Nora Valkyrie watched silently as her fellow refugees worked on building their new homes in this town, lost in her thoughts.
It was when they were distracted with their work that she pounced.
Sneakily moving towards the pile of packaged food put aside for those working, she used her small size to move under the towering stacks of timber and stone, making sure no one would spot her.
It was only when she was sure that nobody was paying attention to the pile of food and herself that she sneakily stole a few containers, hiding them underneath her shirt, before swiftly leaving the place.
Soon, she ran across towards the othersdie of the island, away from the area that the town people had designated for the construction of the new houses.
Slowly, the orphan girl made her way below one of the bridges and into a corner that was completely out of sight for anyone who was not looking for that place in particular.
It was only when she was sure that nobody was around and nobody had followed her that she put down the packages and opened one up, nearly getting overwhelmed with the scent of the delicious stew and meat.
Without hesitation, the five-year-old girl scarfed down the food as if there was no tomorrow, which might have been a fact in her childish mind. A thought that had become instinct by this point for the girl who was always an orphan, even before this attack on her home village.
Unfortunately, the girl neglected to chew the food properly and ended up choking on a piece of meat, making her start coughing as her breath caught in her throat.
"You should eat slowly, little one. There is no hurry."
Startled by the voice, Nora nearly stumbled down into the river below the bridge, only to be caught by the scuff of her neck like a little kitten, making the girl look up with terror.
However, her terror was instantly replaced by awe as she beheld the woman who smiled kindly at her.
Her auburn hair, which was a shade lighter than Nora's orange hair, swayed in the wind while her kind green eyes stared into Nora's turquoise ones.
Even for a child like Nora, the aura around the exceptionally beautiful woman was irresistible and radiated a kind of warmth that Nora never knew existed.
Slowly, the woman put Nora down against the wall and slowly rubbed her back, helping Nora gulp down the stuck meat.
It was only when Nora was out of immediate danger that she noticed her new predicament.
While the woman had put down Nora, she had done it in a way that any escape route the child might have had was completely cut off by the woman's body.
Suddenly, instincts honed over her pitifully short life flared to life as she guarded the packaged food with her tiny body. Her teeth bared in a show of threat as one of the few words that she could speak came out of her mouth.
"Mine!"
At her threatening display, one that Nora had used countless times against others to mixed success, the woman only laughed a little before extending her hand, making the girl flinch and brace herself for the blow that was about to fall on her body, just like many other times when the adults would hit her for getting in their path or stealing from them.
And yet, the expected blow did not arrive.
Instead, the child only felt warmth as the woman rubbed her head kindly, ignoring how dirty Nora's hair was compared to the tidy and expensive-looking clothes that the woman wore and how immaculately clean her appearance was.
"I am sorry, little one. But that food does not belong to you."
Despite her reluctance, Nora swatted away the hand and still guarded her food.
"Mine."
The woman gave her a gaze filled with pity and warmth.
"Hm. What is your name? Little one."
"....Nora."
"Alright, Nora. How about we have a deal?"
The girl said nothing but continued staring at the woman, making her continue her words.
"How about you give me those containers so that I can return them to those who are still working and would need the energy from that food. And in return, I take you to someplace where you can get as much food as you want without anyone taking it from you?"
"..Lies. Adults in the village said the same. Tried to attack."
Nora's eyes widened in fear as the woman's eyes turned extremely cold at her words, while her green Aura erupted like a storm before she regained control and suppressed it.
Taking a deep breath, the woman's eyes returned to the kind expression, but Nora could still see the edge within her gaze, making the little girl cower in fear.
"My name is Alex. Nora, trust me when I say that I am speaking the truth. I swear to you that nothing bad will happen to you as long as you are by my side."
With fear now dominating her mind, the child could do nothing but nod timidly, making the woman sigh a little before she picked up the child to her shoulders, surprising the girl, who instinctively latched onto Alex's head.
As the two walked away from the bridge, Nora made herself as small as possible, trying to avoid all the gazes that were being directed towards them.
Some of the gazes, Nora recognized. Things like disgust, anger, and annoyance. Emotions whose names she had learned rather quickly in her life as an orphan. However, aside from those, she also saw shock, awe, and even worship, something that she only ever saw in her village when a Huntsman or someone important happened to pass through that area.
And all these positive emotions were being directed at the woman who was carrying her.
Before the girl could think too much, however, her stomach grumbled in protest as she smelled a delicious aroma wafting towards them.
Within a few minutes, Nora stared with wide eyes as Alex took her into a massive kitchen, filled with all kinds of people who were helping out with making food for everyone.
"Oh? Who is the child? Alex?"
One of the many women, with pink hair and eyes, walked towards them, making Nora latch onto Alex even harder in fear.
With a gentle reassurance, Alex brought Nora down, but the girl once again hid behind Alex's leg, afraid of the other woman who just stared at Nora with curiosity.
"An, This is Nora. Nora, this is my friend An Ren."
Alex turned towards her friend and placed her palm on Nora's head, patting her to ease her fear.
"Can you help me look after her and get her something to eat? I have a little bit of an errand to make, and a few people to question."
"Sure thing! Leave it to me."
With a nod, Alex got down to her knees and stared Nora in the eyes.
"Listen, Nora. An, here will help you clean up and get some clothes. After that, you can eat as much as you want. She will also show you to a place where you can get some rest until I come back. Alright?"
"....Ok."
Truthfully, Nora was extremely reluctant to let go of the kind woman who had brought her here.
Back in her village, there were many times when older men and women wanted to help her.
There was one woman who stood out to Nora in her memory. She wanted to take Nora home with her, but the man with her was unwilling.
Nora did not know what to make of the man, but only knew that he was a bad person. Because he pretended to agree to the woman's words, but then sent someone to drive Nora away from the village.
If it were not for a kind old man who hid her from those adults who stole money and food from the people in the slums, she would have probably been thrown out of the village and eaten by monsters that day.
That is why she was afraid that this kind woman would leave her behind as well.
However, Nora was aware enough to know that she did not have any right to stop her, so she watched with reluctance as Alex left the area, not noticing how Alex's knuckles were clenched tight enough to turn pale and the way her Aura continued flaring with rage.
Similarly, the little girl did not notice the glint in An's eyes as she looked between her friend and the little girl that she brought to this kitchen.
With a knowing smile, An took hold of Nora's hand gently.
"Come, Nora. Let's get you a bath first. Then, I'll take you to the dining room where you can eat as much as you like."
Nora Valkyrie simply nodded timidly at the woman's words, unaware that her life would forever be changed from here on out.
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Author notes: Read 10 chapters ahead on Patreon: patreon.com/Tiranus2