It was the beginning of winter.
The sun had only just risen, and its warmth still wasn't enough to melt the white snow covering the ground.
At the entrance of Broto Novo village…
Aron looked at his parents with a sad expression.
"Geovana, I'll leave him in your care, alright?" Sabrina said to a woman about her age, with black hair and blue eyes.
"Of course. You've already done so much for me—this is the least I can do to repay you," Geovana replied with a smile.
"Besides, Sophie likes being around Aron, so it won't be a problem."
"Thank you," Sabrina said, before turning to her son and kneeling in front of him.
"Don't be sad. We'll be back in a month and a half at most. So behave and listen to Aunt Geovana, okay?" she said, gently running her hand through his hair.
Aron stayed silent for a moment.
'I'm sad I have to stay… especially at Sophie's house,' he thought, letting out an inward sigh.
His parents were strong. Much stronger than they looked.
So there was no real reason to worry about them making a trip they had done many times before.
"Alright, mom. I won't cause any trouble," Aron replied with a small smile.
Arthur gave a thumbs-up.
"Let's get going. The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll be back. Take care, Aron."
Aron nodded.
"Okay… and be careful on the way," he said.
"Of course. I'm the strongest—no one can stand in my way," Arthur declared proudly.
Matilda ignored his bragging.
She stepped forward, crouched down, and pulled Aron into a tight hug.
"See you, big sis Mada," Aron said, hugging her back.
"See you. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too."
"I'm ready," she said, standing up.
"Then let's go," Sabrina finished, as she dashed out of the village, Arthur by her side and Matilda right behind.
Aron stood still at the village entrance, watching until they disappeared from sight.
'I hope everything goes well for them,' he thought, keeping his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Shall we?" Geovana interrupted his thoughts.
"I haven't told Sophie you'll be staying with us yet, so it'll be a surprise when she wakes up."
"I see," Aron said, giving one last look toward the horizon before following her back into the village.
The village wasn't large. It had around forty to fifty houses, along with a few shops in the center.
After walking a bit through the snow, they stopped in front of a house similar to Aron's.
"Come in. I'll prepare some tea and cake to warm you up," Geovana said, opening the wooden door and letting him in.
"Thank you, but I already had breakfast," Aron replied.
As soon as he stepped inside, he felt the warm, cozy air of the house.
He looked around. It was clean and well-organized. The walls were smooth, painted in a slightly pinkish white.
Very similar to his own home, aside from the color.
"I'll prepare some for Sophie as well. A bit of hot tea will do you good in this cold," Geovana said, closing the door and offering him a chair.
"Oh, Sophie mentioned you're learning to read and that you like books. If you want, you can take one," she added, pointing to a few books on the table.
"Thank you. I only started recently, so I don't know much yet… but it's really interesting," Aron said, picking up a simple children's book.
"Don't be modest. Sophie only started speaking that well after she turned two."
"Well, I'll be in the kitchen. If you need anything, just call me, alright?"
"Okay," Aron nodded, watching her leave.
Geovana was a single mother. Her husband had died in a dungeon over three years ago.
'She's very beautiful… and doesn't seem to have awakened. Even so, she manages to support her daughter alone…'
"Very admirable…" he murmured.
He turned his attention back to the book.
It was simple, with more pictures than words.
As he studied, he heard a door opening.
Since his back was turned, he couldn't see who came out—but he was sure it was Sophie.
He stayed still, trying not to draw attention.
After a few seconds of silence, he slowly turned his head.
And there she was, standing at the doorway, still sleepy… and clearly surprised to see him.
'Well… she would find out eventually,' he thought, waving.
"Good morning," Aron said.
"Good morning?"
"Good morning!"
"What are you doing in my house so early? Did you miss me?" Sophie asked excitedly, running toward him with a smile.
"No. My parents went to the city, and since I couldn't go, they asked Aunt Geovana to take care of me."
"Hoooo…"
"So you're staying here?" she asked, her eyes shining.
"Yes. For at least a month."
"Amazing!" Sophie shouted, thrilled.
"Sophie, did you see the surprise? Then go get ready for breakfast," Geovana called from the kitchen.
"Okay, mom!"
"Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back!" Sophie said before running off.
Aron watched the scene with a faint smile.
'Now… even if I wanted to, I couldn't leave…'
A little later, Geovana and Sophie returned with a teapot and a plate of corn cakes.
"I know you already ate, but try some," Geovana said.
"Here, eat this one! It's really good!" Sophie insisted.
"Alright…" Aron sighed.
He took a piece and a cup of tea.
"Thanks…" He took a bite. "Hm… it really is good."
"I'm glad you like it. I still have some chores to do. If you need anything, ask Sophie," Geovana said, leaving.
"I can't wait to tell Kelly you're living with me. She's going to die of jealousy!" Sophie laughed.
"So I guess we'll be studying here now," Aron replied.
"Yes… but just the three of us. David and the others only want to play," she said, annoyed.
"We can't force them."
"Are you going out with them later?"
"We were going to your house… but since you're here, we'll stay."
"I see."
As they talked and studied, voices came from outside.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Sophie! Let's go! Aron must have already started studying!" Kelly shouted.
"They're here," Sophie said, running to the door.
When she opened it, Kelly stood there, bundled up.
"Why are you still here? Aren't you going to Aron's house today?" she asked, surprised.
"Are you sick?" David asked.
"If you are, you should stay home. It's really cold," Marcus added with concern.
"I'm fine! Come in, I have a surprise," Sophie said, smiling as she stepped aside.
"Aron?!" Kelly exclaimed.
"Good morning," Aron waved.
"What are you doing here?" Marcus asked, shocked.
"I'll be staying here for a month… or more."
"What?!" (4x)
"Why?!" (4x)
"Sophie will explain," Aron said, returning to his book.
"It's like this…" she began.
After the explanation, the reactions were mixed.
Marcus and Kelly seemed bothered—each in their own way.
Kelly was jealous of her friend's luck.
Marcus was so jealous his eyes started tearing up.
Meanwhile, David and Jhonas didn't seem to care much.
With everyone gathered, the conversation became lively.
But as soon as the topic shifted to studying… the boys quickly went outside to play.
Time passed, and soon it was almost noon.
"Kids, wash your hands for lunch! You can go back to playing afterward," Geovana called.
"Okay, mom! Let's go! We'll play in the snow this afternoon!" Sophie said.
"Finally… I was getting tired of studying," Jhonas said.
"What studying? You didn't even start," Kelly shot back, laughing.
"Let's eat. I'm starving," David said, rubbing his stomach.
As they went to wash their hands…
In another place, the group heading toward the city was facing a journey of their own.