When Thomas brings Cassius and Rimi to his home, the sun is already beginning to set. Golden light filters through the bare branches in the distance, spilling onto the narrow stone path leading to his house. The small wooden cottage sits tucked away behind an overgrown trail at the foot of the Souththorn Mountains. It's not large or luxurious, but it holds a quiet warmth. From afar, its gray roof peeks out from beneath a canopy of green leaves, like a gentle pause in the rustling symphony of the forest.
Thomas pushes open the wooden door, and Cassius steps in, eyes wide with wonder. The cottage has a living room, a kitchen, and two bedrooms. Sunlight pours through small glass windows, casting soft light across the polished wooden floor, which reflects the green of the potted plants lined along the windowsills.
On the walls, several bunches of dried herbs hang loosely. The subtle scent of mint, lavender, and thyme lingers in the air. On the low wooden table in the center of the room sits a simple but tidy vase of white daisies, likely picked from Thomas's garden behind the house.
"It's not very big" Thomas says, sounding a little sheepish as he notices Cassius gazing at everything with sparkling eyes "but it's enough for two people and a cat to live comfortably"
Cassius nods eagerly and steps in carefully.
Thomas smiles and leads him down a short hallway to a small room that will be his. Inside, there's a single wooden bed with neatly folded bedding and an old study desk with drawers. On the desk sits a small oil lamp, a few worn books, and a chipped porcelain mug with a sunflower painted on it.
"This room will be yours. It gets a little cold at night here, so feel free to use those blankets" He gestures to the stack of quilts in the corner.
Cassius looks around, face lighting up. He runs over and jumps onto the mattress, burying his face into the blanket for a moment, as if to make sure he's not dreaming.
"Thank you…!" he says, looking up with glittering eyes.
Thomas takes a seat on the chair beside the desk, watching Cassius roll around happily like a little kitten. He can't help but let out a quiet laugh.
The next day.
Thomas takes Cassius to the town market. It's not a large market, but it's lively. Thomas greets the fishmonger, shakes hands with the baker. He introduces Cassius to everyone, proud like a grandfather showing off his grandson for the first time.
Cassius is curious when he sees Thomas bringing bags of leaves, bark, and dried roots to a pharmacy in the corner of the market.
"I've seen these on the mountain!"
"Yep, that's my work. I forage herbs and sell them to the pharmacy. They use them for tea, medicine, or incense."
Then, Thomas takes him to a small shop on the edge of the market. Its wooden roof slopes down, and a handmade wooden sign above the entrance reads "Thomas's Flower Shop." Inside are bunches of wildflowers in woven baskets and earthenware vases. It may not be the most striking store around, but each bloom feels lovingly placed.
Cassius stares wide-eyed
"It's beautiful…"
Thomas smiles "I opened this shop because I love flowers. And also because… someone once told me that flowers help heal the soul. Just like you."
—
Two years later
Cassius is now nine years old. He's grown taller, but his face still holds that same childlike innocence, pale, soft skin, golden eyes that sparkle like sunlight, and long lashes that give him a gentle, tender look. His hair is just long enough to touch his neck, fluffy and smooth like silk. He always wears a simple shirt with a small apron, and his hands are often covered in dirt or flower petals.
Cassius wakes up while the sky is still misty. He sits up quietly, rubs his eyes, and steps out of bed. Before leaving the room, he turns to check Rimi's little nest, but the cat isn't there today.
"She must've wandered off again…" he mumbles, already used to Rimi disappearing for a few days and returning like nothing happened.
He opens the window, takes a deep breath, then runs outside. He picks up the watering can and walks gently through the small garden, where daisies, lavender, and asters sway in the morning mist.
"Good morning, beautiful flowers" he whispers, sprinkling water onto each bloom with care.
After watering the flowers, Cassius changes into neat clothes and heads to the church with Thomas. The old church, with its arched roof tiles, sits peacefully on a hill. They step inside as sunlight filters through colored glass windows.
This is the Church of the Goddess Solaris. Solaris is the goddess of light and the sun, a symbol of life, hope, and warmth. She is the older sister of Lunaris, the goddess of the moon and dreams. If Lunaris exists in lullabies and silken dreams, then Solaris is the first light after darkness, the fire in the hearth, the warm voice in the winter cold.
In the small shrine, a nearly life-sized stone statue of Solaris stands with open arms, a colored glass halo behind her. Cassius always loves standing in front of her, hands clasped, eyes closed, whispering clumsy little prayers
"Please, dear goddess, let us not trip over any tree roots today… and help us sell the prettiest flower bouquets…"
Thomas stands behind him, as always, quietly smiling at the boy's innocent wishes.
After a simple breakfast, Cassius and Thomas head into the forest to gather herbs. Rimi reappears from who knows where and follows them. Thomas carries a large bag, Cassius carries a smaller one, and Rimi pads along gracefully. They walk familiar paths, where the boy can recognize every patch of flowers and every tree. Cassius picks herbs as Thomas instructed and sometimes stops to examine a strange flower, giving it a name of his own.
"This one is called 'Wide-Eyed Bloom', because it looks like a squirrel when it's scared." He holds up a pale purple flower.
