It wasn't a week or so later two nobles from Cyrodiil showed up in Riften. The town was in an uproar. I paid no mind, thinking it had nothing to do with me.
A few days after the nobles' arrival, they waltzed into the orphanage. One was a man who had a dark complexion, uncalloused hands, a long nose that hooked at the end, and dark hair that framed his sharp cheekbones and golden eyes. He stood a good head or so taller than Grelod and he was stocky but slender. He worn clothes fit for the High King and boots that had never touched dirt. The second was a woman. She had a slender and dainty build, her skin was a far cry from her partner's dark golden complexion, her nose was shorter and significantly more rounded, her hands were spoke of a time when she did work for her living but showed she'd been out of commission for years now, her ice blue eyes were lined in heavy kohl and framed with hair black as ebony. She was truly beautiful. Could these nobles be the "friends from Cyrodiil" Bolliviir sent a courier to?
Grelod the Kind was on her best behavior.
"Well hello," Grelod cheered.
"Yes, hi, we're here for Sartyl," the lady spoke in a soft, but expensive voice.
"Wait... you two are friends of Bolliviir? From Mortal?" Grelod's eyes looked as though they could pop from her head at any moment.
The man spoke. "Yes, now would you please bring us the child? We have important places to be." His voice was demanding and was drenched in nobility.
Grelod flinched at the demanding and annoyed tone that coated his pompous voice. Something dark flashed across her eyes.
"Well you should know I can't just hand over a child without some kind of identification," Grelod snapped.
The Imperial man's brow furrowed and his eyes darkened as though she'd challenged him. "Then you'll be pleased to find out that I have brought identification and papers for both myself and Faustina. I, also, have brought the letter sent to us by Bolliviir and delivered by Selmius the Morthal Courier." Glee and a look of victory danced in his eyes as his mouth curled into a smirk and he handed over all the documents.
Grelod thumbed through all the documents and scoffed.
"Very well, Mr. Mrs. Lovidicus." Grelod looked utterly defeated. She then turned to face me and screeched, "You, urchin, gather things and come meet your new parents!" The nobles looked flabbergasted at Grelod's attitude towards me. I looked around grabbed the doll that Brand-Shei the young dunmer merchant had given me and skipped gleefully past Grelod the Kind into the arms of my new mother.
"Good day to you, Grelod," said Mr. Lovidicus.
Grelod scoffed and spun on her heel as though she had something better to do.
When we exited the Honorhall Orphanage, the Imperial man got down on one knee and grabbed my hands and gently said, "I would like to apologize for having to get ugly. I am Cortumelorius Lovidicus and this," he gestured to his wife. "Is Faustina. We are so excited to have you join our family." I gently pulled my hands out of his grasp and he took that as a sign to head to the carriage. Beggars pleaded for septims and mead. Cortumelorius paid them no mind and simply walked with a bit more urgency.
We reached the carriage and Faustina helped me up. A strange man sat in the carriage and guided me to my seat offering me sweet rolls and honey nut treats. He had green eyes and fair skin, his brown hair was unkempt and hidden beneath a hat. The man's face was ridden with scars that spoke of days when life was hard, his hands were hidden in leather gloves. He was not skinny and he was not stocky... he was a happy medium of sorts. He was fair like a Nord, but had the nose and hair of an Imperial. His mouth was spread into a wide, joyous smile... He must've seen right through me and noticed how I studied him. "I'm Belcom, I am the housecarl of Mr. Mrs. Cortumelorius Lovidicus. Pleased to meet you. And you are?" He looked at me expectantly.
I quietly squeaked, "Sartyl Shrouded-Hearth." Belcom raised up so quickly I was certain he would fly out of the carriage.
"Why it is so wonderful to meet you, Sartyl. Welcome to the family!" The joyful housecarl's happiness was contagious I found myself smiling before I realized it.
The first year or so was the hardest. But I eventually gave in and let myself become the child they had always wanted. It had it's perks.