Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 99

~sorry for the late updateeee~

-Start of Chapter 99-

A/N's POV

Jia sits on the edge of her small bed, fingers gently tracing the crescent moon pendant of her necklace. The silver chain glimmers under the setting sun, casting faint reflections against the wooden walls. A small smile tugs at her lips as she turns the pendant over in her palm, lost in thought.

The door creaks open, and another maid, Mina steps inside, wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes land on the necklace immediately, "Oh that's beautiful." she says, walking closer. "Where did you get it from?"

Jia's smile lingers as she watches the pendant sway between her fingers. "It was my sister's" she says softly.

Mina's expression shifts to curiosity. "Your sister?"

"Older sister" Jia nods.

The other maid leans in closer, examining the delicate design, "It looks expensive. Where did she buy it from?"

Jia pauses, her fingers tightening around the pending. A small crease forms between her brow as she shakes her head. "I... don't know". Her voice is quieter now. "I don't remember her. She died when I was still a baby."

For a moment, the room falls silent, the weight of her words settling between them. Mina's expression softens with sympathy, but she doesn't press further. Instead, she gives Jia a small, understanding nod.

"Well," Mina says, offering a light smile, "it's beautiful. She had great taste"

Jia hums in response, but her gaze remain on the necklace.

"Come on. Let's go. We have to finish a few things for tomorrow" Mina's words snap Jia out of her thoughts.  

Jia smiles placing the necklace beside her pillow. "Yes, of course. The new maids are coming in tomorrow. We need to set everything out for them."

~~~~~~~

Riki's POV

The castle halls are quiet at night, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows along the cold stone walls. My footsteps are light, my mind distracted, when suddenly—I sense her.

A familiar presence, the faint scent of lavender soap and warmth in the otherwise cold air. Jia.

My gaze sharpens as I follow the feeling, leading me to a smaller corridor near the servants' quarters. I stop in my tracks when I see her.

She's sitting by the window, moonlight illuminating her delicate features. But my eyes are not on her face. They're on the necklace she holds.

The silver chain dangles between her fingers, the crescent moon pendant catching the light.

My body goes rigid. 

No... that can't be.

Pain. Sharp and sudden, piercing through my chest like a blade. The sight of that necklace makes my breathing go uneven, my stomach twisting painfully.

I step forward. "Where did you get that?" My voice is lower than I intended, but the weight behind it makes Jia flinch.

She turns, startled, her fingers curling protectively around the pendant. "Sir Ni-ki..." she hesitates, then answers softly, "It was my sister's."