Long time ago ...
"Milo. Come here at once!" A black haired boy with a buttoned white shirt shouted to one of the kids who will be playing hide and seek in the woods.
"What do you want, brother Krilo?! Milo's head wobbles while walking in Krilo's direction. He can hear the kid silently cursing him. "Just let me play with the big boy please?"
"You are not big enough to play in the woods," dictates Krilo. As the son of the head of the orphanage, it is his duty to ensure everyone safety and communicate to them well. In addition, resist the temptation to take part in those children's games. He is not that much older than them.
"You are no fun, brother Krilo!" Milo ran towards the surroundings of the orphanage. Kids his age are not allowed to play outside of the wooden fence. Even though his attitude and demeanor is similar to the big boys playing outside.
This is not the first time he encountered this scenario. Boys always have this desire to play with the biggest and strongest pack. It is up to Krilo to uphold the rules and heads on to supervise everyone.
"Hey Krilo!" shouted someone from far away. A girl wearing an apron gown running towards him. Her hand grabs the bottom of the gown so that she can run easier. Her long brown hair is tied, forming a ponytail.
"Enna. You don't have to run like that," greets Krilo, taking a glance at the drop of sweat falling from her forehead. What he fears the most is that the contents of her hand basket would fall off to the ground.
"It's almost noon. We don't want the boys to get hungry before lunchtime." Her gown arm is used to absorb the drop of sweat from her face.
Enna Gracelyn Regent. The second born of the House Regent. The first daughter of Lord Adam Regent and Beatrice Regent nee Vivendi. An energetic and charming princess. Whenever she goes by the all boys orphanage, all of their eyes go straight to the damsel.
The boys outside go out from their hiding spot the moment she comes by, so whenever this happens, the seeker wins. Meanwhile, the little boys inside the wooden fence also come by, stopping their activities.
Most of them came for the basket full of bread and fruit, personally processed from the Regent estate. Well, some of them came for the eye candy and the noble aura emanating from the damsel. Enna strangely doesn't seem to mind at all.
Unfortunately, in a year, she will be sent to the capital in the north. To be one of the mistresses for the king. The Kingdom's decree is done so that the administrative House is fully integrated into the kingdom. No rebellious act can be done by The Houses if one member of the family is held 'captive' in the Kingdom's grasp.
"So, how is the orphanage nowadays? Is it cramped? Does it need expansion or renovation perhaps?" She crossed her arms. Eyes looking towards the grand compound in the outskirts of the forest.
"It is enough as it is." Krilo is smiling and being direct. The boy does not want to bother the damsel anymore.
The building compound is a philanthropic action of The House Regent. They often give their belongings and fund for charity. The head of the house has a childish vision that he wanted the land he governs to prosper.
Too bad his House dwarfs the Great House of King Vincent Gewjory. A small statured man with an insatiable lust for women and liquor. Typical ravenous tyrant who sees his subject as a tool, if not, a thorn in his side.
A huge amount of tax and tribute to the Gewjory's are mandatory. There are no standards on how much that Vincent wants. It is always a huge amount when you see the amount that Voltingen wants from its subject. Vincent uses some of them for The Kingdom, but most of them are for his personal affairs.
One by one, the vassal of the kingdom becomes poor and unorganized. Threatens their own administrative area so that they can pay for the king. It is a pity to see them once a noble reduced to something worse than rags.
But not House Regent, maybe not yet. Maybe not one of the strongest, but it served as a foothold against the neighboring Voltingen in the southwest. The pious House Regent is also famous in the reds administrative territory. The reds lower class often flee to the border so they can stay with The Regent.
The good deeds are often unheard of. Even with the Gewjory. The situation is different with The Voltingen, as the act will spark rage within the reds and in turn will attract Vincent Gewjory. This may lead to a difficult position for House Regent.
Knowing this, The House Regent refused all offers to become a refugee sanctuary. Instead, they give a one time only fund that can be used to make or expand their businesses. Anonymously. He too will assign a trusted spy to supervise the good deed that he had done.
This will clear most of The Regent involvement. In addition, it satisfies Adam's little heart for charity. He hopes that it can educate the individual next door to always be a fighter, not a beggar.
Everyone was saying he is a strange gentleman for putting in too much work for a very little return. Well, it's true. But he had the choices to fulfill his life to the fullest.
"Krilo. There is a bruise in your left arm. May I take a look?" She rubs his arm softly and grabsit upward. Revealing unclotted bruises and rash nearby the said bruises.
Krilo's face went red. He always fancies the damsel in front of him. Beautiful scenario in his mind with her including the usual boy stuff, kissing, hugging, cuddling, marrying, having kids, getting old and dying together. Krilo wanted all the affection.
But the reality is often disappointing. She is destined to be with someone else, someone so undeserving, but also someone with power stretching across the continent. She is a mere political tool in the power play of kingdom building.
"No, it's nothing serious. I fell when playing with boys yesterday." Krilo brushes it off even though it hurts when he tries to move his muscle.
A ray of light suddenly radiates from her touch. It is so soothing that Krilo didn't say anything and is just enjoying the sensation. The Nature's power to heal her subjects
The red surface and bruises are finally gone. As expected from someone whose class is the [Rejuvenator], a second class of the [Stitcher] initial class. They can restore wounds on the surface of the skin in addition to fixing the broken skin pigment.
"Thank you!"