The carriage rolled steadily through the countryside that gradually transformed.

Fields gave way to scattered buildings, then clusters of homes, and finally the distinct buildings of Nuevo City rising before them.

Reinhard leaned forward slightly, watching through the window as familiar streets came into view.

The narrow cobblestone paths stretched ahead, gas lamps flickering weakly along their lengths.

The buildings loomed close together. Each structure featured wooden frames, tall windows with iron railings, and carved details around doors and window edges.

But something was different today.

Reinhard blinked in surprise as the carriage moved deeper into the city. Marie's eyes lit up beside him, her face pressing close to the window as she took in the transformation.

Lanterns hung everywhere. They were decorative ones strung between buildings, their light warmer and more inviting.

Banners stretched across streets, colorful fabric dancing in the gentle evening breeze. Flower garlands adorned pathways, creating soft, magical glows where enchanted blooms caught and amplified light.

Joseph pointed excitedly at buildings as they passed. "Look at all the lights and streamers! The whole city's decorated!"

Indeed, lights and streamers decorated nearly every visible surface. Buildings that normally absorbed light now reflected it in cheerful patterns. Streamers of gold, red, and blue created ribbons of color against the gray stone and dark wood.

The carriage finally stopped near the residential district.

They all climbed out with Marie putting away the Elixir of Life in her bag before stepping out last.

Their feet met cobblestone with soft sounds that echoed slightly in the narrow street and then the muttering of other people.

They began walking through Nuevo's streets together, heading toward the apartment where Klein, Anasha, and Anna lived.

Gas lamps continued their flicker along the path, their yellow glow creating pools of light while the sun itself shone down on their form.

Reinhard glanced to the side and saw a group of children being dressed in costumes. Makeshift armor fashioned from painted cardboard and cloth covered their small frames. They giggled uncontrollably as adults helped adjust helmets and secure shields, their laughter pure and infectious.

Other children rode in carts being pulled by smiling adults, their faces flushed with excitement as they waved at passersby.

At an intersection, they paused.

Carriages moved past them, filled with food and supplies, and Reinhard noted vendors setting up stalls along the street. Some were clearly food vendors with grills already beginning to smoke, others displayed colorful masks of every imaginable design, and still others showcased elaborate costumes hanging from wooden frames.

"There must be a festival coming," Brunhilde observed softly, her eyes taking in the preparations with quiet appreciation.

They continued forward, entering the residential district proper. The atmosphere shifted here to a less commercial and more relaxed feeling.

The buildings were maintained with obvious care, rising three stories high with small patches of grass around each one. Flower boxes hung from some windows, adding splashes of green and color to the otherwise muted palette.

Marie stopped before one building that was slightly larger than its neighbors. The structure was painted navy blue, and its windows gleamed with cleanliness. She produced a key from her jacket pocket, the metal catching available light as she inserted it into the lock with practiced ease.

The door swung inward silently, well-oiled hinges making no sound.

Inside, warmth greeted them immediately, with Reinhard seeing a beige carpet covering the entryway floor, soft under their feet as they stepped inside. Reinhard's eyes swept the interior quickly to see the familiarly arranged furniture.

But he focused on none of this because he heard footsteps from upstairs. A faint smile appeared as he heard multiple people rushing down the steps quickly.

Then three figures burst into view at the bottom of the staircase, and Reinhard's smile grew even more as his expression softened.

Anasha appeared first with her long blue hair flowing behind her like water, matching blue eyes wide with excitement. She wore simple black shorts and a shirt with comfortable shoes, clearly dressed for playing rather than formality.

Anna came next with her curly, long black hair bouncing with each step, crimson eyes bright with joy. She wore a simple white shirt and black skirt with stockings, a black necklace around her throat, and white shoes that were slightly scuffed from constant wear.

And finally Klein, with his short brown hair slightly messy, blue eyes shining with happiness. He wore black shoes, beige shorts, and a black shirt that had a small stain on the collar, suggesting he'd been eating something recently.

Reinhard opened his arms unconsciously.

The three children bolted toward him across the carpet, their small bodies colliding with his all at once. He absorbed the impact with a slight backward step, muscles tensing to keep them all upright.

Anasha latched onto his left side, Anna claimed his right, and Klein wedged himself front and center, their arms encircling him in a tangle of limbs and giggles that rang out.

Something tight inside Reinhard's chest unraveled. He hadn't known how much he needed this simple, honest joy until it was already washing through him.

They leaned back slightly, still in his arms but creating space to look at his face.

The letters were nice." Anna said, her unusual crimson eyes fixed on him with that unnerving child-directness. "But this is better."

Reinhard chuckled softly as eyes softened. Then he nuzzled his face into Anna's neck, making her burst into giggles as his breath tickled her skin.

Klein bounced in Reinhard's grip, excitement making him unable to stay still. "Are you staying here for a while? Please say yes!"

Anasha nodded in excitement, her blue hair swaying with the movement. She wore a grin that threatened to split her face.

Marie giggled, stepping forward with a grin. "We can probably stay for the week, actually."

Anasha and Klein's eyes lit up simultaneously before they cheered loudly.

But then Anasha paused mid-celebration. Her gaze had found someone behind the others, and her expression shifted to something more uncertain.

She was staring at Brunhilde.

Brunhilde's expression softened immediately, but Reinhard noticed her shift uncomfortably, the subtle tension entering her posture. Still, she moved forward towards Anasha until she stood directly before the young girl.

Then she knelt down, bringing herself to eye level.

She reached out her hand slowly, hesitantly, but paused before making contact, and her voice came out quiet. "Anasha... Do you remember-"

"I remember you, Miss Brunhilde," Anasha interrupted softly, nodding her head with certainty.

Then, without warning, Anasha grasped Brunhilde's hand with both of her own, and a warm smile spread across her face. "And I've been wanting to see you again for a while now."

Brunhilde blinked, clearly caught off guard. "You have? Why-"

Her eyes widened as Anasha suddenly pulled her into a hug, small arms wrapping around Brunhilde's shoulders and squeezing tightly.

Anasha says softly. "I'm sorry that your little sister wasn't what you believed... But I think if you believe she was real, then that's all that matters." She paused, then continued. "Because I think my older brother Ven, mother Leafa, and father Raphael were all real too. Even if others say they weren't."

Brunhilde's eyes widened further before she trembled.

Her arms came up and wrapped around Anasha, hugging the small girl tightly against her chest. When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. "You shouldn't be comforting me like this... After what I almost did to you-"

Anasha chuckled lightly, the sound carrying no resentment. "I won't lie and say I wasn't scared..." She admitted this freely, honestly. "But I can understand why you did it."

"How can you..." Brunhilde's voice broke slightly.

"Because after losing my family and community in Mensis Town." Anasha explained gently, "I felt like I was willing to do anything to bring them back. No matter the cost. No matter the consequences." She pulled back just enough to look into Brunhilde's eyes. "You were no different than me."

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