By the time the magistrate struck his gavel, the verdict was clear.
"The court finds William Slade innocent of all charges. The Guild of Elmera's claim is dismissed."
Relief flooded Slade's face. Hao Kai simply inclined his head, as though he'd expected nothing less.
Outside, the crowd buzzed, gossip swirling like smoke. Slade clasped Hao Kai's hands with both of his.
"I don't know how to thank you," he said, voice thick. "I was ready to lose everything."
Hao Kai replied lightly. " You're in luck. I just happen to be someone who doesn't handle coercion lightly."
Slade laughed, shaky but genuine. "You'll be compensated properly. You've earned it."
Hao Kai watched him go, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. He couldn't remember the last time he felt like this after winning a case. It had always been about the money.
He sighed faintly to himself and walked back home. The villagers had gathered in small clusters, voices low but excited, like the aftermath of a storm. Everywhere he passed, heads turned and whispers followed.
"That's Leon, isn't it?"
"Won Slade's case… can you believe it?"
"Maybe he's finally stopped wasting his sister's coin…"
Hao Kai lowered his head, slightly aggrieved. That want even him.
He was halfway down the main street when he noticed someone staring at him.
Among the flow of villagers, a tall man leaned casually against a weathered post, arms folded, dark cloak drawn close despite the heat. His gaze was sharp, fixed squarely on Hao Kai.
It was filled with hostility. Barely masked, but there.
Hao Kai slowed just enough to meet his stare head-on, tilting his head slightly, one brow lifting in silent question.
The man didn't move or speak. Then, as though dismissing him entirely, the stranger turned and melted into the crowd.
Hao Kai stood there for a moment, frowning faintly. According to Leon's memories, this man was a kind neighbour who had helped the pair of siblings countless times. Why would he hold hostility towards Leon?
He thought about it, but without more information, chasing ghosts would do him no good. He shook it off and kept walking.
By the time he reached the narrow alley where Leon's small house stood, the news had clearly arrived.
"Leon!"
Two boys were perched on the stone steps outside, their bare feet dusty, their clothes patched and faded. They grinned at him as he approached.
"Everyone's talking about you!" one of them yelled, practically bouncing where he sat. "They said you beat the guild!"
The older of the two folded his arms, trying and failing to look unimpressed. "Guess you finally did something right."
Hao Kai gave them both a dry look. "You two planning to become town criers, or are you just bored?"
The younger boy giggled and bolted off, shouting to anyone within earshot: "Leon beat the guild!"
By the time Hao Kai pushed open the door to the house, Lyra was already waiting inside.
Her hands were dusted with flour, an apron tied loosely around her waist, and her expression wavered somewhere between relief and exasperation.
"I heard," she said without preamble.
"Word travels fast," Hao Kai murmured, stepping past her to sit on the chair.
She crossed her arms, flour smudging faintly against the faded fabric of her sleeves. "So it's true. You actually won."
He glanced at her. "You sound surprised."
"I am." She hesitated, softening slightly. "But I'm..glad."
The house smelled faintly of baking bread.
Hao Kai allowed himself to breathe in the scent. He leaned back in the chair until it creaked, eyes drifting shut for just a moment.
The knock came sooner than he expected.
Lyra wiped her hands on her apron and moved to answer it, but Hao Kai was already on his feet. He opened the door to find William Slade standing there, still dressed in the same tunic as earlier but carrying a small leather pouch in his hands.
Hao Kai stepped aside to let him in.
Slade smiled faintly and set the pouch down on the table with a soft clink.
"Five gold coins," Slade said simply. "The remainder of your payment. You've earned every bit of it."
Hao Kai loosened the drawstring and glanced inside, the glint of gold catching the dim light. "Generous," he murmured.
"Not generous enough," Slade countered, his voice sincere. "If you hadn't taken the case, Leon… I'd have lost everything. My family owes you more than I can say."
Hao Kai waved a hand lightly. "Then consider it settled. I don't like owing favors, and I don't intend to start now."
Slade chuckled softly. "Still, I have to thank you. No one was willing to take my case after learning who it was again. Only you did. And even when trouble came, you didn't abandon me. For that, I am deeply grateful."
Hao Kai smiled softly
"You're welcome."
Slade nodded once, as if reassured, and took his leave soon after.
When the door closed, Lyra stared at the pouch on the table, her brow furrowed in something between awe and worry.
"Five gold…" she murmured. "That's… more than you've ever brought home in a year."
Hao Kai tied the pouch shut again and tucked it into his satchel. "Get used to it," he said lightly. "I'm just getting started."
Lyra pursed her lips
"Don't go too far okay. Or.. you can just not do cases anymore. I'll keep raising you. I can do it."
Hao Kai looked at her silently, already having a faint idea as to why the original owner was so spoiled and unable to stand up for himself.
"But I want to do it. I want to make my own money."
Lyra took a deep breath then said with reluctance.
"Okay."
But she left the room soon after. Hao Kai stared at her retreating back and thought to himself that he would have to do something about her one of these days or else, with her current mentality, she would only be a hindrance to him.