"Good morning, did you sleep well Lucy?" Emma softly greeted Lucy as she nodded without a word. The day was just beginning yet the place where Lucy was currently standing on was filled with life.

Some of the sister were preparing breakfast for everyone while some were cleaning inside and outside the orphanage. "Is there anything I can help you with?" Emma asked as she went back to cutting down the vegetables to smaller sizes.

She wore a simple white apron with her nun clothes on. The same could be said for everyone else in the room as they busily prepared for the day. "...Is there a work I can do here?" Lucy briefly said as Emma's eyes widen.

"Oh no no! The sick should be resting on the bed instead of here." Emma said.

"I'm fine really. Besides, I don't want to lie in bed all day." Lucy replied as Emma's face were puzzled in confusion.

"Are you sure? A few hours of sleep would do you well." Emma said.

"...I can work at least that much. So please, is there anything I could help with?" Lucy replied as Emma pondered the request for a moment.

"Well, we do need someone to peel the potatoes." Emma said as she pointed towards the basket of raw potatoes.

"Sure, leave it to me." Lucy said before walking towards the basket.

"Hold on! Wash your hands first and put on an apron, there is a spare one I believe inside there." Emma said as she pointed towards the backroom. Lucy only response was a nod before moving.

A moment later passed before Lucy emerges from the backroom. A white apron had also covered her simple clothes as she walk hurriedly towards the basket. A small, delighted smile etched on Lucy's face before carrying a basket full of potatoes towards the bucket that had been freshly drawn-out water from the well.

Lucy washed the skin of the potatoes first thoroughly with the limited water she has before peeling off the skin one by one expertly with a knife. Like an experienced chef, Lucy peeled off the skin with ease.

"Oh? You are actually good with this." Emma said as she scanned her work. Barely five minutes had passed before she skinned an entire basket worth of potatoes. "Did you learn from a chef before leaving, dear?" Emma asked.

"Y-yes? Ah...yes, chef... right..." Lucy bit her lip in surprise. A chef eh?...Kel would have loved that wouldn't he?... Lucy thought as she took another basket of potatoes with relative ease and begins anew.

...This brings me back. She bitterly thought absently as her hands continued to move. Her years in the army were never smooth sailing even from the beginning. Untrained muscles, harsh environment, and a broken heart would lead anyone aimless and lost for a while. The only saving grace was the pity the drill sergeant had for her. Though pity could only serve her so far. She was mostly punished by peeling an entire day's worth of potatoes.

It was the most dull and monotonous of them all. Back then, Lucy hated the drill sergeant for giving her the punishment without mercy. Now she wished she could stay back to the good old days. Peeling potatoes the entire day was tremendously much better than watching her men die one by one. If only I knew then... Lucy thought as she peeled the last one.

"..." Lucy let out a sigh as she brought the last basket of freshly peeled potatoes. "Anything else?" Lucy asked as Emma looked at the basket.

"I never knew you had a knack for this Lucy, this is impressive. You just given us a lot of time Lucy." Emma said as the other sisters nodded in agreement.

"...Is there anything else?" Lucy asked as Emma was disappointed in the lack of reaction.

"Well, you could help us by preparing the table..." Lucy already trailed off before Emma could even finish her words. The older nun could not help but smirk the dedication Lucy was willing to commit.

She quickly approached one of the sisters who were preparing the table. Don't shout. Keep calm. Keep... calm... ok. "I was told I could help here?" Lucy asked, trying to contain the edge in her voice.

"Oh that would be-!" The sister froze mid-sentence when she saw Lucy.

Her eyes quickly landed on her skin as it traces along her scars. It never occurred to her then, but she never felt so... wrong. Those eyes... it felt so wrong. Lucy struggled to keep her agitation in check as the sister finally snapped out from her daze. "-Ah yes! T-that would be wonderful." The sister said, trying to mask her earlier agitation in attempt to ease Lucy in.

The sister hands her sets of plates and utensils to spread across the table. Lucy worked without a word as she tries to engross herself by the task at hand. Don't think now. Focus damn you. Focus! There was a slight unease that permeated the air as Lucy silent worked without skipping a beat.

A few moments passed before all the dinning utensils were finally placed properly. The sister turned to give her thanks, but Lucy already left without a word as she walked back to Emma. "Anything else?" Lucy asked as Emma scratched her slightly rosed red cheek.

