Lilia's P.O.V.
"Fresh bread! Fresh bread!"
The bustling sounds of the marketplace from my past life still echoed in my mind. But now, they are nothing more than memories.
I could still picture the hustle and laughter of those days, even though there was no such noise here. Only a few people walked along the pavement, and the only sounds were the carriages—no, cars—and two-wheeled machines moving without horses.
At least there were still signs outside the shops.
A lump formed in my throat, making it hard to breathe. I wanted to cry.
"This is the first time you've snuck out since your marriage, my lady. You used to do it often when we were younger," Marie said, her voice as heavy as mine would have been if I had spoken.
We both lingered in the memories of our past.
I never knew how comforting hugs could be until I suddenly embraced Marie. "I'm sorry for falling for that scumbag."
Marie's rough hands gently stroked my arm. "You don't need to apologize to me, Young Miss. You should be sorry to yourself—for what you made your heart go through, for what you put your body through for those three years. Those three years where you could have gone abroad and fulfilled your dreams."
"These shining buildings are pretty, Marie. Can we go in?" I asked, changing the topic while pointing to a building named 'Tuxedo.' A certain floor of that building was emitting funny lights like fireworks, changing every second.
The pretty lights drew me in, reminding me of the festivals I used to attend in my past life, where the night sky was painted with bursts of color. I miss it.
Marie blinked at my suggestion , her gaze following my finger to the building. She seemed hesitant for some reason, her brows furrowing in concern.
"Young Miss, it's late at night," Marie began cautiously. "Didn't we sneak out to find you a computer teacher? This place… it's not exactly—"
"Not exactly what?" I interrupted, tilting my head. "It looks lively inside, doesn't it? Maybe they're having a festival or some sort of celebration. Let's take a look."
Marie's lips pressed into a thin line as she studied the building. She looked torn, her grip on my arm tightening slightly. "Young Miss, this… this place might not be suitable for someone like you. It's not... proper."
"Not proper?" I echoed, confused. "What do you mean? It's just a building. And it's late, so no one will recognize me, right?"
Marie sighed, clearly uncomfortable. She thought I knew what this place was, but how could I, when everything here was so strange? Her hesitation only made me more curious.
"Come on, Marie. Pretty please." I asked, trying to understand her reluctance. "We'll just quickly go in then go to find a teacher."
Marie's gaze softened, but her concern didn't fade. "It's not just that, Young Miss. You're married now. If someone recognises you, people might… talk."
I blinked at her, still not fully grasping her concern. "Talk about what? Is it a brothel?" What is the shiny place? Why is it making her so worried? The more I think about it. The more curious I get. This world is just full of surprises.
Marie gasped at my mention of brothel as she placed her palm over my mouth to keep me shut. "Prostitution is illegal, Young Miss. That is not a brothel. It's a luxury club. Do you not remember what clubs are?"
"Isn't a club what hunters use to hunt?" Her answer made me more confused. Why is a wooden club luxurious? This place is just so… so confusing sometimes.
"So, you indeed don't remember what clubs are. I wouldn't be surprised. The last time you went in, you came out head over heels for the Master. I-" Before, Marie could continue, I cut her short.
"It's a bad place with pretty lights." Marie blinked at my interruption with her mouth slightly open. "Anything related to that trash back at home is bad."
Marie's eyes widened even more at my declaration if that was even possible, her mouth slightly open in surprise. "A wife shouldn't curse her husband, Young Miss."
I shrugged, still focused on the building. "He is hardly a husband. A husband who beats his wife is a monster. I hope he dies in a ditch."
Marie sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging as if the weight of her responsibility bore down on her. "Very well, my lady. But if we are to enter, promise me you'll be discreet and we'll leave quickly. You might not remember what clubs are like. But, if someone recognises you it'll be a lot of trouble. Alright?"
"Discreet? I'll be as careful as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. Marie's stern expression softened slightly, and she led the way towards the entrance.
There was a huge guard, guarding the gateway like it was some noble's home. Instead of joining the line that seemed to be waiting to get into the building, Marie pulled me straight to the guards. "Your ID, Miss."
Wow! What a scary voice. Welp! What's an ID? As I stared at him in confusion, Marie pulled out two cards from her pocket.
"Here." Marie handed over the cards to the guard while I stayed close behind her, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness building up in my chest. The guard scrutinized the cards for a moment, then gave a small nod before stepping aside to let us in.
"Enjoy your time, Miss," he said in that deep, gruff voice, though I could tell he wasn't really expecting us to. Marie led the way inside, and I followed her through the grand entrance of the club, feeling a rush of cool air hit my face as the doors closed behind us.
The inside of the club was nothing like I had expected. It was a world of its own, with dim lighting casting everything in shades of blue and purple. The air hummed with music—soft at first, but growing louder as we moved deeper into the space.
My eyes widened as I took in the sight of people dressed in extravagant clothes, laughing and chatting as they held glasses filled with colorful drinks. The smell of perfume and expensive liquor filled the air.
It seemed like a mixture of a brothel and pub.
"Stay close, Young Miss," Marie whispered, her grip on my arm tightening protectively. "We don't need to stay long."
I nodded, still trying to process everything around me. My eyes were drawn to the dance floor, where people moved in sync with the music, their bodies swaying under the flashing lights.
It was mesmerizing. It was new. It was… different.
But as we moved further in, a strange feeling washed over me. The lights, the sounds, the laughter—it all reminded me too much of something I couldn't quite put my finger on. A memory tried to surface, but it was just out of reach, slipping away every time I tried to grasp it.
Could it be the memory of the old Lilia meeting Augustus here? Why do I feel this sudden sadness twisting my heart?
"Marie, do you ever wonder what it would've been like if things had been different? Like if I never married Augustus, how would I have been?" I asked quietly, not even sure why I was voicing the thought.
Marie looked at me with a sad smile. "Sometimes, Young Miss. Maybe you would have cried longer. But, you would have eventually moved on and lived happily. "
Her words settled in the air between us, and for a moment, the noise of the club seemed to fade into the background.
Before I could reply, someone bumped into me from behind, nearly knocking me off balance. I turned around to see a man with a sly grin on his face, clearly having had too much to drink. He didn't look familiar, but the way his eyes scanned Marie sent a shiver down my spine.
Trouble.
"Hey there, pretty lady," he slurred, his breath reeking of alcohol. "You look lost. Need some company?"
Marie took a step back, as I quickly stepped in between them, my expression fierce.
"She's not interested. Move along," My voice came out firm, leaving no room for argument.
The man's grin only widened as he ignored my words, his hand reaching out toward Marie. Something inside me snapped. Without thinking, I balled my fist and swung with all the strength I had, connecting with his jaw. The impact reverberated through my hand, and the man staggered backward, crashing into a nearby table.
For a moment, everything stopped.
The music cut off mid-beat, and the hum of conversation died down to stunned silence. All eyes were on us—people frozen in place, their drinks halfway to their lips, their mouths slightly open in shock. The flashing lights of the club now felt harsh, illuminating the scene in almost slow motion.
I stood there, chest heaving, staring down at the man who was groaning on the floor, clutching his jaw. My heart pounded in my ears, but I didn't feel an ounce of regret.
If anything, there was a surge of satisfaction in knowing I had protected Marie.
Marie gasped beside me, her hand flying to her mouth. "Young Miss... what did you just—"
"Who the f*** is causing trouble in my club!?"