*Sniff*

A rich smell of meat and fragrant spices tickled my nose. The slight warm amidst the cold and the comforting hug of thick blanket covering still tying me down. As I open up my eyes, I was greeted by the morning light and rich aroma as I wake up. I sat up to see Lucas cooking a stew for breakfast. I get up and approached Lucas greeting him with a good morning, receiving the same greeting.

"What are you making Lucas?"

'I am making Polage le Magnifique. Recipe from the best chef in the continent, Howden Rasme himself. Hehe' Lucas spoke proudly while stirring the content in the pot.

The name of the stew, and even the name of the chef sounds somewhat familiar, but I can't quite grasp what's lingering in my head.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

'Uhhh, I am almost done'.

Lucas take a look around, and seeing that I was eager wanting to help, Lucas decides to let me clean up the used bowls and utensils, and store unused vegetables into the storeroom. I am getting used to using threads of mana to hold things for sure.

Right. Anyway, last night I used my magic to make butterflies and all and actually made even more creatures and play with Lucas but I forgot someone might actually saw me. No, I am sure someone sees them. It's almost impossible to not notice the glowing things I made in the middle of the night. For some reason, Lucas excitement at seeing my magic infected me making me forget to care about my surroundings. Is this the effect of being in a child's body? I keep doing chores tasked to me with thoughts in my head, questioning my own not so smart behaviour.

I brought bowls with spoons with me for serving and in few minutes, breakfast was served. Cubes of polage, which taste and smell exactly like potato from Earth were the main ingredient of the stew, accompanied by diced carrots and onions in thick soup. The soup was thickened with flour and was rich in savoury flavour by boiling rabbit-beast bones as the base of the soup in the beginning of preparation. It's a healthy, rich, delicious meal.

"It's really nice, Lucas. You re a great cook".

'I can make them all the time!' replied Lucas with a smile. We ate silently until we re both finished. I offered, I mean, insisted on doing the clean up. Lucas has no say in it of course. He had done all the cooking, it's only right for me to do something in return.

"Hey, wanna take a walk around the village? I want to introduce you to the villagers. Chief also wants to see you".

I agreed to his suggestion. I feel healthy and energised, I take my chance to learn more about the village and what the villagers do. I, after all, was raised in a noble household. The lifestyle was definitely different. Even in my past life I have no idea on how people in the medieval times live, as I think that was the closest thing to this village currently.

As I stepped out of the humble house, snow white scenery flashes before my eyes. Each step leaves behind an inch deep foot print as I take my steps following Lucas from behind.

The first stop was another humble house within view nearby, quite similar in design to Lucas's home with slight variation.

'Mrs Rachel! Good morning!' Lucas screamed out calling the inhabitant.

Soon, the wooden door opened. An old woman who looks like in her 70s greeted us. She had a grey hair and wrinkles around her forehead, cheeks and folds next to her black-brown eyes due to losing her youth. She invited both of us in to have some hot chocolate and cookies. I reluctantly followed Lucas into her house. It was a nice simple furnished space. I introduced myself to Mrs Rachel while sipping the nice warm chocolate drink. Mrs Rachel, just like Lucas before, was surprised seeing me use my magic to hold the cup.

Apparently, she lived alone and her husband passed away. She had a son working as a mercenary in the capital. She was the one who knitted the fluffy sweater Lucas and I was wearing too. I can see Mrs Rachel cared for Lucas a lot.

'A nice grandma', that was my judgement on her character. The hot chocolate she made for us taste really good especially in this snowy weather.

We soon leaves to go visit Mr. Nazim and his wife next to Mrs Rachel house. A middle aged man with a rough beard was cutting down firewood. We greeted Mr Nazim and introduced myself to him. We promptly leave to let Mr Nazim focus on his work.

We pass through an area of small square where different mini shop stands set up at some places. These facilities are for villagers to sell their extra spoils from hunt, fruits and vegetables they grow, firewood or cloths they spun. Travelling merchant sometimes will stay in the area to trade. During winter however, there were less things to do as the temperature not suited for farming and lesser beasts roam about thus there's no extra meats so there's no stall open for business.

There's also a small building with a signboard written 'Wolford Drink N Dellies'. It's a pub owned by Mr Jason who also lives in there. The pub is where the villagers hang out, chit chatting, spreading rumours and drink alcohols during other seasons. Eatery business is not profitable during winter in this small village due to low customer, high maintenance and lesser resources in the season.

There's also a blacksmith nearby. I can hear sounds of metals being hit. Mr Roswell is a versatile craftsman. He crafted and repair most of the utensils and tools used by the villagers ranging from kitchen and farming tools to weaponries and armours. Lucas told me that Mr Roswell and his wife originally opened their workshop in the city and their shop was a really popular workshop among mercenaries in the city but he retired as he ages. That's the only shop that opens in the area.

