"Perhaps, you should consider celebrating your seventeenth birthday, mi'lady. Duchess Valentina seems to be in high hopes that you will host a party."

"Of course, I'm celebrating my birthday. But there is no way in hell I will make a big deal out of it. Who am I gonna even invite?"

Avy and Clerivan strode down Blackwell District, blending into the civilians quite well. Avy could not help but roll her eyes at her knight as though he just requested her to do something ridiculous. In her opinion though, it was indeed ridiculous to celebrate like a princess when even the original owner of the body never did. Aside from that, no one in the Arkwright family really did enjoy parties. Avy shivered, imagining her icebergs for a family surrounded by sparkling glitters and dances.

The topic was brought up by her grandfather during dinner, pointing out her positive changes throughout the months that passed. The old lord wondered if Avy wanted to throw a big celebration for her seventeenth year of being alive which she turned down without hesitation.

The last birthday party she could remember was when she was seven. Her mom told her to invite her classmates over to their house to celebrate with them, and Annie being Annie, did not tell a single soul about it. In the end, only Lucy was the one lucky enough to be told by the snob of a child who was Anastasia and the upcoming years of her life just consisted of small dinners with her family, of course, Lucy included, whenever her birthday came around.

Growing up, the acquaintances she had that were familiar to her enough were teachers and professors, and perhaps a few other students who shared the same interests as her. However, she did not consider them really close to being invited to her house for any celebration. Her parents, mostly her mother who was a fashion designer, on the other hand, was a people person. Definitely the opposite of her husband who passed on his serious personality to their daughter. Annie had enough of strangers greeting her a happy birthday through her mother who was quite well-known in her field.

She figured it would be the same if she threw a party as Avy. She did not know anyone and a party would not be a party without guests hence it would be a certainty that the duke and the lord, perhaps, even her uncle Alistair and her brother Ashton, would invite their own acquaintances to be witnesses to her celebration. It did not excite Avy a whole lot.

She did not want her birthday-although not really hers-to be a day where she would be forced to smile at people she did not even know, for an entire night. It could even be a whole day! That would definitely ruin her entire week. It was not happening.

"Did you instruct the servants as I told you?" she asked her knight, hoping to redirect the topic to another, not wanting to entertain the request any further.

"Yes, mi'lady. The carriage has more likely arrived in the place you requested it delivered," Clerivan answered.

The walk to the diner was another parade for the knight, in Avy's opinion, as they were greeted by almost every shopkeeper they came across. Still, she welcomed the hospitality that she was given due to the fact that Clerivan introduced her as his cousin. Indeed, connections work best when you have nothing.

The whole time was quiet as well, without the usual presence of Ares who never chose to shut his mouth whenever they were outside. Avy was of course, under the protection of her other curse who seemed way more composed than her first one who just loved acting like a child, contrary to the time he had spent with the living. She supposed having Andras guarding her felt more like having an older person stuck with her, who, on the bright side, cared less about reprimanding but rather only filling her in with things she needed to know.

"My lady! I hope you did not encounter problems on your way. You informed us of your visit hours ago."

She was greeted by a smiling Emerald when Clerivan opened the door to the diner. Once again, she noticed not one single person occupied the tables inside when it was already almost afternoon and it should have been a busy time, preparing for lunch. By the looks of it, and the sign 'close' that hung in front of the diner, the woman must have not opened her business after receiving the notice of her arrival.

"It was fine. Revie was quite the celebrity around and we were stopped for a conversation a couple of times too many," she answered, gesturing at the man who stood behind her.

Emerald let out a small giggle before she spoke, "I see that you brought my little brother as well. He is indeed a well-known figure in the capital, I would suggest you cover his face if you want a peaceful walk," the woman jested, looking at her brother who only scrunched his brows in dissatisfaction.

"I'd consider the suggestion. He's even more popular than I am. It feels as though I'm the one guarding a noble." she snickered which in return earned her another laugh from her knight's older sister.

Avy doubts she could do anything about Clerivan's popularity. Although he was not written in the book enough for the readers to be interested in his achievements, Avy learned a lot by having him around her for months. The man himself did not talk about his life, not even once. However, Mariel did mention that he was more than capable of guarding her.