"W-well I think you have done more than enough today." Emma said.

"...There are still-"

"We will take it from here. Really, you have done more than enough. Instead, why don't you wait by the seat over there until breakfast is ready?"

Lucy gaze back towards the seat Emma was pointing at as she shook her head. "I can still..." She trailed off when she met Emma's eyes once again. This time, it was far sterner than the last, like a mother caught her child red handed. It was no contest. Lucy reluctantly agrees as she remained seated for the rest of the morning. Sisters busily buzzed over the halls as they prepared for the day.

Some were cleaning the halls while most were preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Occasionally however, Lucy feel gazes bearing down on her. She had caught one of them red handed before flinching and tearing their gaze away from her.

The gazes were burdensome, but Lucy soon learns to ignore them as she followed Emma's order like a soldier would to her commander. It was awkward at first, though it was the only way Lucy felt comfortable to do after several years of constant war. The day goes on as Lucy waited for the meal to be served when her ears perked up at a distant noise.

There were several of them, perhaps a dozen or more? Lucy keep listening when she heard a voice. It was soft, gentle almost like they were children...children? Lucy felt her blood froze as she suddenly bolted upright, surprising the nearby sisters. "Lucy?" A voice asked, but Lucy could not hear them as she quickly moves towards the door.

I have to get out of here! She panicked as more and more sisters began to take notice. "Lucy are you all right? You look pale, do you need help?" Lucy finally reaches the door. She reaches in to open it when it suddenly opened on its own, revealing a group of unsuspecting children.

Their gaze locked into one another, confused and frightened. The children who had saw Lucy's face began to pale as the former soldier withered beneath those small gaze. "A-ah..." Lucy manages to say as the children flinched, on the verge of crying. In that moment, a memory suddenly invades Lucy's mind. Reality twists and bends as she was seemingly back in that moment. The fear and panic of the present disappeared in an instant as her maternal instincts kicks in.

Lucy slowly lowered herself to their eye level before speaking softly. "Hey... hey. Are you all right?" Lucy whispered towards a crying child. "Where is your mother dear? It's dangerous outside, especially today." Lucy cooed as the child simply stares back as tears leaked out from her eyes.

"Hey hey, no need to cry. It will be all right." She whispers lovingly when the child spoke.

"Why?" A spear suddenly appeared between her stomach. Lucy barely had a second to register what happened before the child spoke once more.

"Why did you kill me?" Lucy blinked again, this time she was the one holding the spear. The young maiden's eyes widen to complete horror as she tries to drop the spear. Her body wouldn't move. No no no. Let go damn you! Let go! She tried to scream to no avail, her body refuses to move.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Why Emma?" Lucy froze as the child dead like eyes stared back at her.

No. N-no this is a mistake. I-it's not me!

"Why?"

It's not me! I swear it is not me!

"I trusted you."

B-but... but it wasn't me... it wasn't me. It wasn't me. It wasn't me. It wasn't me... it wasn't... me... wasn't... it... was... me.

"Hiek-!" Lucy snapped out from her memory as the dawning horror soon ensues. Their small mouths quivered in fear as a cry escaped from their lips. The children cried as Lucy took a step back. "M-monster! The monster is back!" The children screamed.

"Hey hey there is no monster here. Shh, it's all right. It's all right." The sisters tried to mitigate the damage, but it was already too late.

"B-but she's there! She's right there!" They begged the sisters to listen as Lucy took another step back.

"No no! That's Lucy. It's just Lucy! See! It's just..." The sisters trailed off when they saw the guilt carved within those eyes. "Wait, Lucy! Wait!" Lucy did not know who yelled after her as she took off running. Far away from the children. Far away before she could hurt them.

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"I'm sorry for earlier Lucy." Emma sorrowfully mumbled as she watched Lucy stuffed a spoonful of beef and potato stew from her wooden bowl. The cold yet refreshingly autumn wind blew across the hill as Lucy swallowed the meal in a single gulp.

"What for? You can't control those kids emotions anyway just as they can't control themselves." Lucy mumbled as she forks another spoonful. Emma did not reply as the wind blew gently once more across the hill.

