The cold wind of winter continued to sweep through the streets of the capital.
The sun had already begun its descent, painting the sky with shades of orange and crimson.
Yet the cold only grew stronger.
People hurried through the streets, wrapping themselves in thick coats and scarves as they returned to their homes.
Merchants were closing their stalls.
Workers were carrying their remaining goods inside.
Families were gathering around warm fireplaces.
But not everyone had a home to return to.
In the narrow streets between the buildings, beneath wooden shelters and old pieces of cloth, several homeless people sat together.
Some were elderly.
Some were injured.
Some were mothers holding their children close.
And some were children who had learned to survive without anyone protecting them.
They watched the wealthy citizens pass by.
Some asked for money.
Others asked for food.
Most were ignored.
Then—
A strange sight appeared at the end of the street.
Two young men were carrying enormous metal pots.
One of them was Prince Rayryn.
The other was Bereshith.
Behind them walked a young girl dressed in filthy clothes.
She kept her distance.
Her eyes remained fixed on Bereshith's pouch.
She had followed him for one reason.
She wanted his money.
She had tried to steal it earlier.
She had failed.
And yet, somehow, instead of chasing her away...
He had invited her to eat.
The girl still couldn't understand it.
As they reached the homeless people, Bereshith carefully placed one of the pots on the ground.
The smell immediately spread throughout the street.
Warm meat.
Fresh vegetables.
Rich broth.
The homeless people slowly approaches them and lifted their heads.
One elderly man stared at the pot.
"Is that... soup?"
Bereshith smiled.
"Yes."
He opened the lid.
Steam rose into the cold evening air.
"There's enough for everyone."
The people looked at one another.
Nobody moved.
Nobody trusted what they were seeing.
A middle-aged woman cautiously approached.
"How much?"
Bereshith looked confused.
"How much?"
"For the food."
She lowered her head.
"I don't have money."
Bereshith smiled.
"You don't need any."
The woman stared at him.
"What?"
"It's free."
Silence.
Rayryn stepped forward.
"Everyone here is welcome."
The homeless people remained frozen.
Then an elderly man slowly stood.
"You're giving us this?"
Rayryn nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Rayryn looked toward Bereshith.
Bereshith answered before him.
"Because you're hungry."
The elderly man's lips trembled.
He lowered his head.
"...Thank you."
Bereshith smiled.
"Please."
"Come eat."
One by one, people began approaching.
Rayryn raised his hand.
Golden light gathered around his palm.
The light condensed.
It became solid.
A simple wooden bowl appeared within his hand.
He placed it beside the pot.
Then another.
And another.
Within moments, dozens of bowls began forming from his magic.
The homeless people stared in amazement.
A small child pointed at them.
"Magic..."
Rayryn smiled.
"Something like that."
He continued creating bowls until everyone had one.
Bereshith picked up the ladle.
"Alright."
"Let's make sure everyone gets some."
He filled the first bowl.
"Here you go."
The elderly man accepted it with trembling hands.
"Thank you..."
Bereshith continued.
One bowl.
Then another.
Then another.
Rayryn helped distribute the bowls.
The street slowly filled with the sound of people eating.
Some ate slowly.
Some ate quickly.
Others stopped after their first bite because they were overwhelmed by the warmth.
A little boy held his bowl with both hands.
"Mom..."
His mother looked at him.
"Yes?"
"It's warm."
The mother covered her mouth.
Tears streamed down her face.
"I know."
She hugged him tightly.
Bereshith saw them.
His smile softened.
He remembered.
Years ago...
He had been that child.
Cold.
Hungry.
Terrified.
Holding Yareach's hand while searching for anything they could eat.
He remembered stealing food.
Running from angry merchants.
Being beaten.
Sleeping beneath whatever shelter he could find.
And yet...
He had survived.
Yareach had survived.
Now he stood here with enough food to feed dozens of people.
Bereshith quietly whispered:
"Thank You, Lord."
Rayryn heard him.
