The next day Stine had Laina stay and rest, he wants to make sure that she doesn’t push herself too much. She was invited by Margaret to join her and visit Cynthia despite being there just last night.

“Will you help me sell these hearts?” She asks Margaret.

“Gladly milady.”

On the other hand, Stine and Edmund went to Musica for some paper work that has been on his mind for quite some time.

“What do you think Edmund?” Stine says while anxiously compiling papers inside his bag.

“It’s wonderful doctor, young Laina will be delighted.”

“I just hope that she doesn’t feel like a substitute to my daughter.”

He passes by the library and thought to himself to borrow a book for Laina. He browses one of the shelters and found a children’s book then he went to the counter to have it check out.

“Is it for your daughter?”

Stine replies with and awkward smile and just nods.

“You’re very lucky to have one.” The librarian said as she tears up while covering the book.

She went on a small discourse about her miscarriage about 3 weeks ago. Stine didn’t know what to do so he just stood there as this woman cries in front of him while placing a cover on the book

“I’m sorry, you don’t even know who I am and I just ranted about my life.”

“No, not at all.” Stine replies to comfort her.

They talk for a bit; he didn’t want to pry on her life but she was more than willing to share her story even to a complete stranger like him.

“My husband, the blacksmith told me about a doctor from Lenin who had a similar story to ours.”

“How did you know it is me?” Stine asks anxiously

“I just know” She replies

He left Musica and return back to Lenin. Margaret and Laina arrive much earlier than they and he notices that there are only two remaining hearts. Stine talks with Laina about the Librarian to which she replies that she had been there for a couple of times.

“Oh, and guess what, Ada is Digor’s wife, she is really excited to see you.”

When they went there the next day, the librarian is already familiar with her. But this time she bought a heart from her. She looks upon the heart with delight and tears fell down her eyes. Laina hugs her and she cried with the weeping woman.

“Your daughter is wonderful”

After some time, they emerge from the library. It is a little bit past noon and they have plenty of time left for the day.

“Mister Stine, can we go to Edo?”

“Is there someone there who needs the last heart?”

“No, I just want to go look at the valley”

“Of course, we could visit Fergus while we’re there” Stine added.

Stine obliged to Laina’s request so they went. When they got there, they headed straight for Fergus’ shop. Fergus saw the carriage and saw them got off of it. He walks towards them with his cane, limping with joy as he saw their faces.

“Lassie, how are you doing?” Fergus’ asked with a smile on his face.

Laina replies with a faint smile towards him.

“Still getting better, but I learned something while you two were away.”

They are both surprised and followed Fergus inside the shop. They took a seat across Fergus who is having a hard time adjusting his chair.

“This heart is magical and it fits mine. It gives of a feeling that only the individual who fits it can recognize. I was reminded of my time before I got drafted”

He went on and tell them his past. Before the war, he is very skilled in crafting, from ornaments and trinkets to jewelry and small mechanisms. The result of the war is as they can see, he lost his left arm and right leg along with his right eye and a burnt mark all over his face.

“I thought I lost everything. I couldn’t do much with only a right arm who’s busy supporting the rest of my body. But deep down, a rekindled hope that I could still become the greatest craftsman despite my circumstances.”

He looked down and wept while fiddling his fingers with the heart at the table.

“Thank you” He repeatedly whispered while trying to hold back his tears.

Laina grab hold of Fergus hand and smiled at him while weeping herself.

Stine’s heart felt warm by the experience. He looks at Laina and at how she grows from the girl who repeatedly asks anyone to buy a heart to someone who empathize with everyone.

They left the store shortly and went to the edge of town to look at the valley, per Laina’s request. The entire event is silent. Stine didn’t want to bother the young lass who is still looking to a far distant hoping of something that he might never know.

Laina’s face is filled with a roller coaster of emotions that she couldn’t express but Stine was able see some of it.

They day ended fast. When they returned to Lenin, Laina wanted to drop by Cynthia and gave her a hug. Back at the house she gave Margaret and Edmund a hug to which they were surprised as she had never done that before. All the while Stine looks at her and her peaceful pace.

The night falls and Laina is at the veranda. Stine walks up and gazes at the village with her.

“One more left and we could focus on finding out who you are.” Stine remarks.

Laina stood silent and her face remain unchanged.

“About the other day, I’m sorry for lashing out like that. I didn’t mean to.” Laina wept.

Stine walks up to Laina and hugs her.

The next day arrives and something was different. Stine left with Edmund and Margaret is left to look after the house. They went to Musica and handled some documents for the plan to move there. He passes by the library and something caught his eye. A transparent box with a prism heart shape inside. He goes inside the library and asks the woman at the front desk where she got it.

The Librarian replies that she doesn’t remember, but that it was given to her by someone she knew. The librarian thought for a moment as if there was a gap in her memory, as did Stine.

He went back in his carriage and talked with Edmund and asks if something is amiss. Edmund mentions that something did feel different.

“Just a few days ago you were a total wreck.”

Stine tries to search his memory but he couldn’t recall anything. They went back to Lenin immediately. Margaret was outside the house watering the plants but she’s staring into spaces. Stine inquires of her if there is anything different what it is. Margaret replies the same as Edmund’s

He went to his study in hopes that he remembers anything. But what caught his eye is similar box that the librarian owns, a transparent box with a heart shape prism inside and underneath the box is a letter. He couldn’t recognize the handwriting as he didn’t write it himself. Right next to it are adoption papers already filled out.

The letter is as follows

Dr. Stine,

Thank you for taking care of me, despite being a stranger you took me into your home and even treated me as one of your own. I can’t express how grateful I am for all of your help specially to help me find who I am. But I’m very sorry to have lied to you. Every time a heart is sold, a fragment of my memory returns to me, turns out I really did know how to write. Back in Edo, one of the peddlers asked me if I finally remember anything. It was then that I realized that I’ve been remembering pieces of my past one by one. I was so sure at the time that I wanted to tell you but when I saw your face, I couldn’t bring myself to say it and I don’t know why. I have learned that these are pieces of my own which is why none of them fits me. I am meant to give these happy hearts to those that needs it. I may not live, but a piece of my heart rest with you.

Signed,

Laina

P.S.

I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you everything, I really am heartless.

He went down the stair and outside the garden where Edmund and Margaret are taking a rest. His is weeping but he doesn’t know why.

“Edmund, Margaret… who’s Laina?”