After years of backbreaking work, I'd finally scraped together a small fortune—enough gold to fill my palm ten times over. Once I bought the Sunstone Amulet from the pawnshop, Alaric and I could finally go home. But Alaric, in the dead of night, stole all the money. The very next morning, he returned, leading a woman of exquisite beauty, delicate and graceful as a blossom. He said, "Seraphina has endured such a tragic past; I simply couldn't stand by and do nothing." I glanced at my own slightly creased woolen gown, then at the sumptuous brocade gown the woman wore. It was woven with threads of gold and silver, meticulously embroidered. I recognized her. Seraphina, the celebrated Lute Master from the Whispering Lyre Salon. My voice was hoarse as I asked, "Where is the rest of the money?" Even if Seraphina was a star attraction, her release wouldn't cost the full ten Gold Sovereigns. Alaric, avoiding my gaze, licked his lips nervously. "Seraphina is accustomed to the finer things from her time at the Whispering Lyre. So, I bought her some jewelry and gowns." With that, he pulled a few meager Silver Crowns from his pouch and placed them on the table. I took a deep breath, forcing my trembling hands to stillness. "Alaric, you know what that money was for." Alaric's face flashed with impatience. "Oh, come on, Agatha. We can always earn more. Can you truly bear to see Seraphina performing night after night, pouring wine and forcing smiles?" "You’re a woman too; how can you be so devoid of compassion?" Before Alaric could continue, Seraphina spoke up from beside him. "I, humble as I am, know that such a great kindness can never be fully repaid. I am willing to serve Master Alaric and Lady Agatha as your faithful servant, to show my gratitude." Her eyes were red-rimmed, as if on the verge of tears. Alaric quickly soothed her with a gentle voice. "Money is but a trifle. Now that you have no place to go, you can stay here at the inn for a while. Come, I'll show you to a room." He led Seraphina upstairs, not sparing me another glance. I didn't know if he dared not, or simply chose not to. I reached out, scooped the few Silver Crowns into my pouch, and reopened the ledger. This inn, The Wayfarer's Rest, Alaric and I had established three years ago. It was our second year after being transported to this strange world. Unlike the tales of transmigration I’d read, we were nothing more than ordinary folk. We had relied on our memories, crafting various trinkets to sell from a street stall, before we could afford to acquire this inn, finally giving ourselves a place to call home. Later, I even opened a small House of Lumina, selling my custom scents and balms. But to gather the money, I had recently sold the parlor. The funds from that sale… were now adorning Seraphina. Excluding our time here, Alaric and I had been together for five years. We were at the precipice of marriage. Since arriving here, my only desire was to find a way back home as quickly as possible. Two years ago, during a visit to The Abbey of Whispering Pines outside the city, I met a Reverend Brother. The Reverend Brother spoke in riddles, yet his words seemed pointed. "Ten Gold Sovereigns shall procure the golden Sunstone Amulet, and the lost shall find their serene passage home." I searched all of Lyra, and only one pawnshop held such a golden Sunstone Amulet. From that day forward, I toiled from dawn till dusk, running between the inn and my parlor, even setting up a street stall when I had a moment. Alaric, meanwhile, would occasionally lend a hand at the inn, but more often than not, he was out meeting with friends. He claimed these connections would benefit our business. Thinking of this, a sliver of doubt began to creep into my mind. Had his previous outings truly been for friendly gatherings, or for a clandestine rendezvous with a paramour? A sudden knock at the door broke my reverie. It was Alaric and Seraphina. I had no desire to speak with them at that moment, but Seraphina stepped forward first, linking her arm through mine. "Lady Agatha, once I repair the strings of my lute in a few days, I'll be able to earn alongside you both. Master Alaric worked so hard to secure my release; I won't fail to repay his kindness." I didn't bother to correct her. Every single coin had been earned by me. Given my need for funds, and her undeniable talent, I knew she could indeed be of some use. Leaving aside everything else, her skill with the lute was truly unparalleled. Alaric moved closer, lowering his voice. "Agatha, I spoke too harshly today. Don't be angry. Don't worry, we'll earn the money back quickly. Just focus on running the inn well." With that, he moved back to Seraphina’s side. They exchanged a tender smile, their eyes holding a silent, intimate conversation, while I stood by, feeling utterly like an outsider. As they stepped out of my room together, an indescribable sense of desolation washed over me. I had just noticed a string of small, polished stones adorning Seraphina’s neck. Alaric had bought those two years ago; I had seen them by chance. But he had claimed they were a birthday gift for some