He glanced at Bereshith.
"You really haven't changed."
Bereshith looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"You still look at people as though you've been in their position."
Bereshith smiled.
"Because I have."
Rayryn didn't answer.
Instead, he continued handing out bowls.
The young girl stood several steps away.
She had not approached.
Her eyes remained fixed on the food.
Her stomach growled.
Again.
She immediately looked around.
Nobody seemed to notice.
Except Bereshith.
He turned toward her.
"Hey."
She froze.
Bereshith held out a bowl.
"Come here."
The girl stared at him suspiciously.
"I..."
"You don't have to be afraid." Bereshith said in calm yet warmth voice.
She didn't move.
Bereshith walked toward her.
The girl instinctively stepped backward.
"Don't!"
Bereshith stopped.
He didn't force her.
He simply held the bowl out.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
The girl stared at the steaming soup.
"What do you want?!" Said the girl, annoyed yet somehow she wanted Bereshith kindness.
"Nothing." Bereshith casually reponse her.
"You're lying." Girl replied immediately with annoyed tone of hers.
Bereshith blinked.
"Why would I lie?"
"Because nobody gives things away for free."
Bereshith became silent.
He understood.
This girl had lived long enough to believe kindness always had a price.
He crouched down so they were closer to the same height.
"I don't want anything from you."
"Not your money."
"Not your help."
"Not even your thanks."
The girl stared at him.
"Then why?"
Bereshith smiled.
"Because you're hungry."
The girl looked down.
Her stomach growled again.
Bereshith smiled.
"I think your stomach agrees."
She became embarrassed.
Rayryn laughed quietly from behind them.
The girl glared at him.
"You!"
Rayryn raised both hands.
"Alright, alright."
Bereshith extended the bowl again.
"Take it."
Slowly...
The girl reached forward.
Her fingers wrapped around the bowl.
The warmth immediately spread into her hands.
She stared at it.
Then she took a small sip.
Her eyes widened.
She drank again.
And again.
Before she realized it, tears had started running down her face.
Bereshith looked concerned.
"Is something wrong?"
The girl shook her head.
"No."
She wiped her tears.
"It's just..."
She looked at the soup.
"...It's been a long time."
"Since I've eaten something this warm."
Bereshith smiled.
"Then eat."
She nodded.
After everyone had received food, Rayryn looked around.
There were still people watching from nearby alleys.
Some were too afraid to approach.
Others seemed suspicious.
Rayryn raised his voice.
"If you're hungry, come here."
"There's enough."
Nobody moved.
Rayryn sighed.
Then he raised his hand again.
A golden glow appeared.
More bowls materialized.
"See?"
"We aren't running out."
That finally convinced several people.
They cautiously approached.
Bereshith laughed.
"Rayryn..."
"Hm?"
"You're making quite a lot of bowls."
Rayryn smiled.
"I can make more."
Bereshith nodded.
"Then let's make sure everyone gets some."
And so they did.
For the next hours, the two young men remained in the cold streets.
They fed the elderly.
They fed children.
They fed mothers.
They fed injured workers.
They fed anyone who was hungry.
They didn't ask for names.
They didn't ask for payment.
They didn't ask where anyone came from.
They simply gave.
Eventually, the enormous pots became empty.
The final bowl was handed to an elderly woman.
She bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
Bereshith smiled.
"You don't have to thank me."
The woman shook her head.
"No."
"I do."
Her voice trembled.
"People usually walk past us."
"But today..."
"You stopped."
Bereshith looked at her.
"Everyone deserves to eat."
Rayryn nodded.
"He's right."
The elderly woman smiled through her tears.
"May the god bless you."
Bereshith became silent.
He looked toward the darkening sky.
Then quietly smiled.
"May God bless us all."
The young girl sat nearby.
Her bowl was completely empty.
She stared at it.
Then she looked at Bereshith.
She remembered what she had intended to do.
She had planned to steal his money.
She had followed him.
She had watched his pouch.
She had even planned how she would grab it.
