Chapter 2

Crying too much made Lirika's ears ring and her head spin. She wished she could collapse and wallow in her sadness and pain, but she couldn't. Because she had no money at all.

“Stop crying, Lirika Banks. You’re not a child. It’s embarrassing for an eight-year-old to cry like this.”

Encouraging herself, Lirika took deep breaths and got up from her seat. To survive in the slums, one had to be resilient. Besides, “work is credit.” She couldn’t take the day off just because she was sad and in pain. If she didn’t go to work, it would tarnish the trust she had built up.

That was Lirika’s pride, no matter what. She slapped her cheeks and got up. After washing her face with cold water, Lirika left the house.

Today, she was going to work at a respectable tavern on the outskirts of the capital, not in the slums. She washed her hands, feet, and face at the well before leaving the slums.

The tavern had many expensive glass cups, and her small hands could fit into the long, narrow glasses to clean them and wipe them spotlessly. It was a task not entrusted to careless slum children, but Lirika had proven her diligence and received good evaluations. Moreover, it paid two large coins, which she couldn’t afford to lose.

If she broke a glass, she might never be able to pay it off even if she worked there for the rest of her life, so Lirika worked very carefully and seriously. The task was tiring because it required so much concentration, but it helped her forget about her mother.

By the time she finished, she was completely drained. She had been too tense while working.

The owner handed her the two large coins, and Lirika thanked him and headed home. Or rather, she should have gone home, but today she didn’t want to go back. Jiggling the two large coins, Lirika wandered the streets.

However, the people on the street avoided her dirty appearance, and Lirika soon felt embarrassed and returned to the slum alley.

When the sun set, she headed home. Perhaps her mother had returned.

She might apologize and bring the money back. Or, perhaps, her father.

Thinking about it, Lirika smiled bitterly, a smile unbecoming of a child.

As soon as she opened the door, she sensed something was different. It was a feeling only the homeowner could detect. Even though there was nothing to steal, this was a neighborhood where anything could happen, so Lirika tensed up.

Moving slowly like a kitten with its fur on end, Lirika surveyed the surroundings.

“Lirika Banks.”

The voice from the darkness made Lirika jump. Turning to the source of the voice, she saw a man in a hood. Despite his shabby hood, Lirika could tell he was a person of high status.

His inner clothing looked expensive, and his shoes were a dead giveaway. He stood straight and confidently, clearly someone who rarely had to bow.

“You’re late.”

“Who are you?”

Realizing he had no intention to harm her and was willing to speak first, Lirika took the initiative.

“I’ve come to fetch you.”

“Huh?”

Lirika’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with suspicion.

“Is it about the rent? Or—”

“No, your mother has sent me to bring you to her.”

Lirika was taken aback by the unexpected words.

“My mother? Me?”

“Yes.”

“Has something happened? Was she arrested? Or—”

“Please hear the details when you get there. I’m just a messenger. It’s best to leave through the back without being seen.”

Lirika crossed her arms and said firmly.

“I was told not to follow strangers.”

The man seemed taken aback for a moment. After a brief pause, he introduced himself.

“I am Raub Wolf.”

So what?

Lirika looked at him with that expression, and he spoke in a serious tone.

“Actually, your mother is very ill.”

“Huh?”

“She was in an accident and asked me to bring you. She’s desperately looking for you.”

“No way.”

Lirika was at a loss. Her mother in an accident? What if it was good? Maybe she had tried to force her way into the royal ball and got hurt?

Thinking of her mother’s crying the night before, her heart raced.

“Let’s go. Quickly!”

“This way.”

Raub hurriedly opened a panel in the back wall. Lirika didn’t even notice that the panel was missing. Raub led her through the dark alleyways. When they reached a slightly larger alley, he whistled, and a hidden carriage stopped in front of them.

“Wow…”

Lirika had never seen such a large carriage up close before, let alone ridden in one.

Raub opened the door and helped Lirika get in. The wheels were so big that she couldn’t have climbed in by herself.

He advised the nervous Lirika.

“Lirika, you shouldn’t trust people so easily.”

“?!”

Before Lirika could respond, the carriage door closed.

* * *

When the carriage stopped, Lirika was pressed against the corner like a cat with its fur on end.

She had trusted her instincts too much. Living in constant danger had made her very good at sensing bad things.

Thanks to this, she had avoided many dangerous situations.

Even the shoeshine man had acknowledged this.

She had let her guard down because her instincts didn’t warn her.

She glared, determined not to get out and to stay inside the carriage.

Raub, who opened the door, hesitated for a moment.

If he forced her out, she might scratch him, but he couldn’t leave her there either.

“Lirika.”

“Go away!”

Despite her desperate shouting and glaring, he felt no threat.

He didn’t mind if she scratched him, but he was worried she might get hurt in the process. She looked so fragile that she might break a bone just by bumping into him.

“Is it true that your mother is hurt?”

Amidst his hesitation, his worried question made Lirika pause.

“No, your mother is fine.”

Swearing, which a noble girl would never have heard, flowed out of the carriage.

In the end, he decided to wait until she calmed down.

Lirika thought he would drag her out, but as she calmed down, she gradually relaxed.

The scenery outside the open carriage door captivated her. She saw beautiful gardens and grand buildings for the first time in her life.

Even a fountain was spouting water merrily. The surroundings were not chaotic or like a human trafficking scene.

Slowly, she inched her bottom towards the door to look around.

