Emilin POV:

When I first heard what this lady was insinuating my brows tightened. Even if you tried to make it look like these things didn’t bother you. It would still be a little upsetting to hear. ​​

Upsetting to know that there were such people in the world that knew nothing about you but would still comment on your morals as if they knew you better than you knew yourself.

Even before coming here, the moment I decided that I wanted to go traveling alone, I already knew something similar would happen.

It was a classic. When someone thinks that the tourist doesn’t know their language, they say whatever they like.

Bad choice. Who knows who understands you?

It just sounds like a bad idea to speak ill of someone behind their back, much less to their face in hopes that they don’t understand what you are saying.

Is it not absurd that this person who doesn’t even know me, that I have just met is now trash talking me?

I was going to wait to see what else she had to say about me because well, drama. But then the little girl spoke.

“But how can that be? Mom is so pretty and so nice too. How can the pretty sister be mean?”

I couldn’t stay mad after that.

The little girl’s hair was tied in pigtails and she was wearing a sky-blue long skirt matched with a white blouse and her smile was just adorable.

I wanted to go there and pinch her chubby cheeks and in order to not show my thoughts, I had to keep a straight poker face.

This is what I’ve trained for!

She reminded me a lot of Brother Theo and Brother Nathen when they were younger.

I turn back to see the mother’s face visibly redden from embarrassment and then shame.

‘Well, if you could raise a child like this little girl, you mustn’t be too bad. I’ll let you off this time.’

Just thinking of the cute Big Brother Theo and Nathen, I couldn’t help but smile and when I noticed that the two females were still looking at me, now with an incredulous look I was confused.

They seemed shocked for some reason and then I hear the mother say something again in Makin.

“Ah, mommy was just upset. You’re right she doesn’t look like a bad person, but you still have to be careful with strangers. As long as they stay away from your father.” That last part was in a softer but also firmer tone, and even though the lady probably thought that I couldn’t understand what she was saying, she seemed to subconsciously say that in a lower voice.

Well, I could still hear her, but it was… an effort.

Kudos to her, I guess.

“Well, mommy is only pretty when she is happy.” The child flashed her mother the brightest of smiles.

I couldn’t keep my composure anymore.

She just reminded me too much of my family. If I didn’t think of them (which was impossible), maybe I wouldn’t miss them so much. I closed the distance between the little girl and myself. Lowering myself so that I could see her eye to eye.

“What’s your name, little lady?” I use Makin as I assume that is the only language we can speak in common, after which I can see the mother’s eyes widen to the point where they seemed as if they were about to fall off.

“Rosalina, but everyone just calls me Rose or Rosy!”

“Wow, what a cute name little Rosy. What are you doing here today? Do you like history?”

“Mhm, I like it. I’m here because daddy finally has time to take us out to play!” At this, I squint my eyes a little. I had noticed the man that was standing by the side, but when you looked at the family as a whole, he just didn’t fit in the picture.

You would imagine him a little like a passer-by, even though little Rose had his same blue eyes and dark hair. They just somehow didn’t match

When I glanced at him again, I could see the dirty look he gave me, which just made me feel bad for both Rose and her mother.

I pat her in the head as I usually did with brother Theo and brother Nathen when they were younger.

“Rosy is so pretty, you really like mommy and daddy, right?”

“Rosy likes mommy and daddy the most!” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of her family which warmed my heart.

I stood back up and looked at the mother of this little Rose Blossom. My face was already back to its usual stoic façade.

Leaning into the mother I say, “You should be careful with that husband of yours, he’s cheating on you.”

Normally I wouldn’t want to meddle in someone’s business like this but seeing the little Rose who had yet to bloom I couldn’t hold back. I didn’t want to see her wither just like that.

If the mother was not prepared when the truth came to light. Rose would end up being the one hurt by both sides.

Even though I didn’t care too much for the woman, she still clearly cared more for her daughter than the man who was cheating did. Rose would probably be safer with her.

I see the lady’s eyes widened, first in shock, then disbelief, followed by anger and frustration, most likely towards me. But just moments later it shone again with realization, and finally with despondency.

This all happened in a matter of seconds. Her back was against the husband, who didn’t see any of this happening, even before his eyes.

I take out my notebook and scribble some words, making sure they are readable for the average person, and then rip it out, handing it to the mother.

Before leaving, I flash Rose one last smile to which she waves at me.

***

After separating from that family, I started to jot down my own notes.

It seemed that I had no trouble talking to that young child.

Was it due to her age?

Our age difference?

Her innocence?

Or her similarities to Bother Theo and Brother Nathen?

These were all theories worth testing. When I thought of being kinder to the woman, even though I held no real grudges, I felt a chill down my spine that screamed for me to stop.

In the end, writing her the information I wanted to convey was all I could resort to.

My head throbbed as I felt a migraine coming. The pace of my walking quickened as I headed towards the exit.

I’ll have to come back to the museum again tomorrow.