Seriously, what was happening?I mean, I couldn't possibly deserve all this. I fell to my knees, burying my face into my mother's pillow, still carrying her light floral scent. It brought back memories—warm, fleeting memories that now felt like they were slipping away. I felt like I could faint at any moment. The pillow muffled my sobs, thankfully.
I kept thinking about the letter. Why would my mother choose to leave me in the care of Elias? Did she tell him not to mention it? Was that the "business" he needed to take care of? So many questions swirled in my mind, questions that, in this moment, couldn't possibly be answered.
"Aw, honey, why are you crying?" A gentle voice announced, startling me.
I turned around to find a woman walking toward me, her soft smile sending a shiver down my spine. Her figure seemed strange, almost too perfect to be real. Quickly, I wiped my tears, not wanting to show weakness to this stranger—someone who somehow knew Elias and was now standing in my house.
This lady made me painfully aware of my surroundings. I hadn't thought much of her before, but now that she was in front of me, I took her in: her long, golden hair framed her rosy cheeks, and her dress, cinched at the waist with a corset, highlighted her delicate silhouette. Her boots were spotless, unlike my own scuffed ones. Her braids were intricately styled, falling onto her broad yet elegant shoulders. She looked wealthy, almost doll-like.
"Come now, darling, let's be strong," she said sweetly.
"I'm perfectly capable of getting up," I replied, annoyed—or maybe jealous of how beautiful she looked.
"Oh, I see. Sorry to underestimate your capabilities." Even her speech was refined, like someone from a noble family. She was nothing like Liese, my usual company, and it was unnerving.
"It's fine. No need to worry," I muttered, my voice shaky from crying.
"May I use your kitchen?" she asked suddenly. "I'd like to make us supper."
I hesitated, unsure if I should let a stranger cook for me, especially when I was capable of doing it myself. But right now, finding my mother was my priority, and letting this woman take over the kitchen was the least of my worries.
"Go ahead," I finally said. "Although my mom and I don't have much..."
"That's fine. I'll make it work," she said with a growing smile.
I nodded, eager for her to leave. As her footsteps faded, I got up to search for clues about my mother. My gaze fell on a drawing pinned to her sewing box, where she kept scraps for my dresses. It was a map of Grapleka, a city in Swag Spar, our country.
I'd only been to Grapleka once, but I remembered it vividly—the beautiful landscapes and bustling streets. Of course, it was the perfect place to disappear. Now, I just needed to figure out how to get there. Our little town was five days away by carriage and about 6,000 crystalings—a fortune I didn't have.
I remembered when my mother and I visited Grapleka. We couldn't afford a carriage then either, so we walked. Could I do that alone?
Elias startled me when he entered my room. "Lorelei?" His voice was as strict as ever. "Are you coming for supper?"
"Yes, I'll be there in a minute," I replied quickly, not wanting him to linger.
"What do you know about Grapleka?" I asked, curiosity burning in my chest.
"Why the sudden interest?" he asked, furrowing his brows.
"Just tell me the route."
"Tell me why, and I might," he countered. Of course, he wouldn't let it go easily.
"It's one of our exam questions... you know?" I tried to sound casual.
"We'll discuss this at supper. Now, let's go."
Reluctantly, I followed him to the dining room.
"Who is she?" I asked, finally voicing the question that had been bothering me.
"It's complicated," he sighed. "Better not to get too attached."
"Is she dangerous?"
He didn't answer, staring off into space instead. Moments later, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
"Well, are we having supper?" The woman's voice was cheerful, her smile directed only at Elias.
"Yes, Yesenia," he said, his tone softening. So, her name was Yesenia.
The meal was vegetable soup, not my favorite, but I didn't want to seem rude. I took a sip, surprised at how delicious it was.
"It tastes amazing," I said. "My mom sometimes makes soup, but it's not my favorite dish." I clenched my fists at the thought of her.
"Really? Well, I'm glad you like it," Yesenia replied warmly.
We ate in relative silence until Yesenia spoke again. "I'm sure you're curious about why I'm here."
I stopped eating, glancing at Elias, who looked away.
"Yes," I said.
"I'm Yesenia Keylayles. My parents sent me here to find my dear Elias." She squeezed his hand. "I'm his fiancée."
My stomach dropped. I stared at Elias, waiting for him to deny it.
"It's an arranged marriage. Nothing more," he said coldly, brushing off the topic.
"Anyway," Elias said abruptly, "what was that question about Grapleka again?" Clearly, he was eager to change the subject.
Yesenia gasped, her expression lighting up. "Oh, you know, I live there! It's beautiful, isn't it? I might be able to help you—or Elias can, of course. He studied there when he was your age." She glanced at him with a soft smile. They must have come from wealth if they lived in Grapleka.
I nodded, trying to keep my voice even. "I'd like to know the route to Grapleka. It's actually for an exam I have next week... once the rain stops," I added, hoping to sound convincing.
"Hmm," Yesenia said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Well, it takes five or six days by carriage, but unfortunately, I don't know the exact route. I'm sorry, dear. I thought I could help. But I'm pretty sure Elias has a map that could guide you."
I stiffened. Elias had a map—something I desperately needed. The only problem was whether he'd let me use it.
Elias smirked, catching my reaction. "I do, indeed. But I don't let anyone touch my things with their filthy hands." His tone was sharp, cutting.
Ouch. That stung more than I cared to admit. How was I supposed to find my way if he was this possessive of his belongings?
"So, does that mean I can't use it?" I asked cautiously, crossing my fingers under the table.
"Absolutely not."
His gaze locked onto mine, cold and unyielding. I clenched my fists under the table. "I guess I'll fail, then," I muttered, hoping to guilt him into reconsidering.
"That's not my concern," he said flatly.
I looked out the window, watching the rain soak the ground. How was I supposed to leave this place and make it to Grapleka alone? Especially with no guidance?
Minutes passed. Dinner ended in uncomfortable silence. Halfway through my meal, I stopped eating entirely—there was no use forcing it.
"Excuse me, dear," Yesenia said suddenly, addressing me. "Do you have a spare room I could use?"
There wasn't really one available—only my mother's room. And I wasn't about to let her take mine, especially since I planned to leave tonight.
"There's my mother's room," I said reluctantly. "I'm sure she won't be back tonight." Or ever, I thought bitterly.
"Thank you," Yesenia said with a sweet smile.
Finally, the house fell silent as everyone went to bed. I waited for hours, listening to the rain and the occasional creaks of the house. When I was sure they were all asleep, I packed my bag. My plan was simple: sneak into Elias's room, steal the map, and leave.
I slipped out of my room, carefully avoiding the noisy floorboards. My heart pounded with every step as I approached his door. Slowly, I turned the handle, wincing at the faint creak.
The room was dim, lit only by the pale glow of moonlight filtering through the window. Elias lay on his bed, his face calm in sleep. Guilt gnawed at me, but I pushed it aside. There was no other choice.
His nightstand was the most obvious place to look. It was close—too close for comfort—but I had to risk it. I tiptoed to the drawer, my boots barely making a sound. My hand trembled as I opened it. Inside was a neatly folded map, the letters and markings perfectly legible even in the faint light.
This was it. Now I just needed to leave.
But before I could pull my hand back, a strong grip clamped down on my wrist.
My breath caught, and I froze, meeting Elias's piercing hazel eyes. They seemed to glow in the darkness, his expression a mixture of fury and disappointment.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.
I couldn't speak. My mind raced for an excuse, an explanation—but nothing came. I was caught, and there was no going back.
"I…" My voice wavered, and I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. My mind scrambled for a response, but nothing seemed good enough.
Elias sat up, still gripping my wrist tightly. His anger was palpable. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" His voice was low, but it carried a sharp edge that made me flinch.
"I need to go to Grapleka," I whispered, the words spilling out before I could stop them.
"At this hour? Alone?" His grip loosened slightly, but his expression remained harsh. "You'd barely make it a day."
"I don't care!" I snapped, yanking my hand free. "I need answers, Elias! My mother—she's gone, and I know Grapleka has something to do with it."
He stared at me, his expression softening slightly as if weighing my words. For a moment, the room was silent except for the rain pattering against the window.
Elias sighed deeply and ran a hand through his dark hair. "You can't just run off like this. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out there? Grapleka isn't some quaint little town—it's a sprawling city full of people who'd take advantage of someone like you."
"I don't need your protection," I said, my voice firm. "I've survived this long without it."
"You think this is survival?" he asked, his tone sharp again. "Lorelei, you don't even know where to begin! Grapleka isn't just dangerous—it's overwhelming. Without a plan, you'll be lost before you even set foot there."
"Then help me," I said, my voice almost a plea. "If you care at all, give me the map and let me go."
His eyes flicked to the map still in my hand. For a moment, I thought he might relent, but then he shook his head.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because no," he said, standing. "And because I made a promise—to your mother."
The mention of her stung, and I stepped back. "What do you mean?"
He hesitated, his gaze shifting away. "She asked me to keep you safe. She knew… she knew this day might come, and she made me promise to protect you, no matter what."
My chest tightened. "She left me with you? Why? Why would she trust you over her own daughter?"
"Because I know things you don't," he said quietly. "Things about her past, about Grapleka, and why she left."
"Then tell me!" I demanded, my voice rising. "Stop treating me like a child and tell me what's going on!"
"I can't," he said, his voice heavy with finality. "Not yet."
Fury bubbled inside me. "You're just like her," I spat. "Keeping secrets, making decisions for me—like I don't have a right to know!"
Elias said nothing, his expression unreadable.
I clenched the map in my hands. "If you won't help me, then I'll find my own way. I don't need you."
