CHAPTER 1

[Light]

Work at the Barnes ducal house had required more time and effort than was usually the custom most of the time. However, the success with which the birth had been carried out by Mrs. Barnes, who fought with all the forces in her body to bring to light the little miracle, the heir and consummation of the love between her and her husband, made all the work and dedication worth while.

The strong and suffering cry of the new member of the house was the best reward I could have received by leaving the splendid Barnes residence.

It is true that I too had received well for my services rendered, and an ode of thanks from the Duke who felt more than accomplished by the health and survival of the two most important people in his life.

I had left the Barnes residence a few hours ago after leaving an extensive recommendation to the housekeepers, about the care they should have with the duchess so that she would recover strong and healthy so we could take care of the child as it was due.

I'm walking a few good minutes down the main road that leads to the village where the local trade is intense and hectic, when I feel the first remnants of tiredness take me down after long hours without feeding. It's late afternoon and in no time the sun will start to set, reflecting when looking at the cloudless sky.

I drive a few more steps to a small but charming delicatessen and my mouth practically saliva when spotting the small dumplings of cream, cinnamon, coconut among other various flavors delicately ornamented with the thinnest and tastiest coating of fine icing sugar, which are exposed in front of the showcase.

A true work of art extremely tasty, and my secret passion I must admit.

With my arms numb for carrying my heavy work bag in one hand, and in the other my travel bag where I carry a pair of clean clothes to change after a day's work, and also to keep now a backpack stuffed with a good number of coins for the service performed in the House Barnes, I decide to give a little the reins of my normal life and allow myself to fulfill the desire to eat my sweet favorite of dreams, also taking the opportunity to line my hungry stomach.

I take a few more steps, i put my hand on the doorknob of the establishment and i can almost feel the sweet taste of the sugary delicacy melting on my tongue when suddenly I feel a slight pull on the bar of my skirt. I get scared to the side when a pair of hands is about my right arm and another on my left.

The look of panic on my face is soon replaced by pure relief when realizing what it's about, they're just slightly sick kids and apathetic-looking. So I take a deep breath by putting my hand on my chest.

What a fright, little one! -I exclaim with a small smile on my lips and caress the dark hair of the little girl who continues to hold the bar of the skirt of my dress. Where's your mommy? How old are you? - I wonder worried that a little girl like her is walking unaccompanied in the street at this hour.

Mom's working with the cows. -she responds by scratching her brown eyes with his little hands of dirty grimy. And I don't know how old I am. Just my brothers. -she points her index finger at the little boy a little bigger than her who had held my arm.

- Ma'am, we're far from home and... hungry.

Very hungry indeed, lady. -the girl claims by joining her hands in the form of prayer. And we don't have any money. Mom hasn't had a quarter for us to buy food since yesterday, and my tummy is starving.

The confession of the girl who seems to be no more than five or six years old, of fragile and skinny body, hits me hard. My eyes water instantly and my throat dries. My heart is in tiny little pieces when I turn to it.

- Would you take it if I bought one of those dumplings to eat? They're very good. -I offer with a bare voice as I point to the window.

The boy looks at the candy with bright eyes and licks his lips desirously. He remains thoughtful for a few seconds before exchanging a quick glance with the younger little girl in a silent conversation, and manage to destabilize me when they finally both reach a mutual agreement.

We appreciate it, ma'a. But we're going to keep that big bread over there. - she points to a baguette in the background. Because that's how you can share it with our other brothers.

-C-with your brothers? -Stutter feeling a slight vertigo. Besides that? -I say referring to the boy next to me and she agrees effusively with her head, the dark locks dirty with dust shaking in the air with the gesture. And where are they now?

Back there hidden. It's just that they were ashamed to approach the lady and end up getting beaten up, as happened to some other pedestrians who've been through here.

Oh, my God, what a horrible thing! -i mumble sad and with a sore chest. Call them here, little one. Please.

Come on, boys! You can show up, the girl's nice. You're not going to fight us.

And as if I wasn't thrilled enough, my heart is broken into thousands of parts when I see two similar-looking little girls, probably twins, about four years old, and two boys, about seven and nine years old, come out from behind and under a car parked a few feet away.

First the children spy on the scene with suspicion from afar. The brothers' dirty and ill-cared appearance is a stark contrast to the opulence of the beautiful vehicle that bears the royal coat of arms, which is being used as a hiding place for the little ones.

Come right before the owner give up! -the oldest scolds with the younger ones who soon approach fearful.

Don't worry, kids. I won't go back on my word. Come with me. -I ask you to hold the little girl's hand next to me who also does the same with the two younger sisters.

We entered the delicatessen in a more numerous group than I originally planned, and headed to the counter where the owner of the establishment welcomes us with a curious and compadecide look at the children.

Hello, Miss Light. What can I do for you? - he questions it.

-Give the little ones everything they want and wrap a few more packs of those stuffed drumcheats so the kids can take them home. Don't worry about the cost, I'll pay for all the expense. - I mean, i'm going to get the little bag of money out of the travel bag.

While the children ask for food in a mixture of voices between measured, shameful and ecstatic, the baker answers all requests with a fun laugh. I hear the door sign of the establishment ring, an indication that someone else had entered the premises. I can't see who it's about, the robe and the heavy hood prevent me from discovering the identity of the person, but the quality and richness of the fabric reveal that it is someone very rich, perhaps even a nobleman.

Here's the sum and total of the bill, Miss Luz. -I turn my attention to owner and when my eyes land on the rectangular paper, I swallow in dry to notice that the value is exactly the amount I have just received, my salary of a whole month.

All right, i'm going to get you out The payment for the purchase. - I say depositing the backpack with the coins on the counter to what it collects after checking the value.

Perfect, Miss Light. Have a great afternoon, all of you. -he responds with a smile on his face when delivering the packages containing the purchases that the children will take home to feed the rest of the family.

Lady, lady... One of the twins calls me when she pulls on my skirt. When I grow up and get older, I want to be as beautiful and kind as you.

- You're already beautiful inside and out of my love, all of you are. - I say stroking your face gently when touching it gently with your fingertips.

And when I finally leave the delicatessen, my stomach and purse of money are empty, however, my heart is completely overflowing with the feeling of peace and fulfillment as I contemplate the smile of happiness framed in the face of those unknown children, but who had conquered a part of my soul with such fragility and purity.

So I also feel light and happy as I return to my home with the feeling of mission accomplished.