But now...
She couldn't do it.
Her hand slowly reached beneath her filthy clothes.
She pulled out a tiny knife.
She stared at it.
Then looked toward Bereshith.
The knife slowly lowered.
She remembered his words.
I don't want anything from you.
Her eyes became watery.
She whispered:
"...Why?"
Bereshith looked toward her.
"Hm?"
She quickly looked away.
"Nothing."
Bereshith smiled.
"Alright."
He didn't force her to explain.
Instead, he simply stood.
"Are you full?"
The girl nodded.
"Yes."
"Good." Bereshith replied with his gentle and warmth lovely voice
She looked at him.
"...Thank you."
Bereshith smiled.
"You're welcome."
Rayryn watched the girl carefully.
He noticed something Bereshith didn't.
The girl was no longer looking at Bereshith's pouch.
She was looking at him.
Not as a target.
Not as someone to steal from.
But as someone who had shown her kindness.
Rayryn quietly smiled.
Perhaps Bereshith had been right.
Kindness did not always have a price.
Sometimes...
Kindness was simply kindness.
The winter wind blew through the street once again.
Bereshith pulled his coat tighter.
Then he looked toward the people they had fed.
"Come on, Rayryn."
"We should head back before it gets too cold."
Rayryn nodded.
"Agreed."
The young girl suddenly stood.
"Wait!"
Bereshith turned.
She hesitated.
Then asked quietly:
"Will you..."
"...come back tomorrow?"
Bereshith smiled.
"I don't know."
"But if I get the chance..."
"I'll come back."
The girl lowered her head.
"Okay."
Bereshith and Rayryn began walking away.
The girl watched them disappear into the winter crowd.
She touched the empty bowl in her hands.
For the first time in years...
She had eaten without stealing.
And for the first time in her life...
Someone had given her something without asking for anything in return.
She looked toward the direction Bereshith had gone.
"...Thank you."
The words were barely louder than a whisper.
But they were sincere.
And somewhere in that cold capital...
A small act of good will had begun changing a life.
The evening had grown colder.
The last rays of sunlight had disappeared beyond the rooftops, leaving the capital illuminated by lanterns and magical lamps scattered along the streets.
Bereshith and Prince Rayryn had finished distributing the soup.
The enormous metal pots were now empty.
Rayryn looked inside one of them and sighed.
"Completely empty."
Bereshith smiled.
"That's good."
Rayryn looked at him.
"Good?"
"Yes."
Bereshith nodded.
"It means everyone ate."
Rayryn smiled.
"Fair enough."
The two began packing everything they had brought with them.
Rayryn used his magic to reduce the size and weight of the empty containers, making them easier to carry.
Bereshith picked up the remaining utensils.
"Let's head back."
"Agreed."
They began walking toward the palace.
Neither of them said anything for several moments.
But Bereshith eventually glanced over his shoulder.
There was nobody immediately behind them.
He continued walking.
Then he glanced again.
Still nobody.
Rayryn noticed.
"You've noticed her too, haven't you?"
Bereshith smiled faintly.
"Yes."
"The girl."
Rayryn nodded.
"She's been following us since we left."
Bereshith looked forward.
"I know."
"You aren't worried?"
Bereshith shook his head.
"No."
Rayryn raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because if she wanted to attack us, she would've done it already."
Rayryn chuckled.
"That's one way of looking at it."
Bereshith glanced over his shoulder again.
This time, he saw a small figure hiding behind a wooden stall.
The same dirty scarf.
The same ragged clothing.
The same girl.
The moment their eyes met, she immediately ducked behind the stall.
Bereshith smiled.
"She's terrible at hiding."
Rayryn laughed.
"At least she's trying."
They continued walking.
The girl followed.
She kept her distance.
Whenever Bereshith turned around, she hid.
Whenever Rayryn looked back, she pretended to be looking somewhere else.
But neither of them confronted her.
They simply allowed her to follow.
Eventually, the massive walls of the Royal Palace came into view.
