Underneath Her Peculiar Eyes

Two decades ago

A bawl of anguish and misery from a lady on the verge of giving birth reverberated through the Palace's top chevalier's classical residence. The space was crammed with all kinds of goods: plants, beverages, clothing, dust-coated jewelry, anything you could find on Palace, the room had it all. Nothing, however, appears to be enough to calm the strained atmosphere. The moon was nearly full and it was nearing midday. The night was shining brighter than normal, and the sky was filled with uncountable numbers of shining dusts, making the situation look quite amazing. Despite the beautiful velocity, sweat blood topples, not just for the giving birth lady, but for everyone who appeared anxious and bothered by the strain. After three hours of waiting and a few minutes before midday, the baby is still not out.

"Come on, breathe. Just keep breathing, Sonya." For the nth time, the midwife commanded softly to soothe the weak lady. "Just breathe, everyone is here. You are not alone, just breathe properly."

"My love, it's okay. Everything will be all right. You're strong, you're the strongest woman in my life, you can do this." The Chevalier soothed as well even if he's about to collapse himself due to extreme exaggerated pressure.

Everyone was worried since the lady had lost her strength and appeared to be hopeless. The father, who was once regarded as the Palace's bravest chevalier, stands weakly by his wife, barely breathing due to anxiety. Who'd have guessed that a chevalier who refuses to surrender in battle is on the verge of losing his mind? Who wouldn't feel weak if he heard his wife sob in agony? When his wife's and baby's lives are on the line, who could keep their cool? It's been a long time, hours, and the baby is still within. The midwife contributed everything she had, and the unborn child's grandmother, a high-ranking echelon, is constantly praying to the ethereal.

Another agonizing bawl filled the house, and the grandmother couldn't bear it any longer. On bended knees, she dashed to the balcony and cried out to the Almighty for assistance. She began to yell aloud. She was pleading because she was beginning to feel desperate. The old echelon, on the other hand, does not want to lose her daughter or the kid in her belly.

And in a flash, the frail lady gave everything she had by screaming as if it were her last. She squealed, yelled, and pushed herself to her limits in order to save her child by letting it out of her. And the woman's head sagged, the father collapsed to the floor, the grandma stood still while weeping and pleading for assistance, and the midwife couldn't grin. At last, the wondrous child was out, her porcelain with pink tint skin tells that she was born a noble. It was and is a magnificent sight, but there's something wrong.

The infant has been born, but the little girl has not yet begun to cry.

"Give justice for your mother's suffering, for everyone's efforts. Live, child, live."

The midwife smacked the infant numerous times in an attempt to wake it up or at the very least make it cry, but there was no response. The mother began to cry uncontrollably, and the father stood to comfort his wife.

"No! My child!"

"Live child, live!" said the midwife, as she delivered one last painful and loud whack to the newborn's buttocks, prompting the infant to howl loudly. Its little cries echoed down the corridors and resonated in everyone's ears like the most beautiful music and ringtone they'd ever heard.

"She responded to a maximum pain," the Midwife muttered.

***

Throughout the day, the weather was nice, providing little hint of the impending calamity that loomed behind the early evening light. The shuttered gates, serene wings, and stately halls of the palace were all relaxing to consider. From daybreak to forenoon, the sentinels on guard, the top echelons probably doing their own thing, and the Monarchs chatting with each other were now bursting with a serene night descending in droves into the Palace in quest of joy and merriment.

"Happy christening! Congratulations on your firstborn, Chevalier Ferrero!" exclaimed an aristocrat, "Took you long enough, eh?"

"As long as the heavens have blessed me with a child, I'm pleased and content," the Chevalier declared, "and the minute I saw my darling, I completely forgot the time I've waited!"

"Congratulations, Man! The heavens truly care about you! Your child is quite pretty; I'm sorry to tell, but she got the looks from her mother," the Elites laughed.

"Well, she'll get bravery and courage from me," the chevalier chuckled.

The conversation went on until the sun set. Despite the fact that dusk had not yet fallen over the Palace, a smattering of lanterns strewn about the grounds were now aglow, lending a pleasant warmth to the evening atmosphere. Soft music blended in with the nobles' debate and laughter, and the smells of sweet pastries and fresh flowers lingered in the air for a long time. Rich individuals sat in groups of twos and threes around them, some drinking wine in pairs and others relaxing alone.

The event came to a close, the visitors returned to their houses, and the Chevalier thanked the Monarchs profusely for honoring his new born.

