The town was elated with vibrant tapestry of voices woven together in praise and awe. Elders and children were visible, mingling in the crowd with faces alight in bliss as they gathered to welcome the soldiers home. Among them was Sebastian, a mere boy of fourteen, who's already known as a prodigy and the ultimate weapon of the imperial family who had led the troop at a young age, achieving continuous victories in the war.

"Can you believe it?!"

An elderly man exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.

"He has not yet reached the age of adulthood, yet he has already won so many battles! It's as if he carries a holy spirit within his soul!"

As the soldiers marched through the streets, the crowd parted like the sea, as each person eager to catch a glimpse of the young hero. The air then shimmered with pride, and the murmur of admiration swirled around Sebastian, who wore a stern look on his face like rock, his eyes fixed ahead with the frosty, mechanical gaze of a doll.

You're telling me he's just 14?! Does that make him five years older than me?

 Julianne thought as he passed through the wave of the crowd, standing in front with eyes glimmering in admiration.

Will… will I ever be able to achieve such great things like him?...

His hands clasped tightly against his chest, fidgeting as the cheers of the crowd grew louder, followed by the ear-piercing welcome of the trumpet, as the whole area was enveloped in a shower of colorful flower petals, swirling like rain falling from above. In that moment, Sebastian, who was riding his horse leading the troupe, shifted his gaze, locking eyes with Julianne for a minute. His platinum blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his ocean blue eyes felt like deep waters, pulling him in, almost drowning him for a moment with his beauty.

That! Pretty…He's so pretty…

Julianne thought, his heart galloping like a wild horse at the sight of Sebastian, which made him immediately avert his gaze in panic, feeling his blood rush to his cheeks like a feverish heat spreading across his skin, unaware of the burning sensation eating at his chest.

As the crowd began to jostle, Fred, fighting for his space to get a good view of Sebastian's beauty, accidentally pushed an elder holding a basin of water. The basin tipped, causing a commotion as it spilled all over Julianne. Fred stood there, stunned, watching Julianne freeze in place, shivering like a deer caught in headlights. His mouth fell open in surprise, which quickly transformed into a heavy heart as both he and Belle slumped in posture, unable to face the nun with their dejected eyes.

"Huh-hitschew!"

The sound erupted from Julianne's continuous sneeze, echoing off the walls of the sparsely furnished room, startling everyone inside.

He was now wrapped in a rough blanket with a wet towel placed on his forehead, staring at the ceiling, with face flushed like a sunset—either from his fever or from Sebastian's face that was left carved in his mind.

"I'm sorry, Julianne! I didn't mean it! WAHHH! PLEASE DON'T DIE!"

Fred wailed, his snot smeared across his face.

"You pig! You should have been careful!"

In frustration, Belle grabbed Fred's ear, pinching it as smoke escaped from her nose like a kettle boiling over from anger.

"Ouch! Aw! I-I know, I'm sorry!"

Julianne just smiled, staring blankly at them as Belle's eyes suddenly grew moist. The nun who was sitting on the bed beside him suddenly wore an unsettled expression, her brows furrowed with worry as she offered a shaky smile while gently wiping Julianne's face with a wet towel.

"That's enough, children... Julianne needs to rest..."

Her voice was incredibly soft and low, as if looking at Julianne's pale complexion, which resembled that of a ghost, was enough to tear her heart. It pained her to know that no one would openly help them if his condition worsened, especially since the orphanage was just an abandoned dollhouse of a noble.

"Argh! Sis—sister, my head feels so heavy…"

The nun's heart nearly dropped as Fred and Belle's faces went pale, panic flooding through them as they helplessly watched Julianne groan in unbearable pain, his temperature soaring, hotter than boiling water.

"I'll get he-help from the temple! You should be fine. Just hang on a little—

Before the nun could finish her words, they froze in fear as Julianne's eyes dimmed like a light slowly fading from their sight, before he completely black out.

******

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