The long summer break began after I graduated from middle school, and I was eagerly looking forward to starting at the Utrecht Metropolitan Self-Development School once the break ended.
One afternoon, I was out shopping with friends, and we wandered into a clothing store to check out the latest fashion trends. That's when I noticed him.
He was a tall, well-built young Dutchman with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. His presence made everything else in the store fade into the background.
"What's going on, Eli? Did you fall in love at first sight?" My friends teased me with mischievous grins.
I couldn't find the words to explain what I felt. My heart raced as he turned around, meeting my gaze with a kind smile. I felt both excited and nervous as I walked up to him, hoping I didn't look as flustered as I felt.
"Hi, can I help you?" he asked, his voice warm and friendly.
"Oh, hey," I stammered, trying to keep my composure. "So, I'm new to this store... What are the latest fashion additions here?"
"Shouldn't you be asking one of my female colleagues?" he joked, his smile playful.
"Oh! Right!" I blushed, feeling embarrassed but also a bit flattered by his attention.
"I'm just teasing you," he laughed. "Lucky for you, I'm an emerging Dutch model, and I love fashion—both men's and women's. So, you came to the right person!"
His eyes sparkled, and his smile—showing off perfectly white teeth—had me captivated. I couldn't help but focus more on him than the clothes he was showing me.
He expertly demonstrated the latest dresses, hats, and accessories, all the while keeping up an easygoing conversation. But if I'm honest, my attention was mostly on him, not the fashion.
"So, which style do you like best?" he asked after showing me a variety of items.
"What?" I asked, a little dazed, snapping out of the trance I'd fallen into.
"Haha, I showed you a bunch of dresses and accessories, right? Which one do you like most?" he repeated, chuckling at my absentmindedness.
"Which one do you think would suit me best?" I asked, playfully tilting my head.
"Hmmm..." He tapped his chin, thoughtfully considering which dress would be perfect for me. After a brief pause, he pointed to a modest yet elegant summer dress. "I think this one would suit you the best," he said with a smile that made my heart flutter.
I couldn't help but smile back, feeling a little more drawn to him with every passing second.
"Really?" I asked, a hint of disbelief in my voice.
"I'm pretty sure of it!" he replied with a confident smile.
"In that case, I'll try it on right now. Wait here, I want you to see how it looks on me," I said, feeling a burst of excitement.
I grabbed the dress and headed to the fitting room. My friends exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by the exchange between me and the charming store employee.
A few minutes later, I emerged from the fitting room, and I could immediately tell I had his full attention. The dress fit perfectly, accentuating my features just as he had predicted.
"Wow..." he said, his eyes widening as he took in the sight. "You look even better than I imagined..."
"Thanks," I smiled, feeling a little pleased with myself. "I think I'll buy this dress."
"Great choice!" he said, clearly impressed.
I hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What's your name?"
"My name is Hidde," he answered with a smile. "And yours?"
"Eliza," I replied.
"It's nice to meet you, Eliza," he said, his tone warm.
"Likewise! Can I have your phone number?" I asked, feeling bold.
"Of course!" he said without hesitation.
We exchanged phone numbers, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. "I'll message you later, Hidde," I said, flashing him a smile.
I left him to continue his duties while I went to the counter to purchase the dress. Once the transaction was complete, I left the store with my friends, who were all bubbling with excitement.
"Congrats, Eli!" one of them cheered.
"Well done!" another exclaimed.
I couldn't help but grin, feeling like this was just the beginning of something exciting.
As soon as I got back home, I flopped onto my bed and pulled out my phone, eager to message Hidde. I asked how his day had been, and he responded by asking about mine after I left the store.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, and before long, we were talking on the phone. The chemistry between us was undeniable, each exchange making me feel more connected to him.
"Are you free this Saturday?" he asked, his voice light.
"I can make time for you," I replied. "What do you want to do?"
"How about we go shopping together and grab a bite to eat?" he suggested.
"Sounds great. That's a date!" I said with a grin.
"A date?!" His voice was full of surprise.
"Yes, a date," I teased.
"Right, a date it is!" he said, his tone shifting to excitement.
I couldn't help but chuckle at how quickly he went from flustered to thrilled.
Saturday arrived, and our date was everything I had imagined and more. We visited several clothing stores, and I bought whatever he recommended for me. He tried on the outfits I suggested, though, to my surprise, he didn't buy anything. I found it a little odd, but didn't dwell on it.
"You resemble the princess a lot, Eli," he said as we browsed through a store together.
"I hear that all the time. People say we look like sisters. Honestly, I don't mind being compared to her—she's royalty, after all."
