Two winters had come and gone.
The chill of the second winter was already fading, while the third slowly approached with silent footsteps.
The palace gardens had turned pale beneath the cold winds, and the trees stood bare, patiently waiting for spring to return.
For the first time in many months...
Bereshith felt like taking a walk beyond the palace walls.
Not to train.
Not to pray.
Not to fulfill a duty.
Simply...
To walk.
Before leaving, he made his way toward the administrative wing of the royal palace.
Knock.
Knock.
"Come in."
Bereshith slowly opened the office door.
Inside, Lucas sat behind a large wooden desk covered with reports from the eastern territory.
Maria stood nearby, reading several documents while gently rocking Mia's cradle with one hand.
Eva was seated on a carpet with Peter, helping the little boy stack wooden blocks into a crooked little tower.
The peaceful family atmosphere made Bereshith smile.
"Father."
Lucas looked up.
"Oh?"
"What is it, son?"
Bereshith scratched the back of his head.
"I was thinking..."
"I'd like to take a walk outside the palace."
Lucas remained silent for a moment.
"...Alone?"
Bereshith nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas leaned back in his chair before letting out a quiet sigh.
"...Alright."
"You've worked hard these past months."
"A little fresh air won't hurt."
Bereshith smiled.
"Thank you."
Just as Bereshith turned toward the door...
Lucas called after him.
"...Bereshith."
He stopped.
"Yes?"
Lucas's expression became unusually serious.
"If trouble finds you..."
"Walk away."
"If walking isn't enough..."
"Run."
"And if someone wants to pick a fight..."
"Leave."
"There is no shame in avoiding danger."
Bereshith hesitated.
For someone who had once thrown himself in front of a poisoned knife...
Those words felt strangely difficult to accept.
His lips parted slightly before closing again.
After several quiet seconds...
He finally nodded.
"...I understand."
Lucas smiled warmly.
"Good."
"Have fun."
Bereshith bowed slightly before leaving the room.
The office door quietly closed behind him.
He walked through the palace corridors.
Servants greeted him with respectful bows.
Knights saluted as he passed.
The familiar halls no longer felt foreign after months of recovery.
Soon...
The grand entrance of the royal palace came into view.
Two armored guards immediately crossed their halberds.
"Halt!"
"Identify yourself!"
Bereshith blinked.
"...Me?"
The guards nodded firmly.
"I am—"
Before he could finish—
A calm voice echoed from behind.
"Is there a problem?"
Both guards immediately stiffened.
Their faces drained of color.
Without another word, they hurriedly saluted.
"Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Rayryn!"
Bereshith turned around.
Standing several steps behind him was Prince Rayryn himself.
Unlike usual...
He wore no ceremonial cape.
No royal procession followed him.
No knights.
No attendants.
Only a simple winter coat draped over his shoulders.
Rayryn casually waved toward the guards.
"Morning."
The guards bowed even lower.
"Good morning, Your Highness!"
Bereshith quickly followed suit.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Rayryn stopped walking.
He stared at Bereshith for a few seconds before chuckling.
"...You're still doing that."
Bereshith tilted his head.
"Hm?"
Rayryn stepped closer.
Then lightly tapped Bereshith's shoulder.
"Why are you still greeting me so formally?"
"You can just call me Rayryn."
Bereshith smiled awkwardly.
"But..."
His eyes subtly shifted toward the palace guards.
Rayryn noticed immediately.
He laughed.
"Relax."
"No one here would dare oppose me anymore."
He folded his arms proudly.
"After all..."
"I'm the sole heir to the throne now!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The guards forced polite smiles while silently sweating beneath their helmets.
Bereshith couldn't help but stare.
This guy...
I heard his brother received capital punishment after everything that happened... and after all those crimes came to light.
But... isn't he being a little too relaxed?
Sure, neither His sister wants the throne..
Still... he's practically the next king.
Isn't he getting a bit... cocky?
Bereshith smiled awkwardly to himself.
He's making me worried just by looking at him...
Rayryn, completely unaware of Bereshith's thoughts, suddenly wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"You're heading outside, aren't you?"
Bereshith nodded.
"I was."
"Perfect!"
Rayryn grinned.
"Then let me come with you."
