8 YEARS AGO BEFORE CURRENT EVENTS.
CHEONAN, HYE RIN'S FAMILY HOUSE
"Where are you dragging me off to? Did you start some trouble again!"
My mum screams at me as I drag her from her bed. She hasn't been going out lately after the divorce with my dad. I wear a helmet on her head and finally got her to sit on the back of my motorcycle after trillions of years of convincing.
"Are you trying to get us killed you crazy girl?! Why are you riding at such a high speed."
I sigh and continue driving going at a little more speed than earlier.
"Those kids are riding a bicycle faster than us!"
After sacrificing blood, sweat and tears, we finally arrive at the restaurant. I open the door with one hand with the other holding my mother's hand.
I walk to the center of the dark room and leave her hand alone.
"Are you pulling a prank on your mother, you'd better on that light"
My mum shouts at the top of her voice, and as she has commanded, the lights come on.
"Surprise!!!"'
My mother's parents, siblings including my younger siblings and I scream zipping down our jackets with "CHEERUP LIL OLD MAMA" written on it.
"It's not like getting a divorce is the end of the world, are you trying to get full gray hair before your mother!"
My grandmother says with a smile on her face. Hye Ro, my youngest sibling brings in the cake and asks my mum to blow the candle.
"This is all my idea, aren't I the best mum?"
Hye Ro says earning him a smack on the head. Mum blows the candle and everyone cheers. It's really nice to see her smiling, she looks like she's aged 50 years in the past few weeks.
"Just wait a little while mum, I'm going to buy grandma, grandpa and you a really big house and hire a lot of helpers so you wouldn't have to lift a finger.
~~~~~
PRESENT TIME, INSIDE COUNT JUDE'S CARRIAGE
Maybe it's because of Count Jude, I'm suddenly missing my mother. I wonder if she's looking for me right now or if...
By chance is Vivian in my body and acting like she's me like I'm acting like her?
"This is confusing"
I whisper to myself looking at the Count who smiles at me. Taking a long look at Count Jude, Vivian looks nothing like her father compared to Letitia who takes her father's eye and her mother's hair and nose. The only similarity between Vivian and the Count is their black hair, which anyone could have.
"Maybe she looks like her mother?"
Our carriage stops in front of a random shop and the Count helps me out. I'm wearing a simple skirt and blouse so it's easy to move around.
"Where are we going, Father"
I ask the Count as he leads the way deeper into the market.
"You'll see, we're almost there."
There're different shops with steaming foods, accessories, clothes and many other beautiful things. If not for the Count who taps my shoulders, I'd be in a totally different place because of all the beautiful things here.
We finally get to a shop with delicious treats on display. The Count leads us to a table and orders a large size lemon cake for me.
Vivian and I must really have similar tastes in food, the Count made a nice decision ordering the large size. The cake soon arrives and I take a bite of the fluffy sweet and tangy sponge.
"It's nice seeing the same expression on your face even though years have passed."
"I remember the first time I brought you here, you were just 4. Pulling onto my clothe and refusing to leave the market if you don't get a taste of the lemon cake."
The Count laughs making me laugh too, Vivian must have been a really cute kid.
"I bought you the small size then and promised to buy you the large size when we come here next but we never did as I was busy."
"I'm sorry for not fulfilling my promise on time. That aside, I have something to discuss with you."
I put down my small fork to listen to him.
"You must be wondering why I didn't mention you going to the Palace."
"I was going to put your name too but because you have no social presence and you're the child of my mistress, I know the ladies there might make fun of you and demean you."
I sort of understand what he's saying, why does Vivian never attend anything? Now I have to suffer the consequences.
"One of my staff advised I send you to Gerin city. There's a small village there and the people are in need of help."
"You'd go there as an aid nurse and help the people there. You can make a name for yourself and walk your way up from there."
"You don't have to put too much sacrifice into it. Just do your best."
I nod taking a sip of my tea. I've never worked at any form of healthcare place before so it might be a little hard but it wouldn't hurt trying out a new career.
"I'll do my best and make sure not to disappoint you, Father."
~~~~~
Strolling a little through the market, making sure not to walk too far from the store father went into to get some things.
Now that I'm looking around, this place looks familiar. I look up far ahead to see Madam Grace's tailor shop signboard standing tall. I guess it's the same area.
I sniff a familiar smell and walk toward where it's coming from. The heavenly smell is from the spicy chicken breast food stand. I can feel my mouth watering already.
About to start ordering my food, a loud high pitched scream echoes through the market. I walk towards the sound where people are already gathering.
There's a woman that's dressed quite nicely dragging a girl on the floor. Isn't that the girl who was with the ruffian that tried to kill me?
"You're fired you thief!!!"
The woman screams at the girl raising her hand about to hit when I run to grab the girl.
"If you're going to fire her just do it, do you have to hit her!!!"
The woman scoffs and walks closer to me with her hands folded on her chest.
"My 7 silver coins went missing and the only person who could have stolen it is that good for nothing!!!"
"Even if I sell her, who are you to interfere!!"
People are now whispering about how cruel the woman is but none of them is helping out. I bring out 5 golden coins from my pouch and throw them at the woman.
"Take that and leave the girl alone!!!"
The woman greedily picks up the money and goes back into her shop. Now the crowd is scattered leaving the girl and me.
"What's your name? How are you?"
I ask the little girl bending down to her height to wipe the dirt off her face with a handkerchief.
"My name is Margret and I'm 9 years old."
Tears start falling from her eyes as she hugs me, I don't know what to do so I just pat her back. One of the few things I'm bad at is comforting someone.
"Do you have anywhere to go? what about your parents?"
The girl sniffs trying to stop crying and answer my question.
"My parents died in a house fire 2 years ago and I don't know any of their relatives."
The girl burst into tears again making me want to cry too. It must have been hard for her.
"How about you follow me?"
"You might not know me but I'm sure you've heard of Count Sullivan, he's my father. You won't be maltreated or homeless if you follow me."
The girl smiles a little through her tears and hugs me again.
"Thank you, my lady."
I hug her back smiling then my mind goes back to the chicken.
"It seems I'll have to pass my spicy chicken breast again today. Let's go."
I stand up abruptly when I twist my ankle and stumble backward, about to hit the ground I feel someone's hand against my back to stop me from falling.
"Thank you, oh it's you!"
I turn around to thank the person and it turns out to be the silver-haired guy from before (Handsome looking hobo.)
"You should watch where you're going."
Not giving me a second glance after his sentence he walks away.
"Is being handsome everything!"
Margret chuckles and holds my hand.
"Let's go meet Father and go home."