Capítulo 10: The Soulless Boy
Making their way to the main doors of the residence's garden, Inanna saw a worried and unhappy Lucy with hands against her slender waist, standing a few yards away.
The girl could only let out a nervous laugh and scratch the back of her head from the earful scolding she'd hear any minute.
"My Lady, did you enjoy your short trip around the garden?"
Lucy asked with a straight smile, but Inanna knew better than to think any less of Lucy's harmless question.
Clearly, she wasn't happy about the situation.
"Lucy, you see..."
Inanna nervously began to utter, but stopped mid sentence to think of what excuse she could use to lessen Lucy's anger as she heard her steps getting close.
To her surprise, Lucy hugged her and cradled her back as she let out a deep sigh.
"I'm just glad you're okay, My Lady."
Inanna's heart wavered and almost sank at hearing Lucy's words and the relief she expressed seeing she was okay.
"I'm sorry, Lucy."
The scarlet-haired girl whispered in guilt as she leaned over the woman's comforting and warm embrace, feeling deeply remorseful for her reckless and inconsiderate actions.
The brown-haired woman simply smiled and continued holding her small structure. Shortly, she separated herself from the small girl as she looked over at the thin boy.
It merely took a simple glance to understand that the boy was malnourished and horribly mistreated before his arrival.
His body was pure skin and bones, with zero trace of fat or muscle. Various bruises were visible on every part of his tiny body that some looked infected.
His hygiene wasn't good either.
Overall, an appearance of never having a proper meal, a warm bath, and being genuinely taken care of before.
The woman's blue-eyes thinned as she stood up and walked over to the boy.
"Hello there. My name is Lucy. I'm a maid and a nanny of the Duke Bessa Household. What's your name, sweetheart?"
She tenderly spoke as she bent down at the boy's height level and tilted her head to get a better view of his face.
She waited for his response, but he didn't reply nor acknowledge her presence and didn't seem interested in doing so.
At that, Inanna felt confused and unsure of what to think about his unresponsive behavior at the moment.
'He acts almost dead now. The opposite reaction of what I witnessed when he gave that nobleman a lesson by flipping him over against the ground for lifting his hand on one of our maids.'
Before she knew it, memories of the past appeared as she remembered the tall bronze man who always presented himself as a stern and calculative person to those around the Crown Prince.
Amber-colored eyes that frequently narrowed at the sight of anyone who approached them and black wavy hair that covered his creased forehead when extremely annoyed.
A contempt expression he maintained whenever he attended a social gathering hosted by the imperial family.
Even then, he never looked at her with hatred or hostility like the others. He simply kept a neutral face whenever she tried to speak or get near his master; the Crown Prince, Kavin Castes.
Nevertheless, Inanna didn't trust his calm outward appearance. For all she knew, he might've put on a harmless facade since she was the fiancé of the Crown Prince.
Widespread extensively in the aristocracy as the future empress of the Amerta Empire.
Inanna couldn't help but frown upon seeing the boy she once knew as a confident man of the past, having no sense of emotion or presence whatsoever.
'He's different from his intimidating and remote demeanor of the past. He.. he seems lifeless. An empty shell with no ounce of any emotions. A soulless boy.'
Slowly, the scarlet-haired girl made her way to her nanny and the boy with steady steps as she reached out for the dandelion she kept in her attire the entire time.
When she stood beside the woman, she curiously stared at the boy, looking at the rocky pathway.
'Though I can't be too sure it's him. I'll have to wait and see for the color of his eyes after a makeover.'
"Lucy, how about we first head inside and get him cleaned up? Then we can get him a proper meal while the family doctor checks his injuries."
Inanna suggested when she made eye-contact with the blue eyes of her nanny.
"You're right, My Lady."
Lucy replied as she thought it was a good idea to get the boy's injuries treated rather than prioritizing to get to know him immediately.
After all, she could comfort and get familiar with him afterwards.
That being the case, the scarlet-haired girl moved her gaze toward the boy and neared him as she leaned on her side.
Her vibrant wavy hair fluttered to her side as she stretched her arms out to him and showed him the pretty flower she held.
"This flower here is a dandelion. It's one of my favorites because it symbolizes healing, hope, and resilience. I believe it suits you, so I want you to have it!"
The girl cheered with a bright smile, which enhanced her lovely and adorable features even further.
'Even if my assumption is wrong, I'd still like to at least get along with him before father finds him a proper place to live. It must be a hard and difficult time for him.'
Inanna sympathized as she felt strongly about the boy's situation.
The environment the boy unwillingly grew up in was traumatic. No child should ever experience such horrific circumstances and conditions. It wasn't appropriate and humane to be raised and sold as a slave upon the black-market.
It angered her how people could be so cruel and evil to hurt anyone, especially an innocent child.
'Don't worry, from now on we'll take good care of you and soon find you a loving forever home!'
On the other hand, the three maids were in awe at the scene before them.
Unaware to Inanna, the boy meekly gazed at the girl underneath his outgrown hair as he neared her and swept a piece of her scarlet locks away from her face.
Afterwards, he began to move his boney hands toward her cheek and caressed it tenderly as he uttered shocking words.
"Your eyes... they're lovely."
He murmured softly.
Stunned, Inanna plainly stood there with wide eyes and flushed cheeks as he remained unmoved and unfazed.
'Love at first sight!'
The maids mentally squealed in sync with gleaming and goggling eyes.
"Oh, my."
Lucy gasped at the cute interaction between both children. It seems like she didn't have to worry about them getting along.
"W-we should get you cleaned up!"
The girl shouted shyly as she moved back to lose contact with the boy's gentle touch and turned her head away from him.
The black-haired boy could only stare in a daze at his hand from the loss of warmth he felt for a moment and clenched it.
"We should head inside. Merith, prepare a bath and a new pair of clothes for our little guest."
The brown-haired woman instructed the older maid as she neared the boy and patted his head before reaching out her hand for him to grab onto.
"Yes, Lucy."
The older maid responded with a smile as she led the way towards the house.
For a moment, the black-haired boy stared at the soft, tender hand of the smiling woman until he realized she wanted him to hold her hand when he saw the girl his age take her hand with a soft expression.
Hesitantly, he looked at both of them before connecting his hand with the woman's slender hand, to which they simply smiled at him and began guiding him inside.
'I...'
For an odd reason, he felt something fuzzy inside his chest. He couldn't describe the feeling or quite understand what it was, but he thought it came from the warmth he felt in his hand.
Not until he recalled the feeling he felt with the scarlet-haired girl.
What he felt with her was different when he watched her enchanting, shiny scarlet hair and her graceful facial features. Her bravery and determination to defend him. The will to protect those around her.
Something he always wanted and wished upon the stars in the cells he slept in. For someone to care for him like they did for each other.
'... I want more.'
He thought as he observed the chatter of both females. In particular, the cheerful girl on the other side of the woman.
He couldn't help himself from feeling greedy for craving more of it.
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