Chapter 15

Another day of fun for the puppy. Aris waited downstairs for her Lady to finish. He was excited to watch the circus. Ria, as usual, followed behind. The dark circles were barely covered by the powder she heavily applied. Cailina patted his head and turned to Ria, "You won't have to accompany us tonight. I'll take Fione with me."

The sun neared the horizon, and a warm light landed on Aris' face. It made his eyes glow like rubies. A sight to see for Cailina, she smiled and gave him a candy, "The show starts one hour after sunset. Remember that we will stop by at the Dou Market?"

Aris nodded, "What are we going to do there my Lady?" He played with his fingers and tilted his head, "Are we going to eat?

Cailina pinched his cheeks and said, "No. I'll let you have your toy later."

The market's visitors were nobles looking for toys or helpers. It's a place where relatives of convicted criminals ended. The carriage stopped, and Fione handed masks to her masters. Dou Market was a place far from keeping your identity safe. The duo wore their disguises and alighted the carriage. Aris was led by Cailina's hand as he looked around. This wasn't an area where he could run around, pointing at everything he wanted.

A few women dressed provocatively arranged themselves in a row. They flash their signature smiles and temptations to the potential buyers. Cailina wore her cold gaze as one of the women tried to touch Aris' hair, "Young Lord, do you wish to have experience?"

"Fione," Cailina said. The maid handed a few gold coins to the man behind the women. The man flashed a satisfied grin and handed a contract to Fione which the latter gave to her Lady.

"No, keep her away." She shielded Aris to any lady of the night that might come in contact with her precious puppy, she paused and said, "Wait, silence her."

Fione bowed and tossed the woman to a knight. The process scared the rest of the ladies and distanced themselves from the two children. These people weren't something they could trifle with. Creatures corrupt her puppy would meet an end.

The shop was at the end of the street. She looked up and saw the sign that was the same as the server and the young woman's pendant. Her lips tugged upwards and went in.

The bells jingled and an old man was behind the counter. He smiled at the customers that arrived, they were the first one for the night, "Welcome, what services do you wish to acquire dear guests?"

"I'm looking for a young man and woman, one has ginger hair and the latter brown locks," Cailina said.

Aris knitted his brows, what if his Lady decided to sell him in this place? If he has done his part in Cailina's life… No, he wouldn't let that happen. As soon as Cailina let go of his hand, he immediately hugged her arm. She looked at the terrified puppy and sighed, "Be good. Stay with Fione, I will return in a bit.."

She followed the old man as they descended the stairs. Cailina's footfall echoed through the hallway. Lamps lit up the way as she stared at the old man's back. They arrived at a wooden door and the old man faced Cailina, "I advise my Lady to not mind a few rascals."

The door creaked and the knight behind Cailina gripped his sword. The chattering and yelling of caged beings filled the hall. Eyes landed on the little girl wearing a black mask, her whole face was obscured and her black hair flowed down until her waist.

"Keep staring and all of you will lose your heads!"

Cailina halted the knight as he was about to slash one of the caged throats, "Now Roi, show some understanding." She approached a cage, and the being retreated, "Where are my preferences?"

The old man bowed and pointed at another door, "The ones that accepted their identities and are willing to help out this place have their rooms, my Lady."

There were rows of cages displayed, most beings have lost their will or sanity. This was the consequence of being a part of a fallen family. Cailina brushed off remarks about how twisted her kind was.

"My Lady! Please pick me! I swear I would be good!" A boy shouted.

Cailina stopped her tracks and approached the cage. The boy showed courage in his eyes, his conviction to live caught her interest, "Are you willing to come with me?"

The boy nodded, he would do anything that will get him out of this place. This cage suffocated him to the point he wanted to die but couldn't. He still believed that someday he would see the sunlight again. The boy gripped the bars and cried, "Yes! I will do anything you ask of me."

She smiled and signaled her knight to pay for the boy. Aris could use another to pass his time. The old man happily accepted the money and led the little lady to the room. They entered a room, the old man pulled the rope three times, scruffles were heard on the other side.