Lucy enjoys her meal beneath the gray clouds at the backyard of the orphanage. The children refused to go anywhere near where Lucy was, so she decided to take it upon herself and eat outside instead.

Anyone would looked at her pitifully, but frankly the view more than makes up for it. The town below worked peacefully at a slow pace today thanks to the cold and damp weather. Lucy watched them go as she enjoyed her meal in silence.

"...This is some good stew." Lucy mumbled as she chews. It was not as delicious when compared to the gourmet meals the chef in her household could provide, but after starving for weeks, Lucy never complained about the food any longer.

In her opinion, it was as good as a chef's masterpiece in some other way. "...Do you like it?" Emma finally answered as Lucy nodded slowly.

"Yeah..." Lucy simply replied as she chuck in another spoonful. The thick and tasty meal melts in her mouth with its rich taste.

Emma watched this continuously in silence as Lucy continues to slowly but surely devours the meal, one spoonful at a time. "No need to be reserve, we had more than enough for two or more serving." Emma said as Lucy shook her head.

"Those kids probably looked forward to this meal. Can't be too greedy now can I?" Lucy whispered back with a smile as she finished the last of the stew. "...If you have something to say sister, say it. I am all ears..." Lucy said as she grew burned by Emma's gaze.

Emma's eyes widen for a moment but relaxes as she prepared herself to speak. "...I have talk with the others last night. They were all reluctant on you joining with us, but they agreed nevertheless..."

"I see..."

"..."

The grass waved lightly as a cold breeze brushed past the hill. The smell of rain was rich in the air as the two waited for the other to speak. "... So what are you going to do?" Lucy did not replied as she stuffed another spoonful.

"...Lucy it was-"

"Stop." Emma was not having it as she opened her mouth to respond. "...please?" Though it was quickly shot down at Lucy's desperate plea. Silence washed over them for another period in time before Emma mustered the will to speak once again.

"It will get better." Lucy blinked as Emma continued. "I... I might not know what you've been through, but if you stay with us I promise you that it would get better. I-it might not be now, or tomorrow, or even the year after, but I will do my best- no, we will do our best to help you! S-so please, stay with us!"

...What? Are... are you stupid? Lucy thought as she turned to face Emma. When she saw her, however, she was only met with conviction in her eyes. She... she's actually serious? Lucy blinked dumbfoundedly as she opened her mouth, before closing it again. It repeated several times as her mind was still processing what Emma had said.

Lucy opted to keep her mouth close as she simply content to stare back instead. The scarred maiden stared to what seemed to be hours on end, yet the will within Emma's eyes remained. She's serious... she genuinely meant it... Lucy blinked once, then twice before drawing in a deep breath to speak once more.

"... Fine, I'll give it a shot." Lucy whispered as Emma's eyes flickered for a moment.

"R-really?" Emma whispered, barely containing the relief and joy inside. Lucy nodded slowly before speaking again.

"Yes." Was her simple reply.

Emma smiled brightly for a moment as she was genuinely happy before it disappeared without a trace. What replaced instead was worried.

"...But the children?" Emma carefully asked as Lucy flinched slightly by the word. A sad smile then crept up on her face as she whispers.

"I will be fine. I will get used to it. Besides, I had nowhere else to go. I'm penniless and have nothing to hold. At least here I have a roof over my head and a meal."

A soft yet sad expression paints across Emma's face as she replies to Lucy. "...Don't worry I'll make sure you will call this orphanage a second home soon." Lucy stared dumbly for a moment before nodding back in reply.

"You don't like it?" Emma asked with a tinge of worry in her voice.

"Hmm? Ah, no no. I don't hate it. It's just... a home huh?... I have never really thought of hearing that word again. It sure does have a nice ring to it." Lucy said as she gazed back towards the town.

The slow yet lively town continues to unfold before her eyes as Emma stared her with a soft expression. "I'm glad you accept it Lucy. Ah no, I mean sister Lucy." Emma said with a smile as she hands down a pair of clothes that the nun usually wore.

Lucy turned back to see a plain white clothes and a green cornette that they usually wear. She stared at the clothes listlessly before returning back an awkward smile. "I'm happy to hear that... sister Emma." Lucy said as she received the clothes Emma had given.

