As Enya strolled around the marketplace, Noah walked beside her, glancing around the stalls at nothing in particular. He waved to a woman twice his age with a bright smile. The woman's face lip up as if she were looking at a younger brother as she waved back.

That's not his sister, right? How can he get so close to her?

“I didn't expect you to be so young,” Noah stated, turning away from the woman. Enya glanced at a stall with shiny, little trinkets. The way the sun beat down on them almost blinded anyone who passed by. Enya looked the other way, her eyes stinging some.

“What do you mean?”

“I don't know. Your personality seems more mature than it should, I guess. Like, you shouldn't be this wise already. I'm two years older than you, but you make me look like a child.”

Hmm, fourteen, huh? He looks older, but I didn't really think he was that much older.

As Enya thought this, a woman around forty called out to Noah, saying, “Hey! How have you been, Noah? I haven't seen you in a week. Are you doing okay?” The woman's eyes told Enya how concerned she was for Noah, the way they widened slightly, scanning his body from head to toe. Her gentle voice wavered as she spoke. Noah gave her a meek smile, strolling over to her stall. Enya followed, remaining a few steps behind.

“Hello. I'm doing okay. How are you?” The woman's expression softened.

“I'm okay. The old man is on a trip, but I'm sure he'd love to see you when he comes back in a few days.”

“Sure thing. I'd love to see him again, too.” The woman looked behind Noah, to the blue-haired girl watching them. Her eyes quirked up in curiosity, but she soon gave Enya a bright smile.

“Who's this? A friend of yours?” Noah looked over his shoulder to see Enya, her hands stroking her pants as she looked between the two.

“This is Enya. We met the other day. Haha, she's kinda the reason I haven't been to see you.” The woman narrowed her eyes.

“You—You two haven't been doing anything for me to worry about, have you?” Enya's eyes widened at her question. She jumped in front of Noah and shook her head.

“No. Absolutely not! He just means we've been hanging out together, that's all. Nothing... sexual going on.” Noah chuckled, watching Enya fluster.

He said, “I would have worded it a little more nicer, but whatever.” Noah turned to the woman. “There's nothing going on between us. We're not even on each other's radars.” The woman nodded. A flash of relief washed over her with a mixture of disappointment. She would have liked it if Noah found someone, as long as they didn't do anything risky.

“Well, if you say so.” The woman dug behind her stall and pulled out a brown sack. She handed it to Noah. “Here, take this.” Noah looked inside the bag to see a couple loaves of bread as well as something wrapped in a towel. He unwrapped the first layer to see a chunk of meat. “It's the least I can do.”

“I can't take this. You should give it to your own son.” Noah tried to hand the sack back to the woman. She refused.

“The old man caught a bunch before leaving this morning. Besides, you're like a son to me, too.” Noah stared at the woman, his heart aching in frustration and gratefulness.

Noah hung his head and whispered, “Okay...” He gripped the sack tightly in one hand and reached over the stall to hug the woman. His arms squeezed her frail frame. “Thank you.” The woman ran a hand up and down Noah's back.

“You're very welcome. If you ever need anything else, don't be afraid to ask, okay?” Noah pulled away and nodded. He backed up and turned to leave, bowing his head to the woman.

Enya raced after Noah as he sauntered off. She remained quiet, wondering how Noah managed to have so many people care for him. The woman looked as if she could die any moment, yet she gave Noah some of her food, maybe her only food. Were all of the commoners this generous?

Enya shook her head, remembering some of the greedy stall owners she'd observed. No, so how does he manage it? Could I? Enya's face fell. Maybe if I put on that damn act again.