The door opened and a bunch of children lined themselves and greeted Cailina. The old man furrowed his brows and said, "Oris and Maaike?"

"They're still inside, Sir." A little girl said.

"What're you waiting for? Call them now!" He turned to Cailina and bowed, "Apologies my Lady. It seems that two of our hardworking people might be experiencing troubles."

Cailina gave a nod of understanding and sat still. Her presence froze the displayed young ones to their places. She tapped her foot on the floor, the sound pounded with their hearts. Her arms folded while she glanced at each one of them.

"How long do you plan to make me wait?" She asked. This waiting charade wasted her time instead of being with Aris, she was here actually being considerate. If the two beings she came for weren't useful, she would rather not visit this kind of place.

The wretched smell of the caged ones a while back almost made her lunch leave her.

Roi sensed her Lady's displeasure and tapped the old man's shoulder, "Sir, my Lady isn't just a noble. I recommend that you cut to the chase."

He was aware that the little noble was someone higher than his clients. A disposition that rivaled with most gentlemen. The old man smiled at Cailina, "Would my Lady like to see the boy a while back?"

He appeased Cailina's annoyance by mentioning the recently bought being. That young man gave him numerous headaches with his constant questioning and dares. It's a great relief that the pesky boy would annoy somebody else.

She waved her hand and rested her chin. A servant had tea served with a few snacks. Cailina glanced at the brewed tea and frowned, the tea was mediocre for her taste. The boy with tattered clothes returned to her side with a clean look. She examined the frail boy in front of her, to her surprise the boy's looks passed her standards. Appearance changes everything about a man. She smiled and signaled him to come closer.

"What are you called?" Cailina asked. She lifted the boy's chin and inspected his face.

"It is Lai, my Lady."

"Lai?" She raised her brow, "From?"

"The fallen family of Count Bishop from the Human Realm."

Cailina smirked, almost everyone knew the fallen family. A gambler who cheated every noble that was part of gambling. She stumbled upon a rare gem. This trip was indeed worth it, she sipped her tea and patted Lai's head. A great pawn indeed. Sadly, the old man failed to spot this diamond.

As the old man heard Lai, he could only bite his tongue. That scoundrel tricked him from believing he was from a family of average criminals.

She finished her cup of tea when the persons that she came for, arrived. Cailina sighed and saw a pitiful sight. Oris and Maaike were covered in bandages. The young server's look was destroyed by a large bruise in his eye while Maaike had dark marks on her neck.

The old man bit his lip and swallowed his displeasure, "My Lady, these are all the capable beings."

"I'll take the late ones. Bring both of them to the Duke's mansion." She stood and waved her hand, "I don't need to see them closer."

Cailina pointed at the two, "This and this, wrap them all up for me." She faced the old man, "I want them in the best condition they can be. I don't appreciate my things being broken."

Roi grabbed Lai's arms, "What about this one my Lady?"

Cailina nonchalantly looked at the clueless knight, "We've already spent on him, or do you wish to waste coins?" She rolled her eyes and strode back. She couldn't wait to return to her puppy's side.

Aris sat obediently as he waited, he would sometimes steal a glance at the cold Fione. He liked this maid, she wasn't as nosy as the former one. He hated Ria so much that he would be happy to make her close her eyes for eternity. Familiar footsteps neared his hearing, he stood and stared at the door.

Happiness filled his heart as he saw his Lady come out, he rushed to hug Cailina. Aris enjoyed his Lady's scent, he opened his eyes and saw a new face. A face that could steal his Lady from him. He tightly embraced Cailina and stepped back, "Lady, who is this?"

Cailina tried to escape her puppy's grip but failed. She sighed and introduced Lai while being buried underneath Aris' arms, "This is your new friend. He will join you whenever I am occupied with matters."

Lai smiled at Aris. He was surprised that the expressionless little lady would be capable of indulging a traitor's fellow kin. His new life would be a lot more entertaining than gambling.

"Greetings young Lord, I'm Lai."

"No." Aris grabbed Cailina's hand and left the shop.