There was a faint scent of dry wood on the clothes which made Lucy's nose tickle as she waft a scent from the clothes. Her pale snow like hands touched the surface of the clothes with care as if she was afraid of the wrinkles that might accidentally ruin the clothes.

"Try it on." Emma nudged as she saw Lucy's eyes flickered for a moment. With a nod, Lucy retreated back into the shelter of the orphanage as she prepared to change. The clothes were slightly bigger than her, but Lucy wore it nonetheless as it warmer than her current one.

Emma's smile curved higher when she saw Lucy wearing the clothes. "It suits you well, sister Lucy." Lucy reddens slightly at the compliment as she examined the clothes further. "It is... surprisingly light. Lucy noted as she felt little change to her movement.

"Of course, how else would we make the chores if they were stiffy?" Emma said as she saw movement at the corner of her eye. Her smile slightly twitched when she saw the others carefully eyeing the two of them from the distance.

They looked curious to Lucy's new appearance but were also disturbed by her face as they continued to look from afar. Emma wanted to show them to who Lucy really was, but she could not as they were still unnerve by her intimidating appearance.

She let out a small sigh as Lucy was still allured by her new clothes. "I have to go now sister Lucy. There are still things I have yet to complete." Emma said as she saw the others moves away from the door.

"Let me-"

"No." Emma cut Lucy off as she pointed down the hall.

"The room you are in are still messy. It is barely enough to be even considered as a room so as for your first assignment, I would rather love for you to whip your room into shape. You can use whatever you like within the shed, just clean it up please dear." Emma said.

Lucy opened her mouth to protest but closed midway when she saw shadows behind Emma. They were tall, nothing like the children she knew but Lucy could already tell who they were from. With a sigh, Lucy relented as a visible smile appears in Emma's face.

"Don't sulk to much, we really just need you to have your room ready. Everything else is already done or close to. I'll give you work tomorrow, I promise." Emma console the dishearten Lucy as she made her way towards her room.

֍

"...Do you remember us, commander?" Lucy's eyes snapped open wide in horror as two familiar figures stood before her. The two were a couple of considerable age as their graying hairs and slacken skins were evident to the winds of time.

Lucy knew them too well as they too to her. They were the parents of her right-hand man who died like the rest of her men. It pained Lucy to see them in prison as they're eyes were filled with remorse and betrayal.

"...Why?" The female's voice quivered softly in Lucy's ears. The tone of hate and sorrow in her voice made Lucy shake in fear despite the bar between them. "Why did our son have to die?... why did you do it commander?" The female whispered as Lucy's eyes widen in fear.

"MPH!" Lucy tried to protest, to plea for her innocence but the gag in her mouth prevented her from so much as letting a word out of her tongue. I did not kill them! Lucy desperately wanted to shout, to scream at the two before her.

The female's eyes widen for a moment before a tear traced down against her cheek. The man beside her tries to comfort her but also weep as tears traced down on his face too. "Why could you not save him?! Why could you not save my baby boy?? JUST WHY?!" The woman wailed in sorrow as the man beside her simply glared at Lucy as tears streamed down from his face. The captain closed her eyes, begging for the darkness to claim her for the last time.

֍

Lucy screamed painfully as she breathlessly panted from her nightmares. Her hands trembled violently as tears welled up from her eyes. She tried to choke out a cry, but the sense of guilt and failure overwhelmed her entire being.

Lucy slowly sinks back to the floor as the bed was simply too soft to held her entire being. Lucy sprawled down on the floor as she trembled in pain. The guilt... the failure... Lucy could not help but despaired as she was forced to remember the couple once more.

Why did you do it? A whisper seemed to enter her mind. Lucy tried to block out the sound with her hands but to no avail as the whisper simply continues to grow louder and louder. Why could you not save him?! Why could you not save my baby boy?? JUST WHY?!

Lucy slowly let out a whimper as the accusing and sorrowful voice continues to echoed within her mind. "I'm sorry..." Lucy whimpered, hoping those shallow words would be enough to save her. It did not. "I'm sorry... I tried... I really tried... but I could not save them... I could not save your son... I'm sorry... I am so sorry..." Lucy cried silently as the shadow outside of her room begins to move. Emma could only offer a warm rub at her back as Lucy continued to rambles on and on, unaware of the heartbroken nun beside her.