With his back turned to the man in front of the bakery and facing the kid, Ellis replied instantly.
"You look like you're from a noble family, don't trouble yourself with these matters and go on your way. I need to reprimand him so there won't be a next time."
"Can you not hear me? I'm telling you I told him to do it."
Not a single stutter. Ellis's voice was as calm as his face. The shopkeeper's expression immediately mixed with indignation for him too.
"I just wanted to play a prank, let's not get too serious, here's your money for the bread and for compensation. Please go about your day now."
Keeping his head slightly lowered, Ellis reached into his coat pocket and wordlessly handed the burly man a handful of gold stars—enough to buy out every loaf of bread in the bakery. The coins gleamed under the dim afternoon light, their weight heavy in the baker's calloused palm.
At the sight of so much money, the man's anger melted into silence. His rough features softened with reluctant acceptance as he quickly shoved the gold into the front pouch of his flour-dusted apron. Whatever he had been about to say died on his tongue, replaced by a stiff nod of compliance.
Ellis sighed as the man left to enter the bakery and continue his work. The kid walked over to his side and spoke.
"You're incredibly stupid."
Looking at the kid now, the previous image of a scared one was gone and replaced by his nonchalance of dropping the act.
"I was just acting so he'd take some pity and let me go. Why did you give him so much money?"
The kid narrowed his eyes at him, scrunching his face from being hit in the face by the strong sunlight. Ellis gazed at the kid and replied.
"I know."
He had known from the start, but it was still an act showing his real desperation. A hint of surprise shadowed the kid's dirty face, which he quickly shook off and started dusting the baguette with his little hands, appearing quite serious. Ellis, thinking he was going to eat it, waited to see if he liked it, but then the kid pushed the baguette towards him.
"Since you had to pay… you can have it."
The kid reluctantly gave up his bread, even as his eyes were fixed on it. Ellis glanced around, his eyes darting left and right until they landed on a small wooden bench tucked away in a more secluded area of the street. It was far enough from the bustling bakery and the curious gazes of onlookers. He made the kid follow him to the bench, leading him with his hand on the kid's arm.
"What are you doing?"
The kid asked as he was picked up by him to sit on the bench. Ellis took the baguette from his hands, almost snatching it; the kid, who had readily decided to give the bread to him before, reached out with his arms for it.
"This is mine now, you gave it to me yourself."
"..."
The kid opened his mouth but closed it again, realizing he did do that. Ellis instead gave the kid the sandwich he had taken from the carriage. Kids need more nutritional foods than just plain bread.
"We are trading. I wanted the baguette, so I'm trading it for the sandwich I had on me already. Do you accept?"
The kid nodded vigorously, and as soon as the sandwich was in his hands, he began eating. Ellis sat next to the kid on the bench and counted the leftover gold stars he had. There were only eight of them left…
"Are you alone or…"
He spoke in a low voice and decided to not finish his words in the end. The kid, already on his last bite, stuffed his face with it and scanned Ellis up and down.
"What is it to you, mind your own business."
The kid curtly responded. Ellis smiled at the kid, confusing him, and then handed the coin purse with all his remaining gold stars to the boy. Apologizing to his father in his mind for spending all the money.
"I also want to invest in you."
The kid suspiciously opened the coin purse, and checking it contained gold stars, he was really surprised now, staring at Ellis with wide eyes. Ellis only smiled faintly and stood, leaning closer. Before the boy could react, he took the edge of his coat sleeve and began gently wiping the grime from the kid's cheeks. The child flinched, twisting away in protest, but Ellis continued with quiet persistence until the dirt faded enough to reveal the soft, pale skin beneath. Only then did Ellis pull back, his expression softening as he looked at the now-visible face of the boy.
"The name's Ellis Montfort, remember it well, I'll come back for my money after ten years."
Not giving the boy a chance to refuse or return the money, Ellis turned on his heel and walked away. The baguette lay forgotten on the bench beside the stunned child, its crust catching the sunlight. He didn't look back—not once—as he strode briskly toward the carriage and climbed in.
Leaning back against the seat, Ellis let out a quiet sigh. It seems I'm still too soft-hearted when it comes to kids, he thought, watching the distant village fade from view as the carriage began to move again.
†††
The church where he had opened his eyes to a whole new world, he was back at his starting point. When Ellis entered the church, he was immediately dragged by a junior priest and given new clothes befitting of a priest but altered for a saint.
"Not yet Saint Ellis, after the purification bath, please head to the private prayer room, the high priest will be waiting for you there."
The junior priest mentioned and left him. Ellis, holding the new clothes, saw the room before him resembled a private hot spring rather than a simple washroom—a vast chamber with marble floors, mist curling from the steaming water that filled a massive bath set in the center, like a tranquil lake, in complete disbelief.