Chapter 3: The Man at the Door

A white carriage filled with golden details lead by four black horses, is on its way towards a small village in the land of Griffin. The northern part of the Meadow kingdom.

One glance at the carriage, you'll know whoever it carried is an important person and cannot be messed with. The coachmen itself wore thick luxurious fabric of ivory colored, a neat and well-made hat sitting on their head. They are clearly not just there to drive the carriage but to protect the person inside as well. The longsword strapped at the side of their waists is a sign they are guards for a temple.

The man being protected inside the carriage wore a strong sense of duty in its appearance. He's accompanied by a lady who brings calmness in her surrounding.

"Master, are you sure this is the best option to have?" the lady asked.

"I am quite sure, Matilda." He answered confidently. In his hand held the letter sent by the person trusted by his good friend. The very response he's been expecting.

Before the passing of Mayari's eldest brother, he was asked by him to do everything in his might to protect and help his only sister. They may be apart for the most part and is only connected by telegrams, they still are siblings and share the same blood. The care and love for each other is firm.

When their parents decided to have Mayari go into hiding to avoid the gossips and assumptions his brother received to happen to her, the siblings promised to each other to never lose communication. No matter where Mayari would end up, he told her she's not to forget who she really is, a person from the Sol family. A descendant of the first generation Ruby members. She's to always remember she's a ruby child. And she should carry the teachings of the Sol with her and pass it on her children.

A ruby child is a direct descendant of those who became part of the first generation of Ruby ranked adventurers. Even though they were treated as the heroes who saved the kingdom and defeated the demon, Azazel. The next generations who were not born in that era viewed the Ruby ranks as arrogant beings. Threatened by their superiority, some civilians deemed them as privileged elites. And when they learn a person is a ruby child, they would take out their anger on them.

Tohan Sol is the sole heir of the the Sol Temple, he trained his whole life to lead the people who followed their philosophy and methods. But due to his weak immunity, he died at the age of 35, his niece Lithea was just a month old then.

Chi was the only person they can trust to temporarily take care of the temple. At least until a Sol male was born. But with Mayari having two daughters, Chi has no choice but to take over. He will become the temple's master until then.

"What if they change their mind when they see us?" Matilda asked again.

"I have here his letter, it will be fine."

Hugo was teaching Lithea how to make fire without a match with his father watching them to avoid accidents. Hugo thought it will be helpful for Lithea someday.

"Papa, can't I come with them?" he asked Gerard.

"Son, that temple is for girls only."

"When will they come?" Lithea asked, worried about going away with unfamiliar people.

"It was not written at the letter I received, I presume they set off as soon as I agreed to the offer," he took the axe and decided to chop some woods for the evening.

Hugo stopped making fire and stood, "will they come tomorrow?"

Gerard didn't answer, "Go help your mother with the laundry at the back."

"I'll help auntie." Lithea said and went to the back.

Hugo looked down and trudged back in the house, "I'll look after Mia."

While everyone was busy doing their part in the house, the sound of carriage made Gerard stop at what he's doing. He stuck the axe on the log and turned to see who was coming. But he regretted his decision as soon as he saw the feature of it. Such class and superiority, it is indeed a carriage of those of rank. A design which most temple masters ride every time they have businesses outside the temple.

'Chi brought the temple master with him?' he thought.

His eyes didn't tear off from the carriage, with the pounding of his heart, beads of sweats formed on the either side of his temples. When it stopped in front of their property, Gerard's thoughts went spiral. His worry for the children worsens but the decision has been made. It cannot be taken back, especially when he signed the letter where he agreed to all of it. All these overthinking made him not notice Chi was already in front of him, wearing a stern expression just like how they first met.

"Mr. Marbles," Chi greeted.

"Chi, sir."

The young lady tailing Chi cleared her throat, "he now goes by Master Chi of Sol Temple."

Chi raised his hand, informing her it is okay. She backed away a little and kept her head low as a sign of respect.

Gerard raised an eyebrow, 'did he not sign his letter as head priest?'

"This is Lady Matilda, a priestess trainee in the Sun Temple," he introduced.

"Pleased to meet you," he bowed a little.

At the back of the house, Dania heard the commotion and had a clue who it might be. She cleaned herself and put aside the laundry they're doing.

"Come, Lithea let's get you cleaned up." She sniffed.

"Are they here?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"It will be alright, come on now love."

The four adults are talking, almost whispering so the children upstairs can't hear them.  The two placed Mia on her crib before peeking by the staircase, trying to see what's happening.

Lithea gripped her skirt tight while she looks at the two guests intensely. She's scared. They're someone she doesn't know and they're going to take her and her sister. What will be the life waiting for her away from this family?

"Lil," Hugo whispered, "don't worry. Mama said we will visit you always."

Lithea nodded.

"Let's get the kids now." Gerard said.

The two rushed to the room and sat on the bed obediently.

Dania knocked on the opened door gently, "come on down now."

She took Mia with her and Hugo held Lithea's hand while they went downstairs.

"They look so healthy," Matilda commended, her eyes disappearing when she smiles.

Chi smiled gently at Lithea and took off his gloves, holding it in front of him, he kneeled before her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lithea. I am Chi, a friend of your father and a subordinate of your uncle."

"Uncle?" she said and looked at Gerard.

Gerard chuckled and shook his head, "no, no, baby. He meant your uncle Ran."

"Who is that?"

"Lithea," Chi spoke making her turn her attention back to him. "I was told by your mother's brother, Tohan, to take care of you if something were to happen. I am here to fulfill his wishes."

"Uncle Tohan died when I was a baby, that's what mama said."

Chi cleared his throat, "I know, dear. It was his wish before he died."

"Are you going to take us?" tears forming in her eyes.

"We will take care of you. But that doesn't mean you can't see them again."

"Can I see them every day?" her soft and innocent voice triggers the tears of Dania. She held her mouth to keep herself from making sounds. It breaks her heart to watch such young girl, so innocent to struggle in understanding the reality and roughness of the world.

Hugo looked up at his mother and held her hand. The gesture made her sob even more.

Lithea heard her crying and looked at her. Seeing her cry like that, she's scared once again. "Auntie?"

Dania tried to stop her tears and calmed, "auntie's fine, baby."

Chi held Lithea's hand and looked her in the eyes. His eyes is filled with gentleness and peace, it is the eyes those people who holds pure kindness in their heart. "Where we're going is far, it could take days before we arrive. It is in a place where we can see everything from the mountain top. The scenery is so beautiful, it will help you relax."

"Do you live there?"

He gently shook his head, "no, but big sister, Matilda here. She lives there."

"Are you going to visit?"

"Yes," he placed his palm on top of her head, "yes, I will visit."

Lithea has been reassured by everyone around her to make her feel she's safe with them and that they could be trusted. And just before the sun sets, Chi suggested they take off to be able to arrive at the outskirts of land by night time.

"Lil," Hugo clutched hard something on his palm and ran towards Lithea. "This is for you." He opened his small palm and it revealed a golden locket engraved with complicated patterns.

"Pretty," she said.

Hugo opened the locket and it revealed a picture of both her parents. She gasped when she saw their picture, it reminded her how much she misses them. Lithea took the locket and hugged it tight, "Mama, papa."

"They're always with you, child." Dania said.

She faced Chi and handed him a locket, same as Lithea's.

"This is for Mia when she grows up."

Lithea sniffed and looked at the people who took care of them, "thank you, auntie, and uncle."

"Lil, we'll play lots when I visit you, okay?" he smiled brightly.

Lithea nodded, "yeah."