Dread and relief, both good descriptors of how Lizzie was feeling as the auction date drew closer. The only reason she had even a semblance of time when the auction was coming was due to the fact she had overheard adults whispering about it outside the large cellar the children were kept in. Each one betting on who would be sold the fastest, some asking for a different slice of profit due to their "increased involvement in the process". One would think they were talking about wrangling up horses to sell instead of the children they kept starving in the basement.
Perhaps we'd sell at higher prices if you fed us!
Lizzie thought angrily as she listened to the hushed conversation intently, attempting to find some humor in the situation to console herself of the fate awaiting her. What if her plan did not work? If Beth was unable to persuade the Duke or worse, she did not even ask him to help her, what was she to do? Beth had safety assured. A thought that lit a fire of hatred and jealousy in Lizzie that quickly died once she saw Beth's sleeping face pressed against her like a clingy animal.
"I'm sorry…" Lizzie whispered to Beth. It had been wrong to hate the poor child for even a second. She never chose this and had gone through a hell worse than Lizzie could ever imagine. Beth deserved to be safe and happy in a big mansion filled with expensive things. Lizzie just wished that she could confidently say she'd still be by Beth's side there.
A few sleeping children stirred, their light rustles could be heard in the deadly still night. The adults had either finished their conversation or moved to a different area to talk as their muffled voices could no longer be heard. An older kid, around twelve it seemed, gently pressed their hand on Lizzie's shoulder.
"Why aren't you asleep?" He asked, a gruff tone that sounded similar in tone to the kidnappers.
"I can't fall asleep," Lizzie replied, pushing Beth further into herself and out of this boy's line of sight, "I'm not bothering anyone."
"You're going to wanna get some rest." The boy said, tightening his grip on her shoulder, "We have a big day tomorrow."
Lizzie shrugged him off, not intimidated in the slightest and now growing annoyed at this kid.
Respect your elders, kid! I'm like seven years older than you, try scaring someone your own size! How did you even know I wasn't asleep? It's like pitch black in here! Did you hear my slight whisper and decide to manhandle wherever the sound came from!?
Something about this did seem familiar though, an older boy telling someone in the night that they had a big day tomorrow…the female lead! This was meant for Beth!
In the original story Beth had constant insomnia, even years after being brought to the Duke's mansion, and so some boy had come to tell her to go to bed and let it slip that the auction was the next night. Lizzie already knew this, but wasn't it here that the female lead got her first harem member? Though he was quickly pushed aside the moment she left the child trafficking ring and never heard from again, this boy had found the female lead to be cute in her fear and gave her a kiss on the cheek to "cheer her up".
What kind of reaction is that?! Who would kiss a scared child three years younger than you to try and console them despite the fact they're about to be sold at the highest price? Author, what are you on!? This isn't some test she's scared to fail, it's the rest of her life in the balance, are you trying to make her seem even more precious and likable because we got that already!
Lizzie only tightened her hold on Beth, no way this freak of a character whose only job was to give exposition was going to try and kiss her this time!
"Got it, I'll get some rest." Lizzie said sharply, wanting this boy to just buzz off already and leave her to contemplate, once more, the gravity of being stuck in a second rate author's novel. Why were there all these little side plots that never popped up again in the future? The author seemed to bring up ideas only to abandon them quickly for other more shiny ideas.
The boy eventually took the hint and left without giving Beth or Lizzie his "cheering up" kiss, which brought nothing but that aforementioned relief through Lizzie. At least she was able to change some things in the novel, that boy did not talk to Beth at all and it did seem that Beth's insomnia was not as prevalent. Through the few days of knowing Beth, along with the knowledge of Beth in the original novel, there were some minor differences that only helped lift Lizzie's hopes of being freed from her tragic side character demise.
"Lizzie, who was that?" Beth whispered.
Lizzie was a bit startled to see Beth had woken up sometime during the boy's arrival. She regained her focus and loosened her grip on Beth.
"I'm not sure, some older kid bothering us," Lizzie whispered back, "don't worry about it and just go back to sleep."
"Ok," Beth said.
A short silence filled the air before gently being broken by Beth once more, "I heard him say tomorrow was going to be a big day, do you know what that means?"
Lizzie frowned, not wanting Beth to be worried but also not wanting to lie to her, "I think something is going to happen. Do you know why we were brought here?"
Beth shakes her head, lightly brushing her hair against Lizzie's side, "No, I don't know why…"
"Those bad guys who took us want to give us to other bad guys, for money," Lizzie said.
"What?" Beth said fearfully. Lizzie regretted her choice immediately, Beth is still a child who can hardly endure living like this as it is. Lizzie wanted to tell Beth that she had nothing to worry about, that she'd be adopted by a nice duke who would spend the rest of his days pampering her to the high heavens. However she had no way to back up such claims, Beth would surely think she was lying to console her.
"It will be alright, nothing will happen to you, " Lizzie said, this was nothing but the truth, "I promise I'll protect you Beth. I will make sure nothing bad will happen to you, just trust me."
Beth seemed hesitant but she had been following Lizzie's lead for the past couple of days and found herself better off for it, she had even begun to sleep comfortably again. Lizzie had been like an older sister to her and Beth wanted nothing more than to believe in her words.
"Alright," Beth wrapped her arms around Lizzie, curling up into her lap and pressing her head into Lizzie's shoulder, "I'll trust you Lizzie, please protect me."
Despite her loving action, Beth was shaking lightly, no doubt thinking about what was going to happen the next day. Beth had always been remarkably mature and thoughtful, causing her thoughts to branch off into many possibilities for an outcome. The only thing that she wanted was to keep Lizzie with her. As long as Lizzie was there, Beth could get through anything.
Lizzie hugged Beth back, hoping she made the right choice in telling Beth the truth about the auction. She was running out of time, tonight could possibly be their last night together if things went south. At least Beth would be safe no matter what happened. Lizzie's growing attachment and affection for Beth was exemplified throughout the night as neither of them was able to sleep. Silently clinging onto each other as their attempts to imagine a peaceful and happy ending kept interrupting itself with the dark shadow of reality.
It will be alright, nothing will happen to you.