Aleck woke up in the morning as usual. He turned to the side and noticed that Reyla wasn't beside him, as she normally was.
He got up, brushed his teeth, and walked to the prayer hall to give his morning prayer.
Father Lucen was sitting in his usual spot, reading one of his books.
When he saw Aleck approaching, he smiled.
"Good morning, little Aleck."
Aleck responded with a small smile.
He stood before the statue of the Goddess and clasped his hands together in prayer.
Father Lucen watched him quietly, then closed his book and said softly,
"May the Goddess watch over you."
After finishing his prayer, Aleck went to the kitchen.
Reyla was there, cooking as usual.
She was humming a quiet song while stirring a pot of stew.
Aleck tried to sneak up behind her to surprise her.
But before he could do anything—
"Boo."
Reyla suddenly turned her head.
Aleck jumped in shock and nearly fell backward.
"How do you sense it every time?" Aleck asked, shocked as he stumbled.
Reyla smiled proudly.
"It's a secret."
She reached into a small pouch and tossed him a few coins.
"Now go to the market and buy three loaves of bread. Here are six ashes. Keep whatever is left."
Aleck stared at the coins skeptically.
"You always say that because there won't be any money left."
Reyla slowly clenched her fist.
Aleck noticed immediately.
"…I'm going."
He bolted out of the kitchen before she could hit him.
He quickly stepped out of the gate. The roads were paved with stone, and many houses stood beside the old church, their designs matching its worn aesthetic.
Aleck strolled down the road, passing many similar-looking buildings. Sometimes he would stop to pat a stray dog or watch a line of ants marching near the drain. Other times, he would simply look up at the clouds while walking along the street.
When he entered the market district, he could feel people's eyes glancing at him.
It was something he was used to.
The black hair did its job well.
Aleck didn't react to it.
He passed by the apothecary shop and the butcher's stall before stopping at the baker's shop and stepping inside.
The baker was a middle-aged man in his thirties who looked much older than his age. Near the door stood a guard with a sword at his side, staring directly at Aleck.
Aleck walked up to the counter.
"Three loaves of bread," he said.
The baker glanced at him and replied flatly, "Six ashes."
He didn't reach out to take the coins from Aleck's hand.
Understanding the gesture, Aleck gently placed the ashes on the table instead.
The baker placed the loaves of bread on the counter in the same way.
Aleck picked them up.
As he turned to leave, his eyes briefly caught a tray of sweets behind the baker—small pastries dripping with honey.
He stared at them for a moment.
Then he left.
"Weird kid. I don't know why Father Lucen is raising him," the guard muttered.
"Well, he's a priest," the baker replied calmly. "He has to set an example for the rest of us."
"I just hope that boy doesn't bring trouble here someday," the guard said.
Aleck had paused just behind the door.
He heard every word.
But his expression didn't change.
He simply walked back toward the church.
Taking the same road he had come from, he eventually reached the church gate again
Aleck entered the kitchen carrying the three loaves of bread.
The small room smelled of warm stew and wood smoke from the stove. Morning light slipped through the narrow window, falling across the worn wooden table.
Reyla was already sitting on a chair, waiting for him.
For some reason, seeing her there made Aleck feel a little relieved, though his face didn't show it.
Reyla smiled and gestured for him to sit.
Aleck placed the bread on the plates laid out on the table and sat down.
"Where is Father?" Aleck asked, glancing at Reyla as she ladled steaming stew into each bowl.
"He's coming," Reyla replied. "He went to his room."
She paused for a moment, watching Aleck's face carefully.
"Did something happen?" she asked, her tone turning serious.
Aleck avoided her gaze.
"Same as always," he replied flatly.
Reyla narrowed her eyes.
"Really?"
Aleck took a sip of the stew. The warmth spread through his chest.
"Yeah," he said. "Same as usual."
Thump.
Reyla's fist landed on his head.
"What?!" Aleck protested, rubbing his scalp. "You're the one who asked!"
Reyla ignored him and began tearing her loaf of bread into two pieces.
"Ugh. This bread is bland," she muttered. "They should lower the price."
Aleck took another bite of stew.
"Yeah."
At that moment, Father Lucen entered the kitchen.
The wooden floor creaked softly beneath his steps as he sat down at the table.
"So," he said, looking at Aleck with a gentle smile, "what do you plan to do today?"
Aleck scratched his head.
"Ah… I don't know. I might go catch some fish later."
Reyla spoke up after a moment.
"I'm going to gossip with the ladies near the church."
Then she looked at Lucen with a pointed expression.
"Father, I hope you remember you can't go there today. We're already low on funds."
Aleck blinked.
"Where is Father going?" he asked in surprise. They usually didn't discuss these things with him.
Lucen straightened his back slightly.
"Father isn't going anywhere," he said firmly.
Then his tone softened again.
"I know, I know," he added calmly. "I didn't grow this old without learning a thing or two."
Reyla sighed.
The three of them finished their meal while the quiet sounds of the morning drifted in from outside—distant footsteps, a dog barking somewhere down the street, the wind brushing against the church walls.
After breakfast, Reyla stood up and grabbed her cloak.
She looked at Lucen and Aleck.
"I made breakfast," she said firmly. "So you two are doing the dishes."
Lucen, who was sipping his tea, nodded peacefully.
"Have a good time."
Aleck also nodded and began gathering the bowls.
Water splashed softly into the sink as he started washing the dishes.
Suddenly, Lucen paused.
He stood up.
"Aleck," he said casually, "I need to visit the tavern for a bit."
He began walking toward the door.
"Do my dishes too. I'll do yours next time."
Before Aleck could answer, Lucen was already halfway out the kitchen.
"But you always say that—"
The door closed.
Lucen was gone.
Aleck sighed.
Then he turned back to the sink and continued washing the dishes.
The sound of water and clinking plates filled the quiet kitchen.