"It was nothing compared to the devotion and loyalty you show us; your child, Chevalier, deserves a celebration." replied the Monarchs to the humble chevalier.

The spring of Luciano Ferrero's firstborn was filled with uncomplicated tranquility and happiness. Everyone knew the baby was different from the rest of the town - her greenish blue eyes and tan brown hair were exceptional, if not unique - but it was never talked about openly. People were undoubtedly scared of her peculiarities because of age-old folklore superstitions about supernatural creatures with otherworldly appearances, and they were predisposed to avoid anything that might be feared as such.

"The child is too gorgeous; the family will be destroyed!"

"If a child appears unusual and one-of-a-kind, it's a sign of bad luck! The youngster will one day cause mayhem in the household!"

People's words are simply shrugged by Luciano and his wife. They're probably envious of the child's attractiveness. The delicate appears to be quite stunning.

Luciano and his wife sat beneath the shade of a tall wisteria tree, holding the child they had been expecting, as twilight fell. After many years of prayer, the gift of their lives has finally arrived. With the approach of spring, flower buds bloomed above them, filling the air with their honeyed perfume and beguiling his senses, a gift from the Monarchs to the newborn. In the tranquillity of their little garden, they could genuinely be at ease and immerse themselves in the child they so adored. None of the world's beauty could ever compare to the little and exquisite little girl who regularly graced them with her wit.

"Beautiful."

"Indeed," the chevalier said to his wife.

It was all lovely and healthy until a loud plangent sound of a gunshot echoed through Eufrata Palace's grand hall in the west wing. The chevalier became terrified and rushed to protect his family. Screams rang out as another gunshot reverberated around the room. Everyone was in a panic, fleeing from the ominous concern. The wife, who was a member of the heroic frontline of female chevaliers, ran to examine the location and safely placed the infant in the father's arms.

"I'll be back. It's most likely Maximus, and his objective is you! If he runs up to you, he'll kill you; I can't allow that happen, but if he runs up to me, I'll be able to stop him!"

"Don't do it!" The chevalier tried to stop but his wife is eager to sacrifice.

"Listen Lucianno, I have to. I don't want to lose you, I don't want to lose our child! Just trust me!" The wife said and placed one last genuine kiss on the infant's temple, "No matter what happens, make sure that our child lives." She said and for the last time gave a passionate kiss to her husband before she left.

Lucianno's mother, the grandmother, Upper Echelon Salome, arrived just in time to save the child.

"Get out of here, Mom! Keep my child safe, Maximus is launching his plans! I am going to stop him!" Lucianno said as he handed the youngster over to the higher echelon.

"Where is your wife, Lucianno?" the echelon inquired. "We don't have any kind of shelter outside of this palace, and I have nowhere to go to keep your daughter safe!"

"'Mom, you have to get out of here! You have to get out of here! I'll get you as soon as I can once I stop Maximus!"

They shivered in terror as they heard another clangorous gunshot, knowing they were in danger.

"Luciano, you're not to blame..."

"'Mom, I'm going to stop them! Keep my child safe! I'll look for-," the befuddled but brave guy exclaimed as a different type of bullet struck his arm. To relieve the anguish, he cried, "ARGH!" It's not simply a bullet; it's a magical bullet.

"Lucianno!"

"Please, Mom, keep my child safe!"

The entire neighborhood was imbued with a sense of bereavement and sorrow. Everyone was pleading for safety, including the accused man, who was pleading for justice. "Lucianno, I'll be back. Wait for me, son. Be safe, I will be back." The former echelon cursed.

"Go!" And that was the signal the echelon had been waiting for; she stepped out of the castle instantly to remove the youngster from the situation, "Go to the farthest spot! Never look back!"

The mender sorceress ran as fast as she could to protect the vulnerable, quiet child in her arms.

"Run! Protect her! She is more valuable than any ruby, and she is my be-"

The Palace became silent with another slam-bang.

"It's finished."

The former echelon, the mender sorceress came to a halt and returned his gaze. She muttered, tears in her eyes. "How about your daughter, Lucianno? You won't get to see her grow like you promised. Live, and keep an eye out for us..."

The mender sorceress glanced at the poor infant, who was soundly asleep, seemingly unconcerned about what was going on around her. Her life was supposed to be glorious, but now everything had changed. She is incapable of living a lovely or even a regular life. What kind of woman would she be?

