Chapter 6: Leaving the Orphanage

Half a day of preparing was not enough to say the goodbyes, especially to the little ones. Truthfully, Lili felt wretched after seeing the toddlers crying, after hearing the news about her eventual departure. But even though the pain stung, she had to hide it with a smile. She held her breath, stopping herself from crying.

“Dun’ go! Dun’ go Lili!” A young girl held the hems of her skirt tightly. Her round eyes became moist. “I’ll be a good girl. I’ll help you wash the dishes. J-Just don’t go.”

“Wah! Lili doesn’t want us anymore!” One little lad cried, warm drops rolling down from his eyes.

“Hide her things! She mustn’t go!” A few capricious bunches skittered around her things. The little ones couldn’t stop themselves from pulling her things back to her room. They only went back to their room after one of the noble’s guards checked her out.

Lili giggled at them. A warm feeling flooded her from the inside out. And for the same reason, she must go. No one knows what the noble would do if she stayed here. She knew what her seemingly simple blunder of splashing the tea was worth. Against a noble, it was death. That’s why she felt thankful for the noble for still allowing her to work for him. Sparing her.

Soon, Betha strode towards Lili. Her eyes were redder than usual. Despite trying to hide it, the young lass was unsuccessful in rubbing it all away. “Lili, I’m sorry. B-because of me. B-because of me…”

“Shh.” Lili put one of her fingers on her lips. She rubbed her hair until it turned into a bird’s nest. “Not because of you. Eventually, I’ll also have to go like the others. The day just came faster. Don’t worry about me and the two boys. I’ll take care of myself and the two blokes.”

“Hmm.” Betha sniffed and did her best to hold her tears.

“Alright, don’t cry on me.” Lili smiled, wiping the building tears of the young girl. “You’re going the big sister now. Be strong! Take care of them, okay? Oh, please also take care of the old mistress for me.”

“Yes, Lili.” The girl sobbed.

“I almost forgot.” Lili picked a letter from the pockets of her skirt. Two letters. She entrusted the letter to her. One for the young lass. The other for the old mistress. “One for you - it’s all the things that you must remember about the little ones. You must coax little Brian when he cries at night. Always talk to Lime, even if she doesn’t talk much. Always check whether Rin has her blanket at night, she flips a lot so put it back…”

The list grew longer and longer. Lili uttered one by one until a damp tear slowly trickled out from her eyes. She immediately wiped the dribbles away, hiding them from the already sobbing Betha. She took a deep breath to calm her shaking voice. “Did you remember what I said?”

“Yes.” Then Betha rushed towards Lili’s embrace. The lass hugged Lili, crying loud muffles. “I-I will do my best, big sis. So don’, hic, worry. I’ll do my best.”

Lili smiled, ruffling her already messy hair. But this time, more softly. “When you need help, don’t forget to ask for the noisy bunch’s help alright? You can also ask the old mistress if you don’t know something. You little brat loves to take it all by yourself after all.”

“Hmnn.”

“Ms. Lili, its time!” A voice trembled throughout the hallways of the orphanage. She was already getting called. It was one of the noble’s guards. Lili turned in the shout’s direction. She nuzzled Betha away from her. “It seems like I have to go now. Take care of everyone for me alright.”

Lili strode forward. She didn’t look back even once. The golden-eyed lady knew that once she looks back, she would cry. She passed through the doors of the kitchen, the place she loved. The flames were no more, but it still felt warm. A smile waltzed her lips as the memories warmed it for her.

“We are now leaving! Sis Lili!” Lili heard the voice of Nicol and Aldis. Hearing the calls, she immediately strode faster towards the door of the orphanage. She opened it and saw the carriages already prepared. Nicol and Aldis had already ridden in one carriage which was assigned to them. It appeared grand if compared to the usual carriages passing through the orphanage she always sees.

The golden-eyed lady looked around and soon saw an ashen-faced old mistress. It seemed like she was about to cry. It made her smile. The old fierce mistress would surely miss her. Of course, she would also miss her too. She marched towards the old lady. Then she held her wrinkly hands. “I’ll be fine, mistress. I’ll be fine.”

The usually fierce old lady felt deeply troubled. Her voice trembled, churning. “B-but.”

Lili hugged her tightly before kissing her cheeks. “It’s okay. Take care of everyone.” She turned nearer to her ear. “I know you’re worried, but please don’t show it to the other little ones. Please care of them for me.”

Lili’s words stopped the old mistress from shaking a little. “Thank you for everything… Mom.”

After saying those words, she pulled her luggage, putting it to the carriage. She hopped towards the carriage where the two boys were. From the window, she smiled and waved at the paling old mistress.

The carriages soon moved, clanking against the ground, crushing the stones barring its path. The dust flew behind its trail. She saw the familiar sights around the orphanage flashing before her eyes. After a few minutes, the orphanage zoomed out, slowly disappearing from their sight.

The old mistress watched the sight of the carriages until it turned into a blot, her lips bleeding as she bit into it. Then she fell from the floor, uttering, “I’m sorry. I’m going to find you. I’m sorry…”

The kids peeping from the door saw the old mistress breaking down on her knees. They rushed outside, hugging the old mistress while crying along.

***

There were unfamiliar sights everywhere, making the rambunctious boys noisier than usual. Truthfully, this was the first time Lili traveled away from the orphanage. The setting orange-tinted skies awed her. It looked deeper and bigger compared to when she was watching it from the top of the orphanage.

The little animals running behind the carriages also made her feel curious. After all, they were running in the air as if it was their footstool. They were among magical beasts; the wild ones roaming the borders.

The sun receded and took its rest. The moon shone, beaming on the path of the carriages. The lamps on the sides of the carriages also lit up, keeping the darkness away. Soon, she felt sleepy. Yawning, she saw the noisy boys already sleeping. A weird sweet scent drifted into her nostrils. Anyway, it might be one of the magical items of the noble. Thus, she ignored it.

Unlike cheap carriages, the one they were riding doesn’t even shake, making the travel more tolerable.

Lili stared at the sleeping brats and followed their example. She laid on the side, closed her eyes, and slowly fell asleep.

“Let’s hope for the best.” She sighed, peeking into the unknown world outside the carriage.

Maybe after they wake up, they'll already be at their destination. To the noble’s territory.