When she got close to the door, Raub had already stepped back to a safe distance. Peeking her head out, Lirika looked around.

It was a garden in every direction. The well-maintained lawns and shaped trees were almost magical.

“Where are we?”

Lirika asked hesitantly, and Raub answered simply.

“A secondary palace.”

“A secondary palace?”

“One of the smaller palaces attached to the royal palace. Are you ready to get out?”

At his words, Lirika clung to the door. Raub looked at her intently. Lirika slowly retreated back into the carriage.

Feeling like he had lost a kitten that had just poked its head out of a hole, Raub sighed. Suddenly, someone ran out from the palace.

“Lirika? Lirika, are you here?”

“Mom?”

The voice was familiar, but her appearance was dazzling. Lirika had to check several times to make sure it was really her mother.

Seeing Rudea running towards her, holding the hem of her flowing dress, Lirika jumped out of the carriage.

“Mom!”

“Lirika! Thank goodness. I’m sorry, did you worry? I’m so sorry. I was wrong.”

Mom’s dress made a soft, pleasant sound. Her embrace was still warm, and her cheek was soft, making Lirika say without thinking,

“I was really, really angry.”

Very softly. She expressed her dissatisfaction. But her mother didn’t get angry or push her away; instead, she hugged her even tighter.

“I know, I was wrong. I did a terrible thing. But I couldn’t think of anything else. I’m so sorry.”

Mom kept apologizing with a sobbing voice, and Lirika’s heart softened.

“I understand. But what happened? Where are we? What’s going on?”

“Let’s go inside, and I’ll tell you everything.”

Mom smiled, got up, and held her hand tightly. She looked back at Raub.

“Thank you.”

“No, Lady Rudea.”

Raub bowed politely. Lirika hesitated, then waved, and Raub nodded slightly to her, making her jump in surprise. It was the first time she had seen a grown man bow to her.

“Let’s go inside.”

Mom led her as if it were the most natural thing, and Lirika looked back one more time as they entered. Raub was still standing straight but soon disappeared behind the trees.

Moreover, the splendor of the secondary palace captivated the young girl. Among the many secondary palaces attached to the royal palace, the 'Dawn Palace' was built with pink-tinged marble and adorned with gold. It was modest compared to other palaces but overwhelming to Lirika.

She held her breath as she looked around the palace.

Rudea decided to bathe her daughter first. Her brown hair was greasy and matted, and her nails and ears were dirty.

There were no maids in the palace, but a tub of hot water was prepared, so it wasn’t a problem.

Lirika was amazed, “This is a bathtub?” and that it was filled with hot water, and that the water turned so black, and that soap smelled good but tasted bitter and stung her eyes.

It was just a series of surprises.

She scrubbed her nails and skin so thoroughly that she thought she might have peeled off a layer of her skin.

After applying sweet-smelling oil and putting on new clothes, Lirika felt as if she were in a dream. The undergarments were incredibly soft and thick, and the dress was adorned with lace.

She had never worn such beautiful clothes before, and it took her breath away.

Putting on silk stockings and soft lamb leather boots, Lirika felt as if she were in a dream.

She savored the softness of the clothes several times before her mother brought in light snacks.

The soft, melt-in-your-mouth bread and jewel-like jam were new to her.

When she said it was beautiful, her mother told her, “It’s raspberry jam.” When her throat felt dry, she was given a yellow drink, which was also surprisingly delicious. It was orange juice, though she didn’t know what an orange was. The world was vast and full of delicious things. As she mindlessly ate the bread, her mother asked,

“Lirika, are you surprised? Are you feeling better now?”

Lirika nodded. She was so surprised that she felt drained. She didn’t think there was anything else to be surprised about.

“What happened?”

Lirika whispered, and her mother smiled and lowered her voice even more.

“I told you I was going to attend the royal ball.”

“You did.”

“I attended the royal ball.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. And there, I met His Majesty the Emperor.”

“His Majesty?!”

Her voice rose and then lowered in surprise.

“He’s said to be a very scary person.”

Hearing her daughter’s worried whisper, Rudea chuckled.

“It’s okay, His Majesty is a reasonable person.”

Lirika wondered what the connection was between being reasonable and being scary but continued,

“So?”

“So, I’m getting married to His Majesty the Emperor the day after tomorrow.”

Lirika was so surprised that she didn’t even notice the bread falling from her hand. Surprisingly, the soft bread made no sound when it fell.

Lirika stared at her mother blankly.

Her beautiful mother was always Lirika’s pride. Her golden hair that shimmered and her blue eyes that seemed to glow in the dark.

Today, her mother was even more beautiful, to the point where Lirika almost didn’t recognize her.

Compared to her mother, Lirika had plain brown hair with slight waves. She wished she had hair that could be styled like clouds. But her teal eyes, similar to her mother’s, were her pride.

‘No, Lirika. Don’t escape reality.’

Lirika shook her head and picked up the bread from the floor. Her mother took it away, saying it was dirty. This place seemed cleaner than her room...

Looking at the wasted bread, Lirika said,

“His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Yes. Surprised?”

Smiling playfully, Lirika couldn’t tell if she was joking.

“Really? His Majesty? My mother? And the day after tomorrow?”

“Yes. Of course, it’s not an ordinary marriage. I’ll tell you a little secret, Lirika.”

Her mother looked around and leaned in.

Lirika leaned in as well.

“Actually, this is a contract marriage.”