The clear sky was adorned with birds soaring, while the cool breeze blew gently, carrying the sweet aroma of various market snacks. The lively voices of vendors and shoppers blended into a symphony unique to the morning market.
Amidst the bustling crowd, Yosan, Reina, Lia, and several members of the royal family strolled leisurely, enjoying the lively yet pleasant atmosphere after visiting the grave and praying for Lia's late grandfather.
Standing in front of a candy store with her grandmother, Lia chewed on a strawberry with puffed cheeks. Her annoyed expression was evident as she stared at the last few coins in her hand, which she would use to treat Nils, Harzel, and Beile, as per their earlier bet. Her purse now felt light—she would have to ask her father and mother to refill it later!
She should never have agreed to the foolish bet her uncle proposed. But what was done was done.
Looking up, Lia gazed at her three uncles, who were examining the array of sweets before them. With an irritated tone, she asked, "So, which one do you want? I'll pay for it now."
The three uncles exchanged glances, then smiled mischievously, clearly enjoying their niece's minor suffering.
"Anything?" Nils asked for confirmation.
Lia nodded without suspicion. "As long as it's not too expensive, because I don't have enough money to treat you otherwise."
"In that case, I'll take this one!" Nils declared, pointing at a large box of luxurious caramel candies, which were quite expensive.
"I'll have this honey cake," Harzel added, picking up a beautifully decorated cake sprinkled with almonds.
Beile, who had been silent all this time, suddenly pointed at multiple types of sweets at once. "I can't decide, so just buy everything."
Hearing that request, Lia's eyes widened. "Uncle, that's too much! I don't have enough money!" she cried out in frustration.
Beile put on a deliberately confused expression. "Didn't you say you would pay for anything?"
"But I also said—" Lia's words were immediately cut off.
"If you can't afford it, you shouldn't have made a bet, Lia," Beile said nonchalantly, grinning with satisfaction at his niece's despair.
Lia pouted in frustration, then turned to Elexon, hoping her grandfather would defend her. However, Elexon simply nodded slightly while suppressing a laugh. "You have to learn responsibility, Lia. So go ahead."
Lia let out a long sigh as she took out her last few coins. "Alright, but I'll get back at you all one day," she muttered with determination.
"Next time, just don't make bets, understand?" Elexon smiled while gently patting Lia's head. "Especially if your father finds out." He glanced around, making sure Yosan wasn't nearby to hear their conversation. It would be dangerous if Yosan found out Lia had been gambling. The man strongly disapproved of anything he considered to be against proper norms!
Lia suddenly realized this. A wave of fear washed over her as she imagined her father's scolding if he ever found out. Hopefully, he would never learn about this. Please, God, help Lia keep this secret forever! she prayed silently.
With a heavy heart, Lia finally paid for all the sweets her uncles had chosen, completely emptying her purse.
Her three uncles, on the other hand, enjoyed their treats with satisfied expressions. "Ah, so sweet. Thank you, Lia," Harzel said, winking.
"You know, Lia, you're our best niece!" Nils added with a chuckle.
Beile simply raised his drink. "We truly appreciate your generosity."
"We love you, Lia. Hahaha!" Nils, Harzel, and Beile said in unison, laughing heartily.
Lia huffed in frustration but felt a little sad at the same time. She then ran towards her father, holding up her empty purse. "Dad, please refill my purse! Kimci is starving!" she cried.
"She's complaining again," Nils commented while chewing.
"Indeed," Harzel and Beile chimed in casually, still enjoying Lia's treat.
Yosan, who had been talking with Reina, turned upon hearing his daughter's voice. He saw Lia looking upset with a pout on her face. What had happened this time?
Was it because of a sad fairy tale Elexon had read to her, making her cry? Or had she fallen? Or perhaps Nils, Harzel, and Beile had been teasing her again? Which one was it?
Yosan raised an eyebrow and looked at his pouting daughter. "Lia, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Lia quickly replied. "Dad, Mom, my purse is empty. Please fill it up again! Kimci is also starving right now," she said, holding out her empty purse in front of her parents with a pleading look.
"Huh?" Reina mumbled, turning around, as she hadn't clearly heard what her daughter said.
Yosan stared at the purse in confusion. That small, green purse had a cute shape, and Lia had even given it a name—Kimci.
"Where did all your money go, Lia? Didn't you have plenty earlier?" Yosan asked.
Lia panicked but tried to stay calm while coming up with an excuse. "I spent it, Dad. I bought a few things and… treated Uncle Nils, Harzel, and Beile. That's why my money is gone."
Hearing her explanation, Yosan nodded, then pulled out his wallet from his pocket. He took out some money and put it into Lia's so-called starving purse.
Reina, seeing this, smiled slightly. She opened her bag and handed her daughter a full pouch of money. Lia's face instantly lit up. This pouch was enough for a whole month of shopping! Mom was truly like a fairy!
However, her joy was short-lived when Yosan protested and took the money away. Lia's imagined future of bliss shattered instantly.
"You can't give her that much money. She's still a child. Just give her a little, a few coins will be enough, Your Ma—" Yosan's words were abruptly cut off when Reina covered his mouth with her hand, preventing him from saying something that could cause a commotion.
"Call me Reina, Yosan," Reina whispered while scanning their surroundings, ensuring no one was paying too much attention to them.
Yosan, feeling slightly embarrassed, nodded. "Alright… Reina," he responded awkwardly.
Reina sighed, then took a few coins from the pouch she had previously pulled out. "Alright, Lia, here you go," she said, handing the coins to her daughter.
Lia accepted the money with a bright smile. But deep down, she was already plotting her revenge against her three uncles for the future.
"Thank you, Dad, Mom. You're the best!" Lia exclaimed, giving them both a small kiss on the cheek.
After receiving the coins from Reina, Lia's spirits were lifted. She planned to have some fun with the money her parents had given her. Maybe buy a few packs of candy for her stash? Or try Mr. Grilled Octopus, her favorite food? Or perhaps…
Before she could think further, Lia was startled by a group of children approaching with two adults. Seeing them filled her with both surprise and happiness, as well as a sense of longing.
With excitement, she waved her hands in the air and shouted, "Friends!"
One of the children, a small girl with bright brown hair and freckles, immediately turned around. Beside her, a boy with black hair also looked in Lia's direction. Another red-haired boy did the same. They all looked surprised but then broke into wide smiles upon recognizing who had called them.
Lia's excited call also caught Yosan and Reina's attention. They exchanged confused looks, then followed Lia's gaze.
"Who are they?" Reina asked curiously, looking at Yosan, who might know the answer.
"I have no idea," Yosan replied, shrugging.
Hearing a familiar voice, the three children stopped for a moment, turned around, and then ran toward Lia with enthusiastic faces. The two adults accompanying them also approached, watching cautiously.
The three children stopped right in front of Lia, catching their breath after running up to her. One of them, a bespectacled boy with black hair and a book in his hand, immediately asked, "What are you doing here, Lia?"
"And where have you been?" chimed in another boy with slightly messy red hair.
"We were so worried about you!" said the little girl with bright brown hair with a serious face.
"Right, where have you been?" asked one of the adult women as she looked down, gazing at Lia gently. "Auntie was confused and worried when she heard from the people guarding your grandfather's farm that you had gone to live with another family."
The woman recalled the moment when she went to Lia's grandfather's farm to deliver food. When she got there, she found that the farm had been guarded and tended by strangers. They told her that Lia was now living with another family.
Lia could only smile awkwardly. She knew it was her fault for not saying goodbye. Her move to the palace was too sudden, even for herself, let alone accepting the fact that she was now part of Lumina's royal family.
Oh, God!