Lies Become Truth

"Aah! My lady, this would be a business of loss since the criminals had started stealing grains and even destroying all the machinery.

The granaries are in shambles these days." Suddenly the young boy looked very compassionate about the loss.

"Recently, warehouses are even burnt to set a warning for rich men. The robbery must be done to get justice for the poor." Lia nodded, not surprised by the reasons.

"Do we know how he distributed the stolen goods to the poor?" the man shook his head at once when she stood up to leave the room.

"Thank you, I will remember your help." As Lia walked out of the room, the young man's lips twisted into a nefarious smile.

"You should learn from this, my lady."

—-

When Lia exited the tea house. She did not return to the orphanage. But she went to a small house and paid the lady for using a room for half an hour.

The woman was astonished to see a silver coin and easily led Lia to her bedroom. Lia changed her clothes again. Her hair was undone and her skin was dark again.

When she looked at herself in the broken mirror, the woman behind her gasped.

"Are you a criminal? I do not want to fall into trouble." The woman frowned as she stared at Lia from head to toe, "one silver coin is not enough for the gamble."

Lia did not argue. She took out another three coins and passed it to the woman before leaving the room.

She was easily mixed in the crowd. No one stared at her anymore. She was surprised to see there were many poor despite the flourishing lands of the south.

She stopped in front of the plaza. There was a street named "artisan street." There were many unemployed standing there. Many businessmen come and hire men and women from there.

She stood in the corner. Her listless eyes looked at the crowd as if she was sure she would not be selected. Two hours passed, a few men approached her but looking at her dull actions, they chose others instead.

"Would we even get a chance?" she whispered with a lost look when the man standing beside her sighed.

"You are new here!" he exclaimed and then laughed, "many are waiting here for weeks. You can not expect to be selected on your first day. Right?"

Lia frowned, confused.

"But i thought everyone gets a chance despite the time they have joined the crowd. South is a flourishing area." the man blinked and then laughed hard. His head shaking, getting the attention of others.

"What is your name?" he asked softly when Lia stared at him and then at the staring crowd with flushed cheeks.

"I am Sia! Why?"

"Look here everyone" her eyes widened when they started to stare at her openly now, "this girl here thinks that south is a flourishing place and she would be able to find work as soon as she would stand here."

Lia looked at them horrified. She tucked her hair behind her ears while her eyes bored a hole on the land. She did not dare to meet their eyes, making them laugh.

But they failed to notice the smirk forming on her face due to her hair falling and covering most of her face.

"She is not at fault. The whole empire thinks that the south is a rich area. And it was..! It is just that, new leaders are too corrupted. If not for the recent help!" the man sighed when she finally stared at him.

"But we have most of the agricultural land. The farmers must need help. If not, the granaries should. For supplying goods, making accounts and.." the man sighed again.

Their listless eyes stared at the sky with exhaustion.

"That was how this land was two years ago. Trust me, we did not even need to stand here. We had permanent jobs and we were flourishing but it was all in the past." she could feel the tension in their voice but secrecy did not go unnoticed by her.

"What can we do now?" she asked instead, making them look away.

"Wait! That is all." She pursed her lips and sat on a large stone when the man nearest her brought a pitcher of water for her.

"Don't be disheartened! It will take time but you will find a job. And if not, you can always look at other places." The reply did not make her feel better.

It had been hours and her face was parched. When the sun set, many left.

"You are not going back?" The man asked her again when Lia stood up and sighed.

She nodded and they started walking.

"Would you come again?" he asked when she nodded softly.

"I am not from this town. Someone stole my luggage and I am living in an orphanage right now. I wanted to earn some money and pay the orphanage. And then I could return with the rest of the money." she stared at the sky taking in a deep breath, "if only i am able to earn." he nodded, silent as he continued to walk.

He escorted her to the orphanage and stood there for a few minutes before leaving.

Lia stared at the leaving figure, a painful smile filling her face and she walked away. She passed the gallery where the kids were playing and stopped in front of the office.

Mr Crawford was sitting with a pile of files on his table. He was writing letters to request donations.

"Shall i help?" she asked as she knocked the door,

The man looked exhausted. She wonders how he manages everything alone with that exhausted body of his.

"Sia, you are back! I thought you had gone to look for work." the man smiled, this time his guard was down and he looked comfortable in her presence.

For some reason, she felt better,

"Yes, but it will take time. Shall I help you?"