In the bustling streets of Basilisk, a small town north of the kingdom of Sora, a large market thrived in the center. Rivaling the size of the capital city's market, it attracted traders and customers from neighboring towns and villages.

Every day was a whirlwind of activity in the market of Basilisk, where distractions were plentiful and pickings were easy.

Little Alyssa, clutching a piece of fabric under her torn dress, navigated the crowded stalls with a mission. Today was her mother's birthday, and she was determined to find the perfect gift. Her mother had always longed for a beautiful dress, and Alyssa hoped the fabric she had would suffice.

As she wandered through the market, Alyssa's thoughts were interrupted by the enticing aroma of bean cakes. Her eyes widened with excitement as she spotted a stall run by a jovial fat man, who was busy serving customers. Alyssa had noticed her mother's fond glances at this very stall on previous visits, and she knew she had found the perfect addition to her gift.

Alyssa feigned a search for a lost coin, her eyes scanning the ground as she inched closer to the stall. The aroma of sweet bean cakes wafted through the air, enticing her senses.

A heated haggle unfolded between a customer and the fat man, owner of the stall.

Alyssa overheard the conversation between the customer and the fat man. "A silver coin for twelve bean cakes is outrageous," the customer protested.

"It's that or nothing," the fat man retorted, his voice rising in anger. "My bean cakes are the best in the market. If you don't want to buy, then leave."

The customer looked upset but still reluctant to give up. "I still think it's way too much," they murmured. "Oh, if it wasn't Mary's birthday, I would never..."

Alyssa agreed with the customer; the price was exorbitant. She couldn't fathom spending a silver coin on just twelve bean cakes. In fact, she couldn't even recall the last time she had held a silver coin. The fat man's greed infuriated her, and she decided to teach him a lesson by taking as many bean cakes as she could.

Alyssa's gaze remained fixed on the ground, her mind racing with the thrill of the heist.

As the fat man turned to serve another customer, Alyssa seized the opportunity. With lightning-fast reflexes, she snatched a handful of bean cakes and shoved them into the pocket of her tattered dress. She repeated the motion, her heart racing with excitement, as she stuffed another handful into her other pocket.

Just as she turned to make her escape, a tiny voice pierced the air. "You stole from my papa!" A little boy, a little younger than Alyssa, stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock.

Alyssa's heart skipped a beat as she swiftly covered his mouth with her hand, Luckily no one had heard the boy. Everyone was busy caught up in their goods. She glared at the boy"You didn't see anything."

But the boy struggled free, his voice rising in indignation. "You're a thief! I'll tell my papa!"

Alyssa covered his mouth again and her grip on his hand tightened, her brown eyes flashing green for a fleeting moment. "Am I clear?" She asked,her voice low and even. The boy's eyes went wide with fear, and he nodded hastily as Alyssa released him. The boy nodded again, backing away in terror before turning to hurry off.

Alyssa watched him disappear into the crowd, a sly smirk spreading across her face. Magic certainly made stealing easier, but it was her cunning and quick thinking that had saved her from detection. With her pockets full of bean cakes, and a piece of fabric in her dress, she vanished into the throng of market-goers, her mission accomplished.

******

"Mama!" Alyssa's voice pierced through the air as she ran towards a small wooden house. She was no longer in the busy streets of Basilisk; instead, she found herself in the woods. Her appearance had changed since leaving the market - her hair, once black, was now brunette, and her eyes, once brown, had reverted to their natural green color.

The wooden house, nestled among the trees, was Alyssa's home. Her mother couldn't afford a place in town, so they lived here, away from the hustle and bustle of town life. Alyssa loved it here; it was peaceful and serene.

Running barefooted past trees and rocks, Alyssa nearly stumbled twice in her excitement to show her mother what she had gotten. The sun was high in the sky, indicating it was the middle of the day. "Mummy!" Alyssa yelled again.

Her mother, carrying a wooden bucket full of clothes, emerged from the house. She was headed to the lines outside to hang the clothes to dry. "Mummy!" Alyssa called once more, causing her mother to look up and smile. 

Her mother put down the bucket of clothes and stretched out her arms, just in time for Alyssa to jump into her awaiting arms. 

"And how is my little princess doing?" her mother asked, setting Alyssa down on the ground. 

"I'm not little anymore. I'm seven," Alyssa protested. 

Her mother chuckled and said, "You won't be little the day you stop wetting the bed." 

Alyssa pouted, "I didn't pee last night." 

Her mother laughed and said, "Come on, let's put these clothes out to dry."

Alyssa remembered her gift and exclaimed, "Mommy, I have a gift for you!" Her mother's eyes sparkled with curiosity, thinking it might be another one of Alyssa's captivating magic tricks.

 "Oh really?" she said, thinking it was probably a little magic trick. Her daughter loved to show her magic, and she loved to watch in return, always fascinated by real magic.

"Hmm mm," Alyssa hummed, nodding enthusiastically. She dipped her hand into the front of her dress and brought out the fabric excitedly, not noticing her mother's expression change. 

She dropped it on the ground and dipped both hands into her pockets. "Tadaa!" She exclaimed, revealing seven bean cakes. She looked up and her smile faltered when she saw her mother's sour expression.

"Where did you get these, Alyssa?" her mother asked, eyeing her daughter.

Alyssa suddenly remembered that her mother never liked her stealing, which was why she usually kept it a secret. "I... I... Someone gave it to me," Alyssa said, looking down.

 "Alyssa, don't you dare lie to me," her mother's tone indicated anger.

 "I'm not lying," Alyssa protested, "Someone did give it to me. I didn't steal it!"

When her mother remained silent and still, Alyssa looked up to see tears streaming down her face. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Mommy...?" Alyssa said, panic rising.

 "Alyssa..." Her mother covered her face and began to cry. 

Alyssa dropped the bean cakes and hugged her mother's dress. "Mommy... mommy. Don't cry. I'm sorry. Don't cry."

Alyssa felt tears in her eyes as she apologized profusely. "Mommy... I'm sorry. I didn't know what to get you, and it's your birthday. I wanted it to be special... and I didn't have any money... I'm sorry. I won't steal ever again... please don't cry. I'm sorry."

Her mother eventually stopped crying and hugged Alyssa. "I'm sorry, my dear. I wish I could give you a better life. If I did, you would never steal." 

Alyssa sobbed, "I don't need a better life. I love it here. I want to make you happy..." 

"Silly girl. I want to make you happy," Her mother said, laughing softly. "I wish I could treat you like the princess you are."

"I won't steal again, Mummy. I promise! I'll never let you cry ever again," Alyssa said.

"I love you so much, Alyssa," her mother said, still holding her in her arms. Her eyes were on the bean cakes on the grass, which had fallen from the girl's hand. Ants were already feasting on them.

"Please be a good girl. If you get caught stealing... they might take you away from me," her mother warned.

"I will always be with you," Alyssa said.

"And whatever happens, know that I will always be with you too. You are never alone," her mother said. Alyssa nodded. Her mother could only smile sadly, thinking, 'I'm sorry'.

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Author here!

This is my first book and first chapter on WebNovel. Please drop a comment on your thoughts. It is really appreciated.  I don't really know what to name the chapter so take what you see ^^