Afterwards, Lucas brought me straight to the house where Chieftain of the village resided. It was a majestic long house made of timber. At first sight it can be guessed it was a house of an important person. The doors were covered in beast skin to keep out the cold like many of other houses here. There's also a symbol carved onto the front part of the roof in shape of a wolf head.

"Good morning Chief!"

Lucas called out for him. Soon, a tall middle aged man with white-grey hair with full beard came into view. His chiselled face structure can be described as nothing but handsome even for his old age. In his youth, he was the most popular guy among his peers and was fawned over by many girls due to his charm, charisma and leadership. His muscles even outlined his body through the thick layers of cloths making him look menacing. If this is 21th century on Earth, people would have called him 'daddy'.

The chief told us to come in. Inside, a large long table with many seats was placed at the centre. The longhouse was also used as a hub for the villagers to gather and for discussion on different issues with the chief.

"Take a seat".

Awkwardly I take a sit one space away from chief while Lucas sat opposite of me.

"Lucas, I need to talk to this child alone. You can wait in that room. I will call you out when we finish".

Lucas followed the chief's order quickly leaving me and chief alone in the large space.

The old man then took a deep breath and spoke.

"Cassius Bloodfallen".

Upon hearing the name, I flinched and looked at chief. H

e knows my real identity. Right. Of course. My shining white hair and blue sapphire eyes are unique to me and the woman who gave birth to me in this continent. And my reaction just made it more certain.

After few seconds of silence, he continued.

"It seems that you remember".

"Do you want to return home?".

I was unsure what he thinks of me. Do I lie saying I am not Cassius and he's mistaken? Or do I say I don't remember anything? No, then he might try to send me back to that family.

After some thought, I replied.

'No. I don't consider them my family'.

After a pause, I continued.

'They did this to me', while showing my hands to the chief which was cut clean by my own father.

Remembering that crazy woman, uncaring eyes of father and the near death experiences made me feel a bout of anxiety and fear. I already crumbled, and already lost my will to live as I went crazy because of it and dared to escape. I killed mother with own hands. I killed a person...

I stop thinking about what I had done after waking up from being unconscious. I tried to not think about it. I tried to rationalise my action, that she deserves it.

The memory of her bloodshot eyes staring at me, her muffled screams, the blood staining my cloths and walls of the underground cell. I never have killed a person before. I never experienced so much pain before. Even though at that time I really meant to kill her, but now when things are fine the memory becomes unbearable.

I thought, I was okay. But I wasn't. Tears flows down my cheeks without me realising.

Chief watched me cries with pity on his eyes. He nodded in understanding, and place his hand on my head, ruffling them.

"It's okay. You can stay here as long as you want".

'...'.

I cant say a word. His big warm hands caressing my hair makes me feel safe. I broke down in tears. He welcomed me as a new member of the village with open.

He soon called Lucas. Lucas got worried and we eventually go back to home. Chief even gave us some beast bore meat for us to cook later.

I will be living together with Lucas, as a member of the village. I was worried I will be casted out, with nowhere to go. I am lucky to be alive and met such nice people. And I now have a place I can call home. I wiped the remaining tears with my sleeves as we reach our home.

Lucas quickly took out the thick cotton quilt and put some more firewood into the fireplace.

'Bell, you should take a nap here. When I am sad I always lay down and just sleep. It always makes me feel better'.

Lucas kind gesture moved me. I thanked him and laid down. Having broke down crying, remembering all the traumatic memories, I felt drained. I don't want to move. It's feels really heavy inside... I am tired.

But... I am safe now.

With that thought, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

The entire day, I lied down in bed or sat in front of the fireplace embracing the warmth. I have no energy to do anymore exploring or anything. Lucas went out the entire day leaving me to rest. He gather firewood from the forest and hunt a lepus (the rabbit like beast) and process it for its edible and usable parts.

Lucas came home to cook lunch, sat next to me eating together as we sat on the floor. A part of me feel guilty as I just lie down on bed doing nothing. I tried to help out a little but Lucas insisted on me resting for the rest of the day. Soon, Lucas went out again and return by dusk. He even brought some fishes back. I am older than him mentally but I was taken care of by him. Its embarrassing when I think about myself.

Lucas cooked a much lavish dinner than usual that evening. Rich stew with boar and lepus meat, soft bread and grilled fish. He really did his best to cheer me up. I feel thankful.

As we sat together at the dinning table, I answered Lucas's questions about me. It seems that he overheard things (he eavesdrop the conversation between chief and I). It feels nice to talk so openly to someone. He's such a great listener. Well, I didn't say exactly what I went through. It just that, the family treated me bad and I will never go back there.

Midnight came and I fell asleep, feeling relaxed and secure knowing I can stay here.