𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽| 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 8

"Mom!" Ayame shouted, looking around the small crowds of people in the district roaming the streets. She dashed through them, worry etched on her face.

She would have thought her mother would have arrived by now. However, when she got home, her mother was nowhere to be found. Sweat dripped from her brow at the thought of her mother being harmed. Her mother was never late to get home; she was always on time.

Ayame turned another corner, her pigtails bouncing to the rhythm of her speed. She could ask for the Marines's help but knew that idea would be in vain. Since her family belonged on the poorer side of town, there was no way they would be helpful. Then, another thought popped into her: perhaps she could persuade Rue and the group of swordsmen to help in her search.

As she rotated on her heel, she collided with a rugged exterior. An unrecognizable person came into view. The stranger caught the little girl on her feet to prevent her from falling. Suddenly, the stranger grabbed her wrist, and Ayame began to scream; a cloth muffled her voice from escaping.

They both disappeared into the night. Without a single trace, not a soul knew Ayame's departure.

Meanwhile, the night was still young for the young couple at the restaurant, basking in their respective meals.

"If I am following, you increase taxes to those who've disobeyed you, correct?"

Alex gulped another glass of alcohol. It burned his throat once again as he replied, slurred and slow, "Duh! It's too easy! It's not like they can do anything about it."

A boisterous laughter left his lips, slamming his hand continuously on the table at the thought. Their plates and utensils rattled against the wooden table.

"I'm the only protection they got anyway."

Mentally taking notes, Rue pushed forward a glass of water, "Please don't overdrink; you might not be able to enjoy the rest of the night."

Alex's heart swelled with anticipation at her words. Thinking the woman wanted more of him after their rendezvous. He was sure she realized he was a better choice than that bastard. Surely, she must have fallen for his charms.

Shall he indulge himself and yield to her just this one time?

Rue observed how he consumed his water in one shot. Though the red hue on his cheeks dimmed slightly, his disoriented vision, clumsy gripping of his glass and incoherent mumbling, he was still drunk. Advantageous that he willingly drank like a fool, yes. However, she needed him in a stupor where he would willingly spill his secrets yet still be sober enough to process his thoughts.

Sober enough to at least have some awareness.

Throughout the night, the captain would spill the beans about his many accomplishments. A smug expression beamed on his features. Though Rue dug the hole herself, listening to this man brought exhaustion to the point she rubbed her temple. Often, she was forced to bring him back to the topic.

Alex this and Alex that... Indeed, this was exhausting.

So far, she gained numerous interesting facts about this island and its people. However, she knew some things beforehand. Gastonia was owned by a family of noble lineage centuries ago, the bloodline now diluted and certain practices abolished; Alex would flaunt it in town, ensuring no one went against his wishes.

And if they dared, their lives would turn into misery. Money, home and way of living are taken in one swoop. Accusations and false charges were created to bring ruin to their reputation.

Of course, he was foolish enough to reveal that highly taxed citizens' money went into personal funding.

Rue's stomach gurgled in hunger. She was aware she hadn't eaten much before, yet her mind had trouble wanting to consume anything at the moment. Her thoughts and body contradict her wishes. The glass of water she consumed earlier did not alleviate the rising hunger or stop the rumbling in her stomach.