The Legend of the ruthless Empress Freya

Chapter 23 The Little Girl's Smile

-- POV ??? --

This morning after Jay was done hitting me, I met the sweetest and most beautiful lady. I was in a lot of pain and bleeding but she didn't hit me or yell at me for being in her way. She had the same eyes as me but hers were prettier and even though she was a little scary I could tell she didn't want to hurt me.

Just this morning I was getting my hair pulled by the mean man in the room and now I was in a room with the very, very beautiful lady who was feeding me. She was very sweet and it was the first time a human didn't look at me with the urge to hit me. Why was she so nice? Earlier she had even soothed my long-suffering wounds. Why was she doing that?

After eating, she carried me to a clean clothes store. It was very beautiful, I had never been in such a pretty and colorful store. The lady of the store was not very nice to me but the pretty lady scared her and she didn't even hit me. After that, I was even allowed to choose a dress, I wanted to be as pretty as the lady so I chose a white dress to be just like her.

Now we were back in her room and the little dragon Gaya who could talk was telling me all the things that the pretty lady Freya had done. I wanted to laugh but I was trying to hold back so they wouldn't get mad.

"Would you believe me if I told you that she was actually a huge wolf hehe ~?"

*A huge wolf ?*

But the pretty lady Freya was a human, how could she be a wolf? While I was asking myself these questions she came back to the room with food. It smelled great and I wanted to try it right away but I had to wait for permission.

"Gaya what are you telling her again ?"

"Oh nothing I was just saying that you were a huge wolf...because Freya, she thinks you're human."

I didn't understand what they were talking about but maybe the pretty lady wasn't human. While I was thinking about many things at the same time, she crouched down in front of me.

"Look..."

As I looked, two black ears like mine and a black tail appeared on the pretty lady. She also had two pretty horns on her forehead that made her look a bit like a mean madam, but I knew she was the nicer one.

*Wow, she's even more beautiful like that !*

It was the first time I saw a lady like her with a tail and ears like me. Were we the same then? I couldn't help but look at her as she continued to explain.

"I'm not a human, I should have told you earlier but my mind was a little off forgive me. In reality I'm not even half human, I'm a full she-wolf."

*A she-wolf? Does that mean she's like me but at the same time not like me? I'd love to ask her but I don't want her to think I'm a bad girl if I talk.*

Still, I felt even more comfortable with her knowing that she wasn't human and I started to relax.

"Here, taste this is very good."

The pretty lady Freya then gave me a spoon and a bowl with lots of food in it that looked too good! And when she told me I could eat, I started to do so. It was hot and had a lot of different flavors that I had never tasted before. At home we only ate bread or leftovers from the human guards and it was not good. This was so good that I wanted to cry.

*Itch shooo delichiouus*

While I was eating the good food she gave me, the pretty lady said something I never thought possible.

"How about you and I go to the festival tonight ?"

*Festival? OH YES!!! But ... can I go ?*

It was horrible not being able to talk because I didn't want her to think I was rude for not answering. Even though I knew she wouldn't hit me like everyone else, I didn't want her to scold me. But she understood what I was thinking because she quickly continued.

"Nod if you feel like going."

As I nodded shyly, I could see the pretty lady smiling once again. She was really pretty and her smile made my chest feel warm even though I didn't know why.

*When I grow up, I would love to be like her.*

_______

It was already dark as the pretty lady Freya carried me down the street to the festival. I was wearing my new dress and the hood she had given me.

*I hope the bad man doesn't mind that I didn't come home tonight.*

I was afraid of his reaction when I got home, I knew he was going to hit me again but I wanted to see the festival so badly. Maybe the nice lady would be gone tomorrow and maybe I would never be able to leave the house after that, but I really wanted to go.

As we walked slowly I could see all the streets lit up like the sun was still there. It was so beautiful and impressive! All these lights and smells were new to me and it was like I was dreaming.

*There are lots of lights of different colors! Oh and there are humans dancing ! Ahaha ~ how funny.*

I couldn't help but observe everything and my tail couldn't help but wag from right to left. Everyone was laughing and smiling, I had never seen the streets like this, it was magical.

"Would you like to try something ?"

The nice lady asked me what I wanted but I didn't want to tell her so I wouldn't look bad. The stand over there was making meatballs that I was really craving but I couldn't say that either. Shaking my head and telling that I didn't like anything, she looked around before whispering in my ear.

"Well, you know what? I really want to try those meatballs over there! Unfortunately I'm afraid I won't finish them all, could you help me?"

If it was to help her then I would gladly do it, especially since I actually wanted to eat some too but shhh. So I nodded my head to tell her that I agreed and immediately she walked over to the booth and asked the fat man for four big meatballs.

*Ooooh, that's a lot !*

I was amazed, I had never seen so much meat! They had white smoke coming out of them and it smelled great.

