elias was distant. Cold even, but by no means he lowered himself to lay a hand on a woman, much less his own kin.

It was slander of the highest order, and Elias would not let such a thing stand. Be it man or God, he wouldn't accept slander. Reigniting the well, Elias opened his eyes with a tinge of gold within his orbs. "Show me." Elias hissed. "Show me where this boy is."

֍

"I'll take my leave then." Seth said with a small smile as Lucy struggled to meet his gaze.

"Y-yeah... I'll see you then." Lucy whispered, though when a good minute slipped by, the young nun noticed Seth did not move an inch.

"Is something wrong?" Lucy asked as she finally mustered the courage to look back to meet Seth in the eyes.

"O-oh! Oh nothing! I was just... looking." Though the courage quickly died off when she saw Seth reddens once more as she blushed back in kind.

Her chest ached, though the pain was anything but painful. It was strangely... light? As if the world was the most beautiful creation the Gods and Goddess had made. To be part of it was truly the greatest gift in the world. And it was all thanks to this man.

This seemingly random but pleasant man. He did not carries himself like a noble, nor does he as a common man. Seth was simply... Seth. Lucy could not find the proper words, but a playful smirk did dance on her lips. "So? How was it? The view?" Lucy said before the meaning slowly came to her head as her eyes widened.

She could not believe her tongue as Seth also stared back in similar shock. "W-wait I didn't mean to insinuate-"

"Could not get enough of it." Lucy also saw Seth's eyes widen in disbelief before he too reddened in shock and embarrassment.

"..."

"..."

The two broke contact once more as they were finally at their wit's end. Seth was the first to break as he hurriedly waved off a goodbye. "T-then I'll see you then!" Seth shouted as he took off.

"A-ah! Y-yes see you then!" Lucy shouted back at the fleeing red merchant.

She watched his retreating figure, waving off a goodbye as a soft smile graced her lips. Maybe I can do it this time? If Lucy could have blushed even further, she would have as she finally lowered her hand. If it is him... yeah, maybe he can... Or maybe he cannot.

Lucy flinched as a cold thought echoed at the back of her head. He will leave me. Just like He did. No! Seth is different! He is not like that bastard!...but what if he was? No no no! His not! He's different! So was he. Lucy's hands slowly balled as her nails bit her skin.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The cold dark thoughts nestled within her mind as much as she loathed it. Doubt slowly crawled at her throat despite her best attempts to ward it off. What if he's lying? Why is he being so nice to me? I don't have money, nor do I have land. I have nothing. Worse, I even have this... this thing.

Her gaze slowly drifts back to her scars, eyes hardening in disgust and dismay as her hands unconsciously touch them. So rough, so many... why can't I take it off? Lucy thought as she slowly scratched them. Her face grimaces darkly as it remains still.

I need it off. Her fingers slowly pick up with intensity. It remained. I need it off! I can't keep looking like this! Lucy quickly redoubles her efforts. ...No, why won't it go?? I can't be like this! Lucy's breath quickens as she scratches in dismay.

I can't! I can't have this! I-if I can't get rid of it... if I can't... he won't like me anymore... No! That cannot happen! Not again! Her throat felt dry as a quiet sniffle soon escaped her lips. Her eyes slowly stings as her world slowly goes blurry.

Come on! COME ON! GET OFF OF ME! GET OFF! GET- Lucy blinked back to reality when someone grabbed her arm. She turned to see Iva looking up with worry-filled eyes. "I-Iva? Is something wrong?" Lucy spoke as Iva cautiously nodded back.

"You're doing it again." Iva whispered as Lucy winced.

"S-sorry, didn't mean to alarm you. Just... got something in my head." Lucy whispered back in disbelief as she looked down at her arms.

What was I thinking? Of course Seth isn't like that bastard!... but what if he is? What if-

Lucy flinches as Iva slowly and awkwardly pats her leg. The little girl could not reach her back, so the leg would have to do.

"...Do you want me to call sister Rose?" Iva asked as Lucy quickly shook her head.

"No! Ah, I mean... there is no need to worry her ok?"

"I think you are a tad late for that one." Lucy turned back in shock to see Rose leaning close to the wall.

