The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya

Chapter 22 The Little Girl In The Alley

-- POV Freya --

Morning had not yet dawned as I got up to stretch while Gaya was still sleeping in her little dragon form. The night before, when it was dark, she had joined me at the bedroom window and we had discussed what we would do in the city.

*I must not wake her up.*

During our nightly discussion, I told her that today I wanted to look at the adventurer's guild and buy some clothes. I had 1 gold, 59 silver and 20 bronze coins left. From what I understood, 1 gold coin was worth 100 silver and 1 silver coin was worth 100 bronze...so I had a good amount of money on me for all my purchases.

[Good morning onee-san! Did you sleep well ?]

*Hello Kira. It was my first night in this form and in a bed, it was quite pleasant.

[What are you going to do now ?]

*I was thinking of getting some clothes first and then going to the guild. I can't take Gaya so I can go now while she's still sleeping.*

The day was finally starting to break as I walked out of the inn still wearing the same white dress as the day before. As I turned into the alley that was to the left of the building, I saw a small half-human girl lying on the ground. The first thing that struck me was her shiny, pure white hair. It was dirty and tangled, but I couldn't take my eyes off its beauty. It reminded me of the moon shining in the night, beautiful, bright and pure white.

The little girl seemed to be beaten regularly judging by the bruises that covered her frail little body. As I approached her, I could see her trying to move in spite of her injuries to get out of my way. Seeing that I was moving towards her, she closed her little eyes for some reason I didn't know.

"Hey kid ! Are you okay ?"

Opening her eyes, the little half-human looked into mine. I suddenly stopped as shock washed over me, bringing up old memories. This little white-haired girl had the same eyes as me, purple, dark and empty.

[Onee-san ?]

" ... "

Her eyes brought back old demons from my past life...she looked like me. I saw in her, the little girl I was years ago, struggling to survive in a world without mercy. Instinctively reaching out, I grabbed her hand to help her stand as she staggered to her feet.

"Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere?"

I didn't even know what I was doing or why I was asking her this, I just wanted to do it. Maybe I felt like I was helping who I was before by doing this but I didn't care. The little girl didn't answer, she just stood there without saying anything while her leg seemed to hurt.

Suddenly a gurgling noise was heard coming from the girl's belly and she looked away with fear.

"Are you hungry?"

[So it seems. Poor thing, I wonder what happened to her.]

She still didn't answer and just lowered her head. Perhaps she was mute?

Without thinking, I gently grabbed her by the waist and carried her in my arms, even though her weight seemed to be non-existent. She didn't resist but I could see the fear and the questioning on her face. Her ears were down and her tail tucked between her legs as I could feel her shaking.

Knowing the life of beings like her (like me) in this city, I decided to make her enter the inn discreetly by jumping without difficulty on the ledge of my window out of sight.

[What are you going to do with her?]

*I'm going to feed her, the poor thing is starving.*

Arriving in my room with the little thing still curled up in my arms, I put her gently on the bed beside Gaya who was still sleeping.

"Don't be afraid, it's a dragon but she's very nice. I'll get you something to eat, don't move."

The little girl didn't understand what was going on and was still shaking but remained docile as if she had been taught.

*Tsk those dirty humans !!!*

As I went to get her food I couldn't help but hate them even more. Why should a young soul like her have to take a beating? Why couldn't she smile and laugh like a child of her age? I was overwhelmed with anger, disgust, regret and sadness.

[Calm down onee-san, I don't know why this little one affects you so much but you made the right choice].

*Thank you little sister...*

Kira's words had relaxed me and I went back to my room with a tray where there was a glass of water, a glass of milk, some bread and the equivalent of what seemed to be jam. The little girl had not moved and was startled when I arrived. Putting the tray on the bed I signaled her to eat.

"Here, this is for you, eat while I look at your wounds."

Hesitantly, she finally caught a piece of bread in her small white hand and bit into it. Her eyes lit up as the food disappeared into her mouth causing me to laugh involuntarily. Despite her frightened look, her little white tail was wagging happily from left to right.

Leaving her to eat I squatted down to look at her knees, legs and arms. They were covered with bruises, some dated today, others from several days ago.

I could feel my eyes flare up as I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists to contain my urge to destroy this town right now.

*Not now...*

Using the glass of water and bits of my dress, I ran the cold water cloth over her little body that had been sore for far too long and bandaged the wounds that were still bleeding a little. The little girl who had finished eating looked at me without saying anything as my gestures seemed to relieve her.

"Tell me, do you know how to speak ?"

The cute little girl nodded without saying a word. I didn't understand why she didn't speak if she had the ability to do so. Not wanting to rush her, I decided to end the debate and start another topic.

"Do you have a first name, parents?"

She shook her head at both my questions, which made me realize that she was a nameless orphan, alone in this world that destined her to a fate worse than death.