She heard from her maid that Clerivan was a child prodigy, who, after graduating from the Academy, was bestowed the title of the knight captain at the Arkwright's Knight and Order. He destroyed a number of underground organizations in the capital, most of them in the famous criminal's paradise in Blackwell District. People went as far as comparing him to Marquis Alistair Arkwright, Avy's uncle, who was known to be the devil incarnate, according to the underground criminals who feared him. In that regard, Avy really has no other option than to live with the fact that her knight would be more often recognized by commoners than she would be.

For now, at least.

"Mama!"

Their teasing was cut short when the door to the diner's kitchen opened, the voice of a child echoing through the empty place. The excited little footsteps gave away the identity of the owner as much as the enthusiastic voice did. Kill emerged from the kitchen in his fancy wear, a frilled short-sleeved shirt and jumper shorts. A bright smile was drawn across his lips, reaching the corner of his golden eyes.

"If you fall, I am not picking you up." came another voice accompanying the little boy. Ares strutted after Kill in his usual attire, his hands were buried inside the pockets of his trousers. His unruly hair is as messy as ever.

Avy wondered why his hair never seemed to grow nor did it ever look taken care of. However, Ares did mention that a curse's appearance takes after the image of the curse's experiences unless it is a powerful one, like him. He takes the form of whatever he wishes to be.

"What took you so long? Your kid's been blabbering all morning." Ares followed as Kill made his way towards Avy.

Avy noticed Clerivan shifting on where he stood, still feeling untrusting towards the strange man that the lady had been shielding. His eyes were also observing the movements of the child, although more subtle than he was to Ares.

"I do not blabber," Kill retorted with knitted brows, throwing the curse a dirty look. He was clutching Avy's hand with his.

"You do, too."

"I do not."

Avy let out a small laugh, watching Kill snarl at Ares as if he were ready to pounce on him if given the chance to. This made the child's features soften once again, however, remembering that he was in her presence.

"Shall we go?" she said, looking down at the child who immediately took his attention of Ares to set his eyes on her fully.

"Where are we going, Mama?" he asked curiously. Avy called Emerald that morning, a few hours before she showed up, only telling the older girl to make Kill dress up to go out without actually telling her where they would be going.

"Somewhere you can find a playmate," Avy answered, with a small quirk on her lips. The beast child gave her an offended look.

"But I do not need a playmate," he huffed, announcing his thoughts with a much firmer tone to indicate his disagreement with his adoptive mother's statement.

Avy snorted at the child's response. "An acquaintance, then," she corrected herself to satisfy the little beast's distaste. It had always amused her how he always tried to act older than he actually was and still ended up sounding childish when he did. Well, he's eight, that definitely had to count for something.

"Are we going with Auntie Em's brother?" he glanced at the knight standing a few feet away from them. After a few couple of visits in the past months, Kill has grown familiar with Clerivan, although only to the extent that they acknowledge each other's presence when they are in the same room. Both being quiet and reserved, they never actually got closer to calling themselves comfortable with one another.

"We're not," she replied, causing the knight to immediately react to her answer.

"My lady, I was instructed not to leave your side. I cannot let you travel without a guard," Clerivan protested, his brows slightly knitting in disagreement. Of course. It was his job to never take his eyes off the troublesome girl that is Avy.

Avy knew that she was his responsibility. On the other hand, she wished not to be stopped every time someone recognized her companion. Clerivan is so loved by the people in Blackwell District that she was not joking when she said he was like a celebrity taking a stroll in the marketplace on a normal Tuesday. Besides, she is always obliged to introduce herself to those people who ask about her relationship with the knight.

"It's fine. No one knows me here." she tried to persuade him to let her go, swerving her neck to point her eyes at Ares who had his hands inside his trousers. "Also, this guy is capable enough to take down a lion," she added. She could have said she took down a bear once herself though she decided against it. Might as well tell a more believable lie.

"I-" Clerivan tried to argue but the bell on top of the diner's door chimed, indicating that someone had just entered.

"Let the lady go, Revie. You know many thugs loathe you enough to ambush you on the street. Lady Avy is going to be a walking target if you go." Esmour Warde, the father of Clerivan and Emerald Warde stepped inside the diner, holding a small paperbag. He was not surprised to find Avy and his son although he did give Avy a small squinted look as he closed the door.