The palace gates stood ahead of them.
Several guards were stationed there.
The moment they saw Rayryn, they immediately straightened.
"Your Highness!"
Rayryn waved casually.
"Good evening."
The guards bowed.
"Welcome back, Your Highness."
Bereshith walked beside him.
As they approached the gate, Bereshith stopped.
Rayryn stopped as well.
The guards looked confused.
Bereshith turned around.
"Come out."
Silence.
The guards looked around.
"Sir?"
Bereshith continued.
"I know you're there."
Nothing happened.
Rayryn crossed his arms.
"You might as well come out."
A few seconds passed.
Then the young girl slowly emerged from behind a nearby building.
She froze when she realized that everyone was looking at her.
Her face became pale.
The palace guards immediately became alert.
One of them placed his hand near his weapon.
"Your Highness..."
Rayryn raised his hand.
"Stand down."
The guard hesitated.
"But—"
"I said stand down."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The guard immediately obeyed.
The girl stared nervously at them.
Bereshith walked toward her.
She took a step backward.
"It's alright."
"I told you."
"I'm not going to hurt you."
The girl looked at the palace.
Then at the guards.
Then back at Bereshith.
"Why did you let me follow you?"
Bereshith smiled.
"Because you wanted to."
The girl looked confused.
"You could have told the guards to catch me."
"We could have." Bereshith said.
"Then why didn't you?"
Bereshith shrugged.
"Because you didn't do anything wrong."
Rayryn looked at Bereshith.
"Not yet, anyway."
Bereshith glanced at him.
"Rayryn."
"What?"
"Don't scare her."
Rayryn laughed.
"I'm only joking."
The girl stared at them.
She couldn't understand how casually they spoke.
This was the Royal Palace.
And yet Bereshith seemed to treat the place as though it were simply another house.
Bereshith crouched slightly so he could look at the girl directly.
"Would you like to come inside the palace?"
The girl's eyes widened.
"Inside?"
Bereshith nodded.
"Yes."
She immediately shook her head.
"No!"
"Why?" curious response from Bereshith.
"I can't." Afraid as she trembled.
"Why not?" genuinely innocent reply of Bereshith.
The girl looked toward the guards.
"They'll arrest me."
Rayryn stepped forward.
"They won't."
The girl stared at him.
"I am Prince Rayryn."
"I give you permission to enter... And no one will going to interere, Right?!" Rayryn glared at the guard as if it is a threat rather than a warming
The guards immediately bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Rayryn then looked toward Bereshith.
"However..."
He smiled.
"This will be under your responsibility."
Bereshith blinked.
"Mine?"
"Yes."
Rayryn placed his hand on Bereshith's shoulder.
"You brought her here."
"You invited her."
"So you are responsible for her."
Bereshith thought about it.
Then smiled.
"Alright."
He looked toward the girl.
"Come with us."
The girl hesitated.
Then slowly walked toward them.
She crossed the palace gates for the first time.
And she did so without stealing anything.
Inside the palace, the girl became increasingly nervous.
Everything looked unfamiliar.
The polished floors.
The enormous pillars.
The beautiful decorations.
The servants walking through the halls.
The warm lighting.
She had never seen anything like this.
She quietly whispered:
"This is..."
Bereshith looked at her.
"Your first time inside a palace?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
Bereshith smiled.
"Don't worry."
"We'll introduce you to everyone."
The girl immediately became nervous.
"Everyone?!"
"Yes."
"Wait!"
But Bereshith was already walking.
Rayryn followed behind them, laughing quietly.
Several minutes later, Bereshith arrived at the room where his family was gathered.
Lucas was sitting with Maria and Eva.
Yareach was nearby.
Several others were also present.
The moment the door opened, everyone looked toward Bereshith.
Lucas smiled.
"You're back."
"Did you have fun?"
Bereshith nodded.
"Yes."
Then he stepped aside.
The young girl stood behind him.
Everyone became silent.
