WebNovels

Chapter 3 - THE ADOPTION

Lord and Lady Sparrow sat in the waiting hall of the Britannia Royal Adoption Centre, the little girl seated quietly between them.

Her black hair had been brushed until it shone, tied neatly with a white ribbon. The cream dress she wore was simple yet fine, the sort that made her look cared for but not spoiled. Against the pale fabric, her dark skin seemed to glow. She looked different , not fragile, not starving , simply herself. Even as small as she was, there was something unyielding in her.

When they walked in, the officer at the counter nearly dropped his pen. Surprise flickered across his face, followed by curiosity and, finally, disbelief. So the rumors were true, the Marquess and Marchioness of Windmere really had brought home a Zerolan child.

Whispers rose at once, soft but sharp.

"Is that her?" murmured someone near the window.

"The child from across the seas?"

"They say she doesn't speak a word…"

Lady Sparrow's hand tightened around her husband's arm, but the Marquess only gave her a steady smile. They had known this would happen.

The officer cleared his throat loudly, cutting through the murmurs. "Lord and Lady Sparrow," he said, "please, step forward."

They rose together, calm and composed, the little girl following with careful, uncertain steps. The officer's eyes swept over her, studying her as though she were something rare ,something he wasn't quite sure belonged in his world.

"Her age?" he asked briskly, flipping through a stack of papers.

The Marquess exchanged a glance with his wife before replying. "Seven, we believe."

"You believe?" the officer repeated, brows lifting.

Lady Sparrow spoke softly, her voice measured. "We can't be entirely certain. Her caretakers in Zerola said she was around seven, though she may be younger."

The man grunted and scribbled something down. Then he looked up again. "And her name?"

For a moment, no one spoke. The little girl stared at him with those deep, dark eyes steady, unblinking. The officer began to think she hadn't understood the question.

But then, in a small and careful voice, she said, "Lavender… Lavender Sparrow."

The officer's pen froze midair. His eyes widened. He had never seen a child quite like her, nor heard one speak with such clear, quiet certainty.

Behind her, Lord and Lady Sparrow exchanged a look of pride, soft and full. After nearly ten months of patience and lessons, their little girl had spoken her first full words in English, and she had done it beautifully.

"Lavender," the officer repeated slowly. "Why that name?"

Lavender's small hands clutched at her skirt. The man's pale face frightened her too much like the ghosts from her village stories, the ones that stole children away. She said nothing.

Lady Sparrow leaned forward gently. "It was her first word," she said, her tone kind.

"Her first word?" the officer echoed.

"Yes," she continued, smiling faintly. "We have lavender flowers in our garden. One morning, she pointed at them and said the word. So we thought, perhaps, it was the name she chose for herself."

The officer studied the child again, his expression softening despite himself. "Do you like lavender, child?"

Lavender shook her head quickly, her curls brushing her cheeks.

Lady Sparrow laughed, a light, fond sound. "No, she hates flowers. Especially lavender."

A few people glanced up in surprise, but she didn't mind. There was warmth in her voice, the sort that left no room for judgment.

The officer muttered something under his breath and stamped the papers. "Very well. The adoption is approved."

A few minutes later, the Sparrows stepped out into the sunlight. It fell across them like a blessing, warm and golden. Lady Sparrow held Lavender's tiny hand while her husband carried the documents that made her theirs in name as well as in heart.

For the first time in years, their smiles were unguarded, simple, honest, and full.

After so long waiting, they finally had a child.

More Chapters