Absent-minded, Letizia sat in one of the tables, her food cold, as she stared into nothingness. Four people watched from the side as they shook their heads. Eventually, the three went to serve the customers. Only the inn owner remained. Peter sighed and decided to sit next to her with his meal. Letizia glanced, smiled and went back to an empty gaze. "Life isn't all about a single thing. Look around, many people, many opportunities…"
Letizia looked down, only partly listening to his words. It entered her ear but left on the other. Nevertheless, Peter resumed. "Do not tie yourself to a single person because if the person is gone, you'll be gone as well. Your parents, siblings, and friends. Think of them." Before he left, he ended with a," Around you are different people who have gone through something similar or even worse than you. Until today, they never gave up."
Her gaze followed him before looking around, and on the corner, she saw two kids, dirty and poor, with barely any clothing on. From the 10-year-old sister, a knife slice carved her face. Yet, even so, she smiles as she drinks a soup, sharing it with her grandma. A person entered, his left eye gone, and right hand cut off. A thug in the slums. His footsteps rand loudly as he walked towards the counter. With his situation, it didn't restrict him from flirting with the three sisters. Her thoughts ventured to her goals and the image of her mother living a luxurious life along with Sally. The corner of her lips raised up, but the bitter feeling of the past few days resurfaced. She needs to confirm. To finally end things.
Finishing her food, she asked for permission to leave and ran continuously towards the residence. It was far from her address, and so, she would continually rest for a few minutes. After god knows how long, she finally reached it. Two guards remained by the tall gates, guarding it. Letizia stopped in her tracks, her mind isn't working well, exhausted and busy calming her body down. For a few moments, she caught her breath and circled the residence, searching for a hole or any passage she could go through and enter. At this point, she still doesn't know if the family had left since nobles usually take more time to prepare than ordinary people.
Luckily, God is with her. The guards finally noticed her, but instead of prohibiting Letizia, they allowed her inside without any fuss. They also informed her that the Baron already left along with Denis and his sister, unfortunately. Nevermind them, Letizia has to meet George and go back to their place together. She doesn't know much of the way back home, so she relies on him for it. Running inside, and to their room before, yet she's a few steps away and heard noises. Noises that's very traumatic for her. Letizia stopped in her tracks, her gaze sharp. Cheating. Pig. Curses filled her mind as she ran towards the door and kicked it open. The audacity! It wasn't even closed as they did some unholy deed. Both were naked on the bed, clothes on the floor. Stomping her foot, she rushed and kicked him before leaving. "Fuck You!!"
Her scream was heard throughout the residence. Tears fell down her cheeks. Deep in her heart, she swore not to trust any men. All of them are precisely the same. Even in the inn, all they do is visit to get laid. Flirting all day like it's their job. After running out of the residence, she left and stopped in a desolate corner. Her eyes were red when she arrived back at the Fern Inn. The owner saw her, but he didn't speak. A few minutes later and the three older sisters, Maria, Danielle, and Ysabell, knocked in her room. "Lettie, we brought food." Letizia's eyes are still wet and red from all the crying. Curled in a ball, she didn't say anything as the three sat on the bed, squishing her down.
"Hm, since you're being difficult, I'll tell you about my experiences." Says Danielle.
The day passed, and the three sisters left to do their duties. Morning arrived, and although Letizia was not feeling okay, she came downstairs and helped with the customers. It was as usual. Since she has no purpose here, why doesn't she return back home? She spoke to the inn owner, who was at the counter, drinking. "Peter, I have a question."
"Hm?"
With eyes burning with determination, she slowly uttered the words. "Can you help me go to the town of Carde in the south?" She's 14, unaware of the world, and so, she needs an older person's help. Without glancing at her, he returned a question. "You're going back home?"
She nodded, eyes remaining on old Peter. "Alright," he sighed and entered the storage room, returning with a map tucked under his armpits. He took it out and showed the map of the capital. With a point of his finger, he indicated," This is where we are." It's close to the very center, but it's in the east part. He moved his finger diagonally to Carde close to the edge of the city. "And this is your hometown. It would take about 10 hours with stops, but since it's farther away, the fare would also cost quite a sum. About $500. Do you have that much?"
Letizia stiffens. 500 is a lot of money, she excuses herself and runs back to her room, searching for the pouches of coins. She remembers she has about 3 bags now, after spending George's money. Letizia's careful in hiding it since her room hadn't had a secure lock. Taking out a block of the floor on the corner of the room, she took out the first pouch. It was as heavy as before. Now, she went for the one under her bed, but to her surprise, it was kind of small. Her eyes turned sharp and went to her cabinet. Books and other things remained the same, but her ink was it in its usual place. What had she expected? She sighed and gathered the three pouches. One, two, three…
The total was $368.53. The girl spat. So many coins but only $368, she put them back to the pouches and went to ask Peter to give her three more locks.
"Somebody in your room?"
"Yes." Her face was filled with discontent.
"I'm afraid that won't solve anything. There's another secret passage to enter your room from beside it, and under your bed. I advise you to move, there's an extra room beside mine."
A deafening silence ensued. Letizia is just shocked, unable to process that information.
"Oh, okay," she agreed and in reflex, took the key and ran back home.