"I heard there's a fireworks show coming up so let's go sit quietly somewhere and watch them just you and me eating our food."

*Fair...fairewoks ? What's that ?*

She walked away from the festival and quietly jumped on the roof of a house. I was scared so I closed my eyes, but when I opened them I could see the whole city below us, you could hear the music, laughter and singing going up to the stars.

*I feel like I'm flying !*

The cool wind blew through my hair as the lady sat on the roof against a chimney and she sat me on her lap. Her skin was cold but I felt good in her arms, like I was protected. But deep down I knew it wouldn't last. I had no right to be happy when she could leave tomorrow.

As she handed me a dumpling to eat, I could see her watching me eat before she spoke.

"You know, I don't know why you don't talk but just know that you don't have to force yourself and you can talk when I'm around. I don't know what you've been through or where you live, but what I do know is that you don't have to suffer for the sake of others. Life is precious and you should be able to smile, laugh and speak freely. Please don't waste your life and live it the way you want. You are a beautiful little girl, your eyes remind me of beautiful gems, your little ears and tail are quite adorable and your hair is as beautiful as the moon....look."

She then pointed to the moon in the distance in the sky as she continued.

"This color has always calmed me, I can't tell you why but when I look at this pure white I always feel good. Your hair has the same effect on me, it's special and I think it's the most beautiful color in the world."

*Huh ? My hair? But...*

I had always been told that it was horrible and that I should be ashamed of being born like this, but the pretty lady was telling me straight in the eyes that she loved it. I didn't know what to say or think as the tears began to roll down my cheek.

"Promise me you'll never hate them again..please, be proud of them because they make you who you are. Don't let anyone hurt you and tell you how to be and especially who to become. This white is beautiful and pure and if no one has this color it's because you are special."

*Special ? Me ?" I thought while sniffing.

At that moment, the lady looked into my eyes again and whispered.

"For me you are special..."

*Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.*

While I was repeating this sentence in my mind, I felt her hand wiping my tears and caressing my head. It was nice and warm.

"If you need to cry you don't have to hold back. Follow your heart and don't let anyone tell you what to do, if you want to scream and defend yourself you have the right, if you want to cry because someone hurt you, you have the right. Don't forget that the emotions you feel are very important, they prove that you are alive...never forget them. You are an amazing little girl and you are much stronger than I ever could have been, so live by always being yourself."

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked into her beautiful violet eyes. Never in my life had I heard such words.

At that moment a loud noise came from the city as thousands of lights lit up the sky to create a flower of lights. It was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen in my life, I felt like I was dreaming. Was it all true?

I stood there watching the sky burn as the lady's cool, pleasant hand caressed my head. No one had ever done this to me and I found it soothing, all the fears, sadness, pain seemed to leave my body and mind while under the moon and stars a sky of fire shone.

"Shiro..."

*Mmh ?*

"In my native language Shiro means "white". I like your hair the way it is and Shiro is a beautiful name that suits you perfectly. Don't you like it ?"

*I have a name ?!?*

I had always dreamed of having a name like the other children, I thought I would never have one and yet the beautiful lady gave me one. I was so happy, this day was the most beautiful of my life.

I nodded my head very quickly to let her know that I loved that name and that from now on I would be strong like her and that I would stop hating my hair. To tell the truth I already loved it because the lady loved it too.

"So from now on you will be Shiro. Wear that name with pride throughout your life and be proud of who you are. "

As she said this, she hugged me tightly for the first time and I could feel her cold warmth flowing through my body and warming my heart. I felt loved, protected like no one could ever hit me or scare me again.

*So this is what it feels like to have a...

...mommy".

_______

-- POV Freya --

As I held little Shiro in my arms, a small voice came out of her mouth. She was weak and sleepy.

"...mommy"

*Mommy !?!?*

[Awww]

She had finally spoken! That little one crying in my arms at that moment was sincere and happy. As I looked down to ask her why she had called me that, I saw that she had fallen asleep comfortably in my arms.

There she was, snuggled up against me, her eyes slightly puffy, her mesmerizing white hair floating in the wind and... she was smiling. A happy, sincere and innocent smile devoid of all fears. She was finally smiling like a child.

This little girl was now called Shiro..and at that moment I swore to protect her and her smile.

_______

[N/A: This chapter closes the series of chapters on the discovery of my favorite character Shiro! The story picks up and Freya will finally discover the guild etc. The main characters are all introduced (Freya, Gaya, (Kira), Shiro), so the serious stuff begins !!!!

P.S : Map of Yarlford available on my discord.

P.S2 : I got vaccinated, so I might be more tired than usual (my arm is actually hurting). So please excuse me in advance for any small delay in the publication of the next chapter.

Thanks for always being there and supporting me !].