Chapter 11

The little girl tugged her father towards a stall. Ria saw the little girl in front of her in her image, the exact likeness to her smile when she still had a family. She gulped and continued watching.

"This is the last coin that I have." The man gave his daughter a copper coin.

The girl beamed as if she received the most valuable treasure. She walked over to the stall and purchased the small fried bread. Both of them continued strolling, Ria followed closely. She was afraid that the people in front of her would disappear.

She watched as the man comforted his daughter that they're unable to watch the circus. It was the same scene that she remembered back when she was at the age of the little girl's age. The father and daughter decided to go home, as there was nothing they could enjoy without spending money.

The little girl was understanding enough and nodded, "Yes, let's go home now, dad. Mom's waiting for us to come home."

They hummed a tune that Ria was aware of; it was a tune that her father taught her when they were out fishing. She wasn't aware that their financial state was headed down to a cliff; she was a child that all she knew was eat, play, and sleep. A life of luxury she was raised to.

Ria followed them on their way home. They passed through the familiar alleyways, and the bakery shop that she used to personally buy bread from was still on business. A scent whiffed her nose, the freshly baked bread that she loved with all her heart.

She furrowed her brows as she thought the baker that baked in that shop had died before she turned ten, but now she smelled the signature garlic bread that Mr. Tio was known for. The odd thing was, it was already nearing sunset. Mr. Tio would usually break before the crack of dawn. Ria dismissed her thumping heart and kept up with the little girl from a distance.

They stopped at a familiar mansion. It was humble compared to the majestic residence of the Grandis, but it was warm for a family of three or so the little girl thought. Ria staggered and let a wall support her weight. Her surroundings seemed to float for a while, she forced herself to focus on the familiar mansion. In a snap of a finger, her vision cleared. She wobbled her way to the mansion.

Ria pushed open the gates, and she walked towards the path. The familiar garden that she loved playing and hiding in from her tutors was in front of her. Full of blooming flowers and a few butterflies danced around. She reached out to touch the soft petals and made her hand froze. The sweet scent lingered in her nose, a calm wave of assurance drifted in her heart that she was back.

The familial laughter freed her from her stupor. She invited herself in, and the family didn't voice out their dissatisfaction. She blended with the handful of servants attending to the family.

"Robert and Ria! You've been out quite long." The woman with a white shawl said in a loving tone, "I'm sure both of you have fun. If only I could join with you…"

She patted the little girl's head and said, "Mother is weak, I'm sorry."

"It's okay! Your recovery comes first. I don't mind if mom misses a few outings." The little girl grinned and hugged her mother's waist.

"Lunch is almost served..." The woman coughed, her handkerchief tainted with blood. She closed her fist and hid the bloodied cloth.

Robert supported his wife, "My dear Margaret, the weather is too harsh on you." He patted her back while his other hand supported her waist, "Let's get some rest first. Lunch comes next."

"It's okay mom, you can rest. I will eat lunch with myself." Ria, the little girl, comforted her mother.

Margaret gave a smile, she regretted that she was too frail to accompany her poor daughter. She wanted to cherish these moments before truly being degraded as a common wife. The woman never regretted that she married her husband, if she hadn't she would've never met her sweet daughter. As she sees that her daughter might be their hope of salvation. She nodded at Robert and the coupled disappeared within the halls of the mansion

Ria dashed towards the dining room and to her disappointment, the servant only came with soup and bread. The same meal that she was used to eating for months, "Thank you"

The servant snickered and left, without wanting to be in the same room as the fallen noble. Ria ate her meal in silence, the discourteous servant no longer existed in her mind. After the unappetizing meal that can be served to prisoners, Ria went to her room.

The door creaked as a result of the unrepaired ceiling that was damaged by the storm months ago. She sat at her bed and stared at her hands. Ria's thought wandered freely in her mind. The warmth of summer tickled her nose as she called out to her mother that was reading a book at the garden's pavilion. The sense of security was an illusion for the little girl.

She went over to her mirror, opened one of the drawers and grabbed a hairbrush, the bristles had tugged her head as she forcefully unbuckled her locks. The smooth hair that once belonged to a noble was now fighting with a small brush. She took a deep breath and smiled, the reflection copied her empty expression that covered up the emerging tears. Everything is alright, she still has a home to return to. This was better compared to sleeping in the cold streets.

Ria's battle with her untamed hair lasted for what seems an eternity. She glanced at herself for the last time and flashed a sweet grin. A small jewelry box offered the least flattering jewel for the little girl, nevertheless, she happily wore it. A quartet began playing a melodic tune, the little girl stood and danced. The room morphed into a ballroom filled with nobles. She socialized with her peers and laughed, caring not of anything.

Many asked her to dance, but she humbly refused. A lady must maintain a prim and proper behavior. The party lasted until midnight, the guests have bid their farewells and good wishes. The little girl smiled as she walked her friends out. She turned back at the hall that was now her shabby bedroom. The elegant dress returned to her scruffy indoor outfit.

A girl's wish was simple, she dreams to be treated like a princess with a prince that will offer a life of peace and laughter. The little girl laughed out loud, her joy became hiccups. She lost the light in her eyes, but her giggles rang loudly in the room. No one bothered to ask about her. She was used to it, at least she has a family. A family that gave her a home. A hand came in her sight, the man smiling in front of her without his eyes. She grasped the hazy hand and was only to grip nothing. Her hands covered her mouth and stomach as she sat on the icy floor.

Lost all the life in her heart, the little girl wiped the dried tears and sat back facing the mirror. The well-combed hair turned into another clump of mess, she grabbed the brush and began humming a tune. A smile crept on her lips as her humming became soft singing.

The raging sea of emotions calmed and the little girl went out of the room. She wanted to show her mother that she was now a good girl, being able to take care of herself. A good distance away from her parent's room she heard muffled voices. She tiptoed towards the sound, as she got closer; her parents' voices became recognizable. She paused, the screams and shouts that were on the other side of the room.

"What did you do again? You went to that place again! You shameless prat!" A female voice screamed.

"All you do is throw insults at me! You never tried my side of the story. You're supposed to support me, but look! All you do is scream as soon as I get home!" Her father roared.

"Then what do we do with all the debts?" Margaret said in a sad tone, "I really couldn't bear with being a common wife!"

"We can send Ria to help with her uncle." Robert suggested. They don't have enough choice to get out of their predicament. For him, having a noble status was everything than his daughter. If his wife died, he could marry someone younger and beautiful.

"How can you call yourself a father? You deserve to be eaten by wolves!"

They acted as animals let loose. They barked at each other, disregarding that their daughter was separated by a door. Ria turned her back away from her harmonious parents. She bolted out of her loving home. If this is what you call a warm home, then all the family of the empire would be considered problematic.