I turned toward the door, but his voice stopped me.
"Lorelei."
I froze, but I didn't turn around.
"If you leave now," he said, his tone cold, "don't expect me to come after you."
His words hit harder than I expected, but I kept walking. My heart pounded as I slipped out of his room, clutching the map tightly. I had no plan, no supplies, and no idea what awaited me, but I couldn't stay here.
By the time I reached the front door, the rain had turned into a downpour. I hesitated for a moment, the cold air biting at my skin.
I glanced back at the dark hallway, half-expecting Elias to follow, but it remained empty.
Swallowing my fear, I stepped into the night.
The rain soaked through my clothes within moments, the cold seeping into my bones as I made my way down the narrow street. The town around me was dark, silent, save for the rhythmic patter of the storm. I had no idea where I was going, no destination other than Grapleka, but the thought of staying in that house, under now Elias's care, was unbearable.
With each step, I felt the weight of my decision. My hands trembled, still clutching the map that Elias had so carefully kept hidden. It felt like a betrayal to take it—like I was stealing a part of something that wasn't mine—but there was no other way. I couldn't just sit back and wait for answers that might never come.
The further I walked, the quieter the world became, until the only sound left was the rain, and my own heartbeat in my ears. I pushed through the wet streets, barely able to see through the sheets of water falling from the sky.
Where was I even going? I couldn't walk to Grapleka—no matter how determined I was. It was a journey of days, not hours. The map in my hand was my only guide, but I had no idea how to make it work. The thought of traveling alone, in this weather, without proper supplies—it was madness.
I couldn't turn back, though. I was already too far from the place I had called home. I needed answers, and if Elias wouldn't help me, then I had no choice but to do this myself.
A sudden noise from behind made me stop in my tracks. I turned, heart racing, expecting to see Elias or someone else from the house, but there was nothing—just the rain, the wind, and the empty street stretching ahead of me. I shook off the feeling, but my anxiety grew. Every creak, every distant sound felt like a threat in the silence of the night.
I pulled the map from my pocket and tried to make sense of it. The roads, the symbols—it all seemed so much more complicated than I'd expected. There were no clear signs, no easy routes marked out. Grapleka was far, and this map only showed me the starting point. The rest was up to me to figure out.
Minutes, maybe hours, passed as I wandered the streets, trying to find any hint of where to go next. Eventually, I came across a small tavern—its lights dim but welcoming in the storm. The warmth that seeped from the building was enough to make me pause. Maybe I could get directions—or at least rest for a moment before continuing.
I hesitated at the door, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. The warmth hit me like a wave. The air was thick with the smell of wet wood and something cooking in the back. The tavern was small, its patrons quiet, sitting in the corners with mugs of something warm.
The barkeep, a tall woman with dark hair, looked up as I entered. "Lost, are you?" she asked, her voice low but kind. "Not the best night for travel, I'd say."
I nodded, not trusting my voice to answer. I didn't want to seem weak, but the exhaustion and fear were starting to catch up with me.
"Where are you headed?" she asked, wiping down the counter.
I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Grapleka."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as though she could tell I wasn't just a wanderer passing through. "That's a long journey for a young one like you," she said, her tone not unkind but warning. "Especially in this weather."
"I don't have a choice," I said quietly, almost to myself.
She studied me for a moment, her gaze flicking over my drenched clothes and tired face. "I can't say I know your story," she said after a moment, "but if you're serious about getting to Grapleka, you're going to need more than a map and a bit of luck." She paused, then added, "The roads are treacherous this time of year. You should be prepared, and there are safer ways to travel. You won't find them on that map, I can tell you that much."
I frowned. "Then what should I do?"
The barkeep leaned in a little closer. "You'll need to find a guide. Someone who knows the land, someone who's made the journey before. It's not something you should attempt alone, not unless you want to end up lost or worse." My mother.
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. A guide. Of course, it made sense. I'd never be able to navigate this on my own. If only Elias had agreed.
"How do I find one?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She shrugged. "There are always people passing through. Travelers, merchants, smugglers... take your pick." She eyed me, as if assessing my worth. "You might find someone willing to take you—if you've got enough coin."
I stiffened, realizing she was right. I had no money, no real way to pay someone for their help. My only option was to ask around and hope for the best, but the more I thought about it, the more hopeless it seemed.
"Thank you," I said quietly, turning away from the counter. "I'll figure something out."
The barkeep didn't respond, but I could feel her eyes following me as I stepped back into the rain, my mind spinning with what I had just learned. A guide. That was my only hope now. But would anyone be willing to help a stranger with no money, no plans, and nothing to offer but the determination of someone who was already too far gone?
The rain only seemed to grow heavier as I walked back into the streets, more questions than answers swirling in my mind. But one thing was clear now: this journey was going to be far more dangerous than I had ever imagined. And I would need all the help I could get to survive it.