The early morning sun slipped through the window, resting softly on Yue Rong's face. She lay stubbornly on the bed, unwilling to rise. Her body felt heavy, her thoughts heavier.
Ha Rin sat on a small stool beside the bed, quietly watching her. After what felt like a long while, Yue Rong finally opened her eyes and met the child's bright, curious gaze.
"Good morning, Aunty," Ha Rin greeted cheerfully, as if she had been holding the words in all night. "You slept like a princess."
Yue Rong smiled faintly and pushed herself up. "Where is your mother?"
"She went to the market," Ha Rin replied.
"Oh…" Yue Rong murmured. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Mum said you were very tired," Ha Rin said seriously. "She said if I disturbed you, you might fall sick again. And I don't want you to be sick."
Something warm stirred in Yue Rong's chest. She ran her fingers gently through the child's hair. "You're a good girl."
As she walked slowly toward the back to wash up, she asked, "Where is your brother?"
"He went with Mother to the market," Ha Rin answered, trailing after her.
After Yue Rong finished washing, Ha Rin hurried into the kitchen and returned with a bowl of food.
"Mum said you should eat plenty of vegetables," she announced proudly. "She said it's good for the baby."
Yue Rong froze for a brief second but forced herself to keep eating.
Then Ha Rin tilted her head. "My brother said there's a baby in your belly. Is it true?"
Yue Rong blinked, caught off guard. "I… yes," she said slowly. "There's a baby."
"You swallowed the baby?" Ha Rin asked, eyes wide.
"No," Yue Rong said quickly, almost choking. "I didn't swallow a baby. The baby is just… growing inside me."
Ha Rin stared at her carefully, as if trying to understand. "How does it get there?"
Yue Rong hesitated, then said gently, "When a woman grows big enough, she can have a baby."
"Big like Mother?" Ha Rin asked.
"Yes," Yue Rong replied, feeling a little sweat form on her back.
"Is Mother going to have another baby?" Ha Rin asked hopefully.
"No," Yue Rong answered.
Ha Rin frowned. "Why not?"
"Because…" Yue Rong thought quickly, "…because Mother hasn't asked God for one."
Ha Rin's face lit up. "If Mother asks God, will He give her a baby?"
"Yes," Yue Rong said softly.
Satisfied, Ha Rin jumped up. "I'll clear the plates!"
A few minutes later, she returned, eyes shining. "Aunty—"
Before she could continue, Yue Rong smiled and said, "Do you want to come with me to the market?"
"Yes!" Ha Rin's whole face brightened.
"Then let me rest a little," Yue Rong said gently.
A few minutes later, Yue Rong picked up the remaining vegetables and headed to the market with Ha Rin. The road was unusually busy. Farmers hurried past them, baskets balanced on their shoulders, voices overlapping in excitement.
Yue Rong stopped a little girl who lived a few houses away and gently pulled her aside.
"What's happening?" she asked.
"The prince and his guards are in the market," the girl said eagerly. "They're buying food."
"Oh," Yue Rong murmured, and continued walking.
"Is the prince handsome?" Ha Rin asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"I don't know," Yue Rong replied honestly. "I've never seen him."
When they reached the market, Yue Rong slowed her steps. The place was crowded, far more than usual. People filled every corner, shouting prices, pushing past one another.
"I've never seen the market this full," she muttered.
She tightened her grip on Ha Rin's hand. "Stay close to me."
At the spot where they usually sold their goods, Hana wasn't there yet. Yue Rong spread the vegetables neatly on the table. Their freshness quickly drew attention.
"Fresh vegetables!" someone exclaimed.
Buyers gathered around, picking and choosing, coins exchanging hands. Yue Rong barely had time to look up as she sold everything. By the time the basket was empty, her body ached and her breath felt shallow.
She straightened and sighed. "Ha Rin, we're done. Let's go."
She turned.
Ha Rin wasn't there.
"What…?" Yue Rong whispered.
Her heart dropped. Fear rushed through her as she spun around, scanning the crowd.
"Ha Rin?" she called, her voice shaking.
No answer.
The noise of the market suddenly felt distant as panic tightened its grip on her chest.
Yue Rong pushed her way through the crowd, her eyes darting from face to face.
"Ha Rin!" she called again, louder this time.
No answer.
Her chest tightened. She turned in circles, panic creeping into her voice as she called the girl's name again and again. People brushed past her, some annoyed, some curious, but none stopped.
"Ha Rin… Ha Rin…" Her voice began to crack.
She moved faster, almost running now, lifting baskets, peering behind stalls, bending down to look under tables as if the small girl might be hiding there.
"Have you seen a little girl?" she asked anyone who would listen. "She's this tall, with braided hair—"
Most shook their heads. Some didn't even slow down.
The market felt suddenly too big, too loud. Her breathing grew uneven, her hand pressed instinctively to her stomach as fear twisted inside her.
"Please…" she whispered, tears blurring her sight. "Ha Rin…"
She wiped her face with the back of her hand and kept walking, refusing to stop even as her legs trembled. The noise of the crowd faded into a dull hum. All she could hear was her own heartbeat and the girl's name echoing in her head.
Then the world tilted.
Her vision swam. She took one more step forward and collided with something solid. Startled voices rose around her, but she couldn't focus. Her knees buckled, strength leaving her all at once.
She fell.
Strong hands caught her before she hit the ground.
The crowd went quiet.
She looked up through her tears and met the gaze of a young man dressed in fine robes, guards immediately closing in around him. His brows were drawn together, concern flashing across his face.
"My lady," he said calmly, steadying her. "Are you hurt?"
Yue Rong shook her head weakly, clutching his sleeve without realizing it.
"I lost a child," she cried hoarsely. "Please… I can't find her…"
The prince's expression changed at once. He straightened, his voice firm as he turned to his guards.
"Clear the market," he ordered. "No one leaves until the child is found."
Then he looked back at Yue Rong, his tone gentle but resolute.
"Tell me her name."