The mender sorceress whispered to the child, "One day, your true color will show; you are the justice, prove them that your father is innocent. Everything will fall into places."

She took another step away, unsure of where she was going. Finally, she discovered the poorest section, where the elites and Monarchs pay no attention.

The first ward in the city.

Why do people with tons of coins waste their money without thinking there are homeless people begging in the streets to at least have some food to eat? Why do people who has actually everything tends to receive abundance while those who have nothing gets their opportunities taken?

Life is so unfair.

Well, probably not. Life is fair but people are not. We breathe the same air and we walk at the same surface. Life just actually depends on how you live it. If you choose to work hard and just focus on your goal, notwithstanding how hard it is you'll get it. But still life is very austere. There are hard workers who doesn't get their needs and wants that easy, while there are some who just stood up and get a bunch of viands. I don't understand anymore; is life fair, or not?

The night in the Kingdom of the Eufrata is very dim, the streetlights are glooming in their yellow shade but that is not enough to brighten the lives of the people living on the streets. The roads leading to the town center going to the 2nd district were clogged with merchants and traders from the moment the sun sets. They're going back to their districts, their home. They brought with them valuable things they had bartered, sold and bought all day from the other towns. Most of the goods from our poor district. Screams and laughter quickly subsided in the first district's small market square as the children of the elite class who were running around giddily with spring delights earlier became tired and quiet.

District 1 may be the poorest district but we create the most beautiful handcrafts amongst the other districts; clay pottery, magnificent vases, jars, and bowls line our displays of opulent products. Handcrafted jewelry sits gloriously on small table mats below the small stalls. It's all cheap from the deep-pocketed but these small handicrafts are our life. The District 2 and other towns next to us imports linen, silk textiles, and other expensive things to bargain. Nevertheless, the most clogged area is always the first district because we're the place that connects towns from towns.

However, despite being the district that catenates towns, we are abandoned; mostly people like us, paupers. The elites passing through don't even give a single glance to see our situation. They just use our district as concourse, they don't really care about the penniless as long as they bater. There are so many children and adults who are enduring the cold street and seem to be just waiting to die on the sidewalk. And the elites passing by don't even give a whit. We're suffering, that's the truth.

Yes, people like us exist.

We are living a hopeless life because poors in the Kingdom of Eufrata doesn't have opportunities. We are just a piece of trash that needs to get rid off anytime. We have been kicked out from street to streets because according to the rich passers-by, we are a big inconvenience to them which I want to prove them wrong. Hence, I cannot do anything but to keep myself shut and look for a job to live. I've always wanted to slap to their faces the fact that we are also humans struggling to live because we don't have opportunities, and if we have the whit chance, it could be easily taken from us.

I only have my very old grandma, and I badly need jobs in order to make a living. I've done everything a normal adolescent shouldn't do. I am a thief, a liar, and a swindler, but it is all for our survival. I admit I've messed up, but what can I do? It's our nature; I don't want to live this way, but life seems to force me to. I have never wanted to be like this, but I have no choice. I need to live, so I need to take advantage in able to do that.

The Palace appears to be unaware of our predicament, which is utterly impossible. But, according to my information, we are reportedly fine. The District 1 is still the center of Eufrata, but we're only being used as passageway that concatenates towns. The people living in there are not fine at all; we're not living well at all. Hence, I've heard that the Palace thinks we're doing great. So perhaps the Monarchs are hoping that there is nothing to worry about in the first district which is so wrong.

We are dozens.

We have numbers.

We look like tribes of homeless people hugging the coldness of the night and only the huge moon serves us light. If the moon is not present, then we suffer in the dark. We have never been safe at all, I've never felt safe in the streets. But I can't do anything, I want to save my fellow paupers, yet again I couldn't do a single thing.

"Veluriya..." A solemn voice called me from behind. I was staring at the merchants disappearing from the roads when my Grandma called me. I immediately diverted my attention to my barely breathing grandmother. I cannot just give her up, she's all I got. "Veluriya..." She called again. That's what she always calls me, she says it's my name which is not. I always tell her it's not my name but she keeps on insisting that it's mine.

To be honest, sometimes I don't understand my grandmother; she's saying that 'I should understand' but I just can't. I don't get what she says unless she explains it to me. But according to her, I must understand it by myself which is extremely difficult for me.

"Veluriya." She called again.

I slowly approached her and quietly smiled, "That's not my name."