Lucas's expression immediately changed.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Bereshith."
"Who is that?"
Bereshith looked toward the girl.
Then smiled.
"She's someone I met in the city."
Yareach looked at the girl's clothing.
She was covered in dirt.
Her scarf was worn.
Her clothes were torn in several places.
"Brother..."
"What happened to her?"
Bereshith explained.
"She was following us."
Lucas immediately looked at Rayryn.
Rayryn nodded.
"She followed us from the street."
Lucas looked back toward Bereshith.
"And you brought her here?"
Bereshith nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas remained silent.
Then he sighed.
"You certainly know how to bring unexpected people home."
Bereshith smiled awkwardly.
"I'm sorry."
Lucas shook his head.
"I'm not angry."
He looked toward the girl.
"What's your name?"
The girl lowered her head.
"...I don't have one."
Everyone became quiet.
Bereshith looked surprised.
"You don't have a name?"
The girl shook her head.
"I was never given one."
Yareach's expression softened.
She looked toward the girl with sympathy.
Bereshith glanced toward Eva.
Eva had already begun walking toward the girl.
The girl immediately stepped backward.
Eva stopped.
"It's alright."
Her voice was gentle.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
The girl stared at her.
Eva smiled.
"You're cold."
The girl didn't answer.
"You must be tired."
Still nothing.
Eva extended her hand.
"Would you like to take a bath?"
The girl looked confused.
"A... bath?"
Eva nodded.
"Yes."
"You've been outside in the cold all day."
"You need to warm yourself."
The girl looked down at her filthy clothing.
Then at Eva's clean clothes.
She hesitated.
"Can I?"
Eva smiled.
"Of course."
She gently took the girl's hand.
"You can wash yourself properly."
"I'll find you some clean clothes."
The girl's eyes began to tremble.
"You..."
Eva smiled.
"Yes?"
"...You're not going to make me pay?"
Eva's expression softened.
"No."
The girl stared at her.
Then tears slowly appeared in her eyes.
Bereshith watched quietly.
Yareach walked closer.
"Don't worry."
"My mother is kind."
Eva glanced at Yareach.
"Thank you."
Yareach smiled.
Then looked toward the girl.
"You'll be warm soon."
Maria stood up as well.
"I'll prepare something for her to eat afterward."
Lucas sighed.
"And I suppose this means another person joining our household."
Bereshith looked at him.
"Is that alright?"
Lucas stared at his son for several seconds.
Then smiled.
"If you're willing to take responsibility for her..."
He looked toward the girl.
"...then she is welcome here."
Bereshith's expression brightened.
"Thank you, Father."
The girl stared at everyone.
She didn't know what to say.
Nobody had ever treated her this way.
Nobody had ever asked her whether she was hungry.
Nobody had ever offered her clean clothes.
Nobody had ever invited her into a warm home.
And now...
She was standing inside the Royal Palace.
Surrounded by people she barely knew.
People who were treating her as though she mattered.
Eva gently took her hand.
"Come."
"Let's get you cleaned up."
The girl hesitated one last time.
Then she nodded.
"...Alright."
As Eva led her away, Bereshith watched them disappear down the hallway.
Yareach stood beside him.
"Brother."
"Hm?"
"You really brought home another person."
Bereshith laughed.
"I guess I did."
Rayryn crossed his arms.
"Remember."
"You are responsible for her."
Bereshith nodded.
"I know."
Lucas looked at his son.
"You've certainly changed."
Bereshith turned toward him.
"What do you mean?"
Lucas smiled.
"Nothing."
"Just..."
"I'm proud of you."
Bereshith smiled.
"Thanks, Dad."
And somewhere down the hallway, the sound of water beginning to run could be heard.
For the first time in that girl's life...
She was about to experience something she had almost forgotten existed.
A warm bath.
Clean clothes.
A full meal.
And perhaps, for the first time...
A place she could call home.
then, after that.
The palace had grown quiet by the time Eva led the young girl toward one of the bathing rooms.
