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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJQXKjf91H
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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThXwxn9OM1
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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrnDjhnQqz
"ID."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8AlfNfd7w
She blinked up at the bouncer, confused as he held out his hand.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcM3VUx1X7
ID? She never needed an ID before. As a noble, her name alone granted her access everywhere. But here… she was just another stranger.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17ZQ8NH3XT
Fumbling through her pockets, she let out an awkward chuckle. "U-Um… I don’t have one."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStXDdxyMbo
The bouncer didn’t even flinch. "Then you’re not getting in."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo9fANPA5R
"Is it really necessary?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5K8BkrL3M
"It’s the law. We check IDs to confirm age. No ID, no entry."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o0Pt5Ej1e
"What’s the required age?" she asked.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqVBsrpxZn
"19 and above."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHf0aIapdp
Damn it. She was two years younger.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdVG9aVT7F
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—
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ3xYIF4PZ
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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmV2gIYc2v
Her breath hitched.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBymFV83t40
Sensing eyes on her, the woman slowly turned her head, their gazes locking.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cEkGxiNHr
Caught red-handed staring, she stepped forward. "A-Are you alright, ma’am?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TQvAsIerI
The woman let out a hoarse chuckle, her voice rough from exhaustion. "Does it look like I am?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa51oUVm7QV
Philomela stiffened. "I-I'm sorry, that was blind of me to ask." She bowed instinctively.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w1vB7v0NG
The woman tilted her head. "No need to bow, child."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSJf70AcBv
---
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9IgqWC5qe
The woman’s POV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdUpmYfsAR
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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLYmE11DkG
But what the hell was she wearing? A cape and hood? She looked like a lost character from a Halloween parade.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1GGYoLXCL
"D-Do you need help, ma’am?" the girl asked, concern laced in her voice.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSTCyYXcdp
The woman smirked. "Hmm… I suppose I do. What, are you going to take me to the nearest hospital?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmH5ed336b
"Isn’t that what help means?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTfXvILDuc
The woman threw her head back and laughed. The girl blinked at her, utterly confused.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2zjo8t6w3
"Did I say something funny…?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PJ9MGSJES
"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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH90l902nCA
She leaned in slightly. "Come closer, would you?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSd1usWr2h
The girl stepped back, wary. "And why would I do that?"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXoJABrsrS
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."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtpKgZ7x9O
"W-What?!"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0nPlmluNp
The woman let out another laugh. "Relax, kid. I’m just kidding."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vvdoKZYu6
"O-Oh…"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItypgdnBM1
The tension was beginning to settle—until heavy footsteps approached.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkM3J5noWA
Large, broad-shouldered men in dark suits stormed into the alley, their hands already reaching into their pockets.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpayK0z4az
The woman clicked her tongue. "Relax, boys. She was just keeping me company."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb0PF9DrLw
The men exchanged glances before withdrawing their hands.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzMo8uOZd6
"Of course, Noonim," one of them said respectfully.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvEY8toeDC
The woman sighed, rolling her shoulders. "Well, I have to be going now, kid."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMM28qoV5x
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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAsUylX4Pf
"See you around," she murmured, stepping into her car.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdQ2wmxpUV
The tinted window slid up, but not before she shot the girl a wink.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0hsol6HhZ
The Lady barely had time to react before noticing something in her hand. She opened her palm and found a small, neatly folded note.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6vdsRqP69
"See you♡"
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuP5IuK8El
She exhaled sharply. "Huh…" she's really goofy."
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXR9kAoj6j
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxl8N9rBqq
