The Martial Unity

"Mom," Rui glanced at his mother.

"Yes, baby?"

An unusual silence had permeated through the Quarrier Orphanage. The caretakers had the opportunity to take the children for a small outing in the nearby woods for half a day of fun while the season of spring lasted.

While the forest in the vicinity wasn't entirely safe, Max and Mana had accompanied them as bodyguards, so Rui wasn't particularly worried.

While managing and playing with the kids could be fun, he passed on the little trip.

"…What are you making?" Rui asked, glancing at her work.

"Fruit juice," Lashara smiled. "They'll be tired when they come back. Some good fruit juice will make them feel better. Mayra has planned for some yummy meals today, so look forward to it."

"Hm…"

Lashara glanced at him. "And what is my baby doing?"

"…Just thinking," Rui replied, glancing at the wall before him before turning back to Lashara. "Say, mom…could I ask you about something?"

"Of course," Lashara nodded as she squeezed the juice from an orange.

"…What was your childhood like?" Rui asked.

The silence grew more pointed.

It prickled at the skin.

Rui's question wasn't out of nowhere. He recalled what Rael had told him when describing how he found Rui a good home.

An orphanage created and run by a woman who was once a trafficked orphan, determined to offer a loving home to orphans that she had been denied as a child.

He didn't really think much about it since, at the time, he had yet to process the many even more shocking revelations that his father had revealed to him. But as he sat here, he could not help but recall those words.

Of course, he had an idea of what had happened. The Mantian Region once had a rather extensive child trafficking ring across Kandria. They would set up fake orphanages that looked like real orphanages and lure children into them with food, shelter, and apparent loving family

It wouldn't be a week before that child was never seen again.

The Emperor of Harmony, along with the Martial Union, had worked together to systematically suppress this sector, although it was impossible to eliminate it entirely. It wasn't not longer prevalent currently.

"…" Lashara winced at his question.

"…I'm sorry, that was an insensitive question," Rui apologetically remarked.

Lashara shook her head. "…It's not you, baby. It's just…I don't like thinking about my childhood."

She squeezed the fruits even harder. "I haven't had the most fortunate circumstances."

That was putting it mildly.

"But it was because of those unfortunate circumstances that I found my calling, that I grew determined to create a truly loving orphanage," She remarked. "Determined to give to others what I thought I had."

She turned to Rui with a glint of affection in her eyes. "And it was the best decision of my life. That is why I do not resent my childhood if those experiences were necessary for me to choose this path in life."

Rui smiled, amazed at the graciousness in her words as she returned to squeezing fruit with greater affection.

"…Thank you," Rui found himself saying. "Thank you for creating this wonderful orphanage."

The air grew quiet for a moment as Lashara met his gaze with an affectionate smile. "Thank you for being born in this world."

His face slid into a complicated smile at her words. "…You know, you're the only person who didn't ask me or talk about…it."

His eyes met her motherly gaze. "Thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you for everything."

Lashara smiled as she returned to squeezing fruits. "Everybody needs space and time. To think, to decide, to build up the courage needed to take the first step. Take all the space and time you need before you're ready."

"…Thanks," Rui smiled, resigned.

He was once more reminded about why he loved his mother.

While his life kept growing crazier, while the way people treated and talked to him changed, she would make him feel warm and fuzzy inside with just a simple conversation. No matter what he did or became, he was always her baby.

This was something that grew increasingly precious to him as time passed.

People who could just treat him ordinarily without letting his status get in the way. Of course, while the orphanage still loved and adored him, many of the caretakers could not hide their new awe and amazement towards him since the revelation of his princehood.

Only Julian and Lashara had treated him entirely normally, and only Lashara had understood what he needed from her emotionally.

He didn't need to be bombarded with questions that he himself did not know the answer to, nor constantly reminded that he was the son of the Second Emperor of Kandria. These did not help him process things that he just wanted a moment of solace from.

"Have a taste," She gave him a spoonful of the juice.

"..Mmm, that's nice," Rui clicked his tongue.

"What do you think about the flavor."

"Tastes like love."

"Oh silly," She giggled. "Tell me if it needs a little sugar; the oranges this season were a little too sour for the children."

She worked on the large pot of juice while Rui supplied her with feedback until it was eventually done.

"Done." Lashara turned to Rui with a smile, only to notice him in a pensive mood. "What's the matter, baby?"

"…Just thinking."

"About what?"

Rui's eyes glinted with a hint of sorrow. "I probably won't be able to do things like this ever again if I ascend the throne."

She smiled melancholically, reaching and pulling him in an embrace. "Nothing lasts forever. Treasure what you have while you have it and accept it when it goes."

She squeezed Rui harder in her embrace, planting a few kisses atop his head. "Just like I am doing now. Grateful people are happy people. I am grateful to the universe for allowing me to adopt you as a baby. I am grateful that you have been a part of this family. And know that no matter what, you will always be my baby."