Reid smiled. The smile looked a little awkward on his thin face, but it was real.
“My name is Rosalie Bennett. You can call me by my name, or call me Rosalie. Either is fine.”
Reid opened his round eyes wide and called out, “Rosalie.”
“Mhm.”
At first, Reid’s work still had small flaws. With Rosalie guiding him step by step, his pieces soon looked almost exactly like hers.
With Reid helping, Rosalie’s speed doubled.
In just one afternoon, they finished parts for twenty carts.
The remaining twenty could be done by tomorrow morning.
“Matriarch, it is time to eat.”
Reid was still lowering his head and polishing the wood. He did not react at all, as if he was already used to being ignored.
Rosalie walked over to him. “Reid, come. Let’s eat.”
Reid followed her to the table, but did not dare sit down until Rosalie pressed him gently into the chair.
She placed a plate of steaming rice into his hands. The heat and fragrance rushed up face.
Reid looked at the colorful dishes on the table. Skillet eggs with tomatoes, shredded potatoes with pork, and steamed egg. He had only seen important people in the city eat food like this.
He swallowed and looked up at Rosalie. She smiled at him. “Eat.”
He grabbed the spoon and ate with all his strength.
He did not stop until he was completely full. Rosalie smiled as she watched him. Reid scratched his head in embarrassment.
He opened his mouth to speak but let out a loud burp.
“Are you full?” Reid nodded.
“Then let Gael take you to wash up.”
Rosalie had already told Gael what to do.
Gael took Reid to the river. Gael stood by the water and waited for Reid to take off his clothes. Then he pinched the old clothes with two fingers and tossed them aside.
Reid panicked. “I still need those.”
Gael held up new clothes. “Matriarch prepared new ones for you. Do not keep the old ones.”
Reid washed himself in the river while Gael watched.
He was very small and thin. His ribs stuck out. A deep purple bruise darkened his stomach. Old scars covered his back and calves.
Even Gael felt a sting in his chest.



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