A faint knock echoed on the wooden door.
"Who's there?" a woman's voice called out.
Inside, she was standing by a steaming pot, carefully stirring its contents. The knock startled her. She quickly covered the pot, wiped her hands on the worn apron tied around her waist, and headed toward the door. Her steps were slow, cautious. She was a middle-aged woman — her dress old and faded, her hands calloused from years of labor. Yet there was something warm in her eyes, even if tiredness dulled their shine.
She opened the door—
"Aunty!" Liora screamed with joy as she jumped into her arms, hugging her tightly.
"I missed you so much!"
"You little brat! You scared the hell out of me!" her aunt exclaimed, clutching her chest in mock horror before giving Liora a playful slap on the shoulder.
"Ahh! That hurts!" Liora pouted dramatically, lips sticking out like a child.
"I thought you said you were coming back tomorrow. Why tonight?"
"Hm... well, here I am," Liora said, skipping into the house with a cheeky grin. She dropped her bag on the rickety table and flopped onto the wooden chair like a lifeless rag.
But when she looked up, her aunt was standing there, arms crossed, a very clear frown on her face.
"Okay, okay!" Liora raised her hands in surrender. "I just wanted to see you and Eli so badly—I couldn't wait until tomorrow," she rushed out, barely pausing for breath.
Her aunt slammed the door shut.
"How many times have I told you it's dangerous to walk around at night?" she snapped. "You're still a beautiful young lady—"
"—Anything can happen to you, and you know our tradition. If a girl loses her virginity, no lad will want her, and she'll be worse off than a widow!" Liora finished for her.
Her aunt's mouth hung open mid-sentence. She blinked, clearly caught off guard.
Liora gave a small smile. "I feel so unlucky."
Her aunt exhaled deeply and shook her head, already too tired to argue. They had this conversation far too often, and Liora always beat her to the ending.
"Is Eli already asleep?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Hmph. Go wake him. Food's ready," her aunt muttered as she returned to the kitchen.
---
Liora's POV
Watching Aunty shuffle back into the kitchen made me smile. This little house, the worn chairs, the smell of her food—it was all so comforting.
I rushed into my brother's room, and there he was—curled up under his thin blanket, fast asleep. I tiptoed closer and knelt by his bedside, my heart fluttering. It's been too long.
Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around him.
He stirred, his tiny arms trying to push me off sleepily.
"Eli," I whispered, "it's me."
His eyes blinked open, then lit up like stars.
"Liora!" he giggled, instantly throwing his little arms around my neck.
I buried my face in his warm neck, peppering it with kisses, making him laugh even harder.
This... this right here was the reason I came back tonight.
"I've been waiting forever," he said as he pulled away from the hug, staring right into my eyes.
"I'm here now," I replied, brushing my hand over his head.
Looking at him properly, I smiled. He hadn't lost any weight. His chocolate-brown skin still looked smooth and fresh, his hair neatly arranged and well-combed. Honestly? He was the most precious treasure in this house — unlike me and Aunty, who both looked like life had beaten us around a few corners.
But I guess it was worth it.
"Guess what?" I said, teasing as my grin widened.
His face twisted in curiosity.
I dipped my hand beneath my gown and untied the little apron hidden underneath. From the inner pocket, I pulled out a handful of sweets.
His eyes lit up instantly, and he let out a happy squeal — but I quickly covered his mouth and gave him a shhh gesture.
Aunty would throw a fit if she caught me giving Eli sweets.
Not because it was completely forbidden — but because when he had too much, he ended up with nasty toothaches. That's why I made sure to bring just the right amount. The "no-toothache" quantity.
His tiny hands snatched the sweets and tucked them safely under his pillow. Then, without a word, he climbed onto his knees and wrapped his arms around me again, this time with tears in his eyes.
Ah... I know that feeling.
His little hand reached for mine. He touched it gently, then looked up at me.
"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly.
His emerald eyes shimmered, tears threatening to spill.
I almost cried. I really did. But I held it in.
"No," I lied softly, swallowing the ache in my throat. "It doesn't."
With the kind of work I do, I barely feel like a lady anymore. My hands are rough. My back always aches. But I smiled for him anyway.
I scooped him up and carried him to the living room, placing him gently on the dining chair. Just then, Aunty walked in, balancing trays of food and arranging them carefully on the table — including some of the goodies I brought from the castle.
She reheated what needed warming, served everything, and then sat down.
The table was full. The air warm. The mood soft.
As soon as I sat, I didn't wait — I grabbed a spoon and dug straight into the rice, stuffing my mouth and chewing like I hadn't eaten in weeks. I nodded my head, enjoying every bite.
Aunty just shook her head at me, then calmly scooped a portion onto Eli's plate before eating her own share.
I didn't care. Let her shake her head. I was going to eat this meal with zero shame.
Honestly, there's nothing better than a family dinner.
And yet... Diane will never know what that feels like.
As a princess, she's not even allowed to show her face. Not even her father has seen what she looks like since she was five. It's crazy, if you think about it. Only three people in the whole kingdom have ever seen her face:
Me, her mother... and Beckit — the maid from earlier.