As Heine boarded the ship, Irene watched it set sail. She took a deep breath as soon as she saw her wave her hand, bidding her goodbye. She spun her heels and retraced her steps.

"Don't tell me you'll help her, Lady Irene?"

Her thoughts wandered again as she saw the bloodstain on her feet. She closed her eyes as she reminisced her earlier events with the child.

"H-help m-me," the child pleaded.

Those words aren't new to her. Those were the same words that those filthy humans uttered as they begged her before she mercilessly slit their throats before hanging their heads to the palace walls before. She watched countless kings and empires beg their lives before her face, but she remained steadfast; she wasn't even bothered killing them in the worst possible way. But this time, something stirred within her as the child pleaded for her life. Perhaps it was the rawness of her plea that bothered her, or maybe it was because she had never once killed any child before that she somehow felt uncomfortable.

She was almost halfway out of the other side of the beach leading her to the town, but she found herself retracing her steps in the child's direction. As Irene came across the lifeless form of the child lying on the ground, she felt relieved but surprised at the same time; no one really dared to help her. Humans are truly heartless. She thought to herself as she knelt beside the child, her hand sliding to the child's neck, feeling her pulse.

"Well, at least you're still alive." She commented as she flicked her hand and used her magic to ascend through the air.

She lit a lantern in the corner of the room, casting a soft glow that illuminated the space. Taking a moment to collect herself, Irene sat down beside the child. She watched her chest slightly rise and fall with each breath; her face relaxed in sleep. It looks like she's no longer in pain. She thought as she stared at her innocent face. It took her some time to patch up any visible wounds and somehow apply the healing ointment Heine gave her as a gift.

"How clumsy of me."

The next day

As the day wore on, Irene was visibly impatient, the child remained unconscious, her breathing was steady but her small form is still unresponsive. Heine said that this ointment can heal wounds instantly, yet how is it even possible that she's still unconscious? She furrowed her brows in disbelief as she tried to apply the ointment to her arms and body again.

"Is this even working?" she asked herself as she stared at the ointment, imagining Heine's grinning face.

As night fell, her patience began to take its toll. Irene rose from her seat and opened her wardrobe, seeing her staff and other magical items. She grabbed the lacrima, and soon it lighted, and a blonde-haired lady greeted her.

"Lady Irene, you called!" Juliet beamed.

"Is Heine already home?"

"Um, no."

"That's great,"

"Pardon?" she blinked as she saw Irene smile.

"I'm happy you've finally used the lacrima I gave you. I thought you wouldn't spare some time calling me." Juliet continued despite her surprise.

"I have to ask you something. Promise me you'll not tell Heine nor Anna about this,"

"Sure, what is it, Lady Irene?"

"What should I do to make a human wake up?"

"EH?!" Juliet's mouth went agape, palpably bewildered by her question.

"Should I pour some water on it or submerge it in the water so that it gains its consciousness? Which is more effective? But I heard they are fragile, so I don't think it will work on it." Irene intently asked, making Juliet furrowed her brows.

"Are you torturing someone there, Lady Irene?"

"No," Irene replied as she showed Juliet the child.

"For heaven's sake, don't tell me you have a hidden child, Lady Irene? Oh my God, I didn't know-"

"Hidden what? Geez, I had no time for this," she shook her head, obviously irritated, as she turned off the communication device.

"Should I pour some water on her?" she asked herself, curious what to do next.

The next morning.

In the distance, Irene stared as she sensed the child stirring on her bed. The child's eyelids fluttered, and then, ever so slowly, she opened her eye. She watched as the little one tried to make sense of her surroundings; as her consciousness fully returned, she placed a hand on her wounded eye and turned into a seating position.

"You're finally awake," Irene said, making her turn her head.

As their brown orbs met, a fragile smile graced the child's emaciated face. Tears swelled in her left eye; she slipped out of bed and kneeled before her. Irene couldn't help but be surprised as she heard the child's trembling voice.

"T-Thank you for saving me, Lady." As if something had caught in her throat, the child was unable to restrain her sobs as she continued to express her gratitude to Irene.

"You'll hurt your knees if you keep on kneeling." She nonchalantly said as she drew closer to the child's form.

Irene felt funny, she was sure that the line on her mind was to ask the child to leave since she was conscious now, but her mouth seemed to say something instead.

"Please allow me to serve you with my life."

"That's a bold suggestion," Irene replied. "You don't wanna know who I am, child." She said as she sat on her bed.

"I don't care who the lady is."

"Too bad, I don't need anyone to serve me."

"I can do the chores, please. D-don't send me back." She begged.

"T-they will hurt me again," As she heard the child's voice broke, silence escaped her lips. She was not prepared for this. Tears welled up in the child's eyes. It was like a magical spell that managed to undo the defenses in her heart.

"I'll send you back when the rain stops," Irene said as she heard the raindrops and rose from her bed.

"Thank you!" the child beamed and went in her direction.

Irene's body tensed momentarily, unsure how to respond to the child's arms enveloped around her knees in an embrace. A surge of emotions coursed through Irene's being. Did she even understand my words? She awkwardly takes a step back as she felt the sudden contact with that frail body. She couldn't help but notice how she suddenly felt a familiar ache within her body.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to hug you without your permission." The child said as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

With the child still following closely behind, Irene went to the kitchen. She sighed, relieved that she had kept her poisonous herbs in the storage room. Will she die if she eats those herbs? She thought as she turned to the child. Irene gestured for the child to sit at the small wooden table in the center of the kitchen.

"What is your name?"

She asked as she opened her cabinet, looking at some spare stocks available. She was glad Heine did bring some good enough to make a bowl of warm soup. She heard silence. Irene turned her head, seeing the child fumbling her hands.

"Did you hear me?" she asked as she prepared the meal.

"I-I actually don't have one."

"Why?"

"I'm an orphan."

"Does that explain it?"

"No, I just don't have one. No one looks for an orphan if they ever die on the streets anyways. No one will be looking for us when we die."

"I guess you'll need one."

"You'll give me one?" the child asked.

"Of-no, wait, no!" Irene shook her head.

"I see." The child's face turned sullen as soon as she heard her reply.

"B-but can I ask for my savior's name instead?" the child asked.

"Savior?" she chuckled, hearing a weird word.

"Please,"

"Irene," she said as she finished preparing the soup.

"Irene," the child uttered.

She smiled as she uttered it again. Irene was amused seeing the child mumble her name.

"How old are you then?"

"I don't know, but I survived five winters already." She replied as if proud of herself.

"You must be nine or ten years of age," Irene commented.

She listened in awe as the child told her about her struggles during those winters. After a few more moments, the meal was ready. Irene served the soup before the child.

"C-can I eat it, Lady Irene?" she asked after seeing a single plate served on the table.

"Of course,"

"What about you?" she asked as she grabbed the spoon.

"I'm full," she said, hoping the soup won't poison her somehow.

"This is so tasty. You should taste it," she said, extending her hand and offering the spoonful of soup into her mouth.

Irene blinked, not knowing what to do; she awkwardly opened her mouth and ate her share. The child clapped her hands in delight. Her laughter echoed in the room, making time stand still. Irene suddenly felt that familiar feeling again. She couldn't describe it, but she felt something stirred within her. It wasn't the soup for sure, she didn't even taste anything from it, but seeing the child smiling at her, she somehow felt funny if she called it.

A/N: OMG, thank you so much for fav-ing and following this story. Thank you for reading, and I'll update you soon. I'll have to finish writing my other draft for my other story. Thank you for being so supportive.