As he walked and reached outside the gate, he stopped. At the edge of the gate, almost unnoticed by most, stood a young girl, leaning against the wall like a beggar.
Her clothes were tattered, her cheeks covered in dust, his hair was black and tiny white in left front. Her eyes looked tired and hungry, and her expression was blank as she stared at the ground.
Ren approached her, his hands relaxed, still holding the bread, observing silently. In his eyes, she was no ordinary beggar.
She was a child who had experienced tragedy at a young age. How poor… he thought.
He knelt down, holding out the bread. "Here. Eat, it's still warm," he said softly.
The girl looked up. She saw Ren's face as somewhat familiar.
"Pa~" she hesitated to say, then slowly took the bread.
"Th-thank you…"
Ren was confused by her reaction, sensing she wanted to say something more, but he didn't mind. He watched her chew the bread with both hands.
Ren smiled faintly. "What's your name?"
"A-a-Anna," she replied, clutching the bread tightly.
Ren nodded slowly, watching Anna finish the bread. She ate carefully, as if every bite mattered.
"Your name is beautiful."
He patted Anna's head gently, then stood, ready to walk. Just as he started moving, Anna gripped his shirt tightly.
Ren paused, turn back his gaze, noticing the sorrow in her gaze. "What is it?" he asked softly.
Anna didn't answer, still holding onto his shirt.
When Ren received no reply, he asked again.
"Do you have a family?"
Anna slightly shook her head, meaning she had none.
"M-my father and my mother are dead," she said, her voice trembling.
"…Do you know anyone? A relative?"
Anna shook her head, her hand still gripping Ren's shirt. Her hands trembled.
Ren was silent for a while, watching her carefully. Anna nodded slightly, even as her hands shook and tears threatened to fall.
Ren looked at her small hand gripping his shirt. It was weak, but desperate, like she was afraid he would disappear if she let go.
"I see…" Ren muttered. "Why me?" Ren asked.
"B-b… Because…" Anna hesitated, her fingers tightening on his clothes. "…You are the only one who cared. And you look like…"
"Like?" Ren asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"…You look like my father," she said softly, lowering her head.
Ren froze for a moment. His eyes looked at Anna quietly.
"I see… But do you know the place I'm going is dangerous?"
Anna didn't speak for a while. Her fingers slowly released Ren's shirt, her hand falling weakly to her side. "…I'm sor—"
"Fine. You can come," Ren said before she could finish. "But there are two conditions."
Anna felt disbelief. She raised her head and looked at Ren, her eyes wide.
"First: you follow my instructions. Second: don't meddle with me," Ren said calmly, his gaze serious.
Anna felt happy that she started crying. Her tears fell to the ground one by one. Her small shoulders trembled, and she quickly wiped her face with her dirty sleeve, but the tears didn't stop.
"Hey, hey, why are you crying!?" Ren said, panicking. He stepped closer, not knowing what to do.
He didn't know how to comfort a child. After hesitating for a moment, he quickly opened his bag and took another bread, then gave it to Anna.
"Here… take this," he said awkwardly.
Anna looked at the bread, then at Ren, her tears still falling, but this time, she smiled.
Ren felt relief.
"Good," he said, patting her head gently. "But first, we have to go back, so you can be cleaned up and eat something. I think before we walk not too far, you fell down."
Anna nodded quietly, still holding the bread.
Ren turned and started walking slowly, Anna following closely behind. Her small steps struggled to keep up with his, but she tried her best.
About twenty minutes later, Ren returned, carrying clothes and shoes for Anna.
Anna had been waiting in a corner. As a beggar, she knew shops often threw her out, so Ren had decided she should wait quietly until he came back.
When Anna saw Ren approaching, she ran to him.
"Let's go," Ren said.
"Where?" Anna asked.
"Just come," he replied with a small smile.
Now they stood in front of the inn, and the innmaid noticed Ren.
"Hmm… Sir, you again. What brings you here?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
Then her eyes fell on the girl standing behind Ren. She froze for a moment, surprised by the sight of the small, tattered child.
The girl looked up shyly, clutching her new clothes tightly. The innmaid's expression softened instantly, a mix of concern and curiosity crossing her face.
"Uh… can I use your washroom?" Ren asked.
"Yes, but it's ten copper coins," the innmaid replied.
"Fine, here." He handed her a silver coin. "Where's the washroom?"
The innmaid pointed down a narrow hallway. "At the end of the corridor, on the left," she said.
Ren nodded and led Anna behind him. She stayed close, clutching her new clothes, still shy and quiet.
The hallway was dim, the wooden floor creaking under their steps. Ren opened the door to the washroom, and the warm scent of soap and clean water greeted them.
"Go ahead," he said softly. "I'll wait here."
Anna nodded and stepped inside, closing the door quietly. Ren leaned against the wall, his eyes scanning the hallway, alert even in this quiet moment.
The morning sun streamed through the small window, lighting up dust particles in the air. He waited patiently, knowing she needed time.
"I'll wait here," Ren said softly.
Anna hesitated. She thought Ren might leave her and stopped at the door.
"Why?" he asked, noticing her pause.
"I'm afraid you'll leave me… and not come back," she whispered.
Ren was silent for a while. He understood why she felt that way, felt of loneliness.
"Fine," he said finally. "I'll wash you."
Anna nodded quietly, still clutching her clothes. She stepped into the washroom, and Ren followed slowly behind her.
The small room smelled of soap and clean water. A wooden bucket sat in the corner, filled with warm water.
Ren poured some water over a cloth and began gently wiping the dust and grime from her face and arms. Anna flinched at first but stayed still, watching him carefully.
"There… not so dirty now," Ren said softly, stepping back a little.
Anna looked at her reflection in the small mirror. Her cheeks were cleaner, and her eyes shone a little brighter. She smiled faintly.
"Th-thank you," she whispered.
Ren gave a small nod, a rare hint of warmth crossing his calm expression.
"Are you still hungry?" he asked.
Anna's stomach rumbled softly, and she nodded again, feeling a little safer with him by her side.
Ren led Anna out of the washroom and back into the inn's main room. The smell of freshly baked bread and cooked food filled the air.
He guided her to a small table near the window. "Sit here," he said softly. "I'll get us something to eat."
Anna sat carefully, still clutching her clean clothes. She watched him move through the inn quietly, almost like he didn't want to disturb anyone.
Ren returned a few minutes later with a simple meal—bread, some cheese, and a small piece of roasted meat. He placed it in front of her and a smaller portion for himself.
"Eat slowly," he said, sitting across from her. "Don't worry. No one will take it from you."
Anna hesitated for a moment, then began to eat carefully, savoring every bite. Ren watched her quietly, a faint smile crossing his face as she ate.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, warming them both. For a brief moment, the world outside didn't matter.
After Anna finished eating, they started to walk out of the town. The street was busy, but Anna stayed close behind Ren, afraid of being separated.
"T-thank you…" Anna said softly from behind him, holding her hands together.
"Don't thank me so much," Ren replied. "I'm not a good person."
"But you're good to me," Anna said.
Ren was silent for a while. His steps slowed slightly. He began to wonder why he was doing this.
Was it bad?
Or was it good?
But in his heart, he felt something. A feeling similar to what he had felt with the Ten Chosen before.
It was a feeling of companionship. Protection. Light. And warmth.
He glanced at Anna, a faint smile appeared on his face.