"Father. What brings you here?" Emerald greeted the old man softly, walking towards her to give her father a kiss on his cheek. Avy pursed her lips to stop herself from smiling in amusement. The hard-boiled old man never sneered at his daughter even though he did so to everyone else. She watched as Esmour Warde, a former war veteran, snuggled into Emerald's hug. He was a father, after all.

"As far as I am concerned, this diner happens to belong to my daughter. 'Sides, I have been meaning to visit this little man right here," the old man remarked snarkily, turning his attention to the child holding Avy's hand before giving him the small paper bag he was holding. Kill nodded in appreciation as he accepted almost eagerly, prompting the old man to snort in entertainment.

Avy raised her brows at this, knowing how Kill is usually withdrawn from other people. She figured that the older Warde had been befriending him, perhaps even giving occasional gifts that the child grew accustomed to it. Nevertheless, she was not angry about it.

"Long time no see, Pops. I see you're doing quite well," she greeted in a carefree manner, causing Mr. Warde to scrunch his nose in response.

"Hush, you. With that reckless attitude, you got from your grandmother and the pride your grandfather passed down your bloodline, you will meet the angels before I do. Troubles you get everywhere, I reckon," he pointed out as a matter of fact. Although his tone was almost biting, still lacked the venom it would take to be offensive. It was rather homely if Avy were to be honest. Being compared to people that she supposed she should be used to calling family.

She huffed in amusement. "I happen to be... a favorite in that matter." She made sure to find the right words to describe her tendency to be in the middle of a raging chaos. It has been long since she accepted that she would be subjected to trouble every now and then, being closely connected to the most important characters and all. She used to complain about it, thinking that only the main characters should be allowed to have their lives disrupted since it was actually something needed to fill the pages of the story. Thankfully, she had already made peace with that fact.

"Anywho, we will be going now- ow...!" she decided to end the conversation when the old man stepped closer to pluck a strand of her hair, pulling not only a single thread in the process.

"What was that for?" she hissed, rubbing the stinging spot on her head.

"For this lad not to worry about your well-being," the old man answered nonchalantly, looking at his son who still looked skeptical, not backing down.

"This will burn if the owner happens to be in distress. A simple divine spell mages use to monitor their children," Mr. Warde added in assurance. Clerivan merely grunted, unhappy with his father supporting Avy's decision to go out alone.

Emerald, who saw the apparent distaste on her brother's face, simply laughed softly and put a hand on the knight's shoulder. "Worry not, Revie. The lady will be alright. Why don't you help me run the diner for today? I cannot call the workers after telling them to rest after all," she soothed him.

Avy, Ares, and Kill did not hand around any longer and left, knowing that they would arrive at their destination shortly by foot, Avy did not bother to get a carriage.

"I have to learn that spell," she said shortly after they stepped foot outside the diner. Her eyes were trained on Kill who although subtly, happily trudged down the sidewalk ahead of them, inspecting the inside of the small paper bag that was handed to him.

Ares, who understood the context of her statement shrugged. "You cannot, unfortunately. You are bound to dark magic, the counterpart of the divine type," he pointed out, making Avy's brow raise in question. She could not remember anything written in the novel that one cannot learn divine magic. It was actually stated that divine magic is the only type of magic that is open to everyone, except the so-called 'filthy race' of course, the beast race.

"Why can't I? It's not allowed?" she asked, looking forward to a reason complete bullshit denounced by the Goddess.

"Well, divine magic can be learned if you're powerful enough since the Divine Goddess was generous enough to permit everyone to be of help to them. Unlike other Gods who only gave their power to their chosen people." Ares walked in an unelegant fashion, stretching his arms up in the air as he yawned without covering his mouth before loudly cracking his neck as if he had been immobile for a long time.

"So I can learn it?" she once again questioned, ignoring the curse's behavior that might have gathered a couple of grimaces from some posh-looking ladies walking across the street.

"Normal people can if they are blessed by the Goddess, but if they are not, they have to train like crazy to even be able to use a simple spell from her book. That miracle girl received a lot of love, I presume," the black-haired man answered finally, reminiscing the rumors about the miracle lady that made an unknown trespassing beastman run away using her incredible oh-so-blessed power from heaven. Well, it loses the heavenly effects once you learn that the said beastman thereafter died in a cave, leaving a child also divinely affected behind.

