I tried to hide my discomfort as he wrapped his arms around me, the familiar feeling of unease settling in. My senses recoiled but I bit my tongue, desperate for the discount on the mint.
His calloused hands slid toward my waist, and I tensed, fighting the urge to pull away. I knew he wouldn't dare take it further in public, but the thought offered little comfort.
"You've grown," he chuckled, his eyes darting to my chest before quickly looking away. A shiver skittered down my vertebrae. What a pervert.
Arlo—my older brother—had escorted me to the market, but he'd abandoned me the moment we arrived, likely to chase after Maria, his alleged girlfriend. I didn't mind, I planned to leave as soon as I bought the mint.
The market's crowded stalls and cacophony of voices exhausted me. I just wanted to get this over with.
The merchant murmured in my ear "So, Darling, frosty mint again?" Fear spiked through me as his hand lingered at my waist. I desperately wanted him to pull away, to never have to see his face again.
My fingers wrapped around the basket's handle in a white-knuckled grip, hatred for him burning within me. If I could, I would have hit him without hesitation.
He finally moved away and I exhaled the breath I'd been holding. I forced a smile, pretending to look around while keeping a wary eye on him.
An elderly woman shrouded in a cloak, suddenly approached the stand and placed a black bag on the counter. My curiosity piqued, and I watched as he weighed the contents.
"Thank you very much..." She said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You're a good man. I was finally able to pay off my debts."
My heart skipped a beat as I processed her words. Gales. That bag was filled with gales, that could change my life. Enough to cover Father's medical treatment.
Stealing was a reckless thought, and I quickly discarded it. The market was a labyrinth of sweaty bodies, with no clear escape route. Dismissing the idea, I blurted out something that could backfire just as badly.
"You give loans?" I stuttered, trying to sound confident.
The way he smiled made my skin prickle, his dark features only adding to my uneasiness. "Yes, I do. But repayment is due within a month." His grin revealed a glint of gold "I'd rather not discuss the... consequences."
The mere thought of defaulting sent goosebumps running down my spine. It was probably better to avoid the loan altogether.
"But if you need money, I can give it to you," he said, his voice dripping with insincerity. "Just come to Mud Hollow, Celestria, later this evening. Because you're a nice girl, I'll give it to you without expecting repayment."
He must have thought I was stupid. For free? Sure. We lived in Bridlesmark, a bleak and unforgiving place. It was as if the very land itself had been drained of warmth and vitality. Shelter was scarce, food was a daily struggle, and clean water a luxury few could afford. And he was going to give me money for free? He was a Perverted bastard but the money was tempting.
Struggling to maintain a naive girl facade, "Really?!" I gasped, trying to sound genuinely surprised.
I pushed aside the unease his chuckle sparked, Concentrating on the possible solution to my family's money troubles. I would do anything to save my Father's life.
"Thank you so much, sir! Thank you so much! Thank you!" I ducked my head repeatedly, feigning excessive gratitude. "Thank you."
"I'm guessing you need a lot of money," his eyebrows rose as his gaze roamed over my body, from face to toe. My hands instinctively tightened around the basket handle again, but I pushed aside the discomfort.
"I do," I admitted. "I could even say I'm desperate. I need it badly." I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the feeling of irritation that threatened to overwhelm me.
"Alright, meet me at the gate of Celestria," his smile grew wider. "I'll escort you to my home and give you the money you need."
I kept up the charade. "Nothing in return?"
He chuckled again, before repeating "Nothing in return," then sliding the mint across the counter.
I handed him five gales, but he pushed them back. "On the house, darling."
A wave of revulsion washed over me but I forced a polite smile, bid him farewell, and turned to leave. But Before I could escape, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into another uncomfortable hug.
When I finally managed to break free, I made a hasty retreat. I pushed through the sweltering crowd, desperate to escape the market's chaos. The stalls were situated near the canal. They had built this market beside the swirling waters, a constant reminder of the divide between our worlds.
After each visit, I'd find myself drawn to its banks, a habit I couldn't shake. Standing on the weathered stone, I'd gaze longingly at Velcan, the golden city that represented a life of peace and prosperity for my family.
I stood on the worn stone bank, gazing out at Velcan. Before me, the kingdom's castle rose, its brilliant white spires towering majestically, the city a shimmering mirage.
The canal's dark, polished waters seemed to stare back at me, as if waiting for me to slip up. A soft breeze disturbed the surface, whispering secrets to the shore.
A familiar ache of longing and frustration swelled within me. I'd always been drawn to the golden city. But I was from the wrong side of the canal, and I knew that crossing into that world was an impossibility.
The golden city would remain an elusive dream, forever out of reach. Yet, I was relentlessly drawn to it, again and again, like a moth to a flame.
