Morning Observations

The morning sun peeked through the cracks in the wooden walls of the inn. Neo woke up early, still groggy from the previous night's events. Rubbing his eyes, he stepped outside to take in the cool morning air.

The lively hum of the slum greeted him—children's laughter, pots clanging as food was prepared, and the faint sound of conversations overlapping in the distance. It was a stark contrast to the serene mornings of Valdris, but somehow, it felt warmer.

As his stomach growled, he decided to find breakfast. When he reached the courtyard where he'd seen her the previous night, he was surprised to see the Queen of the Slums already preparing food.

She worked with the same diligence as before, her radiant smile lighting up the faces of those around her.

Neo stood at a distance, leaning against a post as he watched her. The people gathering around her were lively despite their worn clothes and tired faces. Children ran around laughing, adults chatted as they waited for their turn, and the Queen handed out bowls of food with ease, her warmth seemingly contagious.

The rich aroma of freshly cooked meals filled the air, making Neo's stomach rumble even louder. The sight and smell tempted him to step closer.

Joining the Line

Unable to resist the allure of food any longer, Neo joined the line of people waiting for a meal. As he stood there, he quietly observed the interactions around him—the gratitude in every thank-you, the genuine smiles the Queen offered in return.

Finally, his turn came. Neo stepped forward, and to his surprise, the Queen greeted him directly.

"You're from last night, aren't you?" she said, her tone warm but curious.

Neo blinked, caught off guard. "You... remember me?"

She smiled softly as she ladled food into a bowl. "I remember most of the people here. Faces are harder to forget than you think."

Neo scratched the back of his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I guess that's impressive," he mumbled. "Most people don't even notice me unless I'm asking questions."

She chuckled lightly, her laugh carrying a soothing warmth. "Questions aren't bad. They're just rare around here."

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As she handed him the bowl, she added, "I'm Althea, by the way."

Neo accepted the bowl with a polite nod. "Neo. Thanks for the food, Althea."

He stepped aside, finding a place to sit while the line continued. As he tasted the food, his thoughts lingered on her. Althea... Queen of the Slums. She's something else.

Neo's Curiosity

As he ate, Neo's mind wandered, questions bubbling to the surface. He furrowed his brow, crossing his arms as he muttered under his breath, "Where does she even get this much food? Does she have help? Or is she from the rich side? That's the only explanation..."

The Blue-Haired Stranger

"You talking to yourself, or are you just spying?"

Neo flinched, startled by the sudden voice behind him. He turned to see a tall, blue-haired man leaning casually against the wall, holding a bowl of food in one hand. His sharp eyes glinted with amusement, and his smirk gave him an air of playful arrogance.

"Looks like we got ourselves a stalker," the man teased, taking another bite of food.

Neo blinked, flustered. "I'm not stalking! I'm just... curious."

The man laughed, his tone lighthearted but somehow knowing. "Relax, I'm just messing with you." He pointed at Neo with his spoon. "But you do stand out. Way too much."

Neo raised an eyebrow. "I do?"

The man nodded. "For sure. You're not the only one who gets food here, but unlike the others, you're just standing there staring with that weird look on your face."

Neo glanced back toward Althea and suddenly realized why she had been glancing in his direction.

"Oh... so that's why she keeps looking over here," he muttered.

An Intriguing Conversation

The man chuckled and plopped down on the ground, gesturing for Neo to sit beside him.

"You're a curious one," the man said, his tone shifting slightly. "And you're half-right about your little question."

Neo hesitated but sat down, keeping his distance. "Half-right?"

"Yeah. Usually, people don't really ask where the food comes from. They're just grateful enough to have something to eat." He took another bite, savoring it before continuing. "But you? You're asking questions nobody else bothers with."

Neo frowned, tilting his head. "Does that make me... strange?"

The man laughed again, though his gaze was sharper now. "No, it makes you curious. But curiosity makes you stick out like a nail. And you know what happens to nails that stick out, right?"

Neo stayed silent, unsure how to respond.

The man leaned back, finishing his food with a satisfied sigh. "Still, I'll admit. The food is really good, huh?"

Neo nodded slightly, his thoughts still preoccupied with the Queen.

A Subtle Warning

The blue-haired man suddenly grew quiet, staring at Neo with a different expression. His playful demeanor shifted, and for a moment, his eyes seemed sharper—almost predatory.

"You're either just curious..." the man said slowly, his tone almost thoughtful, "....or someone who can see."

Neo's heart skipped a beat. His mind raced. See? What does he mean?

The man's smirk returned, though his eyes didn't lose their edge. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Most people just take what they're given. But not you. You're looking deeper. Careful where that gets you, stalker."

Neo tried to mask his discomfort, but the man's sudden intensity left him uneasy.

Before Neo could press further, the man stood up and dusted himself off.

"Well, I've got work to do. See you around, stalker," he said with a laugh, waving casually as he walked away.

Neo's Reflections

Neo sat there for a moment, staring at the spot where the man had been.

"See? What does he mean by that? And who is he, anyway?"

Turning his gaze back toward Althea, Neo's curiosity only grew. She moved so naturally, so effortlessly, yet the question still burned in his mind: Where does all this food come from? And why does she do this every day?

When he finally returned to the inn, he pulled out his journal.

"Lesson 16: People here don't ask questions. They accept what they're given. Maybe that's enough for them. But I can't do that—I need to know why things happen. That man... he saw it. He knew I was looking deeper. Does that make me different? Or just foolish?"

He tapped his pen against the page, hesitating before writing the next line.

"Curiosity isn't a crime. But he's right—I stick out. And sometimes, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down."

Closing the journal, Neo sighed deeply, staring at the ceiling."each question leads to another."