"And you... aren't you the daughter of Sander IJzerhart?" he asked, looking a little surprised.
"Did you just figure that out?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, wow. That's amazing! No wonder you can afford all these clothes, haha..."
I laughed, but then something else came to mind. "Speaking of which, Hidde, I've been meaning to ask—why haven't you bought anything for yourself?"
He hesitated for a moment, then let out an embarrassed smile. "Because I come from a poor household," he admitted. "You probably won't want to hang out with me anymore now that you know I'm not some rich kid."
Normally, I would have walked away at that instant. I'm Avaritia, the embodiment of Greed—wealth and status are my world. I wouldn't waste time on someone from a poor background, let alone someone who couldn't even afford clothes.
But Hidde... Hidde was different. Was it because I liked him? I wasn't sure yet. That was what I wanted to figure out. I couldn't shake the feeling that every time I thought about him, my heart raced, my face flushed, and I felt a warmth spreading through me. So, I wouldn't cut him off just yet. I wanted to understand these feelings, to know why he made me feel this way.
In silence, we left the store and wandered the streets, searching for a place to eat. I suggested a cheap, mediocre spot, but Hidde immediately recommended the most expensive restaurant in the area. What was he trying to prove? Despite my initial hesitation, I agreed. I couldn't bring myself to settle for cheap food, especially when I had been the one to suggest the place, thinking he might not afford the finer places.
We dined at the luxurious restaurant in near silence. The opulence around us contrasted sharply with the lack of conversation between us. After the meal, Hidde insisted on paying, but I was quicker to pull out my card. His expression faltered, and I could tell he was offended.
"Why would you...?" he asked as we left the restaurant, his voice laced with confusion.
"What's the matter?" I asked. "Are you offended because you think, as the man, it's your duty to pay? Or is it because you don't want me to feel like you're using me for my wealth?"
"Both, Eliza, both..." he sighed, his shoulders heavy with regret. "I feel guilty for getting close to you, for flirting with you without even knowing if you were the IJzerhart princess. Had I known, I wouldn't have approached you. I can't be your partner. I'm not wealthy enough. And as a man, isn't it my duty to take care of the expenses?"
His words stung, more than I expected. A feeling of hurt and disappointment settled in my chest.
"Listen," I said, surprising both of us. "I don't care that you're not rich."
"You don't?" he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"No," I responded firmly. "Life's not just about money."
"I think it is," he said with a laugh. "Money buys you everything. Nice clothes, fancy cars, a big house... Anything you want."
"But can you buy happiness with money?" I asked.
"I mean, indirectly, yes," he shrugged. "If new clothes make you happy, then money can buy that happiness."
"Doesn't that mean money is just a means to happiness, not happiness itself?"
"Well, yes..." he admitted, his voice quieter now.
"Are you happy with your life, Hidde?" I asked softly.
"Ha, I mean, I'm content..." He paused, realizing something had shifted in our conversation.
"I know you probably think I'm happy because of my wealth," I sighed, looking away for a moment. "But honestly, I'm not. My relationships always feel so fake. My friends only care about me because of my status. I don't think I've ever had a genuine friend. Sure, I'm thankful I never have to worry about money, but it all feels so empty."
"What do you think could fill that emptiness inside you, Eliza?" he asked, his voice gentle.
I moved closer to him, my heart racing. "Someone who will love me for who I am, not for what I am."
Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and softly kissed him.
"I acted on impulse," I whispered, flustered. "I'm sorry..."
Hidde cupped my face with his hands and kissed me softly, several times, surprising me. "Is it okay for that someone to be me, Eliza?"
I blushed, a smile tugging at my lips. "I wouldn't want it to be anyone else."
From that moment, Hidde and I grew very close. We shared everything with each other, though I kept the truth of being a homunculus a secret.
One day, I asked him how his modeling career was progressing.
"Well, it's so-so," he said with a shrug. "I don't have the money to pay for a manager, and my earnings as a model aren't enough. That's why I also work at the clothing store for extra cash."
I couldn't stand seeing him struggle, so I decided to fund his modeling career, despite his protests. Soon enough, he became more popular, landing brand deals with big companies.
Normally, I would have refused to share anything with anyone. I was Avaritia—the embodiment of Greed. I only shared time and space, because I didn't own either of them.
But something had changed. I used to be the most greedy person imaginable, but with Hidde, I couldn't hold onto that old mentality anymore.
I was genuinely happy for him. And for myself. Was this the kind of happiness Zipporah had been talking about? To see someone you care about succeed in life—that, to me, was the true meaning of happiness.