CHAPTER XV: THE FOSTER HOUSE

The carriage could not continue from entering, because of the trees surrounding the foster house. Hence, they all alighted from the carriage, and decided to walk. Unlike in the market, Caville was visible at their side. Beatrice noticed the reddened eyes of Marielle from silently crying when listening to the stories of Lily.

They reached an old two-storey small house with a small vegetable garden at its side.

"We're here." Lily held her hand, and guided her in the front of the house. She knocked on the door.

A middle-aged woman came out wearing shabby clothes, and behind her, there are two (2) kids: one boy and one girl, rather a twin. The two kids have an identical face. She estimated by the looks that they are both at four or five years old.

"Sister! I'm back.", greeted by Lily to the middle-aged woman. The gloomy and scaredy-cat demeanor of Lily was replaced by bright and joyful appearance as she saw the woman.

"Lily, what took you so long?" The middle-aged woman asked and stopped when she noticed the mended bruises on her face, arms and knee, but she didn't inquire about it, and looked at us.

"Lily could you go upstairs and check your brother Andrew.", she said calmly and gently patted the head of the little girl. Then, she turned to the twins. "Mike and Miles joined your sister Lily upstairs."

"Yes, Shister (Yes, Sister)", the twin answered at the same time.

"Yes. But before that Sister, this is Lady Beatrice who helped me going back here.", Lily happily introduced her.

"Yes, I see. Now, go and tend to your brother upstairs."

When the kids already went upstairs, the said sister turned her attention to them.

The said sister bowed and said, "For your help to my Lily, I am very thankful. Thank you very much."

She continued, "But I have no means to pay for the medicine assistance. I can only offer our harvested vegetables in the garden. I can prepare for it, and you can have it all."

"Lily bought only breads for dinner. Then, you will offer the other source of your food. How outstanding.", she thought and smiled sadly. "Don't worry. We are not here to ask payment for what we have done. It was only common to help people who was in danger.", Beatrice answered.

Her words widened the eyes of the said sister, and was about to cry. She gulped and clear her throat before answering. "Thank you very much for your understanding. Please come inside. I apology for our small place, but hope you all both found it comfortable."

"Before I entered, let me introduce myself first, I am Beatrice Delavine Croix, daughter of Marquess Croix.", she introduced herself with curtsy.

Croix? Marquess? The introduction of the young girl flustered the middle-aged woman. She immediately kneeled and bowed her head. "I have sinned. Please punish this woman for not properly greeting you, Lady Croix."

"Please stand up. It is my fault for visiting without an appointment." And I am well aware what I am wearing right now that no one would ever believe that I am a noble."

Beatrice was still unease of people kneeling in front of her, but she has to get used to it. For at least, she needed to appear a proper noble.

The woman followed her order and stood up, but still, with her head down. "Apology too. Lady Croix, as we have no proper drinks or snacks to offer for your humbly visit—"

"Lift your head. I wanted to see your face while we talked.", she firmly said.

"Ye— Yes, Lady Croix.", answered by the woman who was still standing and slightly trembling. She then looked directly to Beatrice.

Then, she decided to take a sit at the nearest chair. When someone is with high ranking, that someone doesn't need to ask for permission to sit first regardless of age.

"You were called Sister by the children. What is your name?", Beatrice asked and slightly tilted her head.

"Mildred, Lady Croix."

"Sister Mildred."

"Sister". Mildred was stunned by her sudden called. "Yes, Lady Croix."

"I would not like to take it long. I'll be direct. I would like to donate to this foster house."

"Donate? Yes, Lady—," Mildred realized what just she uttered. Donate? "Lady Croix."

As she stared to the lady confirming that it was not a dream or illusion what she just heard, the tears, that she was trying to hold up until now, were already streaming down to her cheeks.

Then, Mildred bowed again, and said, "Thank you very much, Thank you very much. Thank you."

While Caville and Marielle behind her were both in shocked with the unexpected declaration coming from an eleven-year old Lady.

****-------****

It was near sunset when they all came back to the mansion. It still has enough time to prepare before dinner with her father. As soon as she had her foot stepped in the mansion, she ordered Marielle to ready her bath. After a long stroll, having a fresh bath is enough to drain all fatigues and to refill energy.

Her swollen red cheeks a while ago already subsides, good thing it did not left skin discoloration. If the Marquees would find it, there will be a long deadly explanation. And the former might make the village upside down just to find the culprit and to impose punishment. "I don't want to face those complications."

Alone in the bathroom, she is now relaxing in her own bathtub with lavender scent. She instructed Marielle to leave her, and to take her bath time as her break time. The maid also needs to rest.

Lavender oil is really the best medicine for fatigues and stress. She surmised if that is the reason why the real Beatrice was very fond of it. "Hmm... this is how should life be." She smiled as she slid deeply in the water letting the level up to her chin.

She remembered her discussion with Sister Mildred. She further discovered that the children were from the jurisdiction of a fallen noble. It was a tragedy. The destruction of the noble was caused by rebellion.

Mildred was one of the servants of that said fallen noble, and fortunately, she has another home to get back with, where was located near at the Grande forest.

With the turmoil caused by the rebellion, it appeared that no one claimed the children. Mildred took the children out of pity when she escaped the fallen noble's estate. She decided to build a foster house in order to have a privy to seek donations. She used it to maintain the house and to take care of the children.

But it was not enough, the donation that they collected was not enough for their daily needs. With perseverance, she also learned the importance of planting vegetables at their house. The vegetable garden became their another source of food. Even so, Mildred affirmed that she did not regret her decision when she took the children, though it was out of pity at first. She was happy to be with them as she was living her life all alone before. Her parents died in an accident. She has no siblings or known relatives. Struggling in life, she still felt blessed with the presence of the children. They all worked to live together.

Moreover, Mildred apprised her about the children. The name of the oldest is Andrew. She was right. Andrew and her are at the same age. The second is Lily who they helped in the market. Followed by the twin, Mike and Miles, who are both at four years old. And the last one was still a two-year old boy named, Chris. She was not able to meet Andrew who is not feeling well during the time due to over fatigue from work, and the baby Chris who is still sleeping.

"All five kids, and one with the same age as me. Andrew, I hope we could also be friends"

Knock knock knock

"My Lady? It is Marielle.", called by her maid on the other side of the door.

It has been an hour since she was in the bathroom. "Come in. Marielle"

"Have you enjoy your bath, My Lady?"

"Yes. Thank you, Marielle. Did you have a good rest?"

"It was plenty, My Lady. Thank you. And the dinner is ready. I have prepared your favorite dress."

"Thank you, Marielle."

Beatrice stood up from the bath tub. "It is time." She planned to discuss at tonight's dinner with her father regarding her project to the foster house of Sister Mildred. She was nervous because the real one would never thought of doing this kind of thing. "I hope it went well."

----------

Hello Fairies!

Another Friday!!!

Apologies about my weekly update, i know that it is pretty long to wait.  I am actually a working woman, and making this story is one of my way to release stress from everyday work.

This is an original work, inspired by light novels, manga, and manhwa that I have been following (reading). Truth, i actually had a lot, if you fairies will ask me. it is hundredddssss hahaha

Please dont forget to CLICK the VOTE below and if not too disturbing, you can also FOLLOW me.

Thank you for your support. Your comments also BRIGHTEN my day.

Lovelots,

Isaiah

^_^