"S-since when?" Lucy asked as Rose shook her head.

"Just in time to see little Iva here snapping you out." Rose said as her eyes glanced down to her arms.

A sad grimace marks her face. "Thoughts?" Rose said as she gently caressed Lucy's wounds before mouthing a whisper. "Erak." A green glow soon washed her hands as Lucy stiffened slightly as her wounds painfully and prickling mend back.

"...Thoughts." Lucy replied a second too late as Rose sighed.

"Do you... want to talk about it?" Rose said as Lucy scrunched back.

"I... I'm fine. There are just some things in my mind, but they are gone now. I'm fine." Lucy replied as Rose frowned.

"Lucy if you are not fine, just say it. You don't need to make up excuses. We are family here aren't we?" Rose huffed as Lucy avoided her gaze.

"S-sorry I am just... scared." Lucy whispered weakly as Rose smiled sadly.

"Hey hey, it's all right. We are here now. You are here now." Rose whispered softly as she puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're safe here. It's all right. It will be all right." Rose said as Lucy shook her head.

"I-it's not that... it's Seth..." Lucy said as Rose's ears perked up.

"Oh? Does our Lucy already miss her young prince?" Rose would have chuckled then until she saw Lucy's trembling arms. It was barely noticeable, but it was there.

"H-he really is a good man right? A l-little weird, but who isn't right?" Lucy tried to laugh but the slight tremble in her voice did not escape Rose's attention as she continued. "He gave us this home, brought sweets and clothing for the children, and even called me b-beautiful. S-sweet isn't it?" Lucy turned, her pupils trembling.

"...But when will I wake up?" Lucy whimpered as Rose reached in to comfort the young maiden, but Lucy avoided her. "All of this. The estate, the gifts, his words... it all seems too good to be true."

"Lucy..." Rose tried, but Lucy would not let her speak.

"I've done so many things, seen so many things. So... so many." Lucy paused, taking in a deep breath as Rose's heart ached. "I've done what I could get out of that nightmare. B-but I never... I never thought I could get out... and now I'm here... I fear it was all a dream." Rose could not help but frown as she gently, but firmly replied.

"This not a dream Lucy. This-"

"How would you know that?" Lucy suddenly snapped back; agitation filled her voice as she retreated once again from Rose's touch.

"Lucy, please. I'm here with you aren't I?" Rose said as Lucy hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.

"I am not a fool. I know how to spot a lie. When things go on too well for far too long, it always ends up bad." Especially for me... Lucy's breathing hastens before continuing. "There is always a price for anything. Always. There is no such thing as free in this world. And this? This is all too good to be true." Lucy gestured wildly all around her as she continued.

"A warm home? A soft bed? Succulent meals 3 times a day?... a family?"

Damn it not again! Rose silently cursed herself as Lucy refused to listen. "Lucy, please! You-"

"This has to be a dream. I-it has to! This doesn't make any sense! But... but I... I don't want to wake up." Lucy turned back, eyes desperately pleading for an impossible answer as she slowly gripped her chest. "I've died once you know? I died when that archer pierced my heart." Lucy whispered as Rose's eyes widened.

"L-Lucy you're scaring me." Rose said, but the girl could not hear her.

"Ah wait that's not right. Since when was I alive in the first place?" Lucy cackled madly as the voices slowly crawled out. "I did nothing but wake up before going back to bed by midnight. I did nothing in my life but tried to get his damn attention. I wasted it all before having this dream." Please no. I can’t do this again.

"Lucy!" A voice so far in the distance cried out, though Lucy could not tell whether it was also a lie.

"This is just all in my head! Yes, it all makes sense! I'm probably rotting in a forgotten ditch right now!" Anything but that, please.

"Hahaha! Imagine that! This is all a lie! You're all just in my head! All of you! I really have lost it haven't I?..." Then everything... everything was a...b-but... but- "Why?! Just why does everything have to be a lie?!" It can't be! It can't be!!!

The urge to scream engulfs the young lady. The voice crawled deep from her heart, into her chest, slowly making its way into her throat. Lucy wanted to breathe, so desperately wanted to breathe as darkness slowly invades her world.