After what felt like an eternity, I tore my gaze away from the canal and the golden city. In search for my brother, Arlo, braving the sea of sweaty bodies once more. The pungent aroma of the crowd assaulted my senses, making me grimace with each jostling touch.
The crowd surged around me, as I navigated through the sea of people, searching for my brother's familiar face.
I turned a corner, I failed to notice a figure running towards me amidst the chaos, and we collided. My face smashed into his, our noses touching.
The sound of our synchronized groans filled the air. I winced as I tried to lift my head, but a sharp pain made me pause.
The stranger's breath whispered against my face, carrying the scent of exotic spices and something else, something sweet and metallic. "Apologies," he muttered, scrambling to his feet. "It was a mistake." His low, smooth voice held a hint of an accent I couldn't quite place.
I finally managed to open my eyelids, my vision cleared and an unsettling sight met my gaze. I froze.
The cacophony of vendors calling out and clanging pots and pans filled the air, but I was spellbound by his piercing garnet eyes. They seemed to sear themselves into my memory, boring into my soul.
He extended a hand to help me up, but I was too captivated by his eyes to notice. Reality snapped back into focus when he dropped his hand with a curt nod and walked away.
"Red eyes," i spoke in hushed tones
He was from the Golden City. What was he doing here? My gaze followed his silhouette, I caught a glimpse of his dark clothing, adorned with intricate silver threads but Those red eyes lingered in my mind.
The only people I'd seen from Velcan were lost children or noblewomen who came to Bridlesmark to purchase girls as maids, servants, or worse. But I'd never seen a male from Velcan before.
His red eyes were breathtakingly beautiful, ethereal. I couldn't wait to share the encounter with Mama and my siblings. I'd always thought red eyes were the stuff of myths.
"Red—"
"MABEL!"
"gods!" I jerked upright, my hand flying to my chest in surprise at the familiar voice that shattered my reverie. The shock quickly gave way to annoyance as I turned to face Loan.
"I've been calling you," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Why were you sitting on the floor?"
I stared at myself in dismay, realizing I'd been sitting in the dirt, lost in thought.
I swiftly jumped up, dusting off my skirt before reaching for my basket and its scattered contents. But Loan beat me to it, grabbing the basket from my grasp before I could protest.
"Let me help you," he said.
I nodded curtly, turning to walk away. "Hi," I muttered, assuming he'd follow me.
"You look flustered, Mabe," Loan said, his fingers brushing against my cheek. I recoiled, pulling my skin away from his touch.
We had a history, Loan and me. We used to… spend time together, but things changed.
"Have you seen Arlo?" I asked bluntly, my expression stern.
"Yes, he was with Maria a while ago at her mother's," Loan replied.
I nodded, unsurprised. "Thought as much... thank you." I tried to walk away, but Loan's grip on my wrist halted me.
"I need to talk to you," Loan said, his gaze softening. I remembered when I'd adored that look when his grey eyes would shine with affection. It was unsettling how love could curdle into disgust and hatred.
"I can't, Loan," I said, trying to pull away. "I need to get back immediately. I'm already—"
"I love you, Mabel," he blurted, his words making my stomach twist.
"gods", I whispered, mortified. "Like I said, I have to go, Loan. Maybe we'll talk another time." I turned to leave, but he grasped my arm, holding me back.
"I'm serious, Mabel. I do—"
"I caught you inserting yourself in another woman, Loan." I cut him off, my voice barely audible amidst the market bustle.
"Because you wouldn't let me touch you... I was starved," Loan whispered, his excuse pathetic.
I raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "What makes you think I'd let you touch me now?"
Loan's eyes darted, searching for words. He had tried to manipulate me before, shifting the blame when I caught him cheating.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Arlo's voice cut him off. "Mabel."
I turned to my brother, then cast a disdainful glance at Loan. "You left a void in me that can never be filled by your empty apologies." If he even ever tried to apologize.
With that, I walked away, leaving him standing alone. Arlo fell into step beside me, taking the basket from my grasp.
"What was that about?" he asked, his eyes narrowing in concern.
"I was asking for you since you abandoned me for Maria," I teased, nudging him as we navigated the crowd.
His expression turned serious. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" His tone implied he knew I was hiding something.
I rolled my eyes, but he shot me a stern look. "I'm serious, Mabel. Don't hide things from me, and don't do anything stupid without talking to me first." His glare pinned me in place. "Do you understand?"
I hesitated, knowing I planned to do something reckless later that day. I intended to sneak to Mud Hollow, but asking Arlo to escort me would raise questions I'd rather avoid. So I kept my secret hidden.
"I understand," I said finally, hoping to reassure him.