Compared to the cold streets outside, the palace felt almost like another world. Warm lanterns illuminated the corridors, servants quietly moved from one room to another, and the cold winter wind could barely be felt through the thick walls.
The girl walked cautiously beside Eva.
She kept looking around.
Everything was unfamiliar to her.
The polished floors.
The warm lights.
The clean walls.
Even the clothes she was wearing felt strange against her skin.
Eva noticed how nervous she was and gave her a gentle smile.
"You don't have to be afraid. You're safe here."
The girl nodded stiffly.
"Yes…"
Eva opened the door to the bathing room.
Warm steam immediately escaped through the doorway.
The girl stopped.
Her eyes widened when she saw the large wooden tub filled with warm water, along with several clean towels, soap, and other bathing supplies.
She stared at everything for several seconds.
"This… is for me?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," Eva replied with a warm smile.
The girl looked down.
"I don't know…"
Eva chuckled softly.
"You don't need to know what to say. Just relax."
The girl slowly removed her dirty scarf.
Then she carefully removed her worn clothing.
Eva's expression changed when she saw the condition of the girl's body.
She was extremely thin.
Her skin was covered with dirt, and several small scratches and old bruises could be seen across her arms and legs.
Eva didn't ask about them.
Instead, she simply prepared the bath.
"The water isn't too hot, is it?"
The girl cautiously placed her hand into the water and shook her head.
"No."
"Good."
The girl slowly stepped into the tub.
The moment the warm water surrounded her body, she shivered.
It wasn't because of the cold.
It was because of the warmth.
She closed her eyes.
For several seconds, she didn't move.
Eva began washing her hair carefully, gently removing the dirt that had accumulated over who knew how long.
The water slowly became cloudy.
Eva continued without complaint.
After a moment, she asked, "What's your name?"
The girl opened her eyes and stared at the water.
"I don't know."
Eva paused for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"That's alright."
She continued washing the girl's hair.
"How old are you?"
The girl thought for several seconds.
"I don't know."
Eva nodded.
"That's alright too."
She gently washed the girl's shoulders.
"Where do you live?"
The girl lowered her head.
"I don't know."
"You don't have to be embarrassed," Eva said gently.
The girl remained silent.
Eva continued washing her.
After a few moments, she asked another question.
"Do you have parents?"
The girl's fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the tub.
She stared at the water.
"I don't know."
Eva's expression softened.
She didn't press the question.
Instead, she continued washing the girl's hair.
"Do you remember your mother?"
The girl shook her head.
"I don't know."
"Your father?"
Again, the girl shook her head.
"I don't know."
Eva nodded quietly.
She understood that there were questions the girl either couldn't or didn't want to answer.
Perhaps she genuinely didn't remember.
Perhaps she had spent so many years surviving that memories of her childhood had disappeared.
Either way, Eva didn't need to force her to speak.
She simply continued helping her.
After several minutes, the girl's hair was finally clean.
Eva carefully washed the dirt from her face.
The girl remained stiff throughout the process.
"You seem very nervous," Eva said with a small smile.
The girl looked away.
"I don't know."
Eva laughed softly.
"That seems to be your favorite answer."
The girl's cheeks became slightly red.
"I…"
Eva smiled.
"You don't have to be afraid of us."
The girl said nothing.
Eva gently rinsed the remaining soap from her hair and continued washing her arms.
There were several small scars on them.
Eva noticed them.
She wanted to ask where they came from.
But she decided against it.
Instead, she spoke softly.
"You've been through quite a lot, haven't you?"
The girl stared at the water.
"I don't know."
Eva smiled sadly.
"That's alright."
When the bath was finally finished, Eva helped the girl out of the tub and wrapped a large towel around her.
The girl looked at herself.
For the first time in a long while, she could actually see her own face clearly.
Her hair was clean.
Her face was clean.
The dirt that had covered her body was gone.
She almost didn't recognize herself.
Eva smiled.
"There."
The girl touched her hair.
"Is that… me?"
