Liliy

Lily walked briskly through the grand iron gates of the Percival Mansion, her heart pounding in excitement. The unexpected holiday had come as a surprise, but she didn't question it. All she cared about was that she could finally go home. She hadn't seen her family in months, and the thought of hugging her little brother and seeing her mother again filled her with joy.

As she stepped into the commoner district, the air buzzed with the scent of freshly baked bread, sizzling meats, and the chatter of merchants calling out their wares. The narrow streets were lined with market stalls, small homes, and children playing barefoot on the dusty roads.

"Lily!" a vegetable vendor called out, waving a radish in greeting. "Back home, are you?"

Lily grinned and nodded. "Yes, Old Man Joran! Got a surprise holiday!"

"Lucky you! Your family will be thrilled!"

As she walked further, more people greeted her. A group of guards standing near the watchtower waved her way, and a group of children ran past her, calling her name excitedly. She was famous in this district, not just for her ever-cheerful personality but because she was the girl who had been chosen to work at the prestigious Percival Mansion. It was a position unheard of for a commoner, and it brought great pride to the people in her district.

Finally, she reached a modest house at the end of the street. In front of it, a little boy was playing tag with his friends, his messy brown hair bouncing with every movement. The moment Lily laid eyes on him, she dropped her sack and ran toward him with open arms.

"Leo!"

Before the boy could react, she tackled him into a hug, lifting him off his feet and spinning him around.

"Wha—! Hey! Let me go!" he protested, struggling in her grasp.

His friends gasped in shock, but recognition dawned on their faces. "It's Lily!" one of them exclaimed.

A chorus of excited squeals erupted, and suddenly, Lily was surrounded by the group of children, all chattering and grabbing at her sleeves.

"You're back!"

"Did you bring us anything?"

"Tell us about the mansion!"

Lily laughed, finally setting Leo down. He crossed his arms and pouted. "You should've warned me first."

She ruffled his hair playfully. "What? You don't miss me?"

Leo grumbled but his ears turned pink. "I didn't say that…"

Lily knelt down and cupped his face, her expression softening. "Where's Mom?"

Leo averted his gaze. "She… uh, she went out."

Lily's smile faltered. She could tell he was lying. He was a terrible liar. "Leo," she said gently, "tell me the truth."

Leo puffed his cheeks and stubbornly shook his head. "She's fine! She's just resting! You don't need to worry!"

Lily's stomach twisted. He really had no idea, did he? Their mother had been sick for a while now, and from the letters Lily had received, it wasn't getting better. But she didn't want to make Leo worry. Not yet.

"Alright, alright," she said, forcing a smile. "I'll go see her myself."

She picked up her sack and stepped inside the house. The familiar scent of home washed over her, and she inhaled deeply. "Sweet home," she murmured.

Walking to their mother's room, she hesitated at the door before pushing it open. Her heart clenched at the sight before her.

Their mother lay on the bed, her once vibrant face now pale and weak. Dark circles marred her eyes, and her breaths were shallow. But when she noticed Lily, a tired yet warm smile stretched across her lips.

"Lily… you're home."

Lily rushed to her bedside and took her frail hands in her own. "Mom…"

Her mother chuckled weakly. "You look well. Has the mansion been treating you kindly?"

Lily nodded, swallowing back the lump in her throat. "Yes. They treat me well."

"I'm glad…"

They talked for a while, mostly her mother asking about the mansion, about the people, and about her life there. Lily tried to keep the conversation lighthearted, but the weight in her chest only grew heavier.

After a while, their mother grew drowsy, her eyelids fluttering shut. Lily watched her for a moment before standing up and quietly opening the sack she had brought with her.

Inside was a small, elegant box. She opened it, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful necklace adorned with a deep blue gemstone. It was expensive—too expensive for someone like her.

This was Count Percival's gift.

But Lily knew the truth. This wasn't meant for her. This belonged to Lady Cassandra, the woman whose life she had helped destroy by stealing their precious love life.

Her hands trembled as she stared at the necklace. The emptiness in her eyes reflected the void in her heart. How low had she sunk? Just for money… just to keep her family alive… she had betrayed someone who had shown her kindness.

Tears welled up in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks as she clutched the necklace to her chest.

But then she looked around her. She looked at the small, crumbling house. She looked at the frail figure of her mother, who had worked herself to the bone to raise her and Leo. She thought about Leo, who still had no idea about the reality of their mother's condition.

She had no choice.

This was the sacrifice she was willing to make.

With renewed determination, she wiped her tears away and gripped the necklace tightly. She would go to that shady place. She would get the money. And she would bring the best doctor in Percival County to save her mother.

Even if it meant staining her hands further.

Even if it meant damning herself forever.

Lily scrunched up her nose, pressing a hand over it as she walked through the slums near the commoner district. The air was thick with the stench of rot, sweat, and filth, making her stomach churn. Even after living in the city for years, she had never stepped foot in this forsaken place.

"No wonder the Count ignores this place," she thought, carefully stepping over a puddle of murky water. "Keeping it like this benefits him. A place like this breeds desperation… and desperation creates people willing to do the dirty work for the right price."

She glanced around. Shabby wooden houses leaned against each other, their walls covered in grime. People sat hunched in the alleys, their eyes dull with hunger or filled with suspicion.

"It also serves another purpose," she mused. "When people know there's something worse out there, they feel better about their own miserable lives."

She pulled her cloak tighter around her, feeling the weight of the sack on her chest as she kept hugging it. She was already regretting coming here, but she had to—

A sharp whistle cut through the air.

Lily stiffened. She didn't have to turn to know she was being watched.

Two men, reeking of alcohol and filth, stepped out of the shadows. Their clothes were tattered, their grins revealing yellowed teeth.

"Well, well… what's a rich little bird doin' in a place like this?" one of them sneered.

Lily took a step back. "I—I don't want any trouble."

The second man laughed. "Oh, but trouble already found you, missy." His eyes flicked to the sack in her hands. "What's in there? Something nice?"

Lily gripped it tighter. "It's mine."

"Tch. Just let us take a look," the first man said, reaching for it but then he looked at Lily with a lechrous look from top to bottom and muttered. "Missy could show us something better if you want us to leave your sack alone,"

She yanked it away, panic surging through her. "Stay away!"

The men's smiles faded, their eyes darkening. "Shouldn't have come here, girl."

Lily turned on her heel and bolted.

Her heart pounded as she sprinted through the filthy streets, but before she could get far, a strong arm wrapped around her from behind.

"No—!"

She screamed, kicking and struggling, but the grip only tightened. The other men caught up, chuckling as they loomed over her.

"Not so fast," one of them murmured, reaching for her cheek.

Tears welled in her eyes. Brother… Mother…

Her vision blurred as fear swallowed her whole. Is this how I die?

Then—

A blur of movement. A force slammed into her captor, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Lily gasped as a strong hand grabbed her wrist. "Run."

The voice was firm, urgent.

Before she could react, she was being pulled through the streets. Her feet stumbled, but the grip on her wrist never wavered. She barely caught a glimpse of him—messy dark hair, rough clothes, yet his face… young, striking, unlike anyone she'd expect to be in a place like this.

Shouts rang behind them, but the man was fast. He led her through narrow alleys, slipping through gaps, until the voices faded.

Only when they were safe did he stop.

Lily fell to her knees, gasping for breath. Her whole body was trembling.

"Y-You…" She looked up at him, still trying to process what had happened.

The young man only gave her a glance before stepping back, as if he was about to leave.

It was then she realized—

Her sack was gone.

And with it… the necklace.

Her breath hitched. No…

She looked back at the mysterious man, but he had already disappeared.