Avy snorted. Utter bullshit, as she was saying. The Goddess never disappoints.

"Then if you're not blessed and you're weak, you can only dream of using that? Doesn't sound too generous to me," she jests, although the underlying biting sarcasm reeked with poison. Again, she was not really a fan of some sort. Perhaps a straightforward critique if it is more accurate.

Or downright a hater.

"That's exactly why you can't learn divine magic." Ares continued walking with a grin.

"Cause I'm honest?" Avy jeered with the same amount of spite, waiting for the curse to elaborate.

"Prosperine, the first one who was blessed with dark magic didn't like the Goddess. She's too prideful to use it, hence, she cursed herself so that anyone who inherits her dark magic will not be able to learn the goddess' magic at all," he explained. Avy snorted at this.

"Petty. I can't say I'm not impressed." According to some bits of trivia about the first user of dark magic that Ares let slip every now and then, she somewhat figured that Prosperine held the biggest amount of pride known to man. She sounded as high and mighty due to her power and standing.

"Well, she did make sure that dark magic could rival divine magic so that her successors would not need to learn it," Ares added to which she replied with a shrug.

"Fair enough."

Blackwell district was busy as always. A lot of people wandered the streets, commoners and lower nobles alike. Still, it did not really worry her since not many people in high society knew what she looked like.

Only a handful of families were lucky enough to be able to catch a glimpse of her face during the summit. And who would believe that a brat of a princess from a ducal family would stride along the streets of a dangerous district such as Blackwell. Not that she even frequented any event hosted by nobility at all.

"Anyway, I will go drop by some sweets shop," she heard Ares announce next to her.

She squinted her eyes at him and raised her brow. "You're supposed to be guarding me."

"The old curse is with you and he's not craving for a strawberry cake," the curse stated, referring to Andras who was probably sleeping inside Avy. The older curse was even quieter than a stick Avy could not even remember when he last made his voice heard. Three days ago, perhaps?

"Useless bum." she sneered, rolling her eyes.

"Fully aware," Ares smirked at her in acknowledgment and Avy decided against arguing since the curse does not really have a single bone of shame in his body whatsoever.

"Buy some for the kids, too." She conceded in exasperation, her eyes wandering to Kill who was still trudging quite happily on his own, a couple of meters ahead of them.

"I stole gold coins from Ashton's room, by the way," Ares stated, already having his eyes glued on the bakery across the street.

"He got plenty enough, it's not gonna make him poor." Avy shooed him away. Their destination was still a ten-minute walk from where they stood.

"I'll be emptying the bakery."

"Whatever. Don't be late."

She breathed out in a small huff as she carelessly sent the curse away, watching as he strode enthusiastically towards the door of the bakery. Her attention lingered on Ares' back for a short while before he eventually disappeared inside the establishment.

"No! I want to take this one home!"

A small grating voice of a child screeched in her ears, taking her eyes away from the bakery and immediately to find Kill in the crowd. The scene that greeted her made her brows twitch in response, a frown craving on her sharp features.

A little girl dressed in a fancy dress filled with pink frills and laces was holding Kill's arm, obviously in a not-so-gentle way. A couple of maids who surrounded the child worriedly tried to pry her son from her which they had about no success in doing.

"What the-" she breathed before stomping towards the scene as quickly as she could. She saw Kill wince under the yanking of the little devil in pigtails.

"My lady, please, the ravens will be patrolling this area soon," a female servant pleaded, her hands never touching the small girl but her hands were definitely on Avy's eight-year-old child.

She opened her mouth and was about to call the child's name when Emerald's voice echoed in her head. A previous conversation they had replayed.

"Kill seems to feel disgusted by his name." Emerald's eyes were downcast in evident worry and sadness. She and Avy were finally able to talk with just the two of them. The day exhausted Kill much more than they anticipated that he was called by his bed earlier that night.

"I can't blame him. His name is a constant reminder that he was seen as a murderer by his family," Avy replied, a frown forming on her face. The shadows casted by the dimly lit illumination stone accentuated the hatred that were carved on her features.