Maybe, she's reminiscing someone which is not me. I haven't heard anything about my parents at all, maybe it's the name of my late mom? Or maybe not. I don't get anything at all. And I'm also fascinated by the fact that I know nothing about my biological parents. I grew up with my grandma knowing not a single thing about the person who gave birth to me.

"Veluriya is my granddaughter."

I sighed. This is why the other people in our district calls me Veluriya too when it's not even my name.

"Grandma..." I replied and drew nearer. She extended her hands and I immediately rested my face on her palms. She raised her hands and slid it slowly into my face, fondling my cheeks. As she always does, she makes sure I am the one in front of her by stroking my round face as well as my long and wavy hair. She identifies me by my features. I don't know what I look like, I haven't seen myself in a mirror for a quite long time already. All I know is that my face is round; people calls me cute for that, my hair is wavy brown and long and it falls on my hips.

I stared back at her. The moonlight caught her face, allowing me to see the joy on my grandmother's face. Her eyes widely open, not even blinking once, her lips curving for a smile causing her wrinkles to form even more. Tears slowly forming form her eyes as she slowly caresses my face. She is legally blind. My grandmother has been discouraged to live eversince my grandfather died. I get the impression that she's just forcing herself to breathe in the street so I don't feel so alone. And that makes me lament for myself.

She just continued stroking my hair. Under the dazzling bright moon, after several fondles, I saw tears in my grandma's eyes. It watered her lashes as it dripped down her cheeks until it completely fell off. Her tears continued streaming down and I just stare with a heavy heart as she continued to caress my hair.

We are both sitting in the dirty street of our poor district. My grandma has been creating shallow whimpers due to cold, the algid breeze hits us freely. My cloth wrapped around her is not enough to ease the whistling cold air, and I'm saddened with the fact that I could not do anything aside from give her what I have. And I have nothing but a piece of thick cloth. We were only ones who were awake, the other people on the street were already sound asleep.

"Veluriya, my granddaughter."

I reached her face, "I'm here." My voice cracked, I tried to hold back the tears that were about to drip. I even grit my teeth and bit my lip to prevent my tears from bursting. My heart is racing fast, my chest clenches as I stare into my grandma's face. The tears from her eyes remains still, as if it's been there since the other day and will retain until the next days. I cannot describe how I cherish my grandmother. All I could say is- she is my life. She's the only one I have and I'll do anything to give her what she needs, even if it means I'll sink. I grew up in her arms, and I will forever remember her sacrifices for me.

"Help them." She whispered, her voice faltering making her sound old and weak. I was stunned by what she said. She's starting to say something again that I can't understand. Is she pertaining to the homeless people on the streets?

"Yes." I replied without even getting what she meant.

I looked around, there's so much of us. And my grandmother just bestowed her expectations to me. We were deported to District 1, I don't know who deported us here. If this is an order from the palace, someone mighty would appear in front of us and explain to us why we have been thrown away from the streets near to the Palace. We used to serve in the Palace so we also stayed in the streets near the palace. We did not expect the sudden eviction of us there as they abruptly put us in the place where the palace thought we were living well.

"I'll do everything I can." I whispered.

"Veluriya, you are Veluriya." Grandma cried as she closed her eyes. I don't know if she's reminiscing something in the past as she hardly mention my real name, instead she calls me by the word according to her is also my name.

"I... I am."

My tears fell.

I am not Veluriya.

From the dawn's break, the roads to the town center were busy once again as the elites began to invade our district ignoring the paupers at the sidewalk. The merchants were bustling heavily against the stalls to the boulevard as if they own the place totally disregarding the beggars who are barely hanging at the place. The avenues for the homeless people were now a dirty driveway as the vehicles loudly and mercilessly impinges the papers and mats that was used as mattress to sleep on by the paupers.

"Bargain, bargain!"

"I swear to the heavens, if one of my jars breaks, I will murder these little pests here!" A trader cursed as one of the jovially playing youngsters smashed his products, spreading them across the floor and almost shattering them.

"How dare you curse my child!" Retorted an affluent mother, turning the cuss into rumbling.

"You should pay for what your child did to my jars!"

"I don't notice any scratch on your stuff, old man!" Said the woman.

"These aristocrats don't care about our stuff," screamed another tradesman, "don't bother them and keep doing your work, peddler!"

