"I'm...Claude"

You blinked and stared at him. Why does the name sound familiar? Something in your gut told you that you heard it before. Not in this life but in your previous one. But where? He fidgeted under your scrutinized eyes.

You frowned as you tried to think. But came up with nothing. The familiarity of the name nagged at you but you couldn't place why.

And his face seems to tug at your heart but you blamed it on him being adorable.

"Ah, cool name. It got a nice ring to it." You said nodding your head when you saw Claude get progressively more nervous.

His head shot up to stare at you. There was a strange glint within his sparkling eyes.

"It's cool..?"

"Uh-huh. Sounds like a knight's name. Knights are my favorites." You said giggling. You paused for a moment. "Actually, it sounds like a fancy King's name, now I think about it."

"A king..?" Claude's chubby cheek flushed. "That's not true. Do you even know its meaning...?

"Oh, are we sharing meaning too? I don't know mine. Though it doesn't bother me, it's just a name after all. You define the name, name doesn't define you." You hurriedly said, afraid he would shut himself, just because your interest didn't align. Damn, you should've searched your name's meaning.

"Just a name..?" Claude muttered under his breath while looking at you with strange expression.

"So how did you get here?" You asked, curious to know what he was doing in your backyard.

He snapped out of his daze and hesitated "Uh..I..well.."

Before you assure him that he didn't necessarily have to share Ether plopped on your head, meowing.

Claude blinked as he looked at the cat on your head in surprise.

"Meet Ether, my favourite troublesome cat." You said sarcastically, pointing the cat on your head.

Claude looked at the cat in interest. Seems to be intrigued by his appearance. "It has two tails! I have never seen a cat like that. Is it a magical beast?"

You squinted when his sapphire eyes sparkled more brightly than before. Ugh, my eyes. My poor eyes. But your soul was blessed to see such a cutely adorable creature looking like an excited puppy.

You looked up at Ether who stared back at you. His blue and golden eyes glimmered almost glowing.

Magical beast?

You picked Ether up and turned him to Claude. "You can see his tails?"

"Yes." Claude tilted his head at your strange question.

"His fluffy white tails, you can see it?" You questioned again in disbelief.

"Am I not supposed to?" Claude questioned back.

"No, no. It's just that Ether usually appears as a normal cat to others. Strangely, you can see his unique feature."

Claude nodded his tiny head before speculating. "Maybe people with mana are the only ones who can see it."

Your eyes widened. "That's a plausible explanation as to why others couldn't see it." You muttered under your breath. "Eh, how I did not come with that. This kid's smart for his age." Your pride stung with the knowledge that a kid's intelligence surpassed yours; an adult's.

"Huh?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Claude continued to look at Ether. He looked like he wanted to pat it but knowing Ether he'd probably scratch his skin raw.

You did not want that. This precious bean was too precious to cry.

To your shock, Ether jumped off your head and hopped on Claude, who smiled in delight and immediately patted his head. Ether purred as he curled on his lap, rubbing against his stomach.

"It's so fluffy!" Claude exclaimed as he combed back Ether's snow-white fur and tails.

"Huh. That's a surprise. He doesn't let anyone near him. If someone does try, he makes sure they regret it." You looked at the purring cat whose back was arched as Claude's hand glided down through the soft fur. "He must have taken a liking towards you."

A tiny smile tugged on Claude's lips, his eyes glittering excitedly.

You silently took in his appearance when the sunlight filtered through the leaves highlighting Claude. You saw something you didn't before. The details you missed when you were busy ogling his unique eyes.

He was pale almost gaunt when you looked closely. He looked malnourished and weak. His clothes were dishevelled and a bit dirty. There was a red bruise on his cheek. On closer look, you could see red marks on his neck and wrists. But the cheek bruise looked recently fresh. How did you miss it? It stood out from his golden tone skin.

"Hey, your cheek it's red!" You said in alarm.

Claude jumped at your sudden outburst looking wide-eyed.

You leaned in to take a better look. Your hands stretched out to touch his cheeks but before you could, you froze.

Claude's eyes shut closed as he cowered from your touch. His breathing turned shallow and rapid. Ether snuggled against him as if sensing his distress.

A sick realisation dawned on you. One that made you bite your lips and narrow your eyes.

Was he abused...? Your heart ached at the thought. He was so young. He didn't deserve that. What shitty person was getting sick pleasure in harming an innocent boy?

No wonder he was so jumpy and on edge when interacting with you.

You took a deep breath trying to control your rising anger. He didn't need an angry outburst to further increase his distress. Play it cool.

"Hey, does it hurt?" Your fingers cautiously brushed against his bruised, sensitive cheek. He jumped, opening his eyes to look at you. Anxiety and dread swirled in his sapphire eyes as he waited for your next action.

You hesitated. Should you ask who did it? Would he tell you? A stranger who he met not a while ago. Would he open up about his fears?