Kill had never reacted strongly to her calling him by his name. However, by Emerald's statement, he obviously did not like it either. Avy only realized why the woman only addressed the beast child with gentle endearments. She would often hear the words 'love', 'darling', 'sweetie', and every petnames under the sun when Emerald is in the room with Kill.

"He loves it when Father calls him by a different name, too. It is one of the reasons why they bonded so well," Emerald recalled. Avy raised bith her brows in recognition. That's right, why should she stick to the child's original name when he loathes it that much?

"May I ask what Pops calls him then?"

"Father always mentioned that little Kill is too much like Duke Arkwright when his grace was only a boy, personality wise. Carrying books wherever he went, speaks only when he's spoken to. Magical prodigy. Everything about him, he says," Emerald explained, a fond expression decorating her face.

"He addressed him as..."

"Al," Avy called, immediately calling the attention of the beast child. Kill's head snapped towards her direction, perhaps because of the familiarity of her voice, or that he recognized the name. Avy did not know which.

"Mama." Kill looked horrified when he met her eyes.

"How shameles does a noble could be to kidnap a child in broad daylight?" she hissed, eyes boring holes through the servants' head.

The servants were taken aback by her words, surprised to see too much audacity from her who was dressed like a commoner. And they better be ready to receive some more because she was not leaving without at least dropping a couple of scalding words.

"You are misunderstanding the situation. We are not abducting this child," one of the maids tried deflecting her statement but was only answered by a sneer.

"Would you mind letting go of my boy, then?"

"No! This one is coming home with me!" the little girl shouted still yanking Kill's arm as if it was a toy that she wanted to snatch for herself.

"If it would not be a bother, will you let your child come with us for a while? Of course, you will be rewarded generously-"

"Oh! Avy! Glad to see you here!" a voice of a woman interrupted. Avy looked at the direction of the voice and was met with a familiar face. It was the lady whom Clerivan introduced to her when they first went downtown together. The woman with a fruit stall.

"Martha," she greeted, although her tone was still agitated. "I'm sorry, I'm kind of in the middle of something," she said, but Martha raised her hand, shaking her head before facing the servants of the noble child.

"Unhand that child at once. This woman is closely related to the Wardes. She and her child are both under the care of Sir Clerivan," the elderly woman informed. The maids paled and immediately turned to the little girl who still had Kill in her clutches like an eagle refusing to let go of its food.

Finally, they were scared enough to touch the girl to unattach her hand from being glued to Kill.

"I'm sorry Miss, we had no idea-"

"What house are you?" Avy asked her tone in all seriousness. Panic erupted on the servants' faces, not wanting to answer lest they put the name of the house they serve under the eyes of the ravens.

"I am Allisa Heron. Daughter of Marquis Heron. What is it to you if I took this boy? My father does it all the time," the girl chimed in boastfully and confidently, causing her maids' eyes to go wide.

"My lady!" one of the maids reprimanded.

Avy snorted inwardly. The girl must have thought she would get intimidated if she mentioned her family standing. Instead, she just exposed the skeletons hidden in her family's closet. Slave owners, if Avy's conclusion was right.

Soon, they left without any problems, the servants' faces restless but at the same time resigned to their fates. Martha also went on her way after Avy gave her thanks for her intervention. It was a relief that Clerivan's name came in handy somehow. After all, she could not risk her identity being found out if she made a scene.

"I apologize, Mama. I should have remained closer to you." Kill lowered his head in shame, not wanting to meet Avy's eyes.

Avy's features softened. Raising her hand to rest her palm on the boy's head, she gave it a light ruffle before she spoke.

"Thank you for not losing control although it probably hurt. Good job," she said, and not a second later, Kill tilted his head to give her a small smile. Happy and proud.

The two of them continued on their journey and Kill was greeted a dozen times by people they passed by which the young boy returned with a curt nod. After a couple of them, he explained to Avy that those people were those who frequented Emerald's diner and became acquainted with him after many times they had spoken.

