Chapter 17

Aniem and Frianne dashed through the eastern district’s main road, making their way to the orphanage. It felt as if time suddenly slowed down. Frianne runs as fast as she could ignoring her weakened legs. She was not used to extreme physical activities so running at her fullest tired her pretty quickly. They could see the wall of the orphanage just up ahead and as they drew closer, the two slowed down.

As they reached the door, Aniem released his grip on Frianne’s hand and Frianne’s on Aniem’s. Frianne had gotten the idea of what happened and why he stopped in front of the main door. It took a brief moment for Frianne to catch her breath, to mentally prepare herself. She slapped her cheeks with both hands and stepped forward, placing her hand on the doorknob of the entrance.

With a sudden opening and a shout for that person’s name, Frianne entered scanning the main hall.

“Esia?”

She sees the children quivering with fearful looks on one corner near the door to the garden. And opposite of that corner, where the desk of Esia is located, is empty. She was confused for a brief moment. The time that she finally gets to see Esia once again all crumbles as she isn’t at her desk. But all that went out the window when she heard a voice coming from the kitchen.

“Frianne?”

Esia’s body came out from the kitchen door. Frianne was relieved, elated, ecstatic even that she could see Esia out of her room after two long, cold months. She was genuinely joyful to her once again as if her missing sister came back home. But she also had an expression of concern especially with how Esia looks right now.

Esia looked haggard. She was so thin and malnourished you could see her cheeks had sunk. The bones on her person, like those in her arms, hands, and legs had become more defined. Pale and deep, dark eye bags fill her skin and face, as if she were a panda. Her eyes themselves looked so weary that it being half-opened seemed like normal. Her smooth, long light browned coloured hair with ashen tips had lost all lustre and frayed all over. It’s as if she aged several decades in the two months she was never seen.

“Are you really... Esia?” Frianne couldn’t help but ask with joy and concern.

“I may look like this now, but I am the Esia who doesn’t want to be called mother by the brats.” Esia sarcastically answered in a soft voice while shrugging.

*Sniff*

Frianne started sniffling, she couldn’t control her eyes from tearing up. All she did was walk towards Esia and gave her a big hug. Esia  was surprised at first, but when she had felt the warmth of someone else, she, too, patted Frianne’s head and gave her a hug. With no words, they clung to each other dearly. Overwhelmed with emotion, Frianne’s tears could no longer be held back and she burst like a dam.

Aniem entered the orphanage and saw the two. So, he just went near the kids, who had fearful expressions still, and sat near them. All the children tried squeezing themselves behind Aniem’s back while watching the two girls.

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Frianne had finally calmed down. She sat on the chair in front of Esia’s desk still sobbing. While Frianne tried to compose herself, Esia stood up and walked towards the children hiding behind Aniem’s back. As she inched closer, the children compressed even further behind Aniem’s back. It was amusing to watch from Esia’s perspective.

Since she can’t physically go closer to them than she already could, she squatted. Aniem got up and walked over to Frianne. The children tried to follow but Aniem said that he needs to comfort his wife and they need to make up with Esia for whatever reason. Their faces grew more terrified. Having no place to hide, they hid behind each other.

After some time of scrambling, Alana was up front, clenching both her hands into a fist and placing them on her chest. Her two bushy tails wrapped around her legs as she quivered. Esia stretched both her hands forward, gesturing a hug but Alana shivered even more, slowly backing up. With a sigh of defeat, she retracted them back.

“I’m sorry for scaring you kids before.” Esia sighed once more and apologised. “I should have not acted like that in front of you all. I’m also sorry for suddenly locking myself up. I truly missed you guys.”

Esia could hear mumblings in front of her. She could see the lips of Alana moving, as if trying to say something. At the same time, she had tears trickling down her cheeks while tightly grasping her clothes.

Esia tilted her head, trying to decipher what Alana had just said. She even squinted her eyes just a bit.

“I..!” Alana shouted then suddenly paused for a moment. “I said we were worried... that you might not be... the same mother Esia we know.”

Alana’s voice suddenly softened as she said her last sentence.

Esia sighed but not one of disappointment or solitude, but of something trifling. She smiled as she slowly got up and walked over to Alana. She, and the other children, had already reached the wall yet treid to squeeze themselves further. But that didn’t stop Esia from moving nor did it stop Alana from pushing the children back.

*Tap*

Esia lightly tapped the top of Alana’s head, reprimanding her.

“It’s not ‘mother’, it’s ‘sister’. How many times do I have to say that?” She still had a gentle smile on her face despite the weary and haggard looks she carries.

Esia squatted in front of Alana once more while rubbing her head.

“Also, I really am sorry for leaving and worrying you all. Can you forgive me?” Alana was silent as Esia spoke.

The other children behind Alana were fearful still. They don’t know what to do, baffled on what to do or to say. It was clear they still held some complicated thoughts, so Esia left it there and turned back.

“Mother Esia!” Alana shouted just as Esia turned her back. “You won’t... you won’t leave us again?”

Esia was silent for some time, wondering what the question is all about, but she calmly and gently answered her.

“I won’t leave you kids.”

“Will you just disappear without telling us?”

“I will always be here.”

“Will you... watch us grow up?” Alana’s eyes started to redden a little.

She squinted her eyes, keeping the tears at bay while her bangs hid her face.

“Of course. That’s what I plan to do.” Esia replied with the same calm and gentle manner.

“Will you... remain the same... Mother Esia...?”

“Yeah.”

Alana slowly moved towards Esia and hugged her. With her short stature, she could only hug her legs and place her head on Esia’s waist.

“Will you... really not change?”

“I’ll always be the same ‘sister’ Esia to you all.” She hit Alana’s head lightly with the side of her hand once again, correcting her statement.

“Uwaaaahhh!” Alana burst into tears while keeping her face glue on to Esia’s stomach.

With force, she pushed Esia down and cried on top of her. It was the hardest she had ever cried, and one with a different emotion. Crying truly is infectious. The children who were trying to escape also burst into tears and drew closer to Esia. They kneeled, latched on to a part of Esia’s body, and cried. It was a bizarre sight yet strangely heart-warming, especially from the view point of Frianne and Aniem who watched the scene unfold.

This continued on for about half an hour until the children exhausted themselves. It was almost time for lunch but with everything that happened, they thought it would be best to just leave it as it is for now and cook for dinner.

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Esia, Frianne, and Aniem were seated at the desk talking about the events that happened in the two months since Esia shut herself.

“I’m really sorry Frianne.” Esia apologised. “It was hard on you, especially since it was just the both of you.”

“It’s fine, Esia.” She really meant it. “Rather, it was easier now with the food that came from the Haveloft Company.”

“I see they delivered it before the blizzard. That’s great then.” Esia sighed in relief.

“Rather, how are you connected to the Haveloft company?!” Frianne finally blurted out the question she had always wanted to ask.

“The president is a regular client to my father. And since I always went with my father when we go hunting, I would usually meet with him.”

“It’s amazing how you are acquainted with so many influential people.”

“Heom wasn’t actually as big as it is today. It only consisted of a few buildings surrounding the Count’s estate and a few other residential houses. I don’t know how he did it, but in two decades, he managed to develop the city to such height with such frightening speed. It’s more like I’m super lucky to be even acquainted with the Count.”

Frianne just sighed in amazement. Esia knew many people who holds power. She could have chosen to work at the government office, or maybe even at the capital of the kingdom, and even marry into an affluent family, yet chose to become an orphanage keeper. Frianne didn’t really care for what happened in the past, but she’s glad that she got to know Esia.

“I know I just got out and all, but I’m really exhausted. I’ll head back to bed.” Esia got up from her seat and headed towards the corridor. “We can talk about ‘him’ later on.” The other two nodded as they watched her figure disappear into the corridor.