In a small room a cradle was placed along the blue painted walls, and under a windowsill that was shining light through its cracked blinds into the cradle and across the room.
The baby Rin is now one month old, everyday it's the same routine.
During the morning, midday, and dusk. Melissa will breast feed Rin. While whispering her love to Rin before putting him back in the cradle.
Periodically when a revolting smell becomes apparent Melissa will change Rin's soiled clothes with new ones. Before washing them carefully, not to damage the soft cloth.
John was rarely seen around the house, everyday he leaves at dawn to get to work in the mines, for a paltry paycheck of 20 small coppers a day. Where a loaf of bread costs 4 small coppers at fair prices.
Then gets back home a few hours before dusk to help around the house and run some errands for his wife.
The Waller's are undoubtedly poor, but they make up for it with their abundance of love and determination.
The door creaks as John walks in the house, his clothes grimy and his face dirty. He closes the door behind him quietly, before taking off his muddy boots by the door.
John walked to the bathroom, taking off his clothes showing his toned but malnourished body. Before hopping into the shower and rinsing the dirt off him with water. Soap being too expensive for a family like theirs, generally only reserved for nobility and wealthy merchants.
The door to the bathroom creaked open as Melissa's head popped through the door.
"John, what do you want for dinner?" Melissa asked loud enough to attract his attention over the running water.
John turned off the water and grabbed a towel to dry off while walking over to the door.
"How about some mushroom stew with a side of bread dear" John said as he kissed her forehead.
"Kay, I'm going to get started. Go spend some time with Rin for a little bit you rarely have the time to these days."
Melissa said with her usual smile.
John smiled nodding in response as he changed into a clean white shirt and black pants. Before walking into Rin's room.
Grabbing Rin, and placing the boy's head on his warm chest. Before walking to the living room adjacent to the kitchen and sitting down on the couch.
John sat down in silence, only the faint cutting of mushrooms could be heard along with his faint breathing.
'Now that i think about it, have i ever heard this boy cry for anything?'
John thought to himself quietly.
Time passed slowly, and before long dinner was ready for all three of them. Melissa brought out a bowl of mushroom soup and two slices of bread for both of them. Handing the food to John and taking Rin into her embrace, putting Rin's head over her breasts as he fed as well.
"Eat up my dears" Melissa said with a slight giggle.
The family ate in silence, savoring the flavors of mushrooms, bread, and milk. Eating contently and happily as a family.
John finished his bowl and bread, placing it down on the floor for the moment. Turning his head to look toward Melissa.
"Dear, we need to talk" John said with a concerned tone, while looking at his wife and baby Rin.
"About what John?" Melissa tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"About Rin" John said with seriousness
"Something is wrong with him, has he ever cried?" John pointed out
"But Doctor Smith said tha-" Melissa started to say before John cut her off
"Has he ever cried dear." John said with his firm voice.
Melissa opened and closed her mouth a few times thinking about what she should say, before muttering out a quiet no.
"What baby never cries, Sure its plausible for an exceptional strong baby to not cry after birth. But for the entire month, that is bordering on the impossible." John pointed out the impossibility of the situation.
Listening to her husband Melissa started to let silent tears fall, her husbands words broke her delusion that everything about Rin was alright.
"I will go to the hospital tomorrow, to see what is wrong with our Rin." Melissa muttered through choked sobs.
Slowly standing up with Rin in her arms, only to be grabbed by John who was shaking his head sadly.
"You know we can't go to the hospital, Just being admitted is 1 small silver. And if something is found treatments are costly."
John told Melissa, thinking of the pitiful 47 small coppers, 3 large coppers, and 1 small silver to their name. totaling to 177 small coppers that they have been able to save over the years.
"So What! Rin is our son, 1 small silver is nothing compared to his wellbeing." Melissa exploded in anger at John's heartlessness.
The fight continued for some time before both parents got tired and went separate ways. Melissa put baby Rin to sleep in the cradle. Before heading to the bedroom to fall asleep.
Laying down, holding her blanket as she cried herself silently to sleep.
John looked on from the door before resigning himself to the couch for the night. sleeping with loud snores that filled the house.
The house brewed with a quiet tension. While the cause of the fight, Rin. Was staring at the night sky with his black eyes through the blinds from his cradle. Lying there awake, with no intention to sleep in the near future.
Time passed as the moon fell, while the sun rose shining on the Waller home.
In Rin's room the light seeped from the blind into the room. Shining onto Rin's face, and his still opened black eyes.
The house started to stir as John and Melissa woke up. Going to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Melissa, I. I thought about it. Lets take Rin to the hospital. You're right, he is more important then temporary wealth. I apologize."
John looked at his wife, with a small smile.
Melissa looked up with slight tears in her eyes and a wide smile.
"Okay"
Melissa walked to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. Leftovers from last night. Reheating it over the stove before filling their bowls just enough to avoid spilling.
Melissa went and grabbed Rin for his morning feeding. Before starting to eat herself with John making small talk and planning on when to take Rin to the hospital.
"After work we will go together." John said to his wife as he finished his food
While they were talking, loud but measured knocking came from the front door.
John and Melissa looked at each other confused. Not expecting visitors today, especially so early in the morning.
John stood up from the couch and walked over to the door
"Who is it?" John asked from the other side of the door, looking through the peephole.
Two men in a clean black uniform and pants. With a black cap with a golden insignia inscribed upon them. Two golden griffons facing away from each other, with silver swords crossed between them.
The insignia of the imperial family. The Hathaway's
"We are men from the imperial families intelligence agency. We have received an anonymous report about your son, and we would like to verify some things." The man said with a loud, authoritarian tone. Loud enough for both John and Melissa to hear it.
The atmosphere in the house tensed up. The imperial family coming to the slums is never a good thing. Doom perpetrated the air, as John opened the door. Fear evident in both John's and Melissa's eyes.
"Come in"