Thomas laughs. "Honestly, I think your names are better than the ones in the book."
By noon, Thomas heads off to deliver herbs to the apothecary. Cassius returns to the flower shop to open up, rearranging vases and wrapping a few simple bouquets.
Since Thomas isn't a formal teacher, he can only teach Cassius basic reading and math. But that's enough for the boy to greet customers, write down prices, and give back change.
The townsfolk often stop by just to say "Good morning, Cassius," or to buy a small bouquet simply because "you wrap them so nicely" No one can resist the boy's soft smile, sun-kissed rosy cheeks, and sincere politeness in every greeting.
"Cassius, could I get a small Sun-Eye bouquet?"
"Yes, ma'am! The flowers are super fresh today!"
He replies cheerfully, his hands skillfully wrapping the flowers, his smile as sweet as sugar.
Usually, he sells until late afternoon, then walks home with Thomas.
But today, something unusual happened.
—
Late in the afternoon, Thomas arrives at the flower shop earlier than usual. In his arms is a small girl, around six years old, wrapped almost completely in an old cloak. Beneath the hood, Cassius can only see loose brown hair and a long cloth covering half her face, leaving only a pair of red eyes exposed.
"Cassius, I think we should close early today. Let's go home, alright?" Thomas says gently.
Cassius is surprised, but doesn't ask questions. He simply nods. He helps Thomas pack up, lock the door, and then walks with him and the girl down the small path toward home.
There's a flicker of curiosity in his mind, but then he whispers to Rimi, who's trotting quietly beside him "That girl… she looks really shy."
Rimi doesn't reply, only walks silently beside him, her tail gently swaying.
Cassius walks next to Thomas, occasionally glancing at the girl quietly trailing behind on the other side. She still hasn't taken off her hood or the cloth around her face. All he can see are her tiny hands gripping the hem of her cloak tightly, and her large, brown eyes gazing down at the path.
"Grandpa," Cassius speaks up hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid the girl might hear. "Who is she?"
Thomas looks at him for a moment, his gaze heavy
—
Earlier that day, after delivering the last batch of herbs to the local pharmacy, Thomas carries an empty basket and walks slowly along the stone path, heading back to the flower shop where Cassius is waiting. He's thinking the weather is lovely today, a good day for selling flowers.
But as he passes a narrow alley beside the chapel, hurried footsteps echo behind him.
"Thomas!"
He turns reflexively. A woman is rushing toward him, long brown hair in disarray, eyes tired yet burning with determination. She's holding the hand of a little girl bundled tightly in a long cloak, her face almost completely hidden behind a silk scarf.
"Ferin?" Thomas blurts out, unable to hide his shock. "What are you doing here…?"
Ferin, an old friend of his. She stops in front of him, breathless, and places a trembling hand on his shoulder.
"Do you remember the situation I told you about…? The one between me and him...?"
Thomas's heart sinks. He nods slowly. "His family… they've found out, haven't they?"
"They have" Ferin's voice is hoarse. "Sooner than we thought. They know everything about us, but Emily is still safe"
Thomas falls silent. Emily, the little girl hiding behind Ferin, looks up at him quietly.
"Felix stayed behind to distract them. I… I can't let them find her"
She lowers her head "The worst is happening. Every door has shut. But as long as they don't know she exists… she still has a chance"
Thomas grips the basket handle tighter "And you want me to..."
Ferin looks at him, eyes red and glistening "Take care of Emily for me… Just like we talked about. If things ever went bad… she should still have a life. You're the only person I trust"
Thomas glances at the girl. Emily hasn't said a word, but her eyes are brimming now. She's trying her best to stay still, as if not moving would mean she wouldn't be left behind. Part of him wants to refuse, to say he can't, but Ferin is different. She's been preparing for this moment all along.
"…Alright" he says softly.
Ferin smiles, a twisted, tearful smile. She turns to her daughter, kneels, and wraps her arms around the girl.
"Emily…"
"Mama…"
The girl responds barely above a whisper, but Thomas hears every word.
Ferin's arms tremble as she holds her daughter tightly, trying to memorize her warmth one last time. Tears stream down her face, soaking into the little girl's shoulder.
"I'm sorry… I can't stay with you. I wasn't strong enough… your father and I were both too selfish… But you have to live, alright? Promise me you'll live well, okay?"
Emily nods, but can't speak, her throat tightens with emotion. She starts crying too, her hands clinging desperately to her mother's cloak.
"I love you… I love you so much…" Emily whispers, her voice quivering like thread in the wind.
Thomas quietly turns away.
"And I love you, more than anything in this world…"
A soft breeze stirs. Ferin leans down and places a final kiss on her daughter's forehead. She stands up, wipes her tears with the back of her hand, and steps back.
Emily stays frozen in place, as if still hoping her mother might not really walk away.
"You'll be alright… Thomas will care for you. You're the bravest girl I've ever known…"
Then, without looking back, Ferin turns and walks into the alley. No hesitation. No farewell. Her figure disappears into the shadows, leaving behind a silent child… and a man watching her go.