Chapter 1

Lucia carries herbs back to the small housing unit that she shares with Grandma Lu, who isn’t her grandma. Lucia’s mom died a week after giving birth from an illness. Grandma Lu, although having little to no money, took Lucia in and raised her as her own. They live on the poorer side of the kingdom. For Lucia’s five years of life, she plays with the kids on the street and merchant children who pass by. She is loved by everyone in the town and is known as a sweet shy girl.

On her way home with the herbs, Lucia is stopped by three merchants, who seem to be drunk. They called out to Lucia telling her to come here or throw small rocks at her. Lucia ignored them since she was used to it. As she kept walking, they began following her. Continuing to say vulgar and disrespectful things to Lucia. Lucia picks up her pace before she is grabbed by the arm by one of the men. He yanked her off of the ground so that they would be face to face with her. Despite being small for her age, Lucia tried fighting back. She kicked hysterically and spat in his face. Clawing at her wrist for him to let go.

“Lookie here, we got the little bastard,” slurred the guy holding her.

He was a big man, with a large figure. His muscles enlarged when he flexed them.

One of the other merchants looked Lucia up and down, “It pretty ain’t it. Maybe we can have some fun with her.”

They all smiled slyly. Lucia went into a panic. She hated how she looked because it always brought unwanted attention to her. Lucia felt the hot tears streaming down her face. She tried screaming out for help, but her voice was caught in her throat. While the merchants were pestering Lucia they didn’t see the three gentlemen approaching them. The next thing they knew, they were laying on the ground. Lucia scurries to a barrel and hides behind it. She peeks out to see what is happening.

“Oi kid! What was that for?” The other merchant said angrily. His frown quickly turned into a smile, “Do you want to get in on the action?”

The oldest of the boys spoke up, “Why would we want to take part in such shameless acts?”

His pattern of speech sounded like a noble, yet he was dressed like everyone else around the town. The merchants’ faces were filled with furry. They pulled out their daggers and charged at the boys. The boys drew out swords for defense. Lucia’s face glowed with fascination. Where did those boys get such pretty swords from? They don’t look very rich?’ Lucia wondered. The fight between the merchants and boys was over within a second. The youngest of the boys approached where Lucia was hiding. Lucia hid further behind the barrel.

“Hi, I am Christopher Vonvites,” He pointed at the two other boys, “The big one is Henry, and the redhead one is George. They are my older brothers.”

Lucia, still cautious spoke from behind the barrel, “M-my name is L-l-lucia.”

Christopher smiled and extended his hand. Lucia looked at it as if it was going to bite her. She then looked at the other two boys who were standing not too far from where they were. Lucia gradually put her hand in Christopher’s. She crawled out of the room behind the barrel. She looked at the ground and played with her hands.

“T-thank you for h-helping m-m-me,” she stuttered out.

The redhead boy George scratched his head, “It’s no big deal. I’m sure anyone would have done it.”

Lucia shook her head, “People a-around here wouldn’t e-even l-l-look in my d-direction, l-let alone help.”

A look of concern spread across the boys’ faces.

“Please raise your head so that we can look at you properly,” said Henry.

Lucia slowly raised her head and looked at the boys. Shock filled their faces. They looked at each other, then at Lucia. Christopher walked away from Lucia and back to his brother. They whispered and mumbled things under the breath. Lucia just stood there not knowing what to do. She looked to the side to see a metal container. She could kind of see her reflection. Her dark caramel hair was mangled for not having been washed in a while. Her face was dirty, and her dark mauve eyes were really pale. The dress that Grandma Lu made was getting worn and tore down. Lucia envied the merchant daughter’s whose hair and face were clean and their clean clothes. Lucia was shaken from her thoughts when she heard her name. She looked at the brothers.

Henry kneeled on one knee, “Who is your mom Lucia? And where do you live?”

Lucia, not liking eye contact, looked down, “My mom died, and I stay with Grandma Lu.”

“Could you then take us to where you stay with your Grandma Lu?” George piped in.

Lucia shook her head yes, then went to pick up the dropped herbs. She motioned for the young gentlemen to follow her. They walked past a lot of houses and a couple of shops, some of them were falling apart. Lucia led the boys to her house which was somewhat still intact. They entered to see Grandma Lu at the small stove.

“Welcome back Lucy, I was just fini-” she stopped mid-sentence when she turned around to Lucia with some guests.

“My oh my, we have guests. Please come and have a seat,” the boys filled her motions to a little table that had some chairs around it.

As they sat down, they watched Lucia wrap and store the herbs before sitting down and joining them. They all just stared at each other in silence. Not long after Grandma Lu came over with some baked bread. She looked at the boys’ faces, then bowed. Lucia tilted her head in confusion.

“Welcome my Lords, My name is Lucielle. How may I be of service?”

Henry looked at his brothers before speaking up, “We would like to know who Lucia’s mother is. Also, how old Lucia is, and her birthday.”

Lucielle nodded her head and went into the other room of the house. She came back with a portrait, letter, and a necklace. She handed them to Henry. He looked at the portrait and read the letter. He then passed them to George and Chris to have a look. Henry held onto the necklace. Lucielle offered them tea and butter bread before they left.

After eating, they said their goodbyes and left with the portrait, letter, and necklace. Lucia wondered if they would see each other again. As she looked after them while they walked away into the sunset.

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