The moment I saw her face again, the memories clawed their way back, sharper and more vivid than I thought possible. Miranda.
She was once my fiancée in a life I'd rather forget, a life defined by mistakes and the weight of my selfishness. Miranda had been more than just my betrothed—she was my salvation. When I was drowning in debts I had no way to pay, she stepped in, offering her money and her unwavering support. She was my solace, my guide, even when I didn't deserve it.
And how did I repay her kindness? I took advantage of her. Over and over.
It was because of me that they came for her. My debtors, ruthless and remorseless, decided that if they couldn't get their money, they'd claim her instead. I wasn't there to stop it. They assaulted her, violated her in the most despicable way.
The aftermath was a tragedy I couldn't undo. Miranda, drugged and broken, was a shadow of herself. They destroyed not just her body but her future, her spirit. Though the perpetrators were caught, it didn't change anything. Miranda's light, that radiant kindness, was extinguished. She didn't last long after that.
I remember the funeral vividly. My parents, broken and defeated, knelt before her casket, weeping uncontrollably. They gave up on me that day, as they should have. And me? I ran. Ran from my failures, from the grief, from the hollow shell I had become.
I thought I could start over, rebuild a life in another city. But karma doesn't forget. It caught up with me, and in that life, I died a cowards death.
And now, in this new life, she stood before me. A new Miranda, no longer bound by the life I had ruined. She was here, alive, happy, married, with a child. A child I had unknowingly befriended.
I couldn't stay. My presence alone was a curse that had already scarred her once. I wouldn't let it taint her life again. Without a word, I turned and left the arena, my chest heavy with guilt, my steps hurried and aimless.
---
Wandering the city, I stumbled upon a small store. My thoughts were still racing when a certain sign caught my attention—a robe on display, glimmering with the label Mythic Grade. Beside it lay a mask marked Epic Grade.
For a moment, I forgot everything else. Pointing at the two items, I asked the shopkeeper, "How much?"
The voice that answered surprised me. It was a little girl, no older than eight, with an innocent smile that felt out of place in the market's chaos. "100 silver," she said cheerfully.
I blinked. Surely, I hadn't heard that right? A Mythic-Grade robe and an Epic-Grade mask for 100 silver?
Still in a daze, I handed her the coins. Whether it was a mistake or a miracle, I didn't question it. As I turned to leave, I whispered under my breath, I'll come back to repay you very soon!.
---
After asking for directions, I returned to the caravan grounds and called for Chloe. She approached hesitantly, her discomfort evident, but I was past caring about appearances.
"Come here," I said, my voice firm. No need for polite tones anymore. If they're so scared of me, I'll just use that fear to my advantage.
Dragging her to the little girl's stall, I placed a pouch of 1,000 gold coins on the counter. "Here's what you'll do," I instructed. "That girl did me a great favor, whether she knows it or not. I want you to protect her at all costs. Find her parents and bring them to Silver City. We'll give her the best education possible, whatever it takes."
Chloe looked at me like I'd grown a second head. I didn't care. "Get to work already," I snapped before leaving her to figure it out.
Walking away, I felt a flicker of something I hadn't felt in years. Maybe it was relief. Maybe it was redemption. Or maybe it was just the hope that, for once, I'd done something good without ruining someone's life in the process.
---
Chloe delivered on her task, returning with a cheerful Lina and a small bag filled with kitsune masks. Following them was a woman in a skimpy outfit, her face partially hidden behind a mask.
The little girl, Lina, was the talented craftswoman behind the masks, including the epic-grade one that had caught my eye. Her mother, Yelena, was a sex worker, likely used to harsh stares and whispered judgments. I arranged for the two to stay at an inn and called Lina into my room for a brief chat, which, of course, stirred another round of judgmental looks from the caravan members.
Closing the door behind her, Lina's radiant smile lit up the room.
"Where did you get this robe?" I asked, holding up the mythic-grade garment I had purchased from her.
"It was a gift!" she chirped. "An old man told me to keep crafting lots and lots, and so I did."
Her joy was infectious, a rare antidote to the gloom clouding my mind. Despite everything, I couldn't help but smile as we chatted. She explained that she had sold the robe to pay for her mother's medicine, which cost a hundred silver coins. I promised to take care of Yelena's health, and Lina's enthusiasm seemed boundless.
The inn's atmosphere grew heavier. Pitying glances were cast in Lina's direction, accompanied by whispers about the "noble lord" and his apparent intentions. I noticed Shina's side-eyed glances as well but decided to let it go. This world truly wasn't suited for someone like me. Sighing, I disappeared into my room.
The following days were busy, as the caravan prepared for the return journey to Silver City. Stocks of goods were replenished, contracts with merchants finalized, and the wagons checked and repaired. Despite the activity, I noticed how people avoided me, their discomfort still palpable.
Shina worked tirelessly to organize the logistics. She was efficient, but her usual cheer seemed dimmed. Chloe, who was in charge of security, kept a closer eye on Yelena and Lina, per my instructions.
Meanwhile, Lina continued visiting me daily. She brought vibrant energy into my otherwise gloomy days. Since I lacked crafting expertise, I taught her simple calculations instead. Her eagerness to learn was a refreshing change from the tension surrounding me.
But on the third evening, Yelena herself came to my room. She knelt as soon as the door shut, her voice trembling.
"My lord, please," she began, "Lina is young. If you have any mercy, replace her with me. I will serve you however you wish."
"You've misunderstood," I started, my tone firm but calm. "I'm only teaching her basic—" But my words faltered when I realized she wasn't listening. Her desperation had built walls that no explanation could breach.
"Fine," I sighed. Turning toward the door, I called for Chloe.
"Yes, my lord?" she answered, peeking in.
"Take Yelena to her child. She needs rest. And for the remainder of this trip, no one is to approach my caravan—Lina and Shina included."
Chloe nodded, understanding my meaning, and escorted Yelena out.
The next three days passed in silence as the caravan made its way home. I traveled alone, my mind weighed down by an unsettling mix of guilt and exhaustion. What was supposed to be a "vacation" had turned into a draining ordeal, one that left me more hollow than before.
When we finally reached Silver City, I felt no relief—only the faint, gnawing desire for solitude.
As soon as we arrived, I retreated to my money-counting room, seeking solace in the sheer numbers of my accumulated wealth.
"108 dragon hearts, 4 million mana crystals," I murmured, running my hands over the shimmering piles. I had long since stopped counting the gold—it was an exercise in futility.
But the wealth, no matter how vast, failed to calm me. I picked up one of the dragon hearts and stepped outside.
"Yin Xie!" I called.
The dragon appeared almost instantly, her piercing eyes locking onto me. I handed her the replica dragon heart, watching her expression shift from curiosity to awe.
"What do you think?" I asked.
She examined it carefully before responding, "It feels... familiar. Yet distant."
"It's a replica of your heart," I said simply.
She narrowed her eyes at me, sensing something in my tone. "What do you want?"
I hesitated for a moment, then made my request. "Take me to a peaceful place. Somewhere quiet. If you do, that heart is yours. You'll also be responsible for bringing me back."
Understanding my intent, Yin Xie gave a small nod and whisked me away. To my surprise, the "peaceful place" she brought me to was none other than the flattened area where she and Hansel had clashed.
I wasn't going to complain. The air here was still, the horizon unmarred by chaos. For now, it would do.
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