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I pressed myself against the rough brick wall, the dagger’s hilt cool against my palm.

My heart raced, but I forced my breathing to slow.

Calm down, Ilyana. You’ve faced worse than a shadowy stalker…

like death by a sword and so many near-death incidents, I’m practically immortal now.

I shook my head, focusing on the present.

“Laurel,” I whispered, “when I give the signal, run.”

She nodded, but her eyes were full of determination. She definitely wasn’t going to listen to me. She probably thought I was about to be murdered in an alley. As if I’d let anyone kill me after all I had gone through.

Footsteps echoed closer. I tensed, clenching my dagger and ready to spring—

“M’lady! Wait!”

I paused.

A small figure stumbled into view, panting heavily. In the dim moonlight, I recognized the boy from the marketplace—the one I’d saved from a beating. He looked even scrawnier up close, all knobby knees and sharp elbows.

“Blimey, you walk right quick,” he gasped, doubling over to catch his breath. “Been chasin’ you for blocks, I ‘ave.”

I lowered the dagger, eyeing him warily. “And why, pray tell, were you following us like a deranged killer?”

The boy straightened, his gap-toothed grin gleaming in the darkness. “Wanted to thank ya proper, didn’t I? For savin’ me back there.”

Laurel relaxed beside me, though her brow remained furrowed. “You could have simply called out to us, you know.”

“Aye, but where’s the fun in that?” He cocked his head, studying me. No wonder he gets beaten. “You ain’t like them other nobs, are ya? Got more fire in ya, you do.”

I couldn’t help but smirk. “I’ll take that as a compliment, I suppose. Now, what’s your name, boy?”

“Tommy,” he replied, puffing out his chest. “Tommy the Quick, they call me.”

“Well, Tommy the Quick,” I said, fighting back a laugh. He’s oddly adorable. “Next time you want to thank someone, perhaps try not stalking them through dark alleys? It tends to put ladies on edge.”

He had the grace to look sheepish. “Right, sorry ‘bout that. But I wanted to give ya this.” He fished something out of his pocket—a small, battered tin. “S’not much, but… well, you saved me back there, din’ ya?”

I took the tin, surprised by its weight. Inside, I found a collection of mismatched buttons, a bent sewing needle, and a few copper coins.

“It’s my treasure box,” Tommy explained, scuffing his bare foot against the cobblestones. “Just… well, no one’s ever stood up for me like that before. Wanted to tell you… it meant somethin’, y’know?”

A lump formed in my throat. This boy, who had nothing, was offering me his meager possessions out of gratitude. It was… oddly touching.

Don’t cry now, Ilyana. Former villