Chapter 54 Outing with the Duke (Part 3)

Under the sunny skies and the cold winds, a certain street was filled with excitement, voices and praises of people with joy.

A lot of people were lining up the long line, may it be children, young and old, regardless of gender and appearance, they stood one by one in front of a beautiful maiden who looked like a goddess who descended to provide relief.

It was the tenth district of the capital and the people here lived in poor conditions. People were always hungry and children were running around the dirty place without any footwear. They were always susceptible to diseases and even if they all die here, no one will mind. No, they were already forgotten from the start.

People here were dressed shabby and seemingly like slaves. They looked pitiful in addition to their gaunt and ghost like appearance. They looked like corpses and zombies walking around just a while ago with their eyes so suspicious of the well dressed people.

However, when Aillenne went down the carriage to explain what they have came for, they immediately welcomed them to their place and the leader even helped in the distribution. Leader Jeremy is the one who facilitates the people in this district, but however effort he makes to keep them together as one strong family, if the people in the tenth district were not given the chance to live life like humans and have stable jobs given by the empire, then he can't do anything but watch as the people die day by day.

The eyes of the people were filled with gratitude and as if they were looking at the god, however Aillenne didn't notice it and continued to give the goods.

Marco, who had a distinctive feature of scarlet hair and green eyes is lining up the long line while looking intensely at the girl.

Dressed in a noble like dress and a cute hat, her small hands relentlessly gave food to the people she didn't even know. Joy were written in everyone's face at the sudden blessing. Finally, some could live for another day.

"I feel like I can live now." The people's eyes were wet and their heart swelled.

When it is his turn, the lady smiled brightly, blinding almost everyone's eyes.

"She's an angel!"

"I hope all nobles would be as kind as her."

"I thank the heavens for making me live up to this day."

"Here you go. Eat a lot and enjoy."

The young Marco smiled with tears in his eyes. He hasn't had tasted food for the last four days and her brothers and sisters were left in the shabby outskirts. They had always opened their hands for alms, but it would never be enough.

"Thank you. Thank you, my lady."

The boy cried. Aillenne was startled and immediately touched the child for comfort. The knights took their sword halfway from their scabbard when the people came nearer to their lady, as if swept by the atmosphere, but stopped when they saw her signal.

"It's alright. Don't cry, okay? There's a lot of food anyway."

The boy nodded and wiped of his tears and gave her his brightest smile.

Sir Oscar, her escort was now very amazed and dazzled by her kindness and beauty. At first he was reluctant to serve Aillenne, just like everybody. She isn't even supported by her parents and serving her would not give much credit.

Who would serve such lady? Any knight would think that way. It's like putting down the honor that is supposed to be acknowledge, down in the mud. Looking back, if he changed his decision, it might be the biggest mistake he'll ever commit in his life.

Just like everyone in the tenth district, they felt the protective instinct towards Aillenne.

Such small girl who is able to provide relief to the poor. These people weren't even associated to her in the first place! Such small hands busily working on giving the food and not taking a break despite the long line. And that bright smile which made the hearts beat back into life...

The boy in her arms felt serenity and relief as if he had descended the clouds. The hug is warm and making him at peace.

'The lady isn't just a noble, she is but an angel!'

After some time, when all the food Damien had bought been given to everybody, they carefully stepped back.

All this time, Damien had a strange expression. He didn't like the thought of Aillenne personally giving food to the poor at the same time... goodness!!! How dare these people look at her smile?!

He was feeling annoyed and complicated. He wanted to pluck out the people's eyes of their socket. He can't help but grit his teeth.

'Why is she doing these? Goodness! Did she even know how precious her smile is, and she's just giving it for free?'

He wanted to put her in his pocket where no one could see her, but of course, he couldn't.

Sigh...

After the distribution, the people went back to their places to enjoy the food, though some were adamant as they want to watch her more. It's like seeing a god and the mere presence would give them peace though they wanted more. The knights stepped in the scene and made them go back and gave Aillenne and the Duke a space between the people.

Aillenne went to Damien and smiled happily. Damien felt blinded and somehow forgot his seething emotions.

"I'm very happy Nick. It was such a fulfilling day. I wish I could provide relief to those people who doesn't have what I had. Even just the simple bread and meat could save their lives. Of course, it's all thanks to the food you've bought. Thank you, Nick."

Damien felt nice at her words. 'Somehow, it doesn't feel bad to give these poor people some food.'

Sierra Zynne didn't have the opportunity to experience having good food on her plate for 15 years of her existence in the orphanage. Her appearance together with the children overlapped the people just a while ago. The feeling of sharing food with them is undescribable relief.

'I wish I could share it with my friends in the orphanage. If we were once glanced upon by the wealthy people in my previous world, would we feel and look the same just like the people earlier?'

Aillenne was happy to share the blessings she received and aid those who are in need. However, the greatest factor why Aillenne chose the tenth district of all districts is because of the storyline.

Later, this district will play great role to the upcoming tragedy. It may only have a small impact in the storyline with about two paragraphs, but the mere image of people dying didn't suit my mind. As of now, I'm engraving my good image in their hearts to let their wariness disappear.

Of course, I hope the empire will look at them too, even if it didn't happen in the story. As much as I've changed some parts, I also wish that they will have a good life by the help of the royals. The empire is wealthy but they were only focused on the nobles and those who could provide them with money, not regarding the situation of these people. They were the people of the empire too.

The image of the situation is much similar to the place I lived previously. Corruption is everywhere and taxes were paid by people but the money only filled the bellies of those who had the power.

Then how about those who weren't given the chance just like those who were not able to speak and retaliate for their own situation? It only makes me feel resentment. It is a bitter situation and I wish that somehow the world will change for the betterment of everybody. I may be a character of this novel and this is a world of fiction, but I'm living here now. I wish I could experience life were everyone were happy.

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