"I'll personally show you the magnificent capital that I'll govern one day."
He puffed out his chest dramatically.
"Come!"
"Be honored!"
"You have the future king as your guide!"
Bereshith could only force a tiny smile.
"...Y-Yeah..."
His response carried almost no enthusiasm.
The palace guards exchanged awkward glances but wisely remained silent.
One of them stepped forward and slowly pushed open the massive palace gates.
The cold winter wind immediately rushed inside.
Rayryn inhaled deeply.
"Now this is refreshing."
Without waiting, he strode forward into the bustling capital streets.
Bereshith followed several steps behind.
Neither rode horses.
Neither summoned a carriage.
Neither brought royal guards.
Just two young men...
Walking side by side into the city.
One was the future King of the kingdom.
The other...
The child whom Heaven itself had chosen.
As they walk.
Beyond the towering palace gates...
The capital was alive.
Although winter was only days away, the city showed no signs of slowing down.
Merchants called loudly from every corner of the street.
"Fresh apples! Sweet apples!"
"Firewood! Dry firewood for the coming winter!"
"Fresh meat! Fresh venison!"
"Warm wool clothing! Keep your family warm this winter!"
Blacksmiths hammered glowing iron.
Children laughed as they chased one another through the crowd.
The scent of roasted chestnuts drifted through the cold air.
Even with winter approaching...
The capital was filled with warmth.
Prince Rayryn stretched his arms behind his head.
"I really missed walking around like this."
He looked from one stall to another.
"Hmm..."
"I wonder if there's anything interesting to buy."
Bereshith quietly followed beside him.
"I didn't know Your Highness enjoyed markets."
Rayryn sighed dramatically.
"There you go again."
Bereshith blinked.
"Hm?"
"You called me 'Your Highness' again."
"..."
"I literally told you a few minutes ago."
Bereshith scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"My apologies... I mean..."
He hesitated.
Rayryn folded his arms.
"Come on."
"Just call me Rayryn."
"It still feels disrespectful."
Rayryn rolled his eyes.
"If I don't care..."
"Why should you?"
Bereshith remained silent for several seconds.
Finally...
He gave in.
"...Alright."
"I'll try."
Rayryn grinned.
"Much better."
The two continued strolling through the busy streets.
They talked about the academy.
About Cyte and Cyse.
About how Princess Alesh continued pestering Cyse every chance she got.
Rayryn laughed so loudly that nearby merchants couldn't help smiling.
Then—
A figure rushed through the crowd.
Small.
Thin.
Almost the same height as his little sister Yareach.
Wrapped in filthy brown clothes with a worn scarf hiding most of the face.
The child charged directly toward Bereshith.
At the last instant—
Bereshith instinctively shifted his footing.
His body turned naturally.
The child brushed past him instead of colliding.
"...!"
The child's hand missed.
"Tsk."
The irritated click of the tongue was impossible to miss.
The child immediately sprinted away into the crowd.
Both Bereshith and Rayryn watched the figure disappear.
Rayryn calmly spoke.
"Careful, Bereshith."
"There are plenty of child thieves around here."
Bereshith continued looking toward where the child had vanished.
"...It's alright."
"Our territory has thieves too."
His voice carried disappointment...
Not anger.
Not hatred.
Only sadness.
As though he had accepted something he wished didn't exist.
"They're just people trying to survive."
Rayryn looked at him quietly.
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Rayryn clapped his hands once.
"Come on."
"I heard a newly opened restaurant nearby serves excellent stew."
"Let's try it."
Bereshith smiled faintly.
"...Yeah."
"Let's go."
Far behind them...
The ragged child emerged from an alley.
Hidden beneath the scarf...
A pair of determined eyes stared directly at Bereshith.
"Tsk..."
"So annoying..."
The child clenched a small fist.
"Just wait."
"I'll get that money pouch."
The child quietly slipped back into the crowd.
Keeping a careful distance.
Never too close.
Never too far.
Watching.
Waiting.
Several streets later...
Bereshith spoke without turning around.
"...Rayryn."
"Hm?"
"Is it just me..."
"...or is that beggar kid following us?"
Rayryn answered casually.
"No."
"It's definitely following us."
Bereshith blinked.
"...You noticed too?"
