Chapter 8: Secrets Unveiled

The prison cell was not-so-large, merely a small cuboid room about six feet by four. Not one piece of furniture was in sight, not even a creaky bed of hay or wood. Maybe if one would count the manacles binding Lili as furniture, then the number of furniture would rise from zero to one. The walls had this mossy scent, while thick gray bricks and dust filled the room.

This cell itself seemed to have not been used for quite a long time. The scent of rust wafted out of the metal bars, intermixing with the weird scent of grass. She had no one to accompany her aside from the squeaky rats running out of nowhere from time to time.

“So that’s the place where the grassy scent came from.” Lili raised her head, gazing at the small barred window. The small open window kept the cell from being overly suffocating. The small opening was the only thing that gave her light in the day and night. The silence of being alone for an entire day aside from when her food got delivered was nothing but torture. She remembered the days when she still lived in the slum, keeping herself busy with the old memories when she was still young.

Lili stood on the tip of his toes, hoping to take a look. Unfortunately, the long chains held her back from moving around by at least a meter. She already had this vague idea of what was coming next after she heard the words coming out of the jail warden.

“I’m going to be sold.” Lili sighed. Waiting for the inevitable felt terrible. She felt like she was slowly falling into quicksand when nothing and no one to hold on to. It was not for the weak-hearted. Fortunately, Lili was not among those faint of heart.

Lili remembered the kids that were with her. She asked the drunk warden about them but only got scoffed. Of course, she understood where he was coming from. Who would answer a question from someone who smashed a brick on your head? But the weird thing was, the drunk warden was still quite good to her, ignoring the fact that she had tried to escape. He even offered a few words during his drunk talks as if he knew what she was undergoing.

“What a weird slave trader.” She shut her eyes in thought. As a person who came from the depths of slums, she clearly knew that slave traders were usually unforgiving. The drunkard even gave her a used stinky pillow after probably feeling sorry for punching her in the guts.

“Is it because I am a product that must not be damaged?” The golden-eyed lady sneered in self-depreciation. “Feels like I’m a pig fattened for slaughter. They should have given me a bed at least.”

She was even getting fed with delicious warm meals and rare fruits. Something she could only dream of when she was still in the orphanage.

In all honesty, Lili had already accepted the fact that she wouldn’t have any chances of escape anymore. Weeks of being stuck in a lonely cell offered her a lot of time to think. Though she felt like gritting her teeth every time she thought of that fake bastard, the drunkard warden’s words were right. Even though she hated that bastard fake noble, she knew that her fury would bring her nothing but emotional agony. She even started to carefully analyze the words of the drunkard who takes of her needs in this jail. She didn’t know why, but she had adapted faster than she could even imagine.

Am I weird? She asked herself. In the end, she concluded she was indeed peculiar. Chained, but not cowered. Alone in an old dilapidated cell. Yet her spirit had never broke even once. Did my experience in the slums help?

Anyway, all she could think for now was the two brats who were with her. She felt worried. Unlike her, those two lads were quite rambunctious. The two wouldn’t be so accepting of their new environment like her.

Maybe they’re terrified right now. Lili took a deep breath. I need to meet them.

Soon, a creaking sound entered Lili’s ear. She threw a glance at the small barred window.

It’s not yet sunset. The food seems a bit too early today. Lili frowned before shaking her head. No, something’s different.

Lili kept her silence, carefully listening to the brisk steps. From the sound of it, there was another person coming for her today. The tapping sounds that entered her ears were not of one person. The other’s probably the drunkard. But who’s the other one.

“Hey, lass, someone’s here for a visit.” The drunkard shouted through the dark halls of the dungeon. He sounded awake and clear today.

Slowly, the light coming from the candle weaved the shadows of an old woman. Soon enough, Lili finally saw who it was. It was a familiar old lady.

Lili’s eyes shook as she stared at her visitor, her eyes turning into saucers. The old lady’s once warm, caring gaze now replaced tired gaze. Lili knew who she was. 

Lili pursed her lips, confused about what was happening.

“O-Old Mistress.” Lili’s voice quivered. “Why are you here? W-what's happening here?”

“I’m sorry, Lili.” Her shoulders sagging, dark eye bags dwelled under her eyes. The old lady showed a tired smile. “It’s my fault. If you’re going to hate anyone. But please listen to me first..."

“Listen… but why did you…?” A tear slowly crept into Lili’s eyes, trickling straight to her lips. She gaped, her entire body trembling.

“This is my job,” the old mistress stared straight towards Lili’s golden pupils.

“Y-your job?” Lili’s eyes dilated. She held her chest in pain as if something just pierced through it. All as if something had died insider her. Her train of thoughts stopped upon reaching a simple conclusion.

"D-don't tell me..." She turned ashen-white. "The rest of the kids..."

The old mistress knew… and she was part of it.

"You're right." The old mistress closed her eyes. She turned towards the drunkard nearby and offered a weary simper.

The old lady then pulled out her sleeves, revealing a dark-colored tattoo. Lili was sure it had the same appearance as a coiling snake. She reached out her hands, wiping the building tears away from Lili’s eyes.

Then she stared at the drunk warden.

“Like him, I can’t run.” The old mistress shut her eyes, her lips trembling. “Nobody can run from the organization made by a powerful magus. A true noble of Antacast. We’re bound by an oath till death to never leave nor betray this place."

“But your case is a mistake on my part.” The old lady added. “I’m sorry. But please let me explain.”