Screams reverberated across the town. Everyone was busy doing their own thing, from merchants and exclusive purchasers to the nescient young aristocrats. The affluent children, who are oblivious to the wrath of the angry adults, resumes their games, reveling in the throngs of the market. When the town was as bustling as it was on market day, hide-and-seek was always the most enjoyable. They were mostly played by the privileged youngster neglecting the beggar kids who also wants to play but not given the chance to do so.

The sun is shining brightly, and while I sweat abundantly, the rays hitting my exposed skin irritate my flesh. As I mowed Madam Imelda's garden, I couldn't stop sighing because of the direct and searing heat from the firmament. She entrusted me with the new design for the large plants in their landscape, therefore I'm optimizing and working hard to make the outcome of my cut nice so that I may earn a decent salary and obtain the job again next time.

I'd do anything to create a living for my grandmother as well as for myself, and I'm honestly quite surprised at how adaptable I am. Maybe it's survival instincts, since I'm so desperate to live that my body reacts quickly. And I've adopted this lifestyle since I've been doing it since I was a child.

"Veluriya! Veluriya!" A familiar voice rang out from behind me. I sighed, the voice continued calling my monicker but I chose to focus my attention on what I was doing. The heat is scorching, I need to finish as soon as possible. I'm sure this person is just going to pester me, and because I'm a busy person I don't have time for anything since I need to work hard.

"Verulia!"

I looked at the individual who had been calling me over and over again. I didn't want to glance back and see him because that wasn't my name, but his voice was getting louder and louder, and I knew unless I gave him my full attention, he wouldn't stop. I don't like their alternative names for me; Veluriya, Verulia, because it's not my actual name. I feel like they're calling another person whenever they mention me with various names. But, when you think about it, this may be my name in another language, but it makes no sense at all to me.

"What?" I lazily replied as I stopped what I was doing to turn to the person who has been calling me. And there appeared the first man who befriended me in our district; my boy bestfriend, Marcus Oliver.

His beautiful smile was contagious, but I wasn't in the mood to be infected. I slowly stared at his excited expression, his eyes shows it all. His dark brown mesmerizing eyes are so hard to resist, so no matter how busy I am I can't help but stare into his beautiful dancing orbs. His thick lips and manly eyebrows couples perfectly beneath the sun as they create a small movement the moment I turned to him. He's really a simple good looking guy, and I'm wondering why he still doesn't have a girlfriend-- or maybe he has girlfriends without me knowing.

His firm biceps moved when he lifted his arms revealing a protective hat. "I brought you a bigger hat." He answered happily and handed me the lid he was holding.

There was nothing I could do but accept it. I'm used to what he gives me, so I accept it fast, especially since I'm also his running buddy when he needs me, so we're on the same page, and Marcus and I are quite comfortable with each other. The inhabitants of the first District once mistook us for having a love relationship. I basically shrugged it off while Marcus happily rides the rumor mill. Even if there is no truth, many people are convinced.

"Thank you." I accepted the lid and frowned at him, "Do you need anything?"

"As for your mischief, pay attention to me; we virtually do the same thing, but I feel as if I'm in another universe from you." He pouted and I rolled my eyes.

I took a deep breath before I continued what I was doing. Marcus's loudness is working again, he is a man but he's very vocal towards me. Maybe, it's a sign that he's comfortable.

"I'm doing something." I simply answered.

This is how I handle Marcus, despite the fact that he is one of my closest friends. I believe it is in my nature to be an introvert, yet I consider myself really fortunate to have Marcus as a buddy. I'm quietly delighted he's clingy when it comes to me since he's a very understanding individual. I'm glad he acts all comfortable around me despite how I treat him, he probably understand my attitude and he's contented with the attention I give him since I am a very busy person. We have a huge gap, he has a home while I live on the streets. Despite our status, we're good friends.

"Me too, but I still give you time." He insisted.

Is he asking some of my time? If that's what he's asking right now I can't give it, the opportunity here in the Eufrata is very limited so if possible I'll grab everything and I don't have time to give for others. I feel sorry for Marcus, he definitely deserves better. I hope he stops clinging unto me as if his world revolves around me because I cannot just give him the attention he wants- that is if he wants more. But if he's contented of what we have and just probably kidding with what he said earlier, I might reconsider.

"Even just a whit time to eat? Verulia?" He asked again, insisting carefully.

My left eyebrow rose to sting him but suddenly, another loud person came to completely make the day different.

