"Is it enough proof?" The two of us were standing in front of the priest.

"Very well. This cloth will be placed inside the Holy place of union." A female saintess took away the cloth. Which holy place does this? Isn't it stupid?

"Then, we will be leaving." I walked outside toward the carriage.

There she was, Liz. She was wearing my coat over the white shirt and dark green skirt. Her hair was in high ponytail.

She finally noticed me. "Shall we go now?"

"Yeah, but somewhere else."

"Huh?"

"Your village, where is it?"

"Scane? Its far from here if I am not wrong? And why?"

"Because I am telling you that." I went near the driver.

"We are riding to Scane."

"Huh? But why? You won't be able to reach home in time to eat!" The introverted driver spoke up nervously.

'Hmm?'

'Hmmmm?'

'What's going on with him?'

"Defying my orders, eh?" I smiled as i stood with my hands on my waist.

"N- no. Please ride on."

I could see the word 'shit' written on his face. But why?

I stepped in and sat right next to Liz. It was because in front of me was a small window through which I could see the driver.

"Um, why?" She questioned. Her hair was cascading down her shoulder, toward me.

"Because I wanted to braid them. Can I?"

"Go on? Wait. Is it your fetish or something?" She looked disgusted.

"Eww, no." I started braiding them. "I always wanted to braid my little sister's hair once she got a bit older"

Vicky...

"Of Rory." Remembering Vicky, sadness filled my eyes. I really miss them. Less than before but... I want to see them once again.

"Oh... I used to braid my sister's hair before. But since I left the home, my little brother has been doing it for her."

"Really?" How sweet I suppose.

"Yeah... you really are a good brother" She smiled softly as she looked at me.

"Not really..."

"Rory must love you."

"We actually haven't met. She is my step sister actually."

"Oh.... "

"I think you should know about things like this. You have to pretend anyways, and I want you to do a really good job."

"Yeah, I will try my best to learn." She didn't looked that determined but honestly, she don't really care. Except for her family, nothing matters to her.

"Let's make this carriage ride useful!"

"Huh? Right now?" How heartbroken her eyes seemed.

"Yes, remember everything, I will quiz you."

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"Wh-?"

"Winners get a toffee and not getting exposed as a betrayer of the royal rule."

"What the hell..." she laughed. "Bring it on then!" Now she looked determined.

*****

The carriage rode way faster than expected. Liz was checking out her braids. I knew I did a good job when she thanked me so happily. It seemed like her life span returned after everything I told her about the family. She told me some stuff too.

"It's my village" her tone was down.

It was a slum like area. It was smelly and dirty. Alcoholics were walking in broad daylight. There were kids gambling and women just stared disdainfully. Thank god that I was wearing a cloak and she looked like she belonged there, except she seemed more hygenic.

I followed her while the driver stopped at the outskirt of town.

"Look down and don't make eye contact. They are hostile, more toward men, perverted toward women."

"I see."

We walked for what seemed like couple of minutes. Then she walked in an area of town that seemed different than other. Except that area of the town seemed more friendly and social. It was buzzing with shops and other markets. We walked forward at the end of the markets, where houses started again. Soon we stopped in front of a house. Identical to others, it was made of red bricks and cement. The people built it themselves. The door was the only thing that looked strong. Even the roof seemed weak but workable.

Liz or Leese knocked.

"Lank, Lanki! Sister is here!"

The door was opened by two beautiful childrens. They had striking green eyes and red hair. Both of them were really fair. The boy was taller and the girl had longer hair. She looked nothing like them. The kids were quite at first but as soon as we entered inside the jumped on Leese.

"Sister! You came back soo late! Its been months!"

Leese sat on her knees and hugged them both with bright smile.

"Sorry, but seems like both of you were well behaving?" She ruffled their hairs.

"Sister, who's the guest?" The boy asked.

"Uh-"

I kneeled down next to her.

"Think of me as your sister's really close friend." I took off my headcover and smiled pleasantly.

"Woah! So handsome. Just like Papa!" Lanki said excitedly as she left Leese and stood in front of me with her hands kept at her side.

"Really tall too!" Lank said.

"Thank you." I ruffled her hair softly and gave him a smile.

"They aren't usually like this to others. Usually they are really quiet." She spoke while standing up.

I stood along her and followed her again. Her siblings followed us like little foxes.

"Mama are you sleeping?"

*cough*

"...come..." A shrill voice of women was heard from behind the curtains around bed that formed a room.

It was a single room with kitchen, the area where her mom hid to sleep and bed on the ground for kids. It had other essentials as well.

She pulled away the curtain. The women was really weak, really thin. Still, her tan skin glew despite her living conditions. Her hair was brown and eyes were green. She was a beautiful lady.

"Is he?" She looked at me and started to rise.

"Lay back down please." I sat down on the stool Leese provided.

"Lord... are we in trouble?" Her voice was shaky.

