Chapter 2: At Hugo's House

"Hugo, could you please get Lily? We are to have breakfast." Dania asked her son while she sets the table for four people. After preparing everything, she went to Mia's crib and carried her to feed her some milk.

It has been weeks since the incident and Lithea was never the same, her cheerful personality, her curiosity, and all of her laughs turned to stone. She wouldn't speak unless spoken to and she kept her voice low. She's been quiet and they would often catch her staring up the hill, crying and muttering about something. She and Hugo shared a room, Mia sleeps in the spouse's room to properly look after her. But despite that, Lithea never forgot her responsibility as the older sister of Mia. She may be hurting but when it comes to Mia, she takes good care of her.

If the couple didn't know any better, they would just pass it as Lithea being an older sister, but since they're good friends with the Clanwing, and had been involved in her life as much as the Clanwings are to Hugo, they knew the way Lithea is taking care of Mia is how Mayari takes care of their eldest. And even though she fakes her smiles with the infant, it is clear she doesn't want her sister to know the pain she's feeling. They thought she's too mature and understanding for her age, typically for a two year old, they would cry and ask for their parents.

Lithea has become the topic of Dania and Gerard before they go to bed, they're worried for her well being if this continues.

Hugo arrived downstairs with Lithea, "can you tell your father too, Hugo?"

"Sure!"

He went to the backyard where his father's working on some carpentry to strengthen their fence. He's been working on it since that unfortunate night, it's a good thing to be prepared. Although where they live is crowded, it is not impossible for the monsters Lithea spoke of to come lurk around them to search for food.

Inside the house, Dania watches Lithea staring at her plate. She can see how her lips tremble, tears threatening to escape her eyes. She sighed.

Dania settled Mia back to the crib after making her burp. She sat beside Lithea and held her hand.

"Do you have appetite, child?"

Lithea shook her head.

"You know," Dania tightened her hand on Lithea, "your parents are both good people."

The tears the child's been holding poured down. Dania knew she needed to let it out.

"I know you miss them. But I'm sure your parents love both of you so much, and they did their best to protect you."

"I want my mama and papa back." Lithea cried and cried, flooding her plate with painful tears.

"I know, child. I know." She hugged Lithea and rubbed her back, "let it all out. It's okay to cry."

"Why did they have to leave us? We should've come down here together."

Dania showed a smile of sympathy, "a parent is someone who makes sacrifices to make sure their children are going to be safe. At least, to keep them safe, even though it's hurting them, is enough to make them happy."

She knew Lithea is smart and can't be bothered with sugar coated words, she's always been good at sensing other people's true intentions. So the Clanwings made it so to always treat Lithea normally, this only improved her ability to understand others.

"But they got hurt," Lithea couldn't understand a single thing Dania said.

"I know they're proud of you for bringing yourself and Mia to safety alone. I could tell because I am proud of what you did."

Lithea stared at Dania's face and slowly stopped crying.

A sudden knock made all of them turn to the door. A man wearing a hat with a big bag full of scrolls and letters appeared, smiling awkwardly.

He tipped his hat and spoke politely, he rummage through his bag and took a silver coloured envelope with an emerald seal, "good day, I'm here with a letter addressed to Sir Gerard Marble."

Gerard stepped towards the man and smiled, "It is I."

The mailman gave the letter and bid his exit and went on with his work.

"Thank you," he smiled before turning his back and setting the letter on the couch.

"Let us have our meal first," he patted Lithea's head before settling on his seat, "bon appétit, everyone."

They ate their meal heartedly, Lithea gained her appetite after the crying. She also felt a little lighter after crying out some of the pain and listening to Dania.

The family watches Lithea eat properly with a smile on their faces, she's someone they see as part of their family since she's always with Hugo. And when they leave Lithea with them when they have to go somewhere, she would help them out happily, never forgetting to speak politely. She's like a daughter to the Marbles.

After their meal, Hugo went on with his chores and Lithea watched over her sister. While the adults are in their room with the letter they received earlier. Although they don't intend to be secretive with a letter, seeing the seal means it is from someone important and the context could be confidential.

But they had a pretty good guess what's the letter is about.

Emerald seals are used by the Priests associated with the most influential temple in the kingdom, the Sun and Sol temple. It is where most effective medical priests and priestesses train, they mostly work at the capital's center to cure complicated cases the medicinal practices of doctors and nurses cannot figure out.

"What could it possibly be?" Dania asked, pacing the room.

"Don't worry, it must be work related." He lied, he knew Dania knew what's it about seeing how nervous she is. But the question is what an esteemed person could possibly want with a simple businessman such as him?

He opened the letter hoping for a good note waiting for them.

'Sir Gerard Marble of the North,

This may be abrupt and unexpected, but it is only you that came to mind to inquire about the incident involving my good friend, Clanwing.'

Gerard inhaled sharply, the letter mentioned Lithea's parents. It might be hard for him to continue but he had to, at least for the girls that were left behind. He had to.

'Let me introduce myself, I am Chi of the Sol Temple, associated with the Sun Temple. I am a friend of Cren Clanwing and a subordinate of Mayari's uncle, Tohan Sol. I would like to offer a proposition regarding the survivors of the incident, their daughters. As you know, Sol Temple is established by the ancestors of Mayari and as their friend, I would like for the children to have a much better living conditions and to have them keep in check for the possible trauma of the horrific night.

They will be sent to the Sun Temple and be raised by the priestesses and the choice of becoming one will be up to them. They are free to choose their own paths once they are of age. In my own perspective, the temple is a much better fit for the young ones to grow up in.

I too, want what's best for them.

Please take your time in considering my offer. I will be waiting for your response.

Head Priest,

Chi.'

After reading the letter, Gerard felt suffocated and sat at the edge of their bed. He is bewildered. How could he face his son and Lithea? How could he utter these words to his wife? They wanted to take them in but could they cure the feeling the child has inside her? Could they understand how she's really feeling? If only they could do something to put her at ease. Is it okay for them to decide for the girls?

"What was in the letter, love?" Dania asked, hands clasped in front of her, anxiously waiting for her husband's words.

Gerard folded the letter and returned it to the envelope with his hands trembling, "I—"

"Are you alright? You're pale. What was written in there?"

"It's about the Clanwing," he tried to not to choke in between his words.

This is truly a concerning matter. Chi is someone they've only met once, he's a person with a light behind him. But what's alarming is would they be able to do the right decision for the girls?

"What about the poor souls?"

"Chi, do you remember him? He's offering the girls to live in the Sun Temple."

"For good?"

"For good, dear."

Dania started pacing again, bringing her nails near her mouth.

"What of Hugo? He'll be very devastated."

Gerard didn't answer.

"You know those two cannot be separated from each other," Dania sat at the edge of the bed, sighing, "What shall we do? They practically grew up together. And wouldn't Lithea need someone close her age at this time?"

"This is a simple matter if the Clanwing is not of good background but they are. And those kids only have us to trust." Gerard said, "But will Lily be able to live normally with us? Will she be able to handle her traumas properly with us to guide her?"

Dania slouched and covered her face with both hands, "must we let them go? Don't we need to ask Lily's opinion?"

"It would be for the best, my love." Gerard's mind is in chaos, "we must spare Lily of stress."

"We will come visit them, right? We will, Gerard?"

Gerard walked over to his wife and rubbed her shoulder, "we will. Of course we will."

"How are we going to tell the children?" she asked.

He sat beside her, sighing. He felt defeated.

"Let me handle it."

Gerard stood and walked towards the door, Dania turned to face him, "where are you going?"

"I'll write back to Chi."

No matter how huge the disapproval in Gerard's heart is, he must send the girls away. His son will hate them for the decision but he will come to understand soon why it needs to be done. He may ask questions they cannot answer until he gets older, but at least he has an understanding nature.

Gerard locked his office and took a stationary hidden in the top drawer by his desk. He stared at the ivory coloured paper in front him, bringing his palms on his temples, he sighed.

"Forgive me for sending your daughters away, Cren."

The sun has set and it's getting dark but Gerard has been locked away inside his office for hours. Crumpled papers are all over the small room, spilled ink on his table stained a few stationaries he has on his desk.

Down at the kitchen, Dania was fixing their dinner when Hugo tugged her skirt, "Mama, where's papa?"

"He's working upstairs, love."

"Is he not going to eat?"

"He will." Dania looked at the wooden slab, worried, "But for now, let's let him be, okay?"

Hugo nodded.

"Go help Lithea watch over Mia."

"Are we having squash soup?"

Dania nodded and smiled sweetly at him, "yes. It's your favorite."

"Oh boy, oh boy!"

Hugo ran towards Lithea, jumping in joy, "Lily, Lily, we're having squash soup for dinner!"

"Hugo, don't bother Lily." Gerard who's coming from the stairs said. He looked burned-out.

Hugo eyed his father, he can pick up something is wrong with him, but he was once scolded for pointing it out and asking questions so he learned to match his energy when his father is tired, "I'm sorry, papa."

"Come, dinner's almost done." Dania informed.

Lithea stood from her seat and walked up to Dania, "Auntie, I can help."

"Oh, thank you, dear. That would be very helpful."

While the others were busy helping with the dinner, Gerard bit his lower lip and closed his eyes tight to gather courage. He breathed in and out a few times to relax himself.

He opened his eyes, "after supper, there is some news I wish to tell all of you."

Dania's hand froze and the wooden ladle dropped in the big pot of delicious soup.

"Mama?"