young lord. Now it seemed, that young lord's name was Seraphina. So they had known each other for a long time. Had Alaric planned to use the money to buy her freedom all along? I licked my parched lips. Bitter. So bitter. I sat in the room, stunned for a long while, then it suddenly struck me that instead of agonizing over endless possibilities, I should confront him directly. But I searched for a while and couldn't find either of them. A stable boy told me Alaric had taken Seraphina out, saying he wanted to show her around Lyra. I couldn't help but laugh. Seraphina had probably lived in Lyra longer than he had; she hardly needed him as a guide. "Did he forget he was supposed to procure the ale and provisions today?" "I spoke with the Master, Lady, and he said your presence would suffice." Alaric didn’t return until dusk. Watching him, his arms laden with packages, I felt a strange flicker of unreality. The top box held The Serenity Sweet, from The Golden Griffin Manor, the most renowned eatery in Lyra. Not only was it a limited delicacy, but even queuing for it would cost dozens of Silver Crowns. Last year, around winter festival, I’d mentioned to Alaric that I wished I could taste The Serenity Sweet before we left. It was said that those who partook of it would know such earthly delight that they would forget all past sorrows. But Alaric had scoffed. "Just a stale pastry sold for such a ridiculous price. Our savings have a greater purpose. Don't you want to go home sooner?" I thought he was right; compared to any sweet, I wanted to go home sooner. Now, looking back, it was utterly ironic. Seraphina saw me and greeted me warmly. "Lady Agatha, Master Alaric queued for so long today to get this. The Serenity Sweet is truly delicious! Would you like a taste?" Seraphina’s bright smile at that moment was blinding, making my eyes sting. I couldn’t manage a smile. Stiffly, I called out to Alaric, "Come with me." Once we were out of sight of others, I turned to face Alaric, my gaze locked with his. "Are you smitten with her?" Alaric’s face darkened. "Agatha, can you not always be so suspicious? I merely took her out for some shopping. What nonsense are you spouting? Is your heart truly so small?" A searing anger coiled in my chest. I couldn't help but raise my hand and slap him. Alaric stared at me, his eyes wide, momentarily stunned. Seraphina, however, let out a soft cry and quickly rushed over. "How could you strike Master Alaric?" Seraphina’s face was filled with shock. She clutched Alaric’s arm with one hand and gently touched his cheek with the other. Alaric finally snapped back to reality. "Agatha, what madness has seized you?" "You are but Master Alaric's adopted sister. For Master Alaric to provide for your sustenance and shelter is already a great kindness. How can you repay his generosity with such malice?" Seraphina's face was etched with indignation. "Adopted sister?" I slowly repeated the words. When we first arrived in Lyra, for convenience, we had agreed to pose as siblings. But over time, the neighbors and our own staff had simply assumed Alaric and I were husband and wife; no one had mentioned "siblings" in ages. I had actually considered getting married then, but ultimately decided it should wait until we returned home, to be wed in the presence of our parents and loved ones. Later, consumed by earning money, I hadn't given it much thought. Alaric lowered his gaze, not immediately answering me. "Alaric, say it again. Am I your adopted sister?" I felt a tightness in my throat, barely suppressing the tremor in my voice. Seraphina also turned to look at him. Alaric looked up at me, then immediately shifted his gaze to Seraphina. He nodded slightly, and finally spoke. "Yes." Seraphina’s anxious expression completely relaxed. She quickly pulled Alaric toward her room, saying she had a fine salve that could soothe the redness and swelling. And I, I just stared blankly at Alaric’s retreating back, for a long, long time, without turning away. That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, my mind replaying every moment from when Alaric and I first met to when we fell in love. The next day, I didn’t rise until the sun was high in the sky. Seraphina and Alaric were already out again. Even though my spirits were low, the inn’s business couldn’t stop. Now, my only thought was to raise the money and go home as soon as possible. If Alaric didn't want to leave, then so be it. In the afternoon, when the inn quieted down, I ventured out alone, intending to visit the pawnshop and see if the golden Sunstone Amulet was still there. I hadn't expected to walk just two streets when I heard a shout. "Fortunes told! Fortunes told!" I had no mind for divination and didn’t even bother to glance over, but unexpectedly, a carriage galloped past. Startled, I stumbled and dodged to the side, falling right into the stall. Immediately, a wave of dizziness washed over me. The stall owner beside me was still chanting, "Oh, lady, have your fortune told. It’s remarkably accurate." When I finally managed to stand, I saw the person at the stall. He looked exactly like the