Lyndis returned to the group, the twins still clinging to her like frightened kittens.
Laya, holding Archus close, took one look at them and let out a soft breath. "Lyn, you-" She stopped herself. The girls were trembling in Lyndis' arms.
Her gaze softened.
She reached out, brushing a strand of dirty hair from one twin's face. "You must be freezing." Without hesitation, she unfastened her shawl and draped it over their thin shoulders. "Here. It's warm."
The twins flinched at first but hesitantly clutched the fabric, their tiny fingers curling around the soft material.
Rin, standing beside them, looked pale. Her eyes flickered with something deeper.
"Miss Lyndis..." She took a slow breath, her hands tightening into fists. "They're sick. And starving."
Lyndis adjusted her grip on the girls. "They'll work at the mansion."
Rin blinked. "Work?" Her voice wavered, and she swallowed hard. "Like how I did?"
Laya's ears perked. "Like how we took in Rin?"
Lyndis nodded. "We need the help, and they need a home. It makes sense."
Rin hesitated. Then, slowly, she knelt before the twins, her usual guarded expression slipping into something gentler. "You're safe now," she murmured. "No more cages. No more masters."
The twins didn't answer, but one of them clutched at Laya's shawl a little tighter.
Without a word, Rin reached into her satchel and pulled out two small rolls of bread she had taken from the bakery. She gently placed them into the twins' hands. "Here. Eat," she whispered.
The twins stared at the bread, wide-eyed, as if they couldn't quite believe it. Then, as their thin fingers closed around the food, they turned their gazes toward Archus.
For a moment, they only stared-but then, as if guided by instinct, they bowed their heads slightly, an awkward but heartfelt expression of thanks meant just for him.
Archus, cradled in Laya's arms, watched with blinking eyes. His tiny mouth moved, and he gurgled softly, the echo of his earlier words lingering like a memory.
Laya, Lyndis, and Rin exchanged glances. The memory of his voice, that desperate cry of "Save Them"-still echoed in their minds.
Laya gave a small, astonished laugh. "I still can't believe it... he spoke. In our minds."
Rin's expression softened, wonder flickering through the remnants of her fear. "He wanted to save them," she murmured, her voice almost reverent.
Lyndis' usual calm cracked just a little, her eyes distant as if she were still turning over the meaning. She let out a quiet breath. "He's no ordinary child," she murmured. "We all felt it, didn't we?"
The twins, now nibbling hesitantly on the bread, remained close, occasionally glancing toward Archus with shy curiosity.
Laya shifted Archus in her arms, her voice gentle. "They won't last long if we don't do something." She exhaled and glanced at Lyndis. "I'll try healing them."
Lyndis frowned slightly. "Laya-"
"I know." Laya lowered herself onto her knees, still cradling Archus, and reached out to the twins. "Just watch over Archus for me if I pass out."
She closed her eyes, taking a slow breath. Then, as she exhaled, a faint glow surrounded her hands.
It wasn't traditional healing magic. Laya couldn't mend wounds or purge sickness. But she could push their bodies to fight harder-to survive.
Mana flowed from her fingertips into the twins, coaxing their frail forms into overdrive. Their pale skin regained a hint of color, their shivers slowing. Their breathing, once shallow and weak, evened out.
But Laya felt it-the sharp pull of exhaustion. Her body swayed, the world tilting dangerously.
Archus stirred in her arms, his tiny fingers curling against her chest. He let out a soft noise, eyes blinking up at her.
Then, his small hand grasped at the edge of her sleeve, as if sensing her fatigue.
Lyndis caught Laya's shoulder before she could collapse. "Enough. You've done enough."
Laya let out a breathless chuckle. "They should be okay now... for a while."
The twins clung to each other, their wide, wary eyes flickering with something new-hope.
Rin pressed her lips together, then reached out, hesitating before gently patting one twin's head. "You'll be alright," she murmured. "I know what it's like... but you're not alone anymore."
The twins didn't answer, but one of them gave a tiny, almost imperceptible nod.
Laya, still catching her breath, adjusted Archus in her arms.
She managed a small, tired smile. "Good. Then let's go home."