24th Dawn - Reality Strikes Again

Too enervated by the confrontation at the gallery, I asked Lewis if I could go home and rest for the day after dining in the cafe.

He still looked concerned, but I assured him that I only needed some time alone. Both of us also seemed hesitant to talk about what's in our heads at that moment since Julius was around. Though he's a fun and amicable guy, I'm still more comfortable if it's only the two of us. With that, we decided to leave the matters aside for now and discuss them tomorrow at our usual meeting place.

I silently recall Felicity's confession earlier while I walk down the road, still perturbed about everything. As soon as the inn finally appears into view, I abruptly stop on my tracks. Baffled, I find myself gaping at the sight before me. Madeline and Ruben are currently standing outside, large suitcases in hand. The building also looks empty and dark inside.

"Maddie! Ruben! What happened?" I asked as I sprinted towards them.

Their eyes widened in surprise upon seeing me, but it's instantly replaced by hooded expressions.

"Remember the man before? He just sold both the inn and the restaurant behind our backs," Madeline explained, disheartened.

I stiffen at this in flummox. I then recall that man who harassed Madeline for not paying a debt back then. He did say that he'd come back again, but I never thought it would be this sudden.

"He can't do that! Aren't these your properties?" I exclaimed, completely infuriated.

"Our deceased parents were actually the ones who owed him this lot. The obligation of handing this out was only passed to us, though we did try to save it somehow," Ruben replied with a downcast gaze.

"We couldn't just let these go since this is our most precious memory of them..." Madeline added.

Both of them continue staring at the building for a while. Crestfallen, I just slump and mirror their expressions. I tried to come up with words to encourage them, but their grief-stricken faces seem to say that they've already given up.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? We could've found a way. In fact, we should'nt give up yet! We can figure something out!" I voiced out, which only made them look at me worriedly.

"The truth is, we hid it from you for days now. We don't want to add to your burdens. You still haven't even found an apprenticeship yet," Madeline confessed.

At that, I remember the night when I found them discussing something in secret. I thought it wasn't something this serious so I didn't meddle, but right now, I find myself regretting not doing so.

"Don't worry about us, Lily. We'll be living with our other relatives outside the border. You should also find another place to stay for now," Ruben chimed in before patting my head.

"By outside the border, you mean out of Ellicht?"

"Yes, the first town you'll find... It's not that far, really. We can still visit you!"

I feel like crying at the moment. I should be the one comforting them, not the other way around.

"Well, well, well! Look who we have there..."

Surprised, the three of us swerve around to find the same man who forced Madeline out of the inn that day. Recalling the incident, Ruben and I instantly shield her from him. Ruben then turns to look at me incredulously.

"What're you doing, Lily? You should stay behind. This man's demented," he blurted out, puzzled.

"I know, that's why I wanna punch him."

The man in question then suddenly burst into laughter, making us swivel our heads back to him. He then points his finger at me as he continues cackling. My thoughts are getting murderous by the second as we continue watching his preposterous farce.

"Punch me all you want, little girl, but you're not gonna take that inn and diner back any time soon! Now, Ellicht has gotten rid of three more lowly humans, at last. You're all so pathetic! This is what you deserve!"

Extremely vexed, I furrow my eyebrows at him and clench my fists. Ruben then grips my shoulder in an attempt to stop me. He looks calmer than I expected.

"Let's leave, Lily. This monkey show isn't good for our sanity," he scoffed out of nowhere, enraging the man.

"What did you say?!"

He's as pugnacious as always.

Agreeing with Ruben that this is indeed not healthy for me, I decided to just hold it in. I should pack up before night falls anyway. With that in mind, I silently comply and make my way inside the inn. But then, the man suddenly snorts at me and spits on the ground as I pass through him.

Miffed, I turn and glare daggers at him.

"Got something to say?" he snarled, mocking me.

At this, I finally snapped.

I'm aiming for his groin this time, but as I'm about to pounce on him, Ruben suddenly grabs him by the shirt and hoists him upward. With how buff his frame is, he's able to lift the man without a sweat.

"W-What are you doing? Put me down!" he demanded, squirming away from his grip.

"Lily, go and get your things. I'll deal with him..."

The man is visibly taunted at this. I just nod my head in reply and saunter inside the inn. Though I know Ruben can be intimidating at times, I think I may have underestimated him somehow. He clearly looks peeved at what the man did to me, almost like he's about wolf him down alive.

At the end of the day, while Ruben and Madeline journey back to their hometown, I stay behind in the city and find myself all on my own again.