~24~ Building Orphanage

"You know what, Victoria? You're asking way too much on me"

"Just please Xyle. Do you even remember what we've talked about last night?"

Xyle could only heaved a sigh and shook his head

"I just don't get it why you're so fixated with that commoner young man"

"That's because I've known that he had some kindness in him"

"So basically, you're saying that you've known him. Is that why you're so eager to save him when he's already dying like that?"

'As I thought, I may be changing him but that side of him that doesn't even care about life or even lives of other people worried me. It feels like I'm playing the role of the old Victoria without any changed in running away from the plot'

Victoria unconsciously puts her hands to her neck and acted as if she was out of breathe for a second. She didn't knew but the thought of that old Victoria in her mind comes creeping like she's the one who had experience such horrible death that she's been reading before her actual death in her previous life

'No You're not the old Victoria --- You're Anne and you'll be the new Victoria that she never thought and she never seen before. It's because you'll be running away from the plot that's why so always remind yourself to be kind and help others change their lives, new Victoria'

Then afterward, Victoria only heaved a sigh and looked at Xyle. Then, she immediately however gently hold both of his shoulders and looked seriously in his eyes

"Listen Xyle, every people live not for the purpose of dying but for the purpose of making memories with their love ones. Don't you know that it is painful enough to be left by your love one? Then those people who were left behind can only feel it. That's why there's always people coming filling that vacant portion in their hearts. Dying doesn't mean weak, it only means facing when ones time is up. However, if we can still save someone then that person can still make new memories with someone"

Upon saying those words, Xyle's expressions softened. However, his eyes widened. He knew what it felt like to be left behind, he knew how it felt like to be lonely and alone and he knew how it felt like to be living in the world. However, from that very instance that he felt like the words that he heard from Victoria's lips were warm realization of what it's like for him to live

'I don't know why this lady in front of me had this big effect on me, every word that she said hits a deep spot in me, yet why did she knew such kinds of situation? How can she resonate with me? I was not even again disgusted by her touch instead thee feelings are common to me from her now. What is she even doing with me, is she messing up my mind and emotions? Because if she is then she's lucky that she's slowly succeeding it'

After thinking those thoughts, Xyle didn't know it yet but he's already genuinely smiling towards Victoria that made her smiled back in return

"That's the kind of smile that I'm waiting to see from you"

"I guess you've truly earned them now Victoria"

"I hope it's only true Xyle"

"Then you can call me Elxy again, I don't mind"

"Then I'm grateful to ever meet you Elyx"

"Alright come here"

After hearing those words from Victoria he didn't know why but he hugged her again just like yesterday. He hugged her while caressing her hair gently. They only stayed like that for a few while until Xyle was the one to break his hug

"From now on, I guess being friends with you seems a lot of fun, right?"

"Absolutely! So should we go now?"

"Sure, I don't even have a choice. We're already outside of the household, Victoria"

"Oh right! Then let's go!"

***

"Right now, all we could do is sit here and look at this sleeping young man"

'However he's gorgeous though, he almost looked like the crown prince if his hair is not lighter than Charles'

Xyle heaved a sigh after saying those words to Victoria who had a worry face towards the young man who's sleeping in a bed.

"I know but I can't help but worry about him"

"Let me ask you one thing about this, Victoria"

"Sure, ask me anything Elyx"

"What does this young guy meant to you Victoria?"

"…"

However, even before answering immediately --- Victoria only smiled genuinely at the young man sleeping on the bed inside the clinic that they were in

'It's because he's my favorite character in the novel. However I can't say that directly can I? Let's just be real in here'

"He's someone whom I met inside the Berry's bakeshop, Elyx"

"So the bakeshop that you were saying yesterday was the Berry's huh? So he's working there?"

"As far as I know, yes --- he's working part-time there and he's very kind"

'Although, he was not that kind when he first met me. If you only know. I even heard him snorting before ignoring me'

'Kind, huh? Is that it? Is that the reason why you wanted to save him?'

However, instead of responding those thoughts towards Victoria --- he only clenched his fists secretly as he averted his gaze from the lady whose face had been worrying all the time since she had seen Ger's condition

'If I was put on that young man's condition would she be able to look at me like the way she's looking at him right now? I think I could only imagine'

After those thoughts, he decided to go outside of the room when he was stopped in his tracks. It's because he only heard Victoria saying something to him that caught his attention

"This young man that was sleeping in here had caught my attention the moment I saw his determination in his eyes"

"So what about them? What did you see that made you be drawn into him, is it just his determination, Victoria?"

Xyle turned around and face Victoria who was seated beside Ger. There, he looked seriously towards the person. He looked as if he was looking at his own prey with such eyes of an eagle.

"I'm not saying that I've been drawn to him by that Elyx, I'm saying that I've seen him at his worst and I'm willing to help this man not because I felt pity but because what had happened to him"

"Sometimes, you made me feel like I don't understand a thing about you any more, Victoria"

"Then you'll have to expect more from me then, Elyx. However I hope that you never forget what we've talked about last night"

"Do you want me to say it here? Besides, no one from our sides will hear it. The young man was sleeping by the way"

"Alright, let's talk in here"

***

"Fahar, sometimes I wonder why his highness loves to talk about the Lady that he's always non-stop mentioning to me"

"You mean, Miss Hersha?"

"Oh! Yes! It's the lady's name"

"…"

Instead of immediately responding back, Fahar only shook his head then placed the book that he was cleaning towards the appropriate shelves. They were inside the imperial household's library. They're cleaning every dusts there with the books that had been dusty over time

*Cough* *Cough*

"Fahar, that book had so much dust compared to this mine"

Fahar could only heave a sigh. Ever since that he was employed inside the imperial household, Fahar hadn't heard so much peace. It's because Giovanni was a kind of person that was talkative that's only making his ear bleed

"Alright! Alright, Giovanni, I get it. So would you please shut?"

"You haven't yet told me the reason"

"For Pete's sake! Isn't it obvious?"

"Obvious what?"

'UGH!'

Instead of shouting he controlled himself.

"It's because his highness loves the lady so much!"

"I'm not talking about the emperor Fahar"

"I'm not either, Giovanni. Geez!"

"Wait, what? You mean it? He's in love with the lady? Then what about his highness' fiancée?"

"You should mind your own business than minding his highness' business Giovanni"

"Why? I'm just curious!"

"Trust me, it's never good to be on the crown prince's bad side. So it's better to shut your mouth and do your work instead"

"B-Bu---"

"No buts"

'Geez! He's absolutely like my father!'

Giovanni could only shake his head and heave a sigh as they continue dusting the books on the shelves

Meanwhile, inside the imperial palace – there was already being held a meeting. It was an emergency meeting like Charles had predicted. They were conducting some measures about the investigations and prevention of growing crimes within the empire.

"Your highness, I think it's better for the every knight to take shifts"

"Hmmm, that's a very good idea, Duke William"

"As I agree your highness, we should also put some lights on every narrow alley or dark streets for every knight to see when patrolling or even commoners who were working overnight"

"I see, you're also on the good idea there Duke Felium"

"Are there anymore suggestions?"

"Your highness, may I suggest if it's possible to adopt a child?"

Then murmurs started circulating around the imperial hall

"Silence!"

In that way, the officials had been silent again.

"Why do you say that count Florence? You knew that we're discussing something important matter here and you're saying something like that?"

The emperor rebutted

"Oh! No! It's not my intention your highness. It's because there were people living inside the narrow alley or homeless because they were either thrown by their parents or not appreciated. That's why if it's possible for a noble to adopt a commoner?"

"It's preposterous, count Florence! A noble could only adopt an individual with a distant noble origin not a commoner!"

"I-I apologize your highness"

"Your highness, why don't we built up a foundation about adopting children"

"Why do you say that again Duke William?"

"Well, your highness it wasn't only my proposal but it was also my friend's proposal Duke Felium. It will be called orphanage"

"Orphanage?"

"Yes your highness, it will be the reason that no one will be left behind. The people or children thrown towards the streets will be able to have home in a small house together with the others. It's the only thing that will replace what their parents should have done to them"

"…"

Silence came however, after thinking through the emperor immediately agreed

"Alright, let's now talk more about this proposal. Either way, let's have this as a lesson from now on"