In the vast region of Eudaemora, Grythwill City was a place where trade and commerce was the most predominant industry . It was surrounded by hectares of fertile farmlands that could be found in the west side of the city while the Eudaemora river, a body of water giving access to a never ending supply of food to the people, was located in the south. Steam-powered trains could also be used as means of transportation for people and goods.
However, these trains wouldn't be established without the donations of the Midas family, who owned several mines in the Eudaemora Region. Their big contribution in the development of the region put them on top of the pedestal in which people who belong in different status acknowledge the family with utmost respect.
Except for Juliane, though… because she learned from Tom, that his rude boss was none other than the esteemed trader, Mr. Amon A. Midas.
With her cart parked beside the railings of the riverside park, Juliane accompanied Tom to console him. They sat on the wooden bench, watching the glistening river in front of them.
"I was overjoyed when I finally became Mr. Amon's driver 4 months ago, but now I messed up," he sobbed, recalling how he first met Amon Midas, "I truly idolized him as his talent in discerning things and situations never failed. Maybe… maybe he fired me because of his judgment-"
"It is very unreasonable to fire you just because of that incident. After all, no one's hurt," Juliane said with conviction.
"Still, I couldn't hate him… He doesn't talk much, but I think he's a nice guy…"
Realizing how Tom saw his boss Amon made Juliane feel sorry for him. She cannot do anything but to pat Tom's shoulder. "For four months, Tom became Amon's driver. I wonder how he survived all those grueling months working for that jerk.", Juliane thought.
After an hour of chitchats, Juliane bid goodbye to her newfound friend, with a promise of a simple lunch meal the next time they meet. She pushed her cart, and went back to sell her potatoes around the city. Unfortunately, not a single potato was bought.
With her morale down, she returned to her home in the Eastern Farmlands. Seeing the house with broken windows and torn wooden planks, she somehow regretted not accepting the rude gentleman's money. Even though, Tom insisted Juliane should be the one to receive the banknotes worth 150 silver coins, her own hands couldn't be open to receive such money that caused someone kind-hearted to be fired from his job.
Setting aside the cart of potatoes, Juliane called out, "I'm home!"
Her voice echoed through the quiet space for a few seconds. It was weird, though. Usually, her seven-year-old sister, Adelfa would come running to her once she heard her. The absence of her sister's enthusiastic greeting made Juliane anxious.
"Adelfa?"
Juliane's worry grew, prompting her to enter Adelfa's room. She was distressed as she discovered the young girl with her shoulder-length icy blue hair sprawled across the pillow and her fragile body locked in an unsettling slumber. Adelfa's closed eyes were visibly twitching beneath her eyelids, accompanied by labored breaths hinting a restless and troubled dream.
As Juliane grazed her hand against her sister's arm, the realization struck her like a bolt of lightning—Adelfa was burning with fever. Panic engulfed Juliane, threatening to consume her, but her apprehension worsened upon realizing that their mother had not yet returned home. Where could she be?
Propelled by a surge of adrenaline, Juliane scooped up her sister in her arms, determined to seek aid. However, just as she reached the doorway, her mother appeared, accompanied by an unfamiliar group of individuals garbed in their pristine white coats.
"Mother...?" Juliane's gaze shifted between her mother and the enigmatic figures, "Who are they?"
Holly Johara, her mother, responded with a solemnity that sent shivers down Juliane's spine. "They are medics from Grythwill City Hospital. I called them to check on Adelfa."
The medics approached with a hastened steps, their demeanor shows concern. Juliane was shortly relieved of her worries as she watched the medics take care of Adelfa. She glanced at her mother and saw her staring at Adelfa blankly.
After attending to Adelfa, the medical team made their way out of the house. Holly tried to follow the medical team, but Juliane's instinctive grip on her mother's arm prevented her from doing so.
"Wait. We always went to Littleland Clinic for Adelfa's check-ups because Grythwill City Hospital is beyond our means... How did this happen, Mother?" Juliane eagerly questioned her mother however, as Holly evaded her gaze, Juliane's speculations grew. "Mother... What have you done?"
Holly turned away, her eyes burdened with shame. Her voice, laced with a bittersweet admission, reached Juliane's ears. "I... I sold this farm."
The words crashed upon Juliane like a bucket of ice cold water. Juliane cannot process what she had just heard and asked again her mother hoping for a different answer. "Mother, you sold Father's land? Our cherished potato farm...?"
With a tug, Holly freed herself from Juliane's grasp. "Yes, I did... and now that it's sold, there's nothing you can do about it!" she yelled, visibly upset with the situation.
"But Father always told us to never part with the farm! Why did you..." Juliane's voice faltered, the weight of disappointment and disbelief hanging heavy upon her words.
"Adelfa cannot find the healing she needs at Littleland Clinic, Juliane! With the scarcity of medicines and the limited number of resident doctors... How can we hope for her recovery?" Holly's voice cracked, her eyes brimming with tears. "But don't worry, my dear. I made sure we will have a better life now. I struck an unbelievable deal with the buyer, something that will benefit us three."
"What deal?"
Holly did not even care to answer the question and walked away briskly in the direction of the medic's automobile. Juliane knew she couldn't let her slip away without unraveling the truth. In a swift motion, she ran towards Holly, blocking her path, with her eyes filled with despair.
"Who... Who bought the farm? Mother, you have to tell me, at least!"
Trapped, Holly decided to tell her daughter the truth, "It's the young master of the Midas family… the one who resides in the Golden Mansion!"
"At least tell me what his name is!"
"He's… Amon Midas!"
Not wanting to entertain further questions, Holly turned and fled, leaving Juliane standing there, her eyes wide with shock. Fate had played a cruel game on her, intertwining her path once again with the rude, golden-haired man.