Kill stayed close as they walked and Avy saw how he was more secure to himself than the first couple of times they were together after the child left the cave. It turns out that the beast child was not a clingy child. He was only afraid to be let alone hence the occasional clinging on her. He liked his space and his independence and he started speaking more maturely as well. Telling her that he no longer had to act like a child-Avy wanted to point out that he was still a child but decided against it- hence the changes. He wanted to appear older and he seemed happier that way.

"Stay close," she reminded Kill when they finally entered the less populated part of the district.

There were wrecked houses here and there although if you look hard enough, signs of inhabitant could be seen. It was a place with lesser buzz than the noisy downtown with numerous stalls and stores. It was almost deserted.

They walked quietly through the streets, sticking closer to each other. Avy was secured that Andras would come to her rescue if the need arose, but she wanted to at least not show Kill anything traumatizing if she could. She preferred staying out of trouble, thank you very much.

"Ugh..."

Jinxed.

Avy's shoulders tensed, but still, she kept walking, hearing the groans becoming louder as they did. It became especially impossible to ignore when they got in front of an alley and perhaps by curiosity, she instinctively paused to take a look.

A man sitting on the ground, leaning on the wall as he clutched his stomach.

Damn. How busy that day could get?

She did not want to be involved with anything major that might put her and Kill's life in danger. Clicking her tongue, she looked away and was about to start leaving but noticing that Kill's attention was also glued on the man lying on the ground, she stopped. Guilt quickly spread across her system. If she chose to leave, would Kill think of her as a heartless monster?

"For the love of God..." she breathed exasperatedly, turning to Kill who stood quietly next to her.

"Stay here, look at your surroundings. If someone tries to approach you, run towards me, alright?" she told him, making sure he heard every instruction she said.

"Understood," he replied.

Avy scrunched her face in displeasure, making her way down the alley to come to the wounded man's rescue, dragging her feet. She covered her nose when the mixed smell of mold and dirt assaulted her senses, grimacing in disgust.

When she was close enough to inspect the man, she was able to see his injuries better. He had multiple cuts and bruises all around his face and body, indicating that he was beaten, perhaps, by a number of people who wanted to pummel him flat to the ground basing on how he could barely keep his eyes open.

"Andras, come," she commanded, and thick black smoke seeped from her body, covering the ground like a colorless fire.

"Make him walk, I can't carry him with me," she told the curse, fully aware of how ridiculous the request was. No harm in trying, right?

"Is he conscious?" Andras questioned, his voice grave and low but still sounding noble and proper.

"Should he be conscious?" Avy raised her right brow in wonder.

"Preferably not," the curse answered.

Without any added words, Avy bent down to reach the man before swiftly striking his nape, hence, rendering him out cold. The man, too weak to resist, had not put up a fight. Perhaps, it was because he did not see that coming. Either way, Avy did not care.

"Make it quick." Avy stepped backward to give Andras space to do what he must.

The black smoke slowly moved, entering the man's body through his mouth which was slightly agape due to his lost consciousness. When the smoke was no longer in sight, Avy had to wait for a couple of seconds before the man's hand twitched, and his eyes opened.

His eyes were lifeless, devoid of light and emotion that any normal person should have. Just like a puppet being controlled by a puppeteer, his body moved awkwardly, standing on his feet, as if a person not used to his own legs.

"Well done," Avy praised, impressed, although it also looked equally as creepy since it was like a dead person being controlled by a virus.

She turned on her heel to go back, walking towards Kill with the beaten man controlled by Andras trailing behind. The beast child, seeing the person following Avy, displayed a look of disturbance but kept quiet nonetheless. Moving his feet in accordance with his mother's actions. It was then that Avy was able to take a good look on the man since the shadows of the alley dimly hid his features.

He looked about in his twenties, quite muscular, above from average. His hair was a dark shade of blue matching his steel gray eyes. Having scars all over his body that were almost covered with his own blood, it was an indication that he had his fair share of trouble.

The three of them walked silently and Avy noticed how Kill occasionally glanced at the man to see if he was still there. And yes, he continued following them like a machine programmed to walk mindlessly. He no longer looked like he was struggling to move, seemingly starting to get accustomed to the body. Well, Andras was.

After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived in front of the run-down two-story building that Avy was all too familiar with. It was looking better than when she first saw it after taking the three children she met on the streets home. Perhaps, Mrs. Lewis had used some of the money to make their living environment a little comfortable.

