At home, sitting on the bed, Lucretia was looking out the window, just as she did in class. The sound of the rain was strangely calm and, at the same time, heavy and oppressive. The cold that accompanied the rain was also something difficult to deal with.
On her desk, next to the bed, there was a notebook that looked like it had just been used. Lucretia was holding a pen, but the notebook was closed. On the front page, there was a title that read: 'The Chronicles of Lucretia, The Warrior Princess'.
"Luh, what you doing? Writing that silly diary again?"
A girl leaning against the door said, looking at Lucretia.
"It's not a diary. It's the tale of a gallant princess and her beloved prince."
Lucretia replied proudly, but a little embarrassed. The other girl shrugged.
"Why are you in my room, Almaria? Don't you ever get tired of snooping around my stuff?"
"Nah, you're really dramatic. There's nothing of value here. And this book is way too childish for someone your age."
"You're really short for someone your age."
Lucretia and Almaria exchanged words, which could sound aggressive, but by their expressions and smiles, it was to be assumed that they were friends. However, the slightly forced smiles of both after the provocations also indicated that they knew where it hurt.
"Girls, stop fighting. Come on, dinner's ready."
A young man, tall and a bit skinny, wearing casual black clothes, with short and messy hair, and the look of someone who just woke up, calmly told the girls who had been staring at each other for a while.
"Sieg, It was her who started it.."
"No, It was her."
"So, how old are you two, huh?"
He said, tired of the conversation and trying to convince them.
"Well, I'm going to eat. You girls can stay here if you want."
After saying that, the young man went down the stairs. Right behind him, the girls also went down.
The house was made of wood and its hallways narrow, so that the maximum space could be occupied. The stairs could hold only one person at a time. The floor and walls were cold, but they could hold back the wind that was blowing strongly. Even while going down the stairs, it was possible to hear the rain hitting the roof and echoing throughout the space.
On the lower floor, a hallway led to the dining room. Chairs, books, furniture, and all sorts of knick-knacks were scattered across the floor, along with toys, scribbled papers, and food. It was very cramped, tiny, yet cozy, warm, and welcoming.
"Siegfried, Carry those boxes from the entrance over here."
"Right. Lucretia, can you help me? That's just too much.."
"Yeah, I'll help."
A woman shouted from the direction of the kitchen. Siegfried and Lucretia responded shortly after.
"And me?"
"Go to the kitchen to help Sylmeria set the table and serve the dishes."
Siegfried answered Almaria's question and went to the kitchen. Then, he crouched down to pick up a seemingly heavy box. At the same moment, Lucretia also bent down to grab another smaller box that was next to it.
When they both grabbed the boxes, their hands touched briefly. Lucretia felt the touch and stopped moving. Siegfried's hand was warm, even on such a cold evening. He didn't seem to mind much and went on to the kitchen.
Lucretia followed a few steps behind him, without saying anything.
After unloading the boxes, they both glanced at each other and smiled a little.
"Your hair is so messy."
Lucretia said, laughing.
"I just woke up. I was working before."
She laughed and played with his hair, as if trying to comb it with her hands.
"Hey, you don't need to do that."
"It's ok. It'll be super quick."
After tidying up a bit, she was satisfied and withdrew her hand.
For a few seconds, she held her own hand, which had touched Siegfried's hair.
"You two, sit down. We're about to have dinner."
The woman said, who was making dinner.
They both sat in silence. Before the food was served, everyone got into position for the prayer. Some were children, who despite being young, followed the expected etiquette rituals of someone older.
In the prayer, some said "may I not be cursed" and another spoke "may the girl I like not marry someone else."
One of the boys said something that caught Lucretia's attention.
"May I not receive one of those."
Upon hearing what the boy was saying, she was able to deduce what it was about.
(Why fear something that supposedly makes us special?)
Then she thought to herself. The boy was talking about a Singularity.
One of the children pulled on Siegfried's shirt sleeve and asked.
"Sieg, why some have power and others not"
Well, Simplifying, we are all special and have something unique. They call it Singularity, but the name doesn't matter."
"I will have one when I grow?"
"Yes."
"Me too?"
One of the children at the table asked.
"Yes, you too."
Successively, all the little children asked the same thing and Siegfried answered each one. Lucretia watched the scene with a smile, seeing how he treated the children in a caring manner.
After a while, everyone ate and went to rest.
During the night, after gathering the dishes and helping clean the kitchen, Lucretia prepared to sleep. The rain had subsided but was still falling. Looking outside, she saw Siegfried sitting in a chair on the porch, next to a lantern, with a book in hand.
Lucretia approached him slowly, curious.
"What are you reading?"
Siegfried took his eyes off the book and looked at the girl. Then he replied.
"It's a classic romance. It tells the story of a hero who got lost at sea. Gods saved him, but did not let him leave the palace. Although was well treated there, felt he should return to his homeland."
"Huh, but if he's hanging out with the gods and being treated well, why does he want to leave?"
She murmured, approaching the chair and looking at the book in the boy's hand.
"Because no pleasure in this world is worth it if it makes you lose your way and stop being who you are. Well, at least that's what I understood."
Lucretia nodded. Looking at Siegfried, she saw a strand of his hair out of place. Her hand moved instinctively, as had earlier, but for some reason, stopped.
"I'm going to bed. Good night!"
Said Lucretia, leaving in a hurry.
"Good night."
Siegfried replied calmly without taking his eyes off the book.
Climbing the stairs and arriving at the room, Lucretia went to her bed. Taking the notebook, she wrote: "The story of the character who doesn't know how to express himself."
She closed the notebook and hid it under the mattress. Lying on the bed, she looked one last time at the sky covered by rain clouds. She squeezed her own hand tightly and fell asleep peacefully.