Reverend Brother I had met at The Abbey of Whispering Pines two years ago. I grabbed his sleeve. "It’s you! Aren’t you a Reverend Brother? Why are you a fortune teller?" The false Reverend Brother was startled when he recognized my face. He tried to flee, but I held him in a death grip. "Lady, I know nothing. You’ve mistaken me for someone else." I casually pulled a Silver Crown from my pouch and slammed it down. "Tell me the truth, and the money is yours. If not, we're going straight to the Royal Bailiff's Office!" The fortune teller eventually spoke. He had always made a living by telling fortunes. Two years ago, a young lord approached him, promising him fifty Silver Crowns if he followed his instructions. All those words about the Sunstone Amulet had been fed to him. He had then taken the money and returned to his homeland. Now that it was spent, he was back at his stall. "So the Amulet… it was a lie?" I was both shocked and furious. "I know nothing else. The young lord taught me everything I said." I slowly released my grip, turning to run towards the pawnshop. The pawnshop owner readily admitted the deception. He even handed me the Amulet directly. "Lady, I truly couldn't bear to keep deceiving you. This stone is only worth fifty Silver Crowns. If you like it, I'll give it to you for half price." "I truly don't know why he insisted on keeping it from you. A mere stone, and yet he didn't want you to acquire it." I knew. I knew why he kept it from me. Because he needed to purchase Seraphina’s freedom. I still took out the money and bought the Amulet. But my feelings were completely different from what I’d expected. All that long anticipation had been a mere illusion. I could never go home. He had been so cruel, deceiving me to such an extent. My heart ached fiercely, and I raised a hand to my cheek, thinking I must have been crying. To my surprise, not a single tear had fallen. When I returned to the inn, Alaric and Seraphina were seated closely together. Alaric’s gaze towards her was full of tenderness. I suddenly remembered the night he confessed his feelings to me, standing beneath my window with a bouquet of vibrant red roses, his expression similarly ardent. It was sickening. I reached out and tossed the Sunstone Amulet before him, staring at him, not speaking immediately. Alaric instinctively blurted out, "How did you… Where did you get the money for this Amulet?" "Only fifty Silver Crowns. I can afford it." Alaric's unfinished words caught in his throat. A hint of discomfort appeared on his face; he must have guessed I knew everything. I didn't linger on his reaction, continuing, "Alaric, this inn, we built it together. Calculate its worth and give me my share in Silver Crowns." He finally reacted. "What do you mean?" "A division of assets." It was laughable, really. We weren’t even married, and yet here we were, talking about a division. Alaric stood up abruptly, his expression shocked. "You're leaving? You know full well this Amulet..." "Yes, I know I can't go back, and that you deliberately deceived me. But now, the sight of you makes me sick. I don't want to stay here." "Lady Agatha, there's no such thing as a woman demanding a division of assets!" Seraphina suddenly interjected. "This is not your concern." No sooner had I spoken than Alaric quickly stepped forward, shielding Seraphina. "Don't take your anger out on Seraphina. It's just a bit of money used, is it really worth this fuss?" "Besides, that money wasn't earned by you alone. Can you stop being so unreasonable?" I looked at Alaric’s self-righteous expression, and a fire blazed within me. "I said I want a division! You can spend your money on whomever you please, but don't you dare touch my share." "If you don't want to give it, then I'll give you money. Take your Seraphina and get out." I pulled out my own pouch of Silver Crowns and slammed it onto the table, then looked straight into Alaric’s eyes, afraid of showing any weakness. But Alaric, to my surprise, calmly sat down. "A division is acceptable, but… Agatha, you won't get a single coin." My breath hitched. Watching his demeanor, I suddenly felt my certainty waver. "Don't forget, my name is on the Royal Charter, and I alone signed the deed. This inn belongs solely to me." Alaric’s lips curved into a smirk as he leisurely looked at me. All the blood rushed to my head. A booming sound, and my entire body felt numb. "Don't forget, this is Lyra." "Without me, how will you survive?" Alaric's words, one by one, hammered into my heart. I clenched my fists tightly, completely unaware that my fingernails were digging deep into my palms. Seeing that I didn't respond, Alaric's tone softened slightly. "Agatha, I was afraid you'd lose hope, and I didn't mean to deceive you. Just manage this inn well. I'm not a heartless man." His expression at that moment seemed particularly sinister. "So, you mean I earn the money for you to spend?" "Why should I?" Alaric’s expression seemed completely self-righteous. "Because this is Lyra. Here, men rule the household." I looked at him, and felt utterly alien.
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