I stared at the woman, my expression filled with confusion.
'Why is she holding me so tightly?'
Her fingers curled around my arm, her grip firm—unyielding.
I didn't know her.
Yet, she clung to me as if letting go was a risk.
No… she didn't seem afraid to let go.
She seemed afraid of me.
Her lips parted. "What the hell are—"
But before she could finish—
"There you are, kid!"
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
I turned toward it, feeling relief wash over me.
"Sir Exios."
He approached quickly, his gaze shifting to my arm, still trapped in the woman's grasp.
His expression darkened slightly.
"Crimson." His voice was firm.
The woman—Crimson—looked at him, eyes filled with doubt.
"You know her, Exios?"
"Yes. She's in my care. Now, let go of her and let me explain."
There was something new in his tone—something serious.
I had never seen this side of him before.
Crimson hesitated.
A few tense seconds passed before she finally released me.
I moved without thinking, stepping behind Sir Exios.
The outside world carried on—people chatting, merchants selling their goods, the streets alive with noise.
But between them, the air was thick with silence.
Crimson glanced at me once more.
Sir Exios clapped a hand on my shoulder, his tone lighter than before.
"Why don't you take a look inside the lady's shop, kid?" His smile was easy, as if nothing was wrong. "She's got all sorts of interesting things in there."
It wasn't a command. It wasn't an attempt to send me away.
It was gentle encouragement.
I glanced between him and the woman, then nodded.
Slowly, I walked toward the entrance of her shop—a large tent rather than a traditional building.
Before stepping inside, I hesitated, sneaking one last glance at them.
Then, I entered.
---
The moment I stepped in, a chill ran through me.
It wasn't freezing, but the air inside felt colder than the world outside.
Dim lights flickered across the space.
Small glowing orbs—some violet, some blue, others an eerie red—sat atop wooden shelves, illuminating the room with a dull, muted glow.
The shelves were filled with strange objects.
Glass bottles. Amulets. Rolled parchment.
The floor was covered with layered carpets, uneven yet oddly comforting.
Beneath the shelves, wooden crates and containers sat in disorder—some half-open, revealing more odd trinkets inside.
I wandered slowly, my eyes drifting over the strange items.
Then—
A flicker of red light caught my attention.
An amulet.
It pulsed faintly, as if breathing.
I stepped closer.
The flickering grew stronger.
The amulet had an unusual shape—jagged, yet organic.
Is this… an animal?
I couldn't quite tell.
Without thinking, I reached out.
The moment my hand hovered above it—
The glow burst into a bright red light.
---
Crimson's sharp voice cut through the marketplace noise.
"So? Are you going to explain, or did I see something I wasn't supposed to?"
Exios exhaled, rubbing his temple.
"You… really had to be here right now." His voice carried exhaustion. "When did you come back?"
"Don't dodge the question!" Crimson snapped. "You know I'm a merchant. I travel for a living."
Exios sighed. "I thought you were selling somewhere else."
"You thought." She folded her arms. "And so, you just left that kid outside, thinking no one would notice?"
Exios went silent.
She stared at him, waiting.
Finally, he sighed, looking her in the eye.
"I knew it wasn't safe. I knew the risks."
Crimson's expression shifted.
A flicker of something—uncertainty, concern.
Her voice lowered slightly. "Exios… What is she?"
---
The amulet continued to glow.
Yet… nothing happened.
I watched it pulse, expecting something to change.
But aside from its light, it did nothing.
'Interesting… But it's just glowing.'
After a few more seconds of watching the red flicker, I heard footsteps approaching.
Someone was coming inside.
I turned toward the entrance.
Crimson stepped in first.
Her gaze flickered toward my hand.
I reacted instantly, pulling it back behind me.
The moment my hand left the amulet, its glow vanished.
Exios entered next.
"Sorry, kiddo." He smiled as he walked in. "I had to chat with the lady for a bit. She's a merchant who travels the world."
I stared at them in silence.
'A merchant…'
I glanced at Crimson.
She didn't say anything, but something about her expression seemed uneasy.
Exios clapped his hands together. "Well, we better get going. Let's go, kid."
He turned toward the exit.
I followed.
But before we left—
"When will you stop calling her 'kid' and give her a proper name?"
Crimson's voice was laced with amusement, but there was something else there too—something knowing.
Exios paused for a second.
Then, without looking back—
"See you, Crimson."
With that, he walked out of the tent.
I quickly bowed to the woman before hurrying after him.
---
We walked at a slow, steady pace this time.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
I wanted to say something—to apologize.
But I wasn't sure how.
Just thinking about it made my face feel hot.
Still—
I took a deep breath.
"Sir Exios."
He looked down at me as I stared at the ground.
"I… I'm sorry for not staying near you."
I couldn't see his expression, but I kept talking.
"I got curious about the shops, and then… I ran off without thinking."
A brief silence followed.
Then, a warm hand ruffled my hair.
"I should be the one apologizing, not you." His voice was light, reassuring.
I glanced up and saw his usual smile.
Relief settled in my chest.
"Oh, right." Exios patted the bag slung over his shoulder. "I bought you some new clothes. Now you won't have to keep wearing those boyish outfits."
"Thank you."
For a while, we walked in comfortable silence.
Then—
"By the way… did anyone talk to you while we were apart?"
I thought for a moment.
Golden hair. Green eyes.
"Ah. The boy from the flower shop."
Exios raised an eyebrow. "A boy? What did he say?"
---
"Hey… do I know you?"
I froze.
Turning, I saw the boy studying me carefully.
He was waiting for an answer.
"I don't think so."
---
"Yeah. He asked if he knew me."
"Well… do you?"
"No. I've never met him. I think."
Exios hummed thoughtfully. "Mhm. Maybe he knew you before you lost your memories?"
I shrugged. I don't really care.
He nodded, his voice light. "Yeah, guess you'll find out when your memories come back."
Then, for a moment, he stopped walking.
I paused too, looking up at him.
His gaze lingered on me, thoughtful.
Then, finally—
"Do… you want me to give you a name?"
I blinked. "Huh?"
"How would you feel if I kept calling you 'kiddo' forever?"
I looked away, thinking.
"It's fine, I guess."
A brief pause.
Then, before he could speak, I added—
"But I think I'd prefer having a name."
His eyes softened.
He hesitated, then exhaled.
"Alright. How does Liliana sound?"
Something about the name sparkled inside me.
A small, genuine smile formed on my lips.
"Liliana…"