The mini dragoness was still sleeping and a little orphan girl was standing before me with white hair and a torn dress. As I watched this rather special scene, an idea then crossed my mind.

"Let's go buy us some clothes, how about that ?"

I didn't even understand why I was acting like this, I was in my bubble with only one thought in mind: seeing her smile.

[What's going on, Onee-san? You're not your usual self.]

*I...I don't know.*

Looking at the little girl in front of me, deep down I knew very well...I felt close to her, we were similar. If I wasn't acting normally it was because at that moment nothing else existed but this fragile little girl.

"So how about I buy you a new dress? I'm sure you'd look great in it."

The little moon's face brightened slightly and it was just what I needed to make sure she agreed.

Judgmental looks flew in our direction as I walked out of the inn with a little half-human in my arms. Normally I wouldn't have let this go, but right now I had better things to do than kill idiots.

Walking down the street and looking for a clothing store, you could see the humans of Yarlford still as busy as the day before. Finding what I was looking for I entered the store with the little one in my arms.

"Hello! Welcome to..."

The elderly-looking saleswoman, noticing the one I was carrying in my arms suddenly stopped talking and looked at her with disgust and disdain.

"Ma'am, that thing is not allowed on the premises of my store ! Please leave it outside or leave !"

Looking around and seeing that we were alone, I released a small portion of my aura towards the old woman as a warning. As she fell out of her chair in terror, I stared at her and said as calmly as possible.

"I am looking for a dress for this young girl. I also want a pair of pants, a shirt and a jacket for myself. Go get me that !"

The saleswoman was shaking and hurriedly prepared a few items and put them on the counter before running off to the back of the store.

[Finally you can control yourself haha~]

*You know, if I had to get really angry every time a human being breaks my nerves, this town wouldn't last long kufufufu ~*

I still had the little girl in my arms so I let her go and asked her to choose a dress that she really liked and would want to wear. She was still hesitating as if she had no right so for the first time I smiled and told her that there was no problem and that she had the right.

[Onee-san you smiled?]

*Eh? No...and then how would you know?*

[There is a mirror in front of you, idiot]

Leaving my little protege to choose an item of clothing, I approached the mirror. I could see my face for the first time. I was speechless at my almost supernatural beauty...I had kept the same features as in my past life but they were definitely more beautiful than before. My eyes were as I thought... exactly the same as hers.

[Onee-san you are beautiful and your eyes...she has the same...]

*Mmmh I know..thanks by the way*

[Does she remind you of yourself when you were younger ?]

I definitely couldn't hide anything from Kira. While I was still looking at the little moon, I answered Kira.

*Yes...I don't know why but I can't let her live like this. The thought of her leaving and going back to her unfair life where her days consist of beatings and insults is unbearable. I would like to at least see her smile once...I don't want her to spend her life hating and isolating herself from the world like I did. I don't know her but I see myself in her. Have you seen her eyes? It shouldn't belong to a child her age. Maybe I can save her heart while it's still not completely broken.*

As I explained to Kira how I had felt since we first met, the little girl looked at me as if to say that she had found something. I walked over and could see the same kind of dress I was wearing, all white with a black belt around the waist.

"This is very nice! Don't move I'll take what I need and pay."

For me I chose black slim pants, a white shirt that I tucked into the pants, black boots and a rather masculine black jacket. Calling the saleswoman, I also asked her for two capes with a hood, one for the little girl and one for me. After paying the 3 silver coins I owed, I put the cape on her, hiding her ears and tail, and then we left to go back to the inn.

It was already noon when we finally reached the room.

"Hello Freya, how are you..."

Gaya was awake and had suddenly stopped talking at the sight of the little thing in my arms.

"Who is she?"

The little one had been looking at Gaya with round eyes ever since she heard her talk about her little dragon mouth. Placing her on the bed gently so as not to hurt her, I began to explain to Gaya about our meeting and the events that had taken place after that.

"These humans are monstrous ! Nice to meet you...my name is Gaya and I am Freya's fiancée"

As the little girl tilted her head in question, I suddenly realized that I hadn't introduced myself. After saying my name guiltily, I decided to go and get food for all three of us without delay as the dragoness hadn't eaten and I could sense that the little moon was also very hungry.

Returning to the room with rabbit meat, vegetables and soup for each of us, I could see Gaya telling this cute little thing about our little journey sitting on the bed as I made a decision on the way.

*Kira, i swear i'll make her smile !*

Tonight I will bring her to the festival, no matter what !

________

[N/A: I don't talk too much about the system because for the 3 chapters introducing the little girl, I wanted to focus on her and Freya. Rest assured after this chapter and the next one, the story will pick up and you will learn more about the adventurers in the city, the levels etc. Take care and thanks for always being there !]