Corpse Flower

XII. Family Name

Sophia’s POV:

There’s something about staring at a large fire in the woods in the middle of the night. Something ominous.

I stroke my chin, “Maybe, I should’ve burned it little by little.”

“Why are you burning all those books?” Maryam asks. Maryam is the only person I can think of to help me. In the past, we used to keep secrets from each other - become each other alibi. “Isn’t it an insult to Anastasia, who just passed?”

I know it sounds stupid for me to ask someone to help me, but I’m a small girl who barely has any strength. Gathering all the books will break my back.

“She is the one who told me to do it.”

“But why did you only burn these books? What’s in them?”

“These are Anastasia’s diaries.” It wasn’t a lie. I took off some books and threw her letters inside. Considering how there are only a few letters, it must mean Anastasia had already got rid of the rest.

“I see,” Maryam replies. “Well, it’s done.” She looks at me, the light of the flames rushes across her cheeks. Maryam is pretty once she’s cleaned up, “Are you okay?”

Considering how I lost the only person in this world where I can connect with - no. “What’s done is done.”

“But don’t you find it suspicious? I mean, Anastasia’s family had money. She shouldn’t have starved to death.”

I’m sure many people thought of the same thing, but they choose not to talk about it. This world is a place where everyone minds their own business, never dwelled on someone’s misfortune.

“Yeah. I thought of the same thing.”

Maryam pouts, “Going back? We need to finish packing.”

What’s left to pack? Everything I have fits inside a bag. “You go. I’m going to visit a friend’s house.”

“You have other friends?” Maryam grew bolder since she got the approval to be adopted by Duke Leigh.

I smile, “Of course! Where else would I sleep at night?” Some nights I sleep at Anastasia, while others I would lay in the woods. It’s comforting here; it gives me some hope that I will transport back to my world one day.

Maryam shrugs, “Suit yourself.”

“Thank you for helping me. I’m sorry for not introducing you and Anastasia. You two would’ve like each other.”

Maryam smiles, “It’s okay. Anastasia is your friend. I know why you would want to keep her all to yourself.” She pats my head, “And I’m sorry for taking your dress. It’s just... I’m getting older now, and if I don’t get adopted then-”

I grabbed her hands, “Don’t worry about it! We both have families now! Count Chance and Duke Leigh know each other. It means we can see each other in the future! How exciting!”

Maryam nods, “I promise, once I get more power in the duke’s family. I will protect you!”

I would prefer it if the all-powerful duke stayed away from me, but having someone from the inside by my side isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If I ever run into any trouble in the future, I can always request a helping hand from her. Let’s hope, if it ever comes, Maryam won’t turn a blind eye.

After Maryam left, I went to Anastasia’s house to burn the leftover. In front of Anastasia’s house were soldiers. One by one, they took everything away.

Anastasia is right.

She was smart to ask me to tear off pages from books and burn them.

I was going to burn down the house, but that’s not considerate to the neighbors. Standing inside the house and burning everything is a signal for disaster too.

A man who seems to be in charge of the group flips through the pages and throws them to the ground. He doesn’t look happy. He yelled at the soldiers who dispersed towards the crowd. One by one, they talk to the people.

“Did anyone go into this house recently?”

Oh, shoot.

They made their way towards the neighbor, the woman who told me about Anastasia’s death. In the middle of the conversation, her eyes met mine, and I shook my head. My body trembled at the thought of being locked up.

Not too long after, the soldiers went to someone else. The woman made her way towards me and smiled sweetly, “Do not worry. We’re poor, but it doesn’t mean we’re not loyal.”

I smiled widely and embraced her, “I didn’t take anything. Sophia really didn’t take anything.”

She pats my back, “I know. I know.”

Sometimes, I’m grateful I’m thrown into the body of a cute child. If I were an adult or ugly, I would’ve gotten caught right away. But, no one can expect anything from a child, let alone an orphan. It’s a sad thought, how even in another world, beauty is advantageous.

“Now, tell auntie the truth.” Does she not believe me? “I heard you got adopted.”

I squeal, “Yes! Someone wants to be Sophia’s family!” I’m so tired of this cutesy stuff, but it points the red arrow away from me.

“I’m happy for you, Sophia, but you mustn’t behave like that anymore.”

“Like what?”

“You’re about to be a young lady in someone’s household. It would help if you found someone to teach you proper manners. It means no more squealing or referring yourself to a third person.”

I nod, “I understand.” I refer myself to a third person because people find it cute. They think it’s adorable that I’m a bit stupid.

The lady gave me some candy and went back into her house.

After I got everything taken care of, the day was nearly a third over. I went back to the woods, at the location Anastasia talked about, and dug down.

Earlier I stated I’m happy that I’m a child. Well, not at this moment. Not while I’m sweaty and hungry.

“What are you doing there, young lady?”

I turned around to see three men. I smiled, “I buried my treasure here, but I’m moving soon, so I have to dig it out!”

“Do you need any help?” The other one asks.

I nod eagerly, “Please! Sophia’s hands are tired.” I show them my small palms.

The three of them chuckled before one of them grabbed my shovel and dug. With a few more scoops, he manages to dig out the box. I squealed loudly, “My treasure! My treasure!”

“What’s in it, young lady?” I don’t have a good feeling.

“I’ll open it to show you all!” I don’t want to open it, but it’s either I open it, or they’ll open it. The three of them inches closer, and I can pick up the scent of plants. They’re farmers. I can tell by their clothes and dirt on their shoes. I threw the box open, only to see a pile of books.

One of them scratches their heads, “Books?”

“Yes! Treasure books! Education is the key to success. My caretaker at the orphanage said so.” I purposely told them about the orphanage. People tend to be kinder when they know you’re an orphan. I look at them with my large eyes, “Don’t you think so, kind sirs?”

They all exchange glances and nods, “Y-Yeah. Of course,” one of them said.

I grabbed a book and offered it to them, “Here you go! Education is success.”

They laugh, “No, thank you. I’m a farmer, young lady. I can’t read.”

I lower the book, “Oh. I didn’t mean to bring it up. I didn’t know.”

He messes up my hair, “Don’t worry about it. Go home and read them books.” He reaches for something from inside his pocket, “Here. Have some candy. You’ll need it.”

“Yay! Thank you!” My eyes went to his hands. I gasp, “Why are your hands like that? Does it hurt?”

He looks at his hand, “No. We’re all fine. We’re farmers.”

“And we’re training to be knights!” The youngest said.

My mouth gap opens, “How cool!” I tighten my fists, “You have to become Sophia’s knights!”

They all look at each other and laugh, “Oh? Your knights?” the oldest one says.

I nod, “Yes! I got adopted by a great man! You must come with me and be my knights!” Dangle a carrot.

He chuckles, “What’s your adopted family name?”

I scratched my head, “Adopted family name?” I shrugged, “I don’t know.” I really don’t know Count Chance’s last name. I fiddle with my fingers, “Father’s name is Chance. Count Chance.”

Their laughter dies down, and their smiles disappear. “Count Chance is your adopted father?” the oldest one asked.

I nodded, “Will you come to my home and be my knights?” It’s never too early to gather allies.

The oldest one sighs before he smiles, “We will try our best.”

I squealed, “I will wait for you!” The men behind him turned light red. I know, I’m adorable. “What’s your name?”

“Stanley, Henry, and Sam Green. We’re brothers.”

“Hello, Stanley, Henry, and Sam. I am Sophia.” The last name is unknown because I don’t know my adopted father’s last name.

After the greetings, the brothers took me home, where I got ready to leave the orphanage - little did I know that the orphanage was a haven compared to what’s inside the glorious kingdom.