The city was alive. Neon lights illuminated every corner, flashing in reds, blues, and golds, reflecting off the bustling streets filled with honking cars and distant chatter.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ3dv83Akd
She walked along the sidewalk, eyes darting between the towering buildings, unfamiliar storefronts, and lively crowds. Everything was so bright—too bright. Her home in Beaufort never buzzed with this much energy at night.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZXbo4aR3J
Her wandering thoughts halted when her gaze landed on a bar glowing under a deep crimson light. Something about it intrigued her. She stepped forward, but before she could enter, a broad figure blocked her path.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14s9y26V0s
"ID."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pTnAKAK3P
She blinked up at the bouncer, confused as he held out his hand.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIGsqE9YaX
ID? She never needed an ID before. As a noble, her name alone granted her access everywhere. But here… she was just another stranger.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fcAbZl3d7
Fumbling through her pockets, she let out an awkward chuckle. "U-Um… I don’t have one."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76iGCzZIdx
The bouncer didn’t even flinch. "Then you’re not getting in."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH1bxpvTKD
"Is it really necessary?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOCDUrkQJl
"It’s the law. We check IDs to confirm age. No ID, no entry."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbbr13rm8F
"What’s the required age?" she asked.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM25QiwWYC
"19 and above."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchWxAbmXwl
Damn it. She was two years younger.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpMy4c0jRJ
With a sigh, she turned to leave, but just as she took a step away, hushed voices from the alley behind the bar caught her attention. She hesitated before peeking around the corner—
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmg2SrtCzl
A woman stood there, panting heavily, her black suit torn in places, and her shoulder smeared with blood. Her platinum-white hair clung to her damp forehead as she clutched a mask, pressing it to her face as if trying to keep it from slipping.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsKgtyrdBy
Her breath hitched.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HzRPTiq9r
Sensing eyes on her, the woman slowly turned her head, their gazes locking.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFIU55e7sr
Caught red-handed staring, she stepped forward. "A-Are you alright, ma’am?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJJtgblXbE
The woman let out a hoarse chuckle, her voice rough from exhaustion. "Does it look like I am?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvlnaNkWL0
Philomela stiffened. "I-I'm sorry, that was blind of me to ask." She bowed instinctively.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4Ai2pmxRR
The woman tilted her head. "No need to bow, child."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54t5yZ8E1g
---
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLgzrmoklg
The woman’s POV
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbpD0kTT6t
Formal. That was the first thing she noticed about the girl. From the way she spoke to the way she bowed—definitely not a local.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE6YHtche0
But what the hell was she wearing? A cape and hood? She looked like a lost character from a Halloween parade.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMfgJIwxkZ
"D-Do you need help, ma’am?" the girl asked, concern laced in her voice.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83jisVEcA8
The woman smirked. "Hmm… I suppose I do. What, are you going to take me to the nearest hospital?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlGFq1Tanu
"Isn’t that what help means?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3VC4hlAWC
The woman threw her head back and laughed. The girl blinked at her, utterly confused.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55Bn5dAqWH
"Did I say something funny…?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWTORQe7Zk
"No, I’m just messing with you." She wiped a stray tear from her eye. But now that she got a reaction out of her, she wanted to tease her more.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVqF0Aj3Rk
She leaned in slightly. "Come closer, would you?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav44LYCWJc
The girl stepped back, wary. "And why would I do that?"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5tEJGzh0l
The woman’s lips curled. "So I can see you properly…" Her sharp eyes traced the girl's features. "And maybe because I just want you near."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GNn6NisFu
"W-What?!"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEtDpefKBH
The woman let out another laugh. "Relax, kid. I’m just kidding."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Feb4ks9f
"O-Oh…"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nFM0eeAs0
The tension was beginning to settle—until heavy footsteps approached.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47VNcF5i8h
Large, broad-shouldered men in dark suits stormed into the alley, their hands already reaching into their pockets.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ719MnLWB6H
The woman clicked her tongue. "Relax, boys. She was just keeping me company."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eesCjkTt1
The men exchanged glances before withdrawing their hands.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJHrXbJ56n
"Of course, Noonim," one of them said respectfully.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUJHufiItQ
The woman sighed, rolling her shoulders. "Well, I have to be going now, kid."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qqxPdYQ9Y
She pushed off the wall and—despite her earlier state—walked with ease, as if she wasn’t just gasping for air a moment ago. As she passed the girl, she smirked.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwJGXSx4KV
"See you around," she murmured, stepping into her car.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0jh06J1jR
The tinted window slid up, but not before she shot the girl a wink.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2qk9BSe9u
The Lady barely had time to react before noticing something in her hand. She opened her palm and found a small, neatly folded note.
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs7PtetMwC
"See you♡"
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFAuD8NfwG
She exhaled sharply. "Huh…" she's really goofy."
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghE1PHKfqs
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKkrdcdjcS
