The bed creaks as Raia lays on her back. She stares at the ceiling for a few moments, then sits up. Her hair is still damp from the shower, brushing against her bare skin. She wears nothing but undergarments.

She places her hand on her tummy and strokes the gauze that is placed around her wound. The healing wound was slightly reopened after Nathan accidentally hit it. But it doesn't look that bad. Her estimate is that the broken skin will recover in about two days.

She tightens her fists. A healer who is unable to heal herself may be the most ridiculous thing she has ever seen. How frustrating. What could be the reason behind this unearthly power of hers?

Raia looks at her palm with scorn.

She rises from her bed, grabs the garment lying on it, and slips into it. It's a long-sleeved charcoal gray dress with a rounded collar that falls to her knees. As she is brushing her hair, a soft knock comes at her door.

Her brows furrow. Is it time to set out on a new mission?

Raia walks barefoot to the door and opens it.

Her mouth opens in surprise. "Miss Sonnet?"

Sonnet smiles at her, dressed in a crimson coat, the uniform of the Order's staff, and her blonde hair tied in a bun as usual. She looks at Raia's hair for a moment before smiling again.

"Do you mind if I come in?" Sonnet says, and Raia nods.

Sonnet walks into her room as Raia stares at her, puzzled. The woman does not appear to be summoning her to the Bishop's office. What exactly is she doing here?

"How's your wound?" Sonnet asks, coming to a halt in front of her, and adds in a low voice, "Nathan informed me what had happened. Don't worry, I already scolded him."

Raia's eyes widened slightly. For a brief moment, a feeling of revulsion arises within her. Is Sonnet attempting to be nice to her out of pity or out of a sense of obligation as an official in their organization? But as she meets the woman's gaze, she is surprised by the gentleness in her blue eyes. They appear soothing in such a way that an unfamiliar sensation brushes past within her.

Raia takes a sudden step back.

"What's wrong?" Sonnet says, looking a little bemused.

"Nothing," Raia murmurs, lowering her head. "I already took care of my wound." She gives her a quick smile.

Sighing, Sonnet takes Raia's hairbrush and gently presses her hands against the girl's shoulders, pushing her down.

"What are you doing?" Raia asks with a frown as she sits on the bed, which creaks beneath her weight.

The bed issues another creaking noise when Sonnet takes a seat next to her. To her disbelief, Sonnet starts brushing her hair.

"What are you doing?" Raia repeats. The woman's sudden show of affection throws her into a state of confusion.

"Raia," Sonnet utters in that soothing voice of hers, still brushing her hair. "Did you know I'm the self-professed mother of this large family?"

Raia frowns. "Mother?"

"Yes. We're a family here, as Nathan mentioned back at the hospital."

"Family," Raia mumbles in a barely audible voice.

Sonnet smiles. "I've always wanted to be a mother and have my own family since I was a child. But, knowing the state of our world and the fact that I am one of the few people who know the truth, I chose to devote myself to the Light and abandon my small dream. Azarios called me to be his disciple, so I couldn't let him down. This world needs my help."

When Raia looks at her face, she recognizes sadness as well as happiness in her face.

"However, even if I had already given up on that dream, it appears that Azarios had given me the opportunity to realize it," Sonnet continues. "He gave me this organization. The people here have become like family to me. I became their mother. My long-held desire to start a family has finally come true."

"But . . . they're not really related to you," Raia says in hushed tones, her face unreadable.

Sonnet looks at her for a few moments, her hand pausing from brushing her hair, then her mouth softens in a gentle smile. "I understand what you mean, Raia, but a family is more than just blood. Those who aren't blood relatives can sometimes feel more like family than those who are. What is important is their trust and loyalty to one another."

Raia stays silent as she mulls over what Sonnet said.

"I know you've already been adopted by Simon and thus you two are officially family, but may I steal you from him?" Sonnet says, and she chuckles when Raia regards her with a bewildered look.

"Of course, Simon is also a member of this family, so you're already one of us. There aren't many girls here, and you're currently the only female Aragon in this Branch. So, will you let me be your mother?"

Raia does not respond; instead, she simply stares at her. She's at a loss for words, to be honest. The woman in front of her does not give off the same vibes as the women from the orphanage. Sonnet looks . . . genuine.

Is she?

Raia feels the wall around her cracking slightly, but she immediately repairs it, not wanting it to crumble and expose herself as a result. Contradicting emotions and thoughts flash through her mind. Didn't the woman from the orphanage tell her the same thing? The first person who claimed to be her mother treated her like a tool. She won't fall for the same trick.

I want to trust her. I want to treat her like a mother.

No.

I can't trust her. I can't trust any of the people here. Not yet. But . . .

Her chest tightens as she denies Sonnet's attempt to reach out for her, a strange sense of longing that she can't quite understand. She returns her gaze to Sonnet and studies her face once more. The woman smiles at her. A genuine smile.

I want . . .

Raia opens her mouth to speak, but the loud knock on the door interrupts her, followed by the piping voice of a familiar individual.

"Raia? You here?"

"That's Sunshine. I guess she's here to announce breakfast," Sonnet states. She glances at Raia. "Let's go. Nathan also said that you were up very early."

Raia nods, unable to resist her hunger any longer.

"Miss Sonnet! You're here," Sunshine exclaims as soon as the woman opens the door. She is clad in a blue dress identical to Raia. Her white-blonde hair is pulled back in a ponytail.

"Yeah, I just talked to Raia."

"Talk?" Sunshine exclaims, her big eyes widening. "I'm sorry! Did I interrupt you?"

Sonnet shakes her head. "No worries, Sunshine; we're just about to leave for breakfast."

"You do?" Sunshine blinks. She clasps her hands behind her back and looks at Raia. "Hi! I helped with the cooking, so I'm certain you'll enjoy your breakfast today."