More questions stormed into your mind as you looked at the boy.

It's better to go for the safe thing. Don't come off strong or else I'll scare him. Go mellow and slow. He's already so hesitant and anxious in my presence.

"So does it hurt? It does look a bit sensitive." You brushed your finger softly on his swollen skin. "I got something that'll help cool it off. Wait here, I'll go and get it."

"No, w-wait." He immediately protested. "You don't have---"

Growl.

You froze midway as you gazed at the flushed boy who looked embarrassed as he clutched his stomach and more growling sound emitted from it. He ducks his head down muttering under his breath, "I-I not h-hungry. Not r-really. T-that s-sound I don't where it c-came from. H-hungry, no.."

So c-cute...

"Hehehe. Don't worry about it. I'll get something to eat too. Just hold on. I'll be back in a jiffy." You couldn't help but laugh at the adorable boy's flushed cheeks.

You ran as fast as you could with your chubby legs as the flustered boy's embarrassed exclaims were ignored.

You decided to get the ointment first. Quickening your pace you arrived at your small room. You instantly went to the bag you brought and rampaged. You knew Iseka had given you vials of ointments since you were quite clumsy and prone to get hurt easily however accidental it might be.

"Ah, got it." You exclaimed as you took a bulbous transparent container filled with simmering tinted blue liquid. You pocket it into your hidden pocket in your dress.

"First task completed. Now all that remains is food." You hastily looked for a maid who'd help you find the kitchen in this maze-like manor. To your luck, you find Risha one of your favourite maids who's kind and humble

"Risha!" You shout to get her attention only to gain disapproving gaze of other maids. You ignore them.

"Good day, milady. How may I help you?" She kindly smiled.

"I'm hungry." You get into your cute kid persona. "Can I get something to eat?"

"Of course, Milady. What would you like? I'll bring it for you in the dining room or would you prefer to in your room?" She questioned.

"I want to eat outside in the pretty garden!"

"But it's quite warm outside...."

You shook your head. "It's pretty outside. I'd like to eat outside. Pretty please?"

She hesitated before nodding. "Alright, if that's what milady wants. Follow me please."

You complied quite impressed with yourself. Who knew kids had this much power to sway people in your favour?

Talking to the head cook for a few seconds she returned with a plate with quite a delicious-looking dessert and watermelon cut into small cubes.

"Here, I added watermelon since it's warm outside."

"Thank you, Trisha! You're the best!" She just smiled kindly asking to be careful with the plate.

You hurried to Claude careful enough not to drop the food. You froze when Claude was nowhere to be found but relaxed once you spotted his golden hair behind the bushes.

"Hey!" You yelled only for the boy to jump in the air, startled. Ether hissed at you and you give him stinky eyes. Traitor.

You laughed as Claude gave you a look. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." You did. "Here are some delicious rolls and watermelon."

To plopped beside him, putting the plate in front of him. You looked as he eyed the rolls with a slightly disturbed face and picked up the watermelon bowl.

You raised an eyebrow. "Don't like sweets?"

He looked at you and nodded. He gazed at the bowl filled with red cubes, contemplating something.

Does he think I tempered with it or something...?

Then again it'd make sense to not eat things from strangers, which is exactly what you were. It was only common sense to not trust strangers.

Needless to say, you were quite impressed with the boy's perception. He wasn't a naive boy who blindly did things without thinking. Though you didn't want to think as to why he was so cautious in case you burst out in anger. It didn't take a genius to figure out his cautious behaviour was a result of whatever ordeal he's gone through.

To assure Claude you took one piece and popped it in your mouth. "Yummy."

Claude watched you closely after a few moments satisfied by what he found he picked up the fork and took a careful bite.

Ha, got you. You exhaled in relief.

You looked at the ointment in your hand. "Once you finish eating I will put the homemade ointment on your bruise. It's something my momma made. It works like magic!"

You didn't miss how he flinched at the word 'Momma'.

"Okay."

He looks like an adorable hamster - a golden hamster -with his cheeks full. Chewing and swallowing. Cute.

Occasionally tossing one piece into Ether's mouth.

It didn't take long for the boy to finish the whole bowl. Claude looked at you and slightly bowed his head. "Thank you. It was delicious."

What a humbly adorable kid!

This dangerously adorable kid is not good for my fragile heart!!

You looked at the rolls. A mischievous smile forms on your lips. You picked it up and held it in front of Claude who watched it in apprehension.

"Why don't you take a bite? I'm sure you're still hungry."

"N-no. I'm full. Thank you very much but there's no need."

"Oh come on. It's delicious."

"N-no"

"Aww, how can someone reject such a divine delicacy." You gulped down the sweet. Taking another piece you waggled it in front of him. He shook his head quite vehemently rejecting. "Okay, your loss." You gave up once you saw the boy blanch and cringe back whenever you brought the sweet near him.

Goodness, he's so fun to mess with...