ReThree: sisterhood

It took a while for the atmosphere to change. Of course, for me, it took years. I could still feel my mother's pitying looks on me.

"Did you want to say something, my child?" Courier addressed the little boy.

"Oh yes! To be honest... I—I..."

He nervously licked his lips.

"I'm sorry, but... I ask you to cancel this ceremony."

After what I said it was Edward's request that shocked everyone that was present there. This time, even the servants and those two homeless asleep in their chairs stared at him with their jaws dropped and eyes wide open. When Courier saw the situation was completely awkward and unbearable, he faked a smile.

"What made you change your mind, Mr. Stewart? Did I make a mistake?"

"No, Mr. Courier , it's not your fault; it's just that I..." He gave a faint smile and continued, "...had a dream last night."

The entire hall was in complete silence. I looked at Leo, whose brows were furrowed and deeply lost in thought.

Courier raised an eyebrow.

"May I ask what the dream was?"

"I dreamed of a person with long white hair riding a white bear with quills like a hedgehog. Without being harmed by those quills, she rode that bear with complete ease..."

Everyone was in shock from his explanation.

'Based on his description, can realized that Gaubear was in his dream. But that woman with the long white hair...'

"... The woman came down from the bear and moved towards me. Her tall and slender figure was accentuated beneath her long, loose dress that swept the ground. She placed her hand on my shoulder and said, '(By offering your services to me, you greatly please me and the Almighty. But my child, the path we have set before you is outside the shrine. Follow our path so that divine blessings may include you.)' Then she kissed my forehead. After that, I woke up, and all my thoughts were foggy and restless since then."

He smiled widely and raised his head.

"But now I've made my decision. I want to take the dream I had seriously and find the path that God has made possible for me."

The dream that Edward had described did not seem to amaze anyone. I could tell this from the poker faces they wore. Courier, whose smile had faded until now, forced a half-smile once more.

"So you saw Gaubear alongside a lady with white hair..."

"The feeling I had in the dream tells me that the said woman was Sinn."

Once again, All fell into shock.

"Of course, all religious people have some loose screws ," Aldous muttered under his breath.

"Even today, before I made my decision, I felt restless and chaotic. It's a sort of divine sign, isn't it?"

Courier looked uncomfortable with Edward's innocent smile.

"Are you sure you're fine?"

"One hundred percent," Edward replied with the same smile.

I scratched my chin.

"It doesn't seem like a lie. A child can't hide their emotions when they are lying or doing something wrong. On the other hand, such an innocent and fragile face doesn't seem like it could contain any disaster intention, I'm sure the dream is real. But whether it has a divine connection or not, I don't know."

Courier closed his eyes and scratched his beard.

"Well, if this is your decision, I can't force anything upon you..."

He turned towards us.

"Brothers and sisters, as you can see, today's ceremony has ended incompletely. It seems Mr. Edward has found another way to serve the Almighty."

Then he placed his hand on Edward's shoulder and gave a warm smile.

"I hope you find the path that God has destined for you, my child."

Edward placed his hand on Courier's hand that was resting on his shoulder and squeezed it. He had a determined smile on his face, and his blue eyes sparkled like stars in the sky. I unconsciously smiled faintly.

'How cute!'

"Hey Angela, why are you grinning like an insane person?"

My smile turned into a angrily grin.

"Aldous, just let us get home. I'll make you pay."

Aldous crossed his arms and laughed.

"But I wonder how these folks with their fancy looks ended up in such a remote place to serve. Isn't it ridiculous?"

"..."

"I was sure he would regret it. But I didn't know it would be that quick."

Edward came towards us. Leo stood up and grabbed his shoulder with both hands.

"Are you... alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Edward replied with a smile.

"Did our parents say anything to you? Did they threaten you?" Leo asked with a frown.

"No. Why do you ask these things?"

"Edward... (he took a deep breath and continued) you had a strong desire to serve and worship in the shrine. Other than our parents' dissatisfaction I see no reason —"

"Do you mean you don't believe me?" Edward asked, sounding upset.

"No... no, it's not like that. It's just that..."

Leo trailed off. He calmly lowered his hands from Edward's shoulder and stared at the ground while being drowned in his thoughts. Edward turned to me and gave me a broad smile.

"It seems like we're the same age."

*Thump thump*

*Thump thump*

My heart was racing uncontrollably.

'This little angel... noticed me?'

I expected to be ignored by him, and his attention made me excited. I nodded with a wide grin.

"When I came in, I saw you talking to Leo. I think you two are friends."

"Yes, we are best friends," I replied with a wide smile.

Leo's poker-faced stare was boring into my head like a drill, but I didn't pay attention to him.

Edward while keeping his smile extended his hand.

"As you've heard my name, I'm Edward. You can call me Ed."

'Finally, a normal and healthy person.'

I tried to control the tears welling in my eyes so they wouldn't fall. I reached out to shake his hand.

"I'm Angela. I'm happy to meet you—"

Aldous grabbed my hand & pulled it back. Instead of me, he shook hands with Edward.

"I'm Aldous! Nice to meet you."

"What kind of nonsense are you up to?" I muttered under my breath in frustration, just loud enough for him to hear.

Edward came out of shock and waved his hand.

"Likewise. I hope we can be good friends."

I looked at him with a lump in my throat.

'How can such an innocent and kind-hearted person exist?'