"Hey Marcus, you're bothering Verulia again, you know she have no time for others! She don't even make time for herself!" A beautiful demoiselle beamed right before me gnashing against Marcus, "What now, Oliver? Can't you see she's busy?"

Here they go again.

My eyes darted at the beautiful maiden who just beamed between Marcus and I. Laura, the very first girl in district 1 who talked to me without hesitation and disgust. We're totally different, she's the complete opposite of me. She's all and fancy while I look like a living rug. I'm beyond blessed having her in my life, despite my situation, her family accepted me as her friend. Normally in Eufrata, people who's living well do not interact with beggars. We're nothing but a dirt to them, however, Laura and her family is different. They treat us well, and they welcomed me like a family.

"Laura," I smiled.

She's wearing a yellow dress, perfectly fitting her yellow closed shoes. Her hair is properly fixed in ponytail making her look more beautiful. My Laura is dazzling, I will always look up to how gorgeous she is. I suddenly realized how I look like. My clothes are torn and dirty, I don't even look like human at all. When will I look clean and beautiful? Can I also wear a dress like her? I might just look like a rag if I wear nice clothes, I won't even bother.

I am really blessed to have them as my friends. Of the three of us, I am the poorest. I don't have a house, I don't have parents, I only live with my grandma, and I work hard for a living, but that's not a problem for me. These two even are my refuge, it gets to the point where they accompany me to work or find a sideline. And that bothers me a lot. I make a big impact on them, and I'm scared that one day, I'll ruin their lives just because of my lifestyle.

"You're in trouble, Marcus! Get out of there, go back to work or I'll kick you!"

I just ignored them and continued to cut the large plants. I simply smile at their quarrel, they don't know yet but they were actually the ones who colored my dull world. The moment they stepped into my life, I realized I could have friends even if I'm poor. I realized a lot of things, they're the colorful hues that shaded my dark life.

"Well?" Marcus just shrugged at Laura's threat.

"Get out of there, we'll have a work later!" Laura insisted.

I slowed down to what Laura said, even Marcus dropped his voice as well. I slowly looked at her with confused expression.

"Where? Laura, take me with you. I need money too." Said Marcus, acting as if he's desperately begging which made Laura roll her eyes.

"You need money but look at you right now! If you're penniless then you have to work, do not bother Verulia here!" Laura insulted, "Need money my ass, find a job yourself."

I finally smiled. Laura's nature is very clingy and noisy, she's also prank, and maybe without her my world would literally be quiet and dead. Because of her, I learned to enjoy life.

"You naughty girls are really friends! Look at that attitude, do all girls have this kind of attitude? Your misbehavior will make you both crawl at my feet!" Marcus joked, I just chuckled and Laura rolled her eyes once again. Marcus tapped my shoulder, "Never mind, the next time Veluriya, I'll definitely treat you to lunch! Use my lid first, it's too hot." Marcus said before leaving the both of us, I just nodded in response.

When Marcus disappeared from our sight, Laura approached me dearly, "Marcus is bothering you again, isn't he? That's because you won't let him flirt with you, you're his type, you know!" Laura said, "Just let that bastard do what he wants."

I just smiled. Her looks and voice shows that she was jealous, the way she acts proves it all. She likes Marcus. She just can't say and admit.

"Why don't you let him, then?" I answer instead. I laughed when I saw her surprised reaction as she was too stunned to speak.

I walked to go to the other side of the garden to repair the rest and Laura immediately followed me.

"Are you -- crazy! I don't like him! He's not my type at all!" Laura said as she followed me, "What are you talking about, Veluriya!"

"Aren't you doing anything? Aren't you working?" I couldn't resist asking instead.

We both stopped. I suddenly remembered that I was poor. She had a house to live in while I lived on the road. Even if she don't work, she have a family and parents to feed her.

"Actually I have a sideline later, I'd like to invite you if you're free. It's an easy catch, fast way to collect money."

With a wide smile, I accepted her offer. I need to grab every chance I get, this is a limited offer.

"Yes! That's why I love to invite you, I know you would never say no. Tonight, at seven o'clock, I'll be waiting for you in front of the old rock. We're going to the second District." She almost jumped happily when she said that.

I did nothing when she abruptly said goodbye and left me in the garden. I haven't still grasp her offer properly. But since I'm desperate for a job, I feel nothing but excitement. I should make my work done so that I can get more money before the end of the day.

It was too late for me to realize where we were going. District 2; the entrance to the Palace.