Chapter 2

Jeanne and Ryan, under her leadership, reached her home village of Domremi.

Ryan passed by a small village. Over the distance he walked, he noticed a good harvest and good-natured people working in the fields.

The scorching sun enveloped him in a pleasant warmth, and the views of the majestic nature made his heart flutter.

Ryan has always been a simple person by nature. He wasn't interested in money, power or anything else. He valued something more in people, their aspirations, ideals and ideas. After all, can money or power give someone a great idea or ideal?

Perhaps someone will consider his personality passive, but this is not so. Ryan is a hedonist, a person who wants to get everything from life.

Distracted from his thoughts, he did not notice the slightly pouty expression on Jeanne's face as she explained to him the beauty of her village.

Seeing that cute expression, he just smiled awkwardly and apologized. - "Ha... Forgive me, Jeanne, I was just thinking about the beauty of the local nature..."

Jeanne did not argue and they, without noticing it, finally reached their destination.

With her small hand, Jeanne opened the door. With a characteristic creak, they entered the house.

The house itself looked pretty mediocre. Several rooms, a cozy homely atmosphere and a few inconspicuous decorations.

In one of the rooms, the door opened and a woman came out, looking very much like an adult version of her daughter.

"Oh...my daughter brought a new friend?" - With slight curiosity, she looked Ryan up and down.

"Hello, I'm Jeanne's friend, my name is Ryan. I'm from a neighboring village, unfortunately my last relatives died under the yoke of war..." he explained with a sad expression on his face.

Jeanne nodded at his words. "Mom, I want us to take him in!" - she exclaimed with slight hope.

Jeanne's mother just shook her head and hugged little Ryan. "Poor Ryan... You must have been through a lot..." she said with sympathy in her voice. She hated the war going on around France. How many orphans are born? How many people were starved to death...

Fortunately or unfortunately, her husband worked in one of the French army corps, which is why they were stably supplied with provisions and money.

Ryan accepted the hugs of Jeanne's mother. Feeling his mother's warmth, he closed his eyes and focused on this rare sensation.

Jeanne pouted slightly. "Mother!" - Jeanne's mother only smiled at her complaints and released Ryan.

Ryan felt a slight loss, but quickly came to his senses. "I think you can live with us, Ryan. Jeanne could use a good friend." - said Jeanne's mother.

"Thank you." - he said with sincere gratitude.

"Uh... What should I call you?" - Jeanne's mother smiled at his question. "Call me Isabella. I don't mind at all, because from now on you will live with us, right?"

"Yes... Thank you again, Isabella. I will try my best to be helpful." - Isabella reacted to his determination in her own way, pressing him to her chest. "You're so cute when you make that face, kiya!" - Isabella said with emotion.

Having released Ryan from the clutches, Isabella went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Ryan and Jeanne were left alone, and nothing came into their little heads except to go play and chat, getting to know each other better.

They went outside and sat down on a nearby bench.

Jeanne did not decide to wait and decided to bombard him with questions. "Do you believe in God? What is your goal?" - With each question her excitement increased. She really was an active and sweet child.

Ryan smiled and began to answer each of them in turn, asking questions in return in order to keep the conversation going.