"No. I just want to ask, are you being provided with money?"

"What money? They stopped after 2 month and how could I tell her? She was already is in so much trouble."

"What?!" Leese almost screamed.

"No suprise."

"T- those people" She was shaking.

I took out a pouch from my pocket. From inside, I dropped 5 gold coins in front of her.

"Each month, I will provide you money comparible to 5 gold coin. But be careful, honey attracts ants."

"B-but why?"

"I really wanted to help the family of my close friend and wife." I looked at Leese.

She looked at me with admiration and confusion.

"Thank you so m- much!"

"Please care for my daughter. She really is my treasure."

"Mama" Leese hugged her mother.

"I will but you won't be able to meet her often."

"As long as she is safe and happy."

"She will be next to me" I smiled as I couldn't promise either.

After an hour of spending time together, we had to leave. All three of them came to say goodbye to us.

"Bye bye mister!" The kids screamed as their mother waved.

"Study well! Bye! Take care!"

"We will! Bye sister!"

"Bye!"

It was a sweet goodbye.

****

We were now in carriage.

"Thank You so mu-"

"Don't get your hopes up so high." I said seriously as I saw the expressions of the girl sitting in front of me to change from joy to confusion. "It's your salary that I would be giving to your family. It depends on you if they get 5 gold coins or none at all."

"I...see. Nothing is ever free in this world anyways." She looked away. "Is that also why you have been so nice to me all this time? Except during some moments." She said the last part quietly.

"No. It's just how I am." I grinned.

"You are really scary sometime." She looked at me as her eyebrows furrowed upward. "What's your plan?"

"Nothing you have to worry about. Just be a pawn."

"What's my use? Am I even useful? Please tell me for my own security."

"Let's just say, with you being my wife, I have more say because it's not a relationship as you may know. Number two, you are helpful to completely cut off ties with the Amethyst family. They really could have benefited with me as their

son-in-law but alas!" I shrugged my shoulder and threw my head back, making my hair fell back too, reveling my forehead.

"I see. The king probably want to get rid of the Amethyst family."

I spun back at my place and looked at her a little shock. "How would a peasant like you deduce that?" I chuckled.

"I can read, not write perfectly yet but I like to read an hour before sleeping. I deduced some stuff myself. I guess I like doing what the call 'researching'?"

"A sharp one eh?" Is is good thing or not?

"Well as long as you catch on quick."

She was awfully quite and tamed.

"What's up? Nervous? Scared? Or Sad?"

"All." She sighed.

"Rest for a bit. Its still long before reaching."

"Yeah... thanks..."

I smiled "If you get bored, I can quiz you-"

"NO THANKS"

****

It was almost night time. There was darkness outside the window. We were almost reaching the manor. My brown oak home, decorated with flowers, surrounded by garden and trees. Not to large but large enough. Why am I missing it this much? It has just been 2 days at most.

I will introduce Liz to my big family of servants. They would be glad to meet someone compassionate like her.

It got me smiling, they were the one who made me willing to live again afterall.

....

"What's with the light from outside?" Liz woke up from her slumber.

Light...?

Liam quickly pushed the curtains aside. There it was... my precious home burning in flame.

"Driver! Faster!"

The carriage sped up, covering the distance in few minutes with the fast stomping of horses and there neighing.

Liam jumped out of the carriage and ran toward. He was stopped by Liz before he ran inside.

"Let me go!"

Liz pushed him back on the ground.

"It's no use Liam! It has already been burned down!"

Liz's pov

His eyed were filled with tear as his body trembled on the land. His teeth were clenching hard and he looked up to me as I have comitted a sin.

"We have to wait."

"What do you even MEAN?! Wait and let them die?!"

"Look at the damage Liam. It's probably been 3 to 4 hours since the house started burning.... if fire didn't killed them, the suffocation did." I couldn't see him like that. I controlled my tears as I wanted to be his support, not the other way around like always.

His eyes lost all the light as the grim reality hit his consciousness. Tears flew down his eyes as he looked desperately at the ground while bitting his cheeks from inside. I knew this emotion very well. I knew I shouldn't but I couldn't stop myself from giving him the false hope.

"Maybe they escaped? They might be around or would have taken a shelter."

Deep inside I knew it wasn't possible because if they did, we would have been informed hours ago.

"R-really?" He looked up desperately "You think so?"

I was now filled with guilt. I kneeled down and extended my arms. He leaned closer and embraced me. I hugged him back while patting his back. It was my answer. I couldn't lie anymore but he needed faith or it seemed like he would've jumped in the fire as well. I also knew that when his mind was currently not working properly so he couldn't deduce anything by himself currently, he would trust everything I say.

"I hope they are okay" Liam bawled his eyes out. I could do nothing except comfort him silently.

Was it the same man whom I thought was two faced? He seems really pitiful right now. He looked messed up.

***