(3)HER

'Whispers-whispers'

"Look at her face. The skin looks so smooth, soft, and bright. It's practically glowing!"

"Ya, right! And that figure. How could we not be generous and yet be envious of her?"

"But don't you think that the lovely shade of emerald in her eyes is the most charming thing?" And everyone turned as to judge her correctly.

The girl kept doing her work. Even with all the stares, she did not budge.

"....." And everyone nodded as if the words were not enough to describe them.

Her dark black hair rested on her shoulders depicting a long-deep night that might have engulfed everything in its way leaving only darkness.

"Lily! The order for table 13 is ready, come and get it" A warm voice called out for the girl.

'Whispers-whispers'

Lily went to the kitchen ignoring all the whispers around her.

"Look. It's a full house even today and it's all thanks to you." The person smiled at Lilly.

"Don't joke aunt. It is your tasty recipes and lots of hard work that made this possible. I have worked in a lot of places but this is something new.....Even the peaceful interior adds charms to the inn." Lily said with a smile.

Her uncle came by and gave her aunt a tight hug. "Yes, dear. She is right. Now Lily, come on, let me help you carry those trays," he said as he took one tray from her hand.

Lily was a commoner and even in them, she was at the lowest. She was an orphan and from her oldest memories, she can only remember fighting for food. Survival was the most important, for her nothing else mattered. Morals were her last concern at that time. She had never seen her parents and even wasn't sure whether they were alive or not. But she was sure that if someone claimed her in the future she would make them a living corpse the same as she was during her childhood.

Lily was blessed with looks. She has always been a gorgeous one and was well aware of it. Her looks had troubled her but she learned how to protect her and now they were helping her. As Lily grow up she realized how useful her beautiful face was, she knew how to wield it for her benefit.

She might seem lucky with her face and body but she had gone through just as many rough situations because of it. She wasn't sure whether her beauty was some blessing in her poor life or a curse in her already catastrophe life.

As she grew up she started doing menial work, she would do almost anything for money. Because of her experience, she made many connections and of course, she was not some cute little girl new to the area rather she was cunning and sharp-tongued and it helped her greatly as she looked for jobs.

While doing her jobs she met Harry and Cherry, a fifty-year-old couple who could not have a child. They loved each other a lot and wanted their love to bloom but sadly it couldn't. But it didn't have any effect on their love for each other. They decided to open an inn and around the same time, they met Lily. After knowing her they decided to adopt her.

At the age of sixteen, Lily got a family and a place where she can rest and loosen her guard. For her past self, she decided to call them aunt and uncle and the couple respected her decision.

Four years have passed since then and Lily's life has gotten a lot better. She learned a lot of new things. For her who had never felt someone's warmth, their love opened her heart. Now her life was like any girl of her age and she was happy about it. She loved them a lot, cared for them, and admired them.

With time her personality changed, she became sweeter and cuter but she did not forget the lessons the slum had taught her nor the ways she could get things done if a polite tone didn't work.

'Smirk'

She actually didn't change after all the core will always remain the same.

"Lily, what are you thinking about? The customers are still waiting."

"Don't worry aunt, I am moving." Lily gave a sweet smile and started delivering food to the designated tables.

Lily was content with her life. It was a small yet precious world for her, where she would always be loved and something that she would always protect no matter what the price.

But in what place on earth could a man's life go as he wished for and just like that a big crack came into Lily's world.

××

"Cough-cough-cough"

'spat'

'Thud'

"Un-Uncle what should I do? Aunt, she-she is not moving." Lily's voice was trembling. Blood was splattered around. Cherry's face had gotten pale and she was unconscious.

Harry was still trying to register the events that happened in front of him. He stood there frozen, his eyes got hazy, maybe it was some promotion but he felt that something was going to end. He almost lost his mind.

"Uncle!"

But Lily's voice brought him back and realizing the urgency he tried to get his emotions under control. His wife needs him the most right now. He looked around.

It was evening and the city was bustling outside. If it were to be some other day, even their inn would have been bustling right now. It was business time and their shop was famous in the neighborhood and so it was never empty no matter the time.

But today the family had decided to have their long-awaited holiday. They had opened their shop in the morning and closed it in the afternoon. They had agreed to have some quality time with the family. While having some fun, Cherry started panting and gasping for more air. She dismissed their worries saying, "Oh, dear! Please don't worry. I am just getting old and as you know that it becomes inevitable after some time. I am alright. Come on let's enjoy."

Lilly wanted to make sure whether her aunt was really okay or not, but seeing that big smile on her face she got assured that her aunt was a strong woman. And the laughter again continued. The family couldn't imagine at that time how much regret their small negligence would bring.

They were having their dinner and the table was full of everyone's favorite dishes. Even after the enjoyable day, the family still had lots of energy and so they settled on going for a walk after dinner. But while having dinner Cherry suddenly started coughing and blood started flowing from her mouth. She lost all her strength and her eyes lost their light.

Now she was lying motionlessly in Lily's arm and was covered in blood. She was breathing very faintly.

Lily was crying tremendously. shaking her aunt, trying to wake her up. But all her efforts were in vain.

Harry clenched his fist and ran toward the door, "Lily, look after your aunt. I'll be back quickly. Dr. Han should be in his cabin right now. I'll fetch him quickly." He shouted as he got vanished in the city light.

Now all Lily could do was wait for her Uncle's quick return and pray with all her might for her aunt's health.

××

At the same time in Dukedom

'Slam' John still couldn't believe his ears. The description was so accurate that he would have even believed it if Ray told him that he had already met HER once.

He already had dismissed his thoughts of bringing her to meet Ray but now he was forced to give it some thought. Something was telling him that it would be a success for them if he made the right bets.

 ***********