Lucian frowned once more. But after a moment, he looked at the plate of cake in his hands, then at the gate. "Then can I hand it to her anyway? You can keep the gates closed."
The guard hesitated, glancing from the boy to the frail old woman standing outside the gate. Her hunched figure and tired expression tugged at his conscience. Finally, he nodded with a soft smile. "All right, young master, but stay close to the gate."
Lucian's face lit up with joy. "Thank you!"
The guard unlocked the pedestrian gate just enough for Lucian to slip the plate through. The old woman's eyes widened when she noticed the small boy extending his hand, offering her the cake. Her thin, weathered hands trembled as she reached out to accept it.
"For you," Lucian said with a bright smile. "It's my birthday to
