"So, what are you planning to do now, my lady?" Kallian asked with that same insufferable grin.
"None of your business."
"Aren't we a team?" he teased.
"We were. The task's done, you got your share." I shrugged.
"You're so mean," Kallian pouted.
"I always was."
"It doesn't suit you, being mean."
"And why's that?" I grinned.
"Because I want to follow you around — and your meanness makes it difficult." His voice carried a surprising seriousness beneath the teasing.
I sighed. "You should know, sticking with me will only get you into trouble."
"My lady, I am trouble." He smirked.
I shook my head, half-smiling. "Can't even deny that."
"So that means I can come with you!" His eyes lit up with excitement.
"I never said that." I sighed. "But it seems I don't have much of a choice since you clearly won't stop following me if I tell you to."
"You understand me so well, my lady."
We walked through the crowded street. People laughed, bartered, called out from stalls, a world of noise around us — but between us, a strange silence. Odd. I didn't peg Kallian as the type you could have silence with.
"You're really skilled, my lady," he finally said. "The way you fought back there — flawless. You've been at this a long time, haven't you?"
"So what if I have?"
"Does your family know?"
"They don't need to."
"So you've kept them in da—"
"None of your business. You don't even know my name."
"Oh, right! I forgot to ask." He grinned. "What should I call you?"
"Call me whatever you like."
"Okay… but what's your real name?"
"Why do you care?"
"Why make such a big deal of it? It's just a name."
I hesitated for a moment, then told him the name only those I trusted had ever known. "Elicia."
"What a wonderful name, my lady," he smirked like he'd won a game.
"Don't call me 'my lady.'"
"But why, my lady?"
"I'm just thirteen."
"WHAT?!" Kallian nearly stumbled. "I was walking around with a thirteen-year-old thinking she was fifteen or something!"
"No need to worry. People say that a lot."
"You seriously don't look thirteen."
"I know."
We kept walking, still chatting, until I felt it — eyes on me. I turned quickly. Just a child, watching me from a corner. I sighed in relief… but then noticed how close we were to my house. Time to kick this guy out.
I stopped. "Kallian."
"Don't call me Kallian. Call me big brother, tiny lady."
"Who are you calling tiny?"
"You, tiny lady."
"I am not tiny," I muttered.
"You are. Thirteen is practically invincible."
"Then what about you? You're barely older."
"Excuse me," he grinned, "I'm seventeen."
Hah. Nailed it. "Huh, still young," I smirked.
"I AM NOT. Don't you know male leads in stories are always seventeen or eighteen?" He flashed another I win grin. "And you're just thirteen, hahahaha!"
"I swear, you've wounded my ego. Someday, you'll pay."
"You're acting like you actually read novels. You're hurting my ego."
"Of course I do."
"Really?" he exclaimed, eyes wide.
"If I said it, it's true."
"Then I've got a surprise for you… you've just found a book friend."
"But we're not friends."
"But we can be."
I thought for a moment. Honestly, it wouldn't hurt. "Fine." I tried to make a serious face, but a little smile slipped out.
"Yeah! I finally made a book friend!"
"Me too."
"But wait — how do you afford books?"
"Of course I—"
"Don't tell me you steal books too!" His curiosity was ridiculous.
"Of course not."
He sighed in relief. "Good. Because if you did, my heart might break."
"I don't buy them either. I borrow from the library."
"Oh." His face softened. "Sorry for assuming."
"You look all mature and sincere when you apologize. Honestly unexpected." I laughed for real — the kind that bubbles up without warning. "If I can give you some advice — if you ever fall in love, just apologize first. Trust me."
Kallian laughed too. "Noted, my lady."
But then I noticed — my house was close now. I had to send him away.
"Big brother."
"Yes, my dear sister?" he chuckled.
"Never mind. I'm not calling you that."
"So, Kallian, you have to leave for now."
"But why? I was having fun."
"Because I'm going home."
"Even better! I wonder what kind of house a lady like you has."
"But… my little sister's afraid of strangers."
"You have a little sister too?" His eyes lit up. "Is she as interesting as you?"
"I don't know if she's interesting, but she's definitely… cuuuute."
"I wish I could meet her."
"Maybe someday."
"But can you at least tell me where you live?"
"Why should I?"
"Because I'm worried about you."
"You? Worry about me? Never."
"I am," he said, his face unexpectedly serious.
I sighed, pointing to a side alley. "See that last tent-like structure in the corner? That's my house."
His expression shifted. "That's…"
"Yeah, yeah. Now, off you go."
"Bye," he said, a little softer than before.
"Bye."
I headed toward the house I'd pointed at. But I didn't go in. I took a turn and hid, watching. Kallian waited there for a few seconds, hands behind his head, then wandered away down the street.
Safe… or maybe not.
I walked to my real home, wondering.
Who really is Kallian?
As I stepped into the tent, a familiar warmth greeted me — a mix of dry cloth, old wood, and the faint sweetness of Anna's hair oil.
"Welcome back, sister!" Anna's voice rang out before I even saw her. She ran up and hugged me, thin arms clinging around my waist like I'd been gone for days instead of hours.
"Hey, hey — careful, you'll break me," I teased, ruffling her hair.
"You were late today," she pouted, pulling back. "I waited."
"I had… things to take care of," I said, tossing the bag of stolen fruit to the side. "But look what I brought."
Her face lit up, eyes gleaming. "For me?"
"Half," I smirked. "The other half's for Mother."
As if summoned, my mother stepped into view from behind the hanging cloth that divided our tent. Her face was tired, lines I didn't remember from before deepening each day, but her smile stayed.
"Home safe, at least," she murmured. "That's enough for me."
For a moment, none of us spoke. The outside noise from Bruen Verle's market still floated faintly on the wind. Inside our little home, the world felt separate.
"I… I heard something today," my mother finally said, breaking the silence. "A man came by the well. Asking about a girl. Said she had eyes like the sea waves"
My stomach twisted. My hand instinctively dropped to my side.
"I told him no one like that lives around here," she said softly. "But be careful, Elicia. Careful."
I forced a smile. "Always am."
Anna tugged my sleeve. "Can you tell me a story tonight?"
I opened my mouth to say no — then paused.
"Yeah… yeah, I can."
Because who knew how many more nights we'd have like this?
As she lay down, I glanced outside the tent flap. The street was empty. No one there.
But for the first time in weeks, I felt watched.
I shook it off, pulled the blanket around Anna, and leaned against the wall.
Kallian… Who are you really?
I didn't realize when my eyes finally closed.