Chapter 4: Flowery Path

Luck stirred in her sleep, caught in a dream that felt too vivid to be just a fragment of her imagination. She was standing in a garden, lush and overflowing with flowers. Crimson roses climbed ivory trellises, their petals glowing faintly under a deep red sky. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and she caught the faint scent of roses mixed with something sweeter—like vanilla and spice.

A figure stood in the center of the garden, their face obscured by shadows. They raised a hand, and the roses bloomed even brighter, almost as if fueled by their presence.

A voice whispered through the garden, soft and haunting.

“Isolde… remember me…”

She tried to move closer, but the garden faded, and the voice grew distant, like an echo slipping through her grasp.

Luck woke with a start, her heart racing. The morning light crept through the thin curtains, dappling the room in pale gold. Sweat clung to her skin despite the morning chill, and she couldn’t shake the dream from her mind.

“What was that?” she muttered, pressing a hand to her chest.

Niko groaned from the bunk above, rolling over to peer down at her. “You’re talking to yourself again,” he mumbled, still half-asleep. She glanced up at him, her lips curving into a wry smile. “Just… a weird dream.”

He yawned and rubbed his eyes. “Was it about that wreath idea again? You’ve been obsessed since last night.”

Luck nodded, brushing her hair out of her face. “Yeah… and something else. I dreamed about roses—bright red ones.”

Niko dropped down from the bed and stretched. “Maybe it’s a sign. You always said that dreams mean something.” Luck couldn’t disagree. Since arriving at the orphanage, her dreams had often a source of solace for her —it made her remember a few of her experiences from her life as Lyra. All the ideas that she applied in this second life of hers to help the orphanage earn was from her previous life. She always thought that maybe that was a blessing in disguise, because just like what Niko had said, her dreams have always been a sign and indeed she always mention to him that she strongly feels that her dreams mean something.

But the dream she had a while ago is something different - she cannot exactly pinpoint what is different but she just felt it. She pushed her thoughts aside and focused on the project. Despite still being dark outside, she got out of the bed, stretched and nudged her friend “Let’s get everyone together. We need to start on the wreath.”

Well, up until this life she is still a workaholic.

-

Luck gathered the children in the common room. They sat on mismatched stools and old crates, chatting excitedly. She stood at the front, hands clasped together.

“Alright, everyone,” she began, keeping her voice steady. “We’re going to make something special—something that will get the nobles’ attention at the festival. We’re making a wreath, but not just a small one. It’ll be bigger and more beautiful than anything they’ve seen before.”

The kids’ eyes widened, and Niko gave a half-smile from his spot by the window.

“How big?” asked Mina, a tiny girl with messy blonde hair.

Luck spread her arms wide. “As big as me—maybe bigger. We’ll use flowers from the hills and the field. Niko and I will make the base with willow branches. The rest of you, gather as many colorful flowers as you can. We’ll use everything we find.”

Excitement buzzed through the room, and the kids rushed outside with baskets in hand. They are always astonished with Luck's ideas that is why their eyes always shines with anticipation and their minds are busy imaginiing what the finish product will actually look like. Luck watched them go, feeling hopeful. For the first time in a long while, the atmosphere didn’t feel so heavy.

All this time, it cannot be denied that she is the breadwinner of the orphanage and she no longer needs to lie to herself that everything is fine. The matron, although thankful for her contributions to the orphanage especially the fact that the place is starting to get the attention again of some low ranking nobles, is still as stingy as before. There are even moments that she is still serving them boiled potatoes although it is obvious that they can already afford meat every meal.

Despite this, she cannot stop herself from doing something for the orphanage - it was sympathy or perhaps guilt because as an adult in a body of child, she cannot stand seeing the children starve to death and be overworked during tasks that doesn't really fit their age. In one way or another, she just needs more time and she is hopeful that sooner or later, everything will change around the orphanage.

-

Niko and Luck sat on the orphanage’s front steps, weaving slender willow branches into a sturdy circle. Niko worked quickly, his hands skilled from making flower bracelets. Luck followed his lead, trying to copy his movements.

“So, what’s with the roses?” Niko asked, keeping his eyes on his work.

Luck hesitated. “I think they’re important. I don’t know why, but I feel that the roses will be the star of the show.”

Niko looked at her, curious. “Then we’ll find some. I heard the old manor on the hill still has roses growing wild.”

Luck’s heart picked up. “Let’s go after we finish the frame.”

The hours passed, and one by one, the children came back with handfuls of flowers—bright marigolds, delicate daisies, and bluebells. Luck had them sort the flowers by color while she and Niko worked on the frame. As they were busy adding flowers to the wreath, an elegant woman appeared at the orphanage gate. She wore a dark green dress, her hair styled in neat braids. The kids froze, unsure of what to do.

Matron hurried out, wiping her hands on her apron. “My lady, how can we help you?”

The woman smiled, her gaze moving from the children to the half-finished wreath. “I heard about the flower bracelets from the villagers. I wanted to see them myself.”

Luck stepped forward, holding one of their newest bracelets. “We made these together. Would you like one?” The noblewoman took the bracelet, examining it closely. “Very pretty. You must be the girl they call Luck. They say the damned orphanage got better after you arrived.”

Luck’s cheeks turned pink but it immediately disappered when she noticed the sour expression of the matron . “It wasn’t just me. Everyone helped.”

The woman smiled. “You’re modest. That’s good. Are you planning to show this thing at the festival?” She said while her eyes fixated on the wreath they are working on. At that moment a seedling of hope sprouted - "Maybe she will be the key to accomplish my goal for the orphanage, so that the children will be taken care of."

“Yes,” she replied, keeping her tone calm. “We want to let people know that the orphanage is still here. We’re hoping to find a new patron.”

The woman looked thoughtful. “It’s a clever idea. I’ll make sure to visit during the festival. I’m Lady Helena from the Silverbloom estate.”

Matron bowed, clearly impressed and of course, she will not decline despite the slight humilation she felt a while back. “It would be an honor, my lady.”

As Lady Helena left, Niko nudged her and whispered. “You did it. We got a noble interested.”

“It’s a start. Now we just have to make the wreath amazing so that she will not be disappointed for taking interest in us” she said. Well, everything is going smoothly and that she really is hoping that this will already be the start of their flowery path and when that happens she will be able to peacefully leave and look for her own truth.