"I noticed before we even left the market."
He shrugged.
"Just keep your money pouch where it is."
Bereshith couldn't help laughing.
"I was planning to."
Soon...
The restaurant came into view.
It was a newly built establishment made from polished oak, with warm light spilling from its windows.
The aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering stew drifted into the street.
Rayryn smiled.
"This is the place."
The two stepped inside.
A servant quickly guided them toward an empty table beside a large window.
As soon as they sat down...
Bereshith glanced outside.
There...
Across the street...
The same ragged child stood partially hidden behind a wooden cart.
Watching them.
The moment their eyes met—
The child jumped in surprise.
Then immediately disappeared behind the cart.
Bereshith chuckled awkwardly.
"...That kid is really desperate."
"I wonder..."
"Does the child just need enough money to eat?"
Rayryn's expression remained serious.
"...I don't think so."
Bereshith looked at him.
Rayryn rested both elbows on the table.
"Children like that rarely work alone."
"They're often controlled by gangs."
"They're taught to steal..."
"Pick pockets."
"Rob."
"Sometimes even hunt people."
"In return..."
"They're given food."
Bereshith listened silently.
Rayryn continued.
"If you're thinking about helping that child..."
"I'd advise against it."
"You'd only make things worse."
Silence settled between them.
Bereshith slowly turned back toward the window.
His eyes searched the street where the child had vanished.
Then...
A gentle smile appeared.
"...Did you know something, Rayryn?"
"Hm?"
"I wasn't very different from that child."
Rayryn looked at him.
Bereshith's gaze remained outside.
"Not very long ago..."
"I begged."
"Though I stole... I stole the foods that already been thrown away from people"
"I hunted, too, not that i hurt someone, but in the forests and wandered the outskirts."
"Everything..."
"So my little sister could eat."
His voice remained calm.
Almost nostalgic.
"I stole bread."
"Milk."
"Water."
"I was beaten many times after getting caught."
He laughed softly.
"Sometimes I thought..."
'I deserved it.'
"After all..."
"I had sinned."
He lowered his eyes.
"But even then..."
"I never regretted it. I took responsibility and got punished everytime. I never harbor hatred."
"As long as my little sister could sleep with a full stomach..."
"I was willing to bear the punishment."
The restaurant grew strangely quiet.
Even Rayryn found no words.
Bereshith finally looked toward him.
A warm smile spread across his face.
"Rayryn..."
"Kindness doesn't have a price."
"It's my choice to show kindness."
"If someone betrays that kindness..."
"That's their choice."
He placed a hand gently over his chest.
"So whenever I see someone who's fallen..."
"I remind myself of something."
"Aren't I also a sinner?"
Rayryn stared at him for several long seconds.
Then...
He let out a deep sigh.
"...You're impossible."
Bereshith tilted his head.
"Hm?"
Rayryn shook his head with a faint smile.
"...Fine."
"Do whatever you want."
Bereshith's smile widened just a little.
"...Thank you."
Outside the restaurant window...
Hidden behind the corner of a nearby building...
The ragged child slowly lowered trembling hands.
While the warmth of the restaurant surrounded Bereshith and Rayryn as their meals were finally served.
Two steaming plates were placed before them, accompanied by freshly baked bread and a bowl of vegetables.
"Finally," Rayryn said with a satisfied smile.
Bereshith chuckled.
"Looks delicious."
They began eating.
The conversation continued between them as they enjoyed their meal, occasionally laughing at each other's stories.
Before long, both plates were completely empty.
Rayryn leaned back in his chair and sighed contentedly.
"That was good."
Bereshith nodded.
"It was."
Rayryn then looked toward one of the waitresses.
"Excuse me."
The young waitress approached them.
"Yes, sir?"
"Do you prepare food for take-out?"
The waitress nodded.
"Yes, we do. Although it may take some time to prepare."
Rayryn glanced toward Bereshith.
"We can wait."
Bereshith nodded.
"Yes."
The waitress smiled politely.
"Then what would you like us to prepare?"
Bereshith answered without hesitation.
"Just a pot of warm soup."
The waitress blinked.
"Soup?"
"Filled with meat and vegetables."
Bereshith smiled.
"Nothing else."
The waitress looked slightly confused.
