The Ludicrous Escapade Pt.3

Child Acquired

The monarchy of the Kingdom of Naples was abolished and a new system was set in place. So-called traitors of the king were in the midst of being set free, the nine year old boy, Marco, being among them.

Gyro crouched down, using a key to unlock the metal cuffs placed around the boy's wrists and neck. "You're free now, got it? I'll make sure something like this doesn't happen to you ever again."

The boy didn't say anything, only shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He rubbed at his wrists that now felt so much lighter.

"Are you okay?" You were rightfully concerned for him.

Marco nodded slowly, the few blonde strands of hair that stuck up from his head swaying back and forth. "I wasn't saying anything because..." He looked over at Gyro. "He told me not to speak to him ever again. Is it okay for me to speak to him now, Miss?"

Gyro covered his face with one hand. He couldn't believe the kid had even remembered something like that. "Yeah. You can speak to me again."

The boy blinked a few times. "Do you need me to sew something for you, then? I'm afraid I don't have a needle on me. Do you want me to clean your shoes instead? And I know how to clean hats, too."

"No, no." Gyro placed a hand on the kid's shoulder. "Listen, Marco, you don't have to stay in this cell anymore."

"Oh." There was a look of surprise on the boy's face, as if the thought of leaving the cell had never occurred to him. He still wasn't really sure why he had been brought there in the first place. "Then will I return to working for the Baron?"

"The Baron is... dead." Gyro figured he didn't need to elaborate on it much for the child. "You can't work for him anymore." He was about to inquire about the boy's parents when you pulled him aside.

You whispered to Gyro so the kid wouldn't hear. "The rest of his family also served under Baron Rippi." You had done a bit of digging throughout the course of the revolution. "His parents were executed at the same time as the Baron. I don't think he has anyone left, but he needs somewhere he can be properly cared for. They clearly haven't been feeding him enough, he's all skin and bones." You could see his nose dripping snot, too. The kid probably had a cold.

"If I can't work for the Baron, could I work for you instead?" He found the two of you nice enough.

"Why are so obsessed with your job?" Gyro just couldn't understand it.

"My father told me that my job would bring me happiness as long as I am humble and earnest." Marco smiled brightly, having truly taken those words to heart. "I need nothing else. As long as I can sew and clean, I will be happy."

Gyro turned back to you again. "We can't just leave this kid. I guess we could throw him in an orphanage or something, but..."

You let out a small sigh. "Do you want to take him in?" You hadn't exactly intended to adopt another child. You still had Emporio and Santana back home.

Gyro clasped his hands and yours together. "Please? I've been trying to save him this whole time. I feel if we leave his fate up to someone else, something bad will happen to him..."

"Okay..." You couldn't help but give in. "But you have to take responsibility for him. It's hard work raising a kid, you know."

"It can't be that hard. And, I dunno, once things properly settle down in Naples, maybe we could take him back." He held a hand out to the boy. "Marco, you'll be staying with us for a while, okay?"

Marco held on tightly to Gyro's hand. "So I'll be working for you now after all?"

"No, nothing like that." The Zeppeli wanted Marco to be free from his need to work all the time. "You'll... be a guest."