"What is this place?" Kill asked

"You'll know soon enough," Avy answered, stepping forward to walk towards the porch. The man that Andras possessed followed her just as immediately, standing next to her as they waited in front of the door.

Without further conversation, Andras' smoke form left the body, and just like a doll that had its strings cut, it crumbled down. If not for Avy being there to support his weight, he would have already met the cold hard ground.

Suppressing a yelp at the sudden weight put on her shoulders, Avy reaches out to the door to knock. A few seconds of shuffles and noises accompanied by little footsteps were heard before the door finally creaked open, a small child with ginger hair peeking from the gap below.

"Sister Avy!" the little boy exclaimed causing Avy's face to slightly scrunch. She will never get used to being called like a freaking nun.

"Would you mind a visitor? I need help," she stated and the little boy, Ethan was his name, scurried to open the door wider to let her in as well as the man she was carrying. Seeing the wounded man next to Avy, the boy shrieked in surprise before shouting for his guardian, Mrs. Lewis.

"Oh my goodness!" said the woman when she came running towards the door after hearing Ethan scream for her. She quickly helped Avy support the man, leading them toward the nearby beaten old couch.

"What happened to this lad?" Mrs. Lewis asked as they laid down the man on the couch. He was still unconscious, his eyes were no longer open.

"I found him on the streets." Avy shrugged, not looking as distressed as the older woman who told the kids to get their first aid kit. It seems that no healer living with them. She did read in some beginner's book that only mages blessed by divinity could perform healing magic and there are not a lot of them around. Much more someone with lots of it, hence, they are usually sought out by the temple to be under the high priest, or by nobles to be their personal healer.

It was the reason why Demi, the main character, was accepted by the majority of the nobles. She had the power that everyone would pay an arm and a leg for. Having her inside their house was like having the high priest as your healer.

Mrs. Lewis tried to patch the man up as much as she could with her limited supplies and Avy felt bad even dragging the man in there. She watched on the side, answering questions from the older woman here and there. The smaller children were told to wait in the other room, in case the man's magic suddenly erupted. The older children, on the other hand, helped their guardian with everything she needed while occasionally glancing at Avy.

Well, maybe not at Avy, but at the child who stood next to her.

Half an hour later, she was ushered to the living room, Mrs. Lewis apologized for delaying the pleasantries which she immediately waved off.

"I was the one who brought the delay, no worries," she said before picking up the cup of tea that was waiting on the table in front of her. She was sitting on a single chair, next to her sat Kill who was offered a glass of milk by their hosts.

"I hope you did not mind the parcels this morning," she started, causing the woman's eyes to widen a little bit.

"I told you, Mrs. Lewis! They're from sister Avy!" one of the kids exclaimed joyfully next to her and the others began to chatter with each other excitedly.

"I am truly sorry, My lady. We have yet to touch any of the gifts that were delivered this morning. I was quite unsure of what they were even though the coachman did mention it was from an acquaintance of yours." Mrs. Lewis gave her an apologetic look before she opened her mouth to speak again. "However, this is too much for us to be deserving of."

Avy raised her brows in recognition of the worry. "Am I being pushy?" she asked and the woman shook her head in panic.

"Of course not, My Lady. You were nothing but kind to us, and you have done more than enough to keep this family afloat. I could never dream of repaying your kindness in this lifetime."

Avy chuckled at the poetic declaration, that, of course, she did appreciate. She imagined herself shying away from those words before she died.

"I do have a favor to ask," she stated before then looking at her side where Kill was seated. "Would you be fine going with the children while I talk with Mrs. Lewis?" she asked. The beast child looked at her hesitantly and glanced at the other children. Not wanting to intrude on Avy's conversation perhaps, he nodded his head in agreement before standing up and going towards the kids.

Avy watched as the children vacated the living room, Kill looking wary but socializing with the other nevertheless. She caught a glimpse of Tertius and Leo, the two kids whom she met a couple of months before, trying and talk with the boy before they disappeared from her sight.

"If you do not mind me asking, mi'lady, who is that child?" Mrs. Lewis looked at her questioningly, hesitation evident in her tone.

"He is of beast descent," she answered and watched as the woman's hesitant look turned into surprise.

