The blazing sunlight dazzled across a clear blue sky, its cozy, blistering warmth making the snow-like blanket and clothes flutter dry in the breeze. They danced in rhythm with the gentle wind, creating a comforting aroma that wrapped around the air as laughter erupted all around the field, filling the space with the playful chuckles of children running freely, holding a wooden sticks that shaped like sword.

"I am Sebastian! The shield and sword of the empire!"

The boy shouted, his round face was sprinkled with freckles dusting his nose as his cheeks flushed with excitement. He was holding a wooden sword aloft, striking a heroic pose as if he had just stepped out of the pages of a storybook.

"Erh! His lordship wields a gun, not a wooden sword! I.D.I.O.T!"

The girl in pigtails exclaimed, her brow crinkling in confusion as she gazed at the boy. His fierce expression had shifted to a sulky pout as he pointed his wooden sword at her

"You're wrong! He held both! I saw it in the parade!"

Her pupils narrowed like startled mice fleeing from the kitten's sight, stuttered as she defensively respond.

"Well, that—that's because—

-Bleh! You didn't even get to MEET him, HA?!"

He didn't even let her finish and continued to tease her with words as sharp as a blade, until a dam of water filled her eyes.

"HICK!-WAHHH! That-That's not true! I-HICK! I also caught a gli-glimpse of his beauty! And you're not e-even as pretty as his feet!"

Her wails pierced the air, echoing like a mournful song across the field.

The boy froze, his face turning pale as a stream of mucus cascaded down his nose, quavering before he finally joined her in tears.

"What?… What did you say?!"

*SNIFF!*

 "Uwaahhhh! Sister! Belle just said I'm ugly!"

As their loud wailing filled the field, a figure of a middle-aged lady rushed toward them, her flowing garments whispering against the grass. She was wearing a soft fabric in muted hues that were reminiscent of morning light. As she got near them, her presence exuded warmth, gently hushing them with her hands soothingly stroking their backs.

"What did I say about teasing? Hmm?"

Her voice was a soft whisper in their ears.

"God wouldn't like his precious flock fighting, Am I right?"

As she spoke, her eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure hiding behind the tree. There sat Julianne, his rosy cheeks blooming like spring flowers against the backdrop of his pale skin. He was quietly perched on the grass, cradling a baby blue bird in his hands, its feathers glistening like tiny sapphires, as if he were a serene statue in a forgotten garden, lost in his own world.

"Why won't you play with them?"

The nun asked, squatting to meet the timid gaze of Julianne, who seemed as fragile as a petal caught in a breeze. Hesitating to respond. As he looked down at the baby bird in his hands, Julianne's eyes immediately filled with dismay seeing its tiny body shivering like a lost soul, chirping softly as it called for its mother, just as he longed for his own, who had left him at the freezing door of the foster home before he could even form a memory of her face.

"I'm too weak to play with them…. ju-just like this bird…"

Julianne stated while a soft, gentle smile formed on the nun's face.

"Then do you want me to help you put the bird back in its nest?"

Julianne didn't answer and simply nodded.

As the nun gently lifted him into the air, the other children looked on, their eyes filled with admiration.

"Wow! Did you just save the bird that fell from the tree?!"

Fred exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe as his jaw dropped, nearly reaching the ground, just like the wooden sword he dropped from his hands. Rushing over to Julianne with excitement radiating from him like sunlight breaking through clouds.

"Ye-yes, I did?"

Confusion clouded his face as he tried to hide behind the nun's back.

Just then, Belle seized his hand, nearly yanking his soul from his body. Her voice pierced the air like a deafening trumpet, echoing in his ears.

"THAT"S SO COOL! YOU'RE JUST LIKE A HERO!"

"AND YOU'RE GOOD LOOKING, TOO!"

She added, her eyes sparkling like stars in the night, which made Fred wear a bitter look on his face.

"Hey! That's not fair!"

Their nonstop bickering made Julianne chuckle. They paused, exchanging smiles as they heard it for the first time. But Fred, ever the instigator, spoke up again, his excitement was all over the moon.

"They say the young duke has won another war, and a victory parade will be celebrated all over the empire!"

Julianne's face lit up, as though he had never even caught a glimpse of this so-called hero.

"Sister, can we go?"

They begged, their puppy eyes melting her heart.

"Pleaseeeeee~"

The nun let out a long sigh.

"Okay, okay, but do promise me you'll be careful."

She replied, unable to resist their charm.

As the words left her lips, their joy burst forth like a bouquet of flowers, bright and full of life. They could hardly contain themselves, excitement bubbling inside them, eager as they could not wait for the week to pass...

******

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