~Pearl to My Oyster~(WRIOLETTE FIC)

Chapter 17

         Considering he still had some time to kill, Neuvillette strolled through the pathways of Vasari Passage, humming softly to himself as he passed multiple civilians and families, some who he recognized as people he'd judged previously, others who he'd encountered in shops and trials. However, he couldn't help but notice the way some of the little girls glanced at his long hair, their hands twitching.

Do they want to play with it...?

He thought to himself. The image of him, the impartial and stoic Iudex, sitting on a bench while teens and toddlers braided his silvery locks like he was some sort of queen...

Nibelung, the Seven Nations Gazette would never let me live that one down...

He thought to himself, shaking his head as he continued striding. Suddenly, he let out a soft gasp at the feeling of a yank on his coiffure. He couldn't help but turn around, looking down to see a small infant, perhaps around the age of two, with a binkie in her little mouth. Something about her awakened some sort of instinct in him, and he moved on instinct, reaching down to pick her little frame up.

"Greetings, little one. May I ask where your parents are?"

Neuvillette spoke to her, his voice surprisingly gentle, catching even himself off guard.

"Owah!"

She giggled, playing with his lovelock that dangled. She couldn't even speak... what was such a small child doing out here, all alone, nonetheless!

"I shall interpret that as a no."

He sighed, placing her to his chest, rocking her gently as he ran a hand through her little white wisps of hair.

It wouldn't be safe to leave her by herself... I will take her with me to my office until we find her parents. Sounds sensible enough, right?

Little would the poor unsuspecting Iudex come to realize, that sometimes, the simplest things can spiral out of control...