"Umm... My apologies, but we can only—"
"How many pots do you need, sir?"
A deep voice interrupted her.
A large, bearded man approached and stood beside the waitress.
He looked toward Bereshith and then Rayryn.
Rayryn answered.
"We'll need at least four."
"And make the pots large."
The bearded man immediately bowed.
"Certainly, Your Highness, Prince Rayryn."
The waitress froze.
"!"
Her eyes widened.
She immediately bowed deeply.
"My apologies, Your Highness! I didn't know!"
She then turned toward Bereshith and bowed to him as well.
"My apologies, Your Highness!"
Bereshith stared at her in bewilderment.
"...Me?"
Rayryn suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
The bearded man looked at her employee who made a mistake.
Rayryn waved his hand.
"Sir Kulas, don't punish your worker."
"She doesn't even know who's who!"
"Hahahaha!"
Bereshith finally understood what had happened and laughed awkwardly.
"I'm not royalty."
"I'm just a friend of this guy."
Kulas's expression immediately became apologetic.
He gently grabbed his niece by the back of her head and bowed alongside her.
"I apologize for her rudeness!"
"This girl is my niece. She only arrived in the city recently."
"Please forgive her, Your Highness."
Rayryn continued laughing.
"It's alright."
"You may go."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Hahahaha!"
Kulas and his niece bowed once more before returning to the kitchen.
As they walked away, the girl whispered.
"Uncle..."
"Hm?"
"You said Prince Rayryn was scary."
Kulas glanced toward Rayryn.
"Yes."
"But that was two years ago."
He lowered his voice.
"Before his brother was executed for treason and other crimes..."
He paused.
Then looked back toward the dining area.
"...Whoever managed to make him become this normal..."
"And whoever made him smile..."
"We should probably thank them."
The girl looked confused.
Kulas shook his head.
"Never mind."
"Go."
"Get the fire ready."
"And change the sign."
"From open to closed."
The girl blinked.
"Closed?"
"Yes."
"No one else going to enter."
"But why?"
Kulas smiled faintly.
"Because we're making four enormous pots of soup."
"Now move."
"Yes, Uncle!"
The restaurant soon became filled with the scent of simmering meat and vegetables.
The huge pots bubbled over the fire.
Kulas carefully stirred each one while his niece prepared the ingredients.
The girl occasionally glanced toward Bereshith.
She watched him talk with Rayryn.
She watched him laugh.
She watched him smile.
Then—
Grrrrrrr...
The girl's stomach growled loudly.
She immediately grabbed her stomach.
"...I'm hungry."
Kulas looked at her.
"You'll eat later."
"But—"
"Later."
She sighed.
"...Fine."
Twenty minutes passed.
The four enormous pots of soup were finally finished.
Bereshith and Rayryn stood outside the restaurant carrying the food.
The girl was waiting near the entrance.
Then she saw the two enormous metal pots.
Her eyes widened.
"What the heck?!"
Bereshith looked at her.
Then smiled.
"Hey, little girl!"
She froze.
"Come here!"
"We have free food!"
"Come!"
"Join us!"
The girl's eyes widened even further.
She looked behind herself.
Then toward Rayryn.
Then toward Bereshith.
Who and what's wrong with these people?!
Her instincts screamed at her to run.
These weren't ordinary people.
One was the prince himself.
And the other...
The strange young man who had noticed her attempts to steal from him...
Was now offering her food.
For free.
The girl swallowed nervously.
"Why..."
"Why would they give foods?"
Bereshith tilted his head.
"Aren't you coming?"
The calling was so simple...
So innocent...
That the girl didn't know how to respond.
Rayryn folded his arms and watched silently.
For once, he didn't interfere.
He merely observed.
Bereshith pointed toward the soup.
"Come on."
"It's still warm."
"You should eat before it gets cold."
The girl stared at him suspiciously.
She had spent most of her life learning one rule:
Never trust strangers.
Especially strangers who offered something for free.
But her stomach growled again..
The girl immediately covered her stomach in embarrassment.
Rayryn called her too"
"Come, We know you want it."
The girl hesitated.
One step.
Then another.
Slowly...
She approached them.
And for the first time that day...
She stopped thinking about stealing.
She was simply thinking about eating.