Things change around the 11-year-old orphans from Grace Field as they approach their twelfth year of life.
✦ Will these four eldest children, who have placed so much faith in their sole guardian, Isabella, be able to betray that trust after learnin...
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Chapter Three | Conny
[Narrator]
In the dimly lit House, young Conny, a little six-year-old with bright eyes and a bunny plushie clutched close to her heart, faced the inevitable. Today was the day she would be adopted, and while it was a common occurrence, the children couldn't help but feel a deep sadness each time a member of their family left.
"I'm really slow, and I'm not as smart as you all... but I'll keep doing my best after I leave. I have Little Bunny with me, so I'll be okay," Conny choked out, clutching her beloved stuffed bunny tightly.
Don, one of the older children, couldn't help but feel wistful about Conny's departure. The others, too, were deeply affected each time a member of their close-knit family left.
"I don't want to go!" Conny cried out, her heartache evident. "I want to stay here!"
Isabella, the caretaker of the House, bent down to comfort the little girl. "It's alright, Conny. Don't cry," she said, gently patting her back. "We'll leave once you've bid farewell to Ninelie, alright?"
Conny's tears subsided slightly as she asked, "...Nina?"
"Yes, she's not feeling well at the moment so she's resting at the infirmary," Isabella explained.
With a determined expression, Conny wiped away her tears and clutched Little Bunny close. "Okay."
•──✦ 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 ✦──•
Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Ninelie sat on her bed, wrapped in a blanket, her mind consumed with a million thoughts. Her eyes wandered to the shelves, filled with medicine bottles and remedies, her heart heavy with guilt.
The door creaked open, drawing Ninelie's attention to the entrance. Conny peered through the small opening while grasping the doorknob.
"Nina!" Conny beamed, rushing towards her.
A smile formed on Ninelie's lips, and she welcomed the little girl's embrace, "Conny."
Even though her arms were short, the young girl managed to give Ninelie a warm embrace by climbing onto the bed and wrapping them around her. The little girl's eyes sparkled with determination. "Thank you for everything, Nina. I promise to write you letters and send gifts!"
"Really...?" Ninelie's arms trembled slightly as she hugged the little girl tight. "That's good to know, Conny."
"But!" Conny broke the embrace and stepped back, holding Ninelie's icy hands and gazing intently into the eleven-year-old's eyes, "You must promise to get healthy soon. You have to get better, or I'll get worried!"
