00̴͓̚3̶̳̋̚ͅ

If I weren’t able to mask my inner thoughts well I believe the term, ‘deadpan’, would be a suitable description for the expression that I would make. Despite telling my father that one guard would be enough, he ordered 5 guards to be on my trail from the second I stepped out of the gates of the manor. Perhaps he felt challenged from my words.

He appears to be quite suspicious towards the behaviour I have displayed, I made a significant flaw when I had accidentally phrased my first sentence too eloquently.

Since it was unbefitting for the daughter of the Duke to have to walk to the celebration venue and probably also because my father wishes to maintain his reputation, I had to be transported to the venue via an elegant carriage. Though I do not find any enjoyment in this at all, I haven’t spoken to any of the guards yet since they all seem boring and they all give off the aura of someone who is too focused on their work.

When we finally arrived at the marketplace directly outside the royal palace, I was immediately intrigued by all the fascinating items that were on display, I had never attended events of these kinds before, even in my past lives, because I was too preoccupied with the future. I was greedy for a better life and overlooked the privileges I already had. I desired more instead of being content with what I already had. Those were my biggest mistakes in my previous lives, but this time I won’t desire a future, I have already understood that nothing can break the shackles that bind me to this story.

As I was walking through the stone pathways of town, there were suddenly flower petals gliding through the air and the sound of a marching band. People started pushing to get a good view of the performance which caused me, with the undeveloped figure suitable for a young child, to get pushed into an alley.

There was a stench of a bad odour and what I saw had quite honestly, stunned me. A child no younger than 5 was kneeling, almost unconscious, in the alleyway, it was quite evident that they were emaciated, suffering from starvation. Clinging to his arm was a toddler girl, it was also evident that she was malnourished but what was truly heart-clenching was the broken panicked expression adorning her face as she was shaking the boy’s arm.

Yet when she made eye contact with me a glimmer of hope shone in her eyes but it soon died out when she inspected my clothing of a higher-class citizen, she then dropped her head low as if she was preparing to be insulted. At that moment though, it was hard for me to place her emotions in a higher priority than a possibly dying child, I quickly sprinted away from the alley towards a food stall but had caught a glimpse of the toddler’s face on the verge of tears.

I had quickly purchased bread, fruit, vegetables and fresh, clean water with the money I was given to spend on worthless items at the festival. I had to ensure that I wouldn’t get caught by the guards unless there were any lurking in the shadows so I abruptly paused and scanned the area, mainly the shadows.

They’re amateurs, I could sense the slight gaze of someone to the right hidden in the shadows of one of the stalls. Bingo, a guard. I quickly dashed back to the alley, when I had arrived, the boy was still alive thankfully. The girl looked alarmed when I made advances towards the boy and ran in front of him with her arms out.

“Keep your hands away from my brother!” she screamed, though her legs were trembling, if the situation weren’t as dire then I would’ve congratulated her on her courage to stand up to someone who has more power than one self.

“Step aside child. I am merely trying to aid your brother so if you want him to open his eyes again and see the light of tomorrow then you must allow me to nourish him back to health.”

Reluctantly the girl stepped aside, letting her arms drop to her sides, though it would’ve been unnoticed to some, the girl had slipped a knife into her hands. It didn’t concern me at the moment since the boy was in desperate need of attention, I walked up to his slouched figure and placed the bag of goods I had bought previously onto the ground next to him. I then took the canister of water, unscrewed the lid and carefully guided the water into his mouth past his chapped lips.

After seeing that he showed less discomfort, I took an apple and cut it into pieces that he could consume without choking. Again repeating the process, then his eyes started opening until they fully peeled open to reveal stunning pink eyes. Momentarily I let a small smile be expressed on my face before realising that the guard may have caught up with me already thus causing it to disappear as if a smile was never there in the first place.

I took a step back when I heard the sound of a knife clattering followed by rapid footsteps. The toddler then ran into the boy’s arms to be embraced in a hug, she was shedding tears of joy or relief, I could not tell, as she was bawling her eyes out while saying ‘older brother’ over and over again.

Watching this scene makes me feel a warmness fill my cold, deprived heart. I have just found a reason for my existence.

The small purchase I made was enough for a family to not have to worry whether they would be separated the next day. In this life I have been given, I will work to use my power to speak for the silenced. I will ensure that smiles can return to the less privileged, instead of living in fear with their mouths barred by the exploits of corrupt nobles, I will use the insignificant life of mine destined to face an early end to build a better tomorrow.

Even if I cannot break free from my own chains, I will use the power I have to break the shackles of others, if my life needs to be put on the line for the true rulers of this empire to look forward to the next day, then so be it. My life is expendable, I might as well do what I can before I return to death’s door.

“Thank you,” the soft strained voice of the boy reached my ears.

To be appreciated for something, this feeling is so foreign, but it makes me want to smile. The emotion that one feels after knowing that I have released the shackle of someone, it makes me feel valued. I am not deserving of such grace but can I be selfish this once? Can I accept this gratitude I am not deserving of?

“You’re welcome, but I am not deserving of your kindness,” I then fished out a coin pouch from my bag, “Here this is for you, I am ignorant of your familial issues thus I can only provide financial aid, please use this money to secure at least one safe day for you and your sister. Find a stable job that can pay you enough to survive, if you ever need help please come to the Veronique household, I will provide any financial aid if required. Goodbye for now young man.”

I then left the alleyway to return to the dukedom where I can work towards my new goal.