"You are all in my head.” Lucy aimed a pointed finger at the two, but she could not see their faces. Tears had blurred her vision. “All of you. You were just a family I am dreaming right now, isn’t it?” And the thought hurt. “…Why can’t you be real?” It truly hurt.

“Damn you.” It burns. “Damn you al-"

Lucy blinked as she struggled to breathe. A moment later, warmth came. It took a good minute for her mind to return to reality as Rose and Iva's embrace grew stronger. The little girl could barely cling on to her leg, but it did not matter. "It's not. It's not. I promise you; it is not." Rose whispered as Lucy's eyes trembled.

“I am here. Iva is here. We are here.” Roses’s voice quivered for a moment, but it held strong. Strong enough to pull Lucy from her damned thoughts.

Iva did not say a word, but the tightening of the hug was far more reassuring than anything. "Don't go... Please don't go." Lucy sniffled as she returned the gesture. "E-even if this is all a dream, I don't want to wake up." Her embrace grew stronger as she pulled the two closer.

"Hush now dear. This is not a dream. I promise you with my life, this is all real." Rose reassured.

"...Please don't leave me." Lucy gasped for air desperately as Rose warmly brushed her back.

"I promise." Rose whispered lovingly.

It seemed to work for Lucy for a moment before redoubling her efforts to pull them closer, terrified they would disappear if she let go for even a second. Though it was tighter than any of the two would like, none dared to voice it out as Lucy quietly cried.

The three remained still for another good minute before Lucy finally began to calm down and slowly let go. "Really now. I know you can be a hugger, but that was something else." Rose said as Lucy reddened.

"S-sorry." She weakly answered as Rose shook her head.

"Oh well, it's all in the past. Now, how would you girls like a hot cup of cocoa?" Rose smiled as Iva's eyes beamed and Lucy shyly avoided her gaze.

"...I'm not a child. I can make it on my own." Lucy grumbled as Rose laughed.

"Please sister, even if you are one of us, you are by far the youngest. And by my right and privilege as one of the eldest, I believe I can treat my younger sisters just as any elder sisters would." Rose beamed as Lucy flushed deeply in bright red.

"B-but-"

"Oh, do you not want cocoa then?" Lucy's eyes widened in dismay as Rose could not help but tease away the bad memories. "Is that so? What a shame. I suppose Iva here would instead get two for your-"

"I'll take it." Lucy cuts off before Rose can finish.

The older sister could not help but chuckle delightedly as she led the two back to the estate. "Ah, that's right. Sister Rose, do you know where sister Emma is? I haven't seen her since." Lucy asked as she scanned the surroundings once more.

"Ah, right. I forgot to tell you since you were having so much fun with a certain gentleman." Rose lightly teased as Lucy stuttered.

"S-so do you know where she is?" Lucy asked as her eyes shifted around uncontrollably. Rose smiled at the blatant change but relented, nonetheless.

"Sister Emma is currently replacing the bread as she always does every week or so. Since Seth has been more than generous in supplying us, sister Emma has been doing it every 3 or so days now." Rose said with a hint of pride in her voice as Lucy nodded back.

"Although it is getting late. She should be home by now, though it must have been a rough road this winter." Rose said a moment later as Lucy suddenly stiffened. "Don't worry, she should be back by an hour or so." Rose said as Lucy uncomfortably glazed over the window, to the abandoned home where Emma had found her.

"W-what if she has met with trouble along the way?" Lucy said as the uncomfortable knot grew tighter. "M-monsters and beasts usually are more violent in winter. Perhaps I should-"

"No." Rose firmly answered.

"B-but sister-"

"Lucy, please. You are doing it again." Lucy flinches as her head dipped slightly.

"Look, I know you are restless when it comes to these things, but sister Emma has been doing this for years now. She knows what she's doing. Trust in her." Rose insisted as Lucy slowly but reluctantly nodded back. Rose smiled as they continued to walk. "That's the spirit! Now who wants cocoa? Sister Emma would probably scold us again for it, but by then it would already be made!"

3 days had passed and there was still no sign of Emma.