“Daddy’s lying to L,” Amelia suddenly said after grabbing my hand. Looking between the both of them, I tilted my head, squinting, “I knew it.” He lightly chuckled, patting my head as he pushed himself off the ground. Me, not having a choice but to follow Amelia when she pulled me towards the door. 

“Princess Amelia, put on your hat.” Elijah said before she could even make it out the door. Glancing back, I saw my parents talking and quickly looked away before I was scarred for life. 

“Ow, that hurt!” I frowned, taking the shoe from her. She scrunched up her nose and huffed, snatching the shoe back. “I know what I’m doing, stop moving so much.” 

She's really bossy. 

“But I don’t want those shoes,” she glanced at me and shook her head, “it’s too cold to wear the other ones L.” 

But those ones are uncomfortable. They squish my feet. “Mimi, they too small, I don’t want them.” She sighed loudly as she rolled her eyes at me, that’s rude! “How are you supposed to be warm?” 

I just shrugged and reached for the other shoes, “I want these.” With a grin I tried to pull on the black sandals but it was harder than I thought it would be. I lack the strength to use force. “Let me see,” she said, taking the shoes from me. 

Holding my foot up she pushed the shoe on. My hand grabbed the sleeve of her coat to balance myself and prevent another fall. Once she got the shoe buttoned, I dropped my foot so she could get the other one on. 

The process of us doing this was slow but we managed somehow. Her blonde hair hung over her eyes so I don’t know how she was seeing anything honestly. 

Lydia 

“I’ll be back before you get home,” he waved while I made my way towards the door. Amelia was helping her brother put on his shoes but he didn’t need them today. “He doesn’t need them, Miya but thank you.” 

She smiled up at me and I kneeled down, fixing his hair. I need to find a way to hide your eyes. Picking him up I placed him inside the carrier, making sure he was secured. 

“Alright my flowers while we’re out, Miya make sure to never let go of my hand, and Lotus don’t grab anything mommy hasn’t paid for, okay?” 

“Yes ma’am,” Amelia answered but there was silence from Lotus. 

“Okay Lotus?” 

“Okay,” was all he said and I just sighed, heading out the door. I don’t know if he remembers what happened last time so I have to make sure he’s reminded to not touch things that aren’t his. 

He’s a lot more grabby then Amelia was at his age. It’s hard to tell him no sometimes, because he gives me that look like he doesn’t understand and then he does it anyway. It’s like he was sent here to test me. 

Are boys supposed to be like this? 

“Mommy look! Can I get candy?” she pointed, bouncing off the ground, looking between me and the shop ahead of us. At first I was a little hesitant to say yes considering she already had so much energy but– 

“Please mommy!” she begged, her eyes peeking through the strands of hair hanging over her face. “Okay, but you can only get one,” and she was so happy when I said that. 

“Yay!” 

Glancing back, I checked on Lotus but he wasn’t paying any attention to us. He was more focused on the animals, which I recently found out was something he loved. Even though, when we first went out he was so scared. The griffon’s were probably a little shocking to see at such an age. Poor thing clung to me so tightly on that day. It was also when he was the most well behaved. 

I genuinely didn’t think it would scare him so much since Amelia didn’t react that way when she saw them. Plus, he’s always willing to play with whatever strange animal he comes across. Especially when Amelia and Elijah come back with an animal they’ve rescued or caught. 

He’s a strange boy, but at least he’s active. 

“Bread for fifty percent off!” 

“Free samples of miracle pepper, only for today!” 

Miracle pepper? I might need to buy some more. 

“Amelia put that down,” I muttered, heading towards the owner of that voice. “Mommy I want chocolate.” Nodding, I dug in my pocket for two silver coins and handed it to her, “only get one for you and your brother to share and come right back.” 

In the corner of my eye, I saw her pouting face as I pulled out a few silvers. “How much for one bag?” the man grabbed a bag before speaking up, “five silver coins madam.” 

Just five? 

Smiling, I handed him the coins and he packed up the bag. “The mana should wear off once you get home,” he reassured me. “Thank you,” turning to look for Amelia, she came running over with her chocolate. 

“Mrs Blumen!” Someone called and I turned my head at the familiar voice. Her red hair tied up to show off her scarlet eyes that fit nicely on her round face immediately told me who she was. “Mrs Belanger, how are you?” I lowered my head to greet her and she smiled, lowering her head as well. “I’m doing alright, I saw the young miss and thought you might be around here somewhere.” She looked over my shoulder and her smile grew. “This must be the newest member of the Blumen family. He’s grown so much since the last time you’ve come out with him.” 

Looking back at Lotus, he was just staring at Mrs Belanger with that little scrunched up expression. How cute. “Yes, he has grown quite a lot.” 

Amelia grabbed onto my dress while I began to walk with Mrs Ruby Belanger down the path. We chatted for some time just catching up with one another. Taking both Amelia and Lotus towards the animal center where Amelia was distracted for some time. 

She pointed out every animal to Lotus while I continued to converse with the kind lady next to me. “Has the ice lollies been helping him?” she asked, walking alongside me. “Yes, they are helping him a lot. His teeth are coming in nicely, thank you.” 

“That’s good, if you need anything else don’t hesitate to ask me or my husband. You remember Orsan right?” she asked looking over at Lotus, who seemed to be getting sleepy. “Yes, ma’am I remember him, I’ll be sure to visit your shop sometime soon.” 

“Alright, be careful on your way home,” she waved, heading back the way she came.  

The journey back home Amelia talked non stop about the animals she liked. She even mentioned the animals she thought Lotus liked as well even though he was silent the whole time. He also fell asleep at some point so I don’t understand how she knew all of this. 

“L liked the big red bird and the ophidia that was sleeping.” How does she know that? He never said anything. “He also liked the cyno that I liked,” she paused before tugging on my dress, “mommy can we get a cyno?” she asked and I immediately denied her. 

“No, not until your awakening.” 

“Mommy, after the awakening can I see Sai?” The sudden question caught me off guard because I didn't think she remembered him. With a kind smile I looked down at her innocent face as I reached to open the door. 

“You know Sai is very sick right, Miya?” she nodded with a sad expression on her face. “That’s why I wanna see him, what if he gets worse?” 

“Of course, I’ll see what I can do,” and with that I pushed the door open, letting her go inside before me. “Daddy guess what I got!” she grinned running towards him as I shut the door behind me.