The morning sun bathed the town of Velmire in a soft golden hue, casting shadows from the tiled rooftops and bustling shops that lined the narrow cobbled streets. Inside the polished black carriage, Nerine pulled back the velvet curtain and stared out quietly, her silvery-white black hair gleaming in the sunlight. The rhythmic sound of the wheels turning and the faint clatter of hooves filled the air, but her mind was caught up in thought—until she saw the commotion.
A crowd had gathered near a small corner stall where shouting erupted. Her brows furrowed as she squinted to see. Among the mass of people, a little girl had just been pushed to the ground. Without hesitation, she knocked hard on the board of the carriage.
"Stop the carriage," she called out to Noah.
The wheels creaked to a halt. Nerine stepped down, the hem of her dark trousers brushing the ground as she walked towards the scene. Her presence caused a stir as whispers followed her.
She approached a middle-aged woman first. "What happened here?" Nerine asked.
The woman gave her a strange look, her eyes scanning Nerine's men's-style attire with visible judgment before replying, "The girl tried stealing buns from that man's stall."
Another voice scoffed from the side. "Those little rats keep causing trouble in the city."
Nerine ignored the insult and moved through the small crowd to face the stall owner. The little girl sat on the ground, trembling. The man raised a stick to strike again when Nerine swiftly stepped in front of the child.
"What are you doing?" the man asked angrily.
"She's just a little girl. Why beat her over a bun?" Nerine spoke quickly, shielding the girl.
He eyed her outfit and sneered. "You must be related to her, dressed like that!"
He moved forward, trying to push her aside, but a strong grip held him back. Noah had arrived.
"Let go of her," Noah said firmly, yanking the man's hand off.
The girl clung tightly to Nerine's trouser leg, her wide grey eyes filled with fear and gratitude.
"It's okay, dear," Nerine reassured her softly. She turned back to the man. "I will pay for the bun. Are we settled?"
Noah pulled out two coins and shoved them into the man's hand. Nerine took a small pouch from her coat and handed it to the girl.
"Take this and go find your mother, okay?" she said, helping the girl to her feet.
The girl only stared at her, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Why are you crying?" Nerine asked gently.
The crowd began to disperse, whispering about the girl's tears and Nerine's clothes. Near the carriage, Nerine patted the girl's back until she calmed down.
"I have to go now, pretty girl," she smiled, turning back to the carriage.
But a small tug on her trouser leg made her stop.
"Do you want something?" she asked, looking down.
"Can I come with you?" the girl whispered.
Nerine hesitated. "Your mom is going to worry if she doesn't find you."
"I don't have a mom," the girl said quietly, staring at her toes.
Nerine was silent. Her gaze softened, remembering her own mother—a wave of sorrow passing through her eyes.
"Let's do this," she said, helping the girl into the carriage.
"Are you sure?" Noah asked, uncertain.
"I'll explain to Madam Helen. For now, we're late for the store."
As the carriage moved through Hollowood, Nerine smiled at the girl, gently brushing the hair from her face.
Far from the bustling marketplace, in a grand chamber adorned with dark drapes and maps of the kingdom, four men sat around a long table. The atmosphere was tense.
"There hasn't been any progress on the investigation," Lord Theron said, rubbing his temples. "I don't know what to tell the king or the people anymore."
"The only witness is dead," Lord Evander said wearily.
An uncomfortable silence followed until Lord Nikos leaned forward. "We will find clues about where the rest of them are hiding."
Theron nodded, then turned to the man sitting quietly with arms folded and an expression unreadable.
"Lord Kael," Theron said, "What have you uncovered regarding the men who kidnapped those children? The ones we caught—what have they said?"
Kael's piercing eyes met his. "They refused to talk. Couldn't withstand the torture. Three are dead. Only one remains."
Theron closed his eyes in frustration. "Gods help us."
But he didn't speak further. Kael's reputation for arrogance and unpredictable violence made him difficult to confront. And now was not the time to lose his temper.
He needed them to get the job done.
Kael stood abruptly. "I'm going to get the job done."
He turned to Theron with a dry chuckle. "You look like you were going to faint."
Theron raised an eyebrow at Kael's taunt.
"I was just joking with you."Kael said .
He strode out, leaving the others baffled as to whether it was truly a joke or a veiled warning.