The market was crowded tonight. It always was, but something felt different. It was Friday—a day when goods were scarce, but the buying and selling of people increased. You could find anything here, from children to young adults.

This was Talas Market, the biggest market in the world.

And my name is Lager—a runaway thief.

I was taken when I was just five years old. By the time I turned seven, I escaped from my master. Now, I sometimes wonder if that was a mistake. But there's no turning back.

I'm a thief. A professional one.

Tonight, my target was a wealthy woman dressed in white. She had five guards surrounding her. Judging by her appearance, she had to be some kind of princess.

I only had one worry—what if I got caught? These guards wouldn't just punish me. They'd tear me apart.

I waited, looking for the perfect opportunity.

Five minutes passed.

I lost my patience.

"I don't think I'll get a better chance."

I took a deep breath. Whatever happens, happens.

With that, I leaped into action.

I rushed toward the woman, reaching for her purse. But the moment I touched it, my plan fell apart.

One of her guards grabbed me.

A sharp pain tore through my body as he started beating me mercilessly. I tried to resist, but it was useless.

Then, a soft voice broke through the chaos.

"Stop."

The woman in white had spoken.

Her guard hesitated but obeyed. "My lady," he protested, "this boy tried to attack you. You are in danger. Please, return to the castle immediately."

The woman said nothing. She looked down at me, bloodied and bruised.

Perhaps she felt pity.

"Give him some food," she said.

The guard scowled but followed her order, tossing me two pieces of bread.

I barely remained conscious as the woman left for her castle. But even as she rode away, she seemed lost in thought.

I woke up in the cold streets with nothing but the bread beside me. My body ached, but I forced myself to my feet.

I had somewhere to be.

After weaving through dark alleys, I finally stopped and called out, "Lima, Siza!"

Two twin girls peeked out from the shadows. The moment they saw me, they ran toward me, calling me 'brother'.

I don't know if Lima and Siza are my real sisters. They, too, were sold as slaves. When I escaped, they followed me.

"Brother! What happened to you?" Siza asked, her small hands reaching for my wounds.

I smiled weakly. "It's nothing. I just fell. Here, this food is for you."

Their eyes widened.

For two days, we hadnt eaten.

At least tonight, they would have something.

Lager and his two sisters lived in an alley so narrow that only a child could slip through its entrance. But inside, there was just enough space for the three of them.

"Brother, why aren't you eating?" Siza asked.

"I already ate," I lied. "Now go to sleep."

Far from the market, inside the grand castle, the royal family was having dinner. But only two people were present—King Zhao and his daughter, Princess Chen.

The king was furious.

"How dare you leave the castle without permission?" he shouted.

The royal guard trembled. "Your Highness, the princess ordered us to let her go."

King Zhao's fury grew. "Get out of my sight!"

Before the guard could leave, Princess Chen spoke. "It's not their fault, Father. I ordered them to let me go."

"You put your life in danger," the king snapped.

The princess sighed. "It was just a child. He was no threat to me."

She stood up and stormed off.

The king fell silent for a moment. Then he turned to one of his men.

"Lian, is everything prepared?"

Lian bowed. "Yes, Your Highness. The soldiers have already begun their mission."

That night, we slept in the alley, exhausted.

But suddenly, Lima woke up.

She heard something.

Shaking me awake, she whispered, "Brother, there's noise outside."

Inside the castle, King Zhao and Lian continued their conversation.

"What about the task I assigned you?" the king asked.

"We have begun, Your Highness. The soldiers have already reached the city."

I peeked outside.

And my blood ran cold.

A group of soldiers marched through the streets. They were searching for people.

I turned to run—

But a soldier swung his weapon at my leg.

I barely dodged.

Pain shot through me as his blade left a deep scratch. I screamed in agony.

Inside, Lima watched in horror.

She started crying, her wails echoing through the alley.

Her voice woke Siza.

"Brother!" Lima sobbed. She ran toward me, trying to reach me.

But before she could—

A soldier cut off her leg.

The six-year-old girl collapsed, screaming in unbearable pain. Blood pooled beneath her.

I couldn't move.

I dragged myself toward her, holding her tightly.

Siza, still inside, stood frozen, watching helplessly.

Then, more soldiers arrived.

They grabbed Lima and me and threw us onto a carriage.

We weren't the only ones. The carriage was full of people, all trapped in their suffering, all trying to escape.

But none of us could.

We were locked away, prisoners of fate.

Inside the castle, completely unaware of what had just happened, Princess Chen sat in her room, quietly flipping through the pages of a book.