Being healthy his whole life, the unfamiliar feeling of illness that plagued Lucian's body made him scream in protest. He didn't care what was worse, emotional or physical pain, he couldn't stand either of them.
He felt like he was going to die. And he didn't want to die. Not yet. Not without meeting his little wife! He still had a dream to fulfill!
It would take a whole day for the medicine to take effect, but as soon as it did, he would gather his things and go out to the streets.
Unable to move around much, he was forced to scrap his mobile pawn shop and find a job. One he could handle while sitting down; one that didn't involve heavy lifting or running.
It proved to be more difficult than he thought. No matter how good relationships Lucian had built with the town's people, they turned their backs on him, even the baker he always bought bread from, was now acting like he didn't know him.
"L-lucian...?" A girl's voice reached his ears from behind.
Lucian turned around to see who it was, and he saw her. The girl from before, the one he had made so much money with in just a few hours. Celine Rochefort, the Duke's daughter.
Lucian didn't want her to see him in this state and tried to run away, taking a step back.
"Hey!" She grabbed his shoulder to stop him, but she ended up pulling him toward her, and they both fell to the ground, with him on top of her, "Ack!"
Lucian shot out his arms to protect her head and to cushion her fall. She only hit her bottom which was hidden under the layers of soft fabric, making it look like he couldn't wait to smash her head with his palms, "..."
She was about to complain when she noticed his red eyes and tear-stained cheeks, "Ugh...if you try to frame me for assaulting you to get money from me, it won't work," she warned, quickly pushing him off her, "I have no money to spare."
Lucian quickly wiped his tears with the back of his sleeve, her words making him regret saving her, "You talk like you weren't born with a golden spoon in your mouth," he said, the words coming out harsher than he intended, "You are lucky that I was here to catch you, Rich Girl."
"..." The girl stayed on the ground as she held back from lashing at him, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Then, her eyes widened in recognition, "Don't tell me...you went bankrupt?"
"W-what?" Lucian was taken aback, "N-no, I still have plenty of money, pfft, why would you think I'm poor?"
"...Because you look like a stray cat that got kicked in the rain," she pointed out, standing up and brushing the dust from her dress.
"I don't!" Lucian argued, "I'm owner of land, you know?!" he boasted, "I'm a landowner!"
She widened her eyes at that, "Really?"
"I'll show you," he said, "Come with me."
She immediately tagged along, "Ordering me around like that, you must be really confident in yourself," she muttered, following him as he led the way.
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The walk to the other side of the town was exhausting for Lucian, and by the time they reached their destination, he was completely out of breath.
"H-here," Lucian said, "What...uff... do...uff... you think?"
Celine stared at the small plot of land, "..." She didn't say anything for a while, and Lucian was starting to get nervous.
"Why plant flowers instead of food? You look like you need food more than a pretty garden," she commented, more confused than anything. Straight to the point and with no tact in her words.
'Why does she always have a point...?' Lucian thought. He sat on the ground to catch his breath while the girl wandered around, taking a closer look at his property.
"Your house?" she asked, pointing at the small tent.
"It's my gang's hideout," he corrected her.
"Gang's hideout?"
"I'm the leader," Lucian boasted again. Though most were too busy to show up recently, and his health was declining, so his title of leader was hanging on by a thread. He didn't tell her that, but by his expression it seemed that she could guess. No, not guess.
"They fled, huh?"
"NO! THEY DIDN'T FLEE!" Lucian shouted, surprising the girl with the loudness of his voice, "THEY WOULDN'T ABANDON ME!"
"Oh, so they abandoned you."
Lucian covered his face with his hands, his breathing becoming erratic. He couldn't stop the tears from falling, no matter how hard he tried to hold them back.
She crouched down beside him, "You can't expect people to stay with you when things get tough. That's why you break their wings before they have a chance to fly away."
'...Huh?'
"It's just a saying about taking advantage of the weak." She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on top of them, looking at him, "Your desperate situation may be a burden for some but an opportunity for others."
Her blue eyes reflected the light of the sun as she smiled, "Someone could see a chance to get a loyal servant that will do anything to please them."
Lucian scrambled away from her, putting some distance between them while wiping his tears, "I'm not selling myself to anyone. I have a dream, and I will fulfill it, no matter what," he declared, his voice firm and determined.
"What's your dream?" she asked, leaning forward in curiosity.
Lucian hesitated, then decided to tell her. "To marry a lovely wife and live a peaceful life with her."
Her smile dropped.
'What's that reaction?' He wondered. "What?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at her. Did she pity him?
"You plan to waste that," she pointed at the place in between his eyes, "...on some random girl?"
Lucian touched his forehead, feeling offended, "Why not? It's mine, I can do whatever I want with it."
"..." She didn't reply, and he could see her thinking about something. She bit her bottom lip, the shadow over her eyes becoming more and more ominous, and then she stood up. "Do you want to be my servant?" she asked.
"No," Lucian replied quickly.
"I will get you an unlimited supply of medicine."
"Still..." Lucian slowly shook his head, "…no."
"Still…" she slowly repeated after him, "...no?"