Journey to Happiness

, her steps tired but her spirits high. Just as she turned a corner, she spotted

crouching beside him and g

oice barely more than a breath in the quiet street. The young man

zri

ge, skidding to a stop beside her. His eyes widened

as she shook the young man's shoulder again. "I

young man's tattered sleeve. "Look at his clothes,

ssed a piece of her cloak to the wound on his shou

d. "You're right. Let's bring him to the o

houlders, grunting with the effort as they dragged him through the streets toward the

den muttered, ad

ed, breathing heavily. "Hang on... w

the orphanage, and Zazriel called o

appeared, her expression shifting from surprise to sh

e gasped, rushing ov

ained, her voice shaky. "He was bleeding,

instructed, taking the young man's other arm to he

and clean water. She glanced at Zazriel and Alden, her eyes filled with a m

l, breathing hard but relieved. "Do

I hope so. But..." She glanced at the insignia on his sleeve, a faint frown creasing her f

ity sparking in her tired eye

"Because if he's truly a noble, his family will come looking f

ms, puzzled. "Change

hose like us. But," she added, her expression softening as she laid a comforting hand on Zazriel'

ounding with questions. Whoever he was, whatever his story... sh

most of her time by his side, nursing him back to health out of a mixture of curiosity and concern. She had ye

his forehead as she sat beside his bed. His black hair glistened in the dim light, a

ulder. "You've been taking care of him like a mo

ell, maybe. But I want to know who he is! He's not just some

nly two years old, peeked in with big, round eyes. "Zazriel, can I see the s

You have to be quiet, Ci

demeanor. He approached the bed and gently poked the young man

ng a laugh. "You can't just poke

going to scare him awake, Ciel. He might t

ttle monsters," Zazriel added, grinning at

"But I want to be friends with

onately. "I know, little one. But we have to let

tching the young man's peaceful face. "I hope he remembers

. "I'm not sure that's how it works, A

ed on bringing him here," Alden p

face. "I just want to make sure he's okay. What if he ha

, his eyes wide. "Do you think

ancing back at Alden. "He might be a knight. May

y. "Or maybe he just got lost

y. "I bet he's a real hero! When he wakes up,

ng. "Or maybe he'll tell us about his family and wh

odding vigorously. "An

in, a warm smile on her face. "What's this commotion ab

he sleeping man!" Zaz

your curiosity, Ciel, but the young man needs his rest. You all

ger?" Zazriel pleaded. "I want

ete replied, her expression softening. "He'll need fr

"See? Even Sister Margar

h hope. "I just want him to be okay. And when he w

ouncing on his toes. "We'll

Zazriel couldn't shake the feeling that this young man was destined to become a signif