19
~Lisa's POV
I was still holding the small envelope Milo had slipped into my apron pocket when one of the guards stomped toward us.
He didn't greet me. Didn't even look at me like a person.
"There's someone at the gate asking for you," he said flatly, arms crossed like I was wasting his time just by standing there.
I blinked, surprised. "Someone? Who?"
He gave me a glare. "Did I stutter?"
Milo tensed beside me, his eyes narrowing, but he didn't say anything.
"Thank you," I murmured quickly, already turning away.
"Try not to take all day," the guard muttered as I passed him. "This isn't a daycare."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and kept walking. My legs felt shaky, and my hands wouldn't stop sweating. I kept wondering who it could be. I barely had anyone… not anymore.
Then, as I got closer to the palace gate, I froze.
Sitting quietly outside the iron bars, holding onto his cane, was the only person who still cared about me in this world.
"Papa…" I breathed.
