Second Life's Revenge

As Laura approached her destination, which was the orphanage, she realized how near it was to their estate and realized that she would have just walked here if she had known where the exact location of the orphanage earlier. The coachman opened the door for Laura, and waiting by the carriage was a nun who welcomed and greeted Laura with a smile.

The warm smile reminded Laura of Sister Abby. Laura felt nostalgic as she realized that it has been a while since she last saw her. Laura stepped out of the carriage and greeted the nun with a warm smile. Fiona followed the two from behind and looked at the house in front of her.

The orphanage didn't look like any other orphanage. It was well built, unlike any other. The structure of the orphanage looked like a mansion. After all, it was to occupy at least twenty children. Out in the backyard, the children were seen playing and laughing. Laura slightly smiled, seeing the scenery, 'and to think those children were victims before they came here,' she thought. it's sad how bad memories were sculpted into their memories.

"Is there a problem?" The nun asked as she stopped walking when she realized that Laura had stopped. Laura shook her head and said, "I'm just glad that they are smiling." And that was all that mattered to her. If a child looked scared to trust people, then there was nothing she could do but to maybe try to mend and open their hearts.

The nun looked at her, surprised, and covered her mouth. It seems like she didn't have to worry about Laura being the priestess.

Acceptance was what she saw.

"Let's proceed, shall we?" The nun asked while smiling. Laura nodded her head, but before they could continue on their walk, Laura asked, "I almost forgot to ask, but what is your name? I wouldn't want to call you just anything."

"My name is Julia," Laura nodded her head and introduced herself, "My name is Laura it's nice to meet you, Julia."

Kindness.

Laura was a noble, and Julia was counted as a commoner. But a noble treated her as someone like equal to her. From then on, Julia knew that Laura was different from the other arrogant nobles. If only everyone knew what kindness was, then the empire wouldn't suffer as much.

They both entered the newly built orphanage, and Laura was stunned by the way it looked like. These children are lucky to be living in this place. Whoever asked for this place to be made must be rich enough to maintain this place. But who that be?

If every orphanage was built nicely, she wouldn't mind living in here for her entire life.

"Please enter," Julia said as she opened the door to a room.

As Laura was about to take her seat, the door opened, and another woman in her forties entered with a worried and scared expression. But before she could talk, she had to catch her own breath. It seems like something terrible happened.

"What's wrong, Milla?" Julia asked as she immediately walked to her side, but her instincts told her it was that kid, "It's alright, I'll handle it. It must be him."

"Is there something wrong?" Laura asked the two who looked at each other first, then looked back at Laura. Milla was hesitant to say the reason but ended up doing so, "Actually, there's one child who always tries to escape from this place. If it wasn't for the guards, he would be out on the streets right now."

A rebellious child was the first thing Laura thought. But there must be a reason why his actions speak more than his own words. Determined, Laura asked, "Is it alright for me to see him?"

"But that boy is very fierce. He might hurt you," Milla worriedly said.

"It's alright a small kid like him won't hurt me."

"If you don't mind," Milla answered but was surprised.

They arrived by the room where the boy was being held in. Milla said to be careful of the boy because he can hurt Laura, which was the last thing she hoped for. When Laura entered the room, she saw a small body by the corner, hugging his legs while he hurriedly buried his face in between his knees.

Instead of sitting on the bed or chair, Laura sat on the ground and waited for the boy to look at her. Anyway, the boy wouldn't avoid Laura's gaze because she knows this feeling where a stranger is interested in her.

Like Laura predicated, the boy lifted his head but didn't smile; instead, he was like a cat hissing, threatening Laura to get out of this room and leave him alone. But it was impossible. Laura gave the boy a smile and asked, "How are you feeling?"

The boy did not answer and ignored her question. He wasn't in the mood to speak after getting caught by the guards. He wanted to grow up as fast as possible. He didn't want to trust other people anymore. For him, they were all liars.

"It's alright if you don't answer me," Laura giggled and continued to look at the boy's blue eyes. It was a calming color, but the boy didn't look welcoming, but it was alright. She was left without a choice but to tell him a story about herself since she can relate to him.

"Do you know I'm an orphan too?" Laura asked, catching the interest of the boy whose expression softened but still stayed on guard. Laura continued, "I got adopted by a noble, and he's a count."

"A count?" The boy questioned with his head titled. He's just a boy who is interested in many things in this world. Laura thinks that he might have been constrained in the past, which makes her think that this is the reason why he's acting very fierce towards her.

"That's right, and you can't say I lived a nice and quiet life. I had a dream once. Do you have one?" Laura asked. While the boy shyly nodded his head and wrapped his arms around his knees. 

'Everyone has dreams. I'm glad he has one too.'

The boy muttered, "I want to become a writer."

"A writer? Then I can't wait to read one of your works in the future," Laura giggled while the boy gave her a weird look. He still didn't trust her because she was just a stranger. But deep down, he was happy because there was someone who would be willing to read his works.

"Then, can I know your name?" Laura asked the boy, who frowned and looked away. Then Laura realized that the boy didn't have a name. That's why Milla and Julia called him the boy and not his name. If it was fine to name him, she would, but she didn't have the right to do so. As the orphanage head is the only one how could do so.

Sister Julia isn't counted as the head; she is just a caretaker like Milla. Milla isn't a nun since she isn't wearing a uniform. They probably hired her as a caretaker. But that doesn't mean she'll want to leave the boy nameless.

"Then…what about Alex?"

"Alex?"

"Yes, your name that's if you don't mind," Laura anticipated.

"It…doesn't sound bad," Alex shyly responded as he averted his eyes.

"Then, is it alright to ask you why don't you make friends with others?" 

Laura waited for Alex to speak, who looked hesitant. It's not he didn't want to make friends he was just scared. He was just scared to trust. He has felt that way ever since his parents sold him off just to pay their debt. Not to mention he didn't want to remember his own name his parents gave him.

"It's alright not to answer," Laura smiled because she knew how hard it must be for Alex. Instead, Laura placed her hand on his head and gently stroked his head. Laura spoke, "Then is it alright to make a promise with me? I won't break it since it's a promise."

"If it's you, then I don't mind," Alex muttered.

"Don't escape this place. You can trust those people inside this orphanage. Learn from them, and once you grow up, I am certain that you will be thankful for having them."

"I-I don't know if I can keep that promise. Especially if it involves trusting them."

"Take it slow. I was once like you, scared to trust. Not only that, I hurt someone special, but somehow we were able to reconcile," Laura laughed, remembering all the things that happened with him.

"A guy?" Alex asked, making Laura's face slightly flush. But she didn't deny it. Deep down her, she had a soft spot for that one guy, Erwin Ferguson. Alex frowned since he didn't want Laura to be someone else's, and the first thing he thought to do was fulfill Laura's promise. Then maybe he could be close to her.

"I see. It's making me curious who that special guy is," A familiar voice interfered.