"How did he manage to enter the borders Mi'lady? He seems so young," she stated in concern that caused a tug on Avy's lip. It seems like the older woman's soft heart towards children extends to anyone, regardless of their race.

"He had a guardian with him. According to hearsays, they attacked a group of hunters in the forest nearby. Thankfully, a miracle lady came to their rescue, scaring the beasts away," Avy stated flatly, sipping on the tea cup.

"Why would a beast kin brave the borders with a child only to attack some hunters? That does not sound right. If anything, they must be seeking refuge in Kriseon," the older woman's brows furrowed in doubt, a hint of grimace forming on her features.

Avy smiled, amused. "Beasts are called beasts by humans for a reason. Their existence ought to bring unnecessary hate no matter what they do. Going as far as twisting a story is not uncommon," she retorted.

"And the boy's guardian?" Mrs. Lewis waited for her answer with her lips in a tight line.

"Dead. Died in front of the kid after getting exposed to the miracle girl's magic. Divinity is poison to the beast race, it turns out," Avy muttered, her voice exuding venom with each word.

Ares was clear about Prosperine's effect on her judgment. Still, she was certain that even without the shared animosity towards the Divine Goddess, the thought of a race being seen as nothing but monsters to be hated would make her blood boil. Those monsters had children who will have to grow up and learn that the majority of the world wants them dead.

"How awful!" Mrs. Lewis hollered, sharing the same frustration that Avy was feeling.

She will never forget the memory of the man who died in pain in front of her, a child weeping on the side having lost everything he had at the moment. It was dreadful. Being given a responsibility she did not want nor she could take because of the direness of her own situation.

"Hence the favor," Avy started. "I would like for him to be around kids as often as possible. I assure you, he is not dangerous."

Mrs. Lewis shook her head. "I am not worried, my lady. And I am more than happy to take him. However, being exposed in this part of the district..." she hesitated, not being able to continue her sentence.

"I'm not asking you to be responsible for another child. I've already entrusted him to another person. What I would like to ask of you is that he become acquainted with the children," Avy claimed, trying to erase the worry brewing on the older woman's features. "And you're better off continuing your business somewhere with lots of customers, I suppose."

Mrs. Lewis' eyes widened, getting the gist of the unerlying meaning of Avy's statement. "My lady...! Did you-" she gasped.

"Emerald Warde is more than willing to sell the building she owns next to her diner to me," Avy confessed, a smile crept on her face. It was only a couple of days ago that she found out that Emerald owned almost half the properties a hundred meter radius from her diner and is a successful woman who preferred to run her business with her in the frontline.

Avy was made aware of it after she asked her where she could buy a building big enough to house thirteen people. Emerald offered the building she owned just next to her diner. It was a three-story tall building and she assured that it was regularly maintained as she was planning on turning it into an inn. However, she was enthusiastic in letting Avy have her way with it if she wished.

Avy wanted to refuse after hearing her plan about the building, knowing she could afford another one with the money she has. It was astonishing how the duke never failed to give her allowance even though the original Avy never actually spent anything. She did not buy dresses or jewelries, she simply lived her life inside her room as she was provided with everything she needed. Perhaps her father thought she might want to go on a shopping spree just like other noble ladies her age, hence, he always filled her vaults with gold to ensure that she has resources if she ever thought of buying a whole country for funsies.

Avy was elated with this, of course, it is still money she can spend, after all. She might really buy a kingdom if she wished to. However, she will stick to buying a building for now.

"It is too much, my lady. I have no means of repaying this kindness," Mrs. Lewis fretted, but Avy merely shook her head.

"I have a lot to spend. Years of being a shut-in has its unexpected perks."

"I am deeply thankful, Lady Avy. However, Marquis Heron is still wary of any business that might be a rival to his wife's. It is dangerous still." the woman looked at her worriedly.

Avy's lips curled in mischief, a glint of amusement decorating her rubies for eyes.

"That house will crumble soon enough."

*** Hiii!! Eli here!! I hope you enjoyed the update since my editor(LRX_Xiaoran) and I enjoyed editing. She was laughing every two minutes lol I'm starting to believe that I'm a funny person. Leave your comments! I appreciate them a lot.

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