They arrived at the crumbling house of the girl. It was in such a poor state Elda wasn’t sure it was a good idea visiting here. Jibran looked at her with understanding before talking to the girl again, who was holding his hand the whole way.

  “Speaking of which, what is your name? I’m Jibran,” he said with a chirpy tone.

  “I’m Hilda, your highness!” Answered the girl with the tone matching Jibran’s.

  What came across Elda’s mind was that, what a strong name, for a girl so sweet and small. She wondered if she would grow into a strong warrior.

  “That’s a great name! Truly fitting for you, now that it seems your parents are not here, do you still want to check inside? Maybe take some items that you could bring?” Suggested Jibran and Hilda responded with an excitable nod.

  “You’re good with children,” uttered Elda casually. Jibran chuckled as he saw Elda’s expression, which was pouting.

  “And it seems you are not. I hope I will not offend you my Lady, but it was just surprising to see you not being able to handle a situation.”

  “Do I seem like someone who can handle children on the first impression? If your first impression of me told you that I’m callous, it’s not far off. Certainly it would not be surprising that tending children would be far from my expertise,” said Elda curtly. Jibran didn’t retort so she was probably right. They waited in the garden in front of the house as Hilda went in with one of Jibran’s men inside to collect some items. Jibran looked like he wanted to say something but kept hesitating.

  “This may be a personal question, so you could just not respond to it. But what was your mother like? I just heard that she was from Solen, therefore the red hair being inherited to you,” asked Jibran as he mustered his courage. Elda huffed and laughed lightly.

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  “It is not a sensitive subject at all, if you were concerned. She was a beautiful, kind woman who managed to melt Tenebris’ icy demeanor. Very gentle and unlike me. She was a florist before marrying my father. Her aptitude with plants was inherited to my older brother, Olivier, who chose to venture, who knows where,” answered Elda with ease. Jibran looked at her curiously, as if trying to gauge her emotion. Elda in return, eyed his hair.

  ”Is it true the Flame Rose line originated in the Ventus Region thus having those golden locks?” She asked while feeling idle waiting for Hilda to come back

  “It’s true my lady, we were refugees back then on the Solen land. Yet somehow my ancestors rose up to the ranks and now became one of the most powerful factions in the Kingdom. Although I do have Solen blood too.”

  Interesting Elda thought, for them to be able to accept practically a stranger into the position of power. Although probably there was more story behind it. Yet, she wondered why Solen couldn’t be like that towards a Tenebrian.

  “I think having the hair color that’s the same as gold and the sun helped us integrate to the place to be honest. It’s the color the people there really liked,” continued Jibran, cutting Elda’s train of thought.

  “Do the color of the sun really resemble your locks then?” She asked genuinely. The sun barely showed here, only peeking over on some good days.

  “Perhaps so?” He answered unsurely. The conversation got cut off when Hilda came back with a back and ran to Jibran’s leg. She then took Jibran’s arm and pulled him towards the house, or what’s left of it.

  “Hey, prince! Guess what? I saw a little Redfrost flower in my garden, come one I’ll show you,” she said. Jibran looked pleasantly surprised. Elda supposed that would help with his research.

  After securing the flower, Elda was unsure on what to do with Hilda. They still couldn’t find her parents. Leaving her seemed cruel even for her standard. But sheltering her also raised the question on what to do with the others who also needed it.

  Hilda was sitting between Elda and Jibran on a bench on the street when Noir came. Her eyes widened when she saw Noir, because who wouldn’t. Noir smiled at her before approaching Jibran.

  “If I may speak to you for a moment?”

  With that they went a few distance away, although Elda still could quite see them well. Hilda on the other hand looked down while swinging her legs.

  “What’s wrong child?” Elda asked.

  “I wonder what will happen to us next. What will happen to me now?” She asked with her big innocent eyes. Elda couldn’t stand it and looked away.

  “I don’t know. That would be his decision,” Elda answered as she gestured towards Noir.