"Of course," Eva replied with a gentle laugh.
The girl stared at herself for several seconds.
She seemed almost confused by what she saw.
Eva then opened a nearby cabinet and looked through several pieces of clothing.
She picked up one dress, then paused.
"Actually…"
She turned toward the girl.
"I think I have something better."
Eva left the room.
A few minutes later, she returned carrying a neatly folded dress.
The girl's eyes immediately went toward it.
"What's that?"
"A dress."
Eva unfolded it.
It was simple but beautiful.
It wasn't covered with expensive jewelry or extravagant decorations.
It was simply a clean, warm dress suitable for a young girl.
The girl looked at it nervously.
"That's…"
Eva smiled.
"It belonged to Yareach. Little sister of the Boy with you earlier."
The girl's eyes widened.
"I can't wear it."
"Why not?"
"It's hers."
Eva smiled.
"Yareach has grown. She has plenty of clothes that no longer fit her."
She gently held the dress toward the girl.
"I'm sure she won't mind."
The girl stared at the dress.
"I don't know."
Eva laughed softly.
"You really do say that a lot."
The girl became embarrassed and looked away.
Eva smiled.
"Come on. Try it."
The girl slowly accepted the dress.
She disappeared behind a curtain and changed.
A few moments later, she stepped out.
Eva looked at her.
The dress fit her surprisingly well.
It was slightly loose around her thin frame, but it was warm and comfortable.
"Beautiful," Eva said.
The girl's face immediately became red.
"I don't know."
Eva laughed again.
"There you go."
The girl lowered her head.
But this time, a tiny smile appeared on her face.
Eva noticed.
She didn't say anything.
She simply placed a hand gently on the girl's head.
Later that evening, Eva and the girl returned to the room where everyone was gathered.
The moment Yareach saw the dress, her eyes widened.
"That's my old dress!"
The girl immediately froze.
She looked nervous.
"I'm sorry."
Yareach blinked.
Then she smiled.
"Why are you apologizing?"
She walked closer to the girl and looked at the dress.
"You look better in it than I did!"
The girl stared at her.
"Really?"
"Really!"
The girl's expression softened.
For perhaps the first time since entering the palace, she didn't look like she wanted to run away.
She looked comfortable.
Bereshith smiled at the sight.
Lucas crossed his arms while watching the two girls.
Maria and Eva exchanged a knowing smile.
Even the others seemed pleased.
The little girl who had entered the palace as a street thief was slowly beginning to look like an ordinary child.
A child who had been given clean clothes.
A warm bath.
Food.
And, perhaps most importantly, people who were willing to accept her without demanding anything in return.
Later that night, everyone gathered together.
Lucas stood near the center of the room and looked toward Bereshith.
"Son."
Bereshith turned toward him.
"Yes, Dad?"
Lucas smiled.
"I've made a decision."
Everyone became quiet.
Lucas looked at his son with a proud expression.
"Five months after winter ends, you're going to begin your academy life."
Bereshith's eyes widened.
"Academy?"
Lucas nodded.
"Yes."
"You've recovered. You're training again, and you've regained your strength."
He paused for a moment.
"Now it's time for you to begin the next part of your life."
Bereshith looked around the room.
Yareach was smiling.
Maria and Eva were smiling.
Bereshith lowered his eyes and looked at his hands.
Five months.
Then the academy.
A new beginning.
He smiled.
"Alright, Dad."
His voice carried a quiet determination.
"I'll be ready."
Lucas smiled proudly.
"I know you will."
That night, Bereshith didn't think about the nine months he had lost.
He didn't think about the weakness that had once consumed his body.
He didn't think about the pain of the past.
Instead, he looked toward the future.
Toward the academy.
Toward new friends.
Toward new experiences.
And toward everything that awaited him.
Nearby stood a nameless girl wearing Yareach's old dress.
She had entered the palace looking for something to steal.
But somehow, without realizing it, she had found something far more valuable.
A place where she could finally begin again.