Eye-Opening Nuem

"I want both of you to show me the slums and orphanage that has been constructed near here" said 'Estevan'.

Mazimier and Marmaligos again looked at each other in confusion. "Are you sure though?" asked Marmaligos.

"I am very sure" said 'Estevan'.

Marmaligos then nodded in agreement, despite being reluctant. They however went first along the stalls. From the looks of the market, the stalls are filled with children waiting for scraps of food, and their clothes are tattered.

The market streets are filled with plethora of varieties on which one can decide to indulge him or herself in, but also get confused as to which one they will buy for themselves. The market seemed to be flourishing and lively. Some children are pulling their mothers to another stall which sells toys and stuffed bears. Clanks of coins, bumps of barters and argues of bargain can be heard about the market street.

One can also see performers on some stalls, playing their accordions and flutes. Some also sees other performers doing unbelievable things like 'magic' or even acrobatics.

'Estevan' watched as a performer bends her back up until her hand reaches her ankle. 'Estevan's' hand was placed to cover the awing mouth he had. His amazement was so much that you can put an entire egg up to his mouth.

The crowds watching the performer on the streets were amazed as well and they clapped vigorously. "Bravo!" "What an excellent performance!" said some people on the crowd amidst the applause.

Of course, 'Estevan' also clapped in awe of them. The performer bowed to the crowds and the show was over.

"Now, that was a great performance is it?" said 'Estevan'.

"Indeed, your m—Monsieur Estevan" said Mazimier.

"However, I have not forgotten what you both promised before me" said 'Estevan'.

Marmaligos sighed and through the sounds of cricket at the night, they lead 'Estevan' into one of the orphanages Ixander has ordered to be built.

Upon entrance, Marmaligos was greeted with respect from the children gathered around the three gentlemen who had just entered the orphanage. "Whoa! Are those friends of the Great Ixander?" asked one of the children.

'Estevan' saw them and their thinned bodies which had been slightly revitalized and plumped as the Orphanage was personally funded by Ixander.

Marmaligos responded "Yes, we are. However, did not uncle Ixander ask that you call him 'uncle' instead of 'great'?"

"Ehhh! But he's indeed great! He gave us home finally after our parents abandoned us…" said one of the children.

One of the caregiver then said "Ahh, I told you. Your parents did not abandon you, child. Remember that…"

"But sister, why don't I have one?" asked the child.

"Y-you will have one soon, I promise!" said the caregiver.

"A-alright…" responded the child as his head looks down on the ground.

The three gentlemen then looked around, as the two grandquesters guide 'Estevan' throughout the entire orphanage.

One of the children called "Ohh! Yes! Sister! Sister!"

"Yes, child?" asked the caregiver.

"Today, there are fireflies around the house today, they are glowing now!" said the child. "We should bring the gentlemen outside to watch them!" the child added.

The caregiver then looked at them, signaling them to follow to the backyard garden of the orphanage.

On the way, a child among the group then said to another child "I'm really glad uncle Ixander built this house for us. I hope those people who I met to be very nice and are sleeping on the streets be also given some shelter as well. You know, One day, I was walking at the streets, this old man went near me. I was scared, but he actually gave me a very important item I lost on the way. It was a locket containing my mom's image and I said…"

Behind the children are the three gentlemen who are just listening at their heart-wrenching stories. 'The world was too harsh to them, and yet they were so young.' 'Estevan' thought.

They finally went out and beyond the darkness of the gardens at the backyard, the orphanage was filled with fireflies that glow in the dark. The children of the orphanage was awed by the beauty of the scene. Everyone then started catching fireflies in holed jars. 'Estevan' then went to the nearest child, to grab an opportunity to talk to a child in the orphanage.

'Estevan' then began speaking to a child, saying "Do you like it here?"

The child did not respond. From the opposite side of the field is Marmaligos and Mazimier both watching 'Estevan' converse with a child.

"Where are your p—ahem! I mean, why are you not joining them?" asked 'Estevan'.

It took a while but the child finally spoke, saying "My mother said I am a son of a noble…but when we went to that noble…he doesn't know me…I don't even get to ask his name…" said the child.

"What's your mother's name?" asked 'Estevan'

"Friejia�� responded the child. "She's dead now. That's why I am here."

"Oh, pardon me…" said 'Estevan'.

'Estevan' then caught one of the fireflies with his hand, carefully cupped the insect between his hands and showed the firefly to the child.

'Estevan' then said "Do you know what Fireflies symbolize?"

The child shook her head, not knowing what it represents.

"When I was a child, my mother told me that fireflies symbolizes hope that a better tomorrow is present" said 'Estevan'.

"Perhaps for you, a better tomorrow is starting. After all, your uncle Ixander had done an orphanage for you" said Estevan.

"Y-you're right, mister! T-thanks…" said the shy child.

'Estevan' laid his back among the grass, looking at the night sky filled with the glowing insects.

After some time, 'Estevan' approached Marmaligos and Mazimier, asking "Where's the orphanage director?"

"She's at her office. She budgets the daily reports as well and submits them to Ixander, alongside the things that are needed" said Marmaligos.

"So, in other words, the funds for the daily maintenance of this orphanage comes from Ixander?" asked 'Estevan'.

Marmaligos nodded in reply.

'Estevan' stood and said "Come, let's talk to the orphanage director."

Marmaligos nodded and so they went to the study of the Orphanage director.

They knocked at the door and from behind the door they can hear a clumsy, young voice because as she stands, she seemed to hit a somewhat metallic substance.

"Op—O wait over there!!" says the woman inside, panicking as she went to the door. She finally opened the door. Before them stood a woman so young and dressed nicely. 'Estevan' was awed at the beauty of the woman before him.

"Oh, please do come inside…" said the woman.

Marmaligos then introduced to both 'Estevan' and Mazimier the woman before them.

"Uhm, this is Ergrida, the orphanage directress. She takes care of the kids and let them be adopted when there is a potential parent" said Marmaligos.

"I am Mazimier, madame. You are doing the work of Khova. Khova be with thee" said Mazimier.

"And I am 'Este…' ahem… I plan to hide this through the end… but…" finally, 'Estevan' took his hood off and revealed who he is.

"O-Oh…Oh!" The directress immediately genuflected before the king but he said "No, no, stand up, I came here with my hood, and I do not plan to attract attention."

"B-but…how should I address you then, your m-- …"

"'Estevan', call me 'Estevan'" said the king.

The woman cleared her throat and said "Pardon me gentlemen if I am not able to provide you with a clean surrounding. As you can see, I am budgeting the expenses of the entire orphanage. Sometimes, we seem to not need the aid of the grandquester Ixander as there have been donations for the orphanage…but in all seriousness, the nobles are trying to get a hand of the reserved funds of the orphanage…" said the directress.

"But I promise you gentlemen, as long as I live, they will not meddle with the funds meant for the children. If there is a gift from Khova, it is Ixander…I am only following his steps" added the directress.

"And oh! Pardon me… 'Estevan'…for I have accused your nobles of something…I have not been able to provide substantial evidence, but recently…eyes are peering around the orphanage…we only hope that this be stopped…" said the directress.

The king asked a few more questions, especially on the state of the children, and how some of the children ended up in the orphanage. Some ended up at the orphanage because their parents were not able to retreat from the advancing Albanese men, some were orphans for years and was only given a shelter recently, some were orphans because the nobles who fathered them rejected and disowned them. Some, had their parents executed just because the nobles do not favor them, and some were killed off in a rivalry between families. Some of the parents were arrested and jailed off due to a crime or due to being hated by a noble, and some were born out of wedlock and broken families.

The more the King hears of the situation of these children, the more his heart is wrenched. He then said "I duly promise, directress, that I will act upon what has been stated here. I duly promise that…" said 'Estevan'.

The gentlemen then departed the study of the directress and as they went to the door, the caregivers then asked them to stop and said "Okay, everyone, the gentlemen will depart from the premises of the house. Should we let them hear the song we learned from our practice?"

The caregiver then said "Gentlemen, before you leave, please hear this song that the children practiced, as a departing gift."

The caregiver then sat on a piano, then started playing the melody of "Livinia, Livinia"

There, the children sang:

"The Flowers blooming at the fields

We will never risk your beauty

With all our smooth, little hands

We'll protect you firm, pretty

Livinia, Livinia, Home of our heart

Livinia, Livinia, We love you dearly

Livinia, Livinia, through all the odds

Livinia, Livinia, for you valiantly"

The children cheered as they say goodbye to their visitors, but 'Estevan' then ran to the children and carried one of them, hugged them as he tries to stop weeping.

'Estevan' then let go of the child and waved goodbye to them.

"Bye, visitors!" said the children in unison.

The three gentlemen walked back towards the palace of Nuem as they finish their tour of the streets and of the orphanage. Of course, the king discreetly entered the palace through the permission of Marmaligos. This way, the guards will not question whoever the hooded figure was.

The king, again discreetly, went back to his study, and there he pondered of the decision that should be done.

The next day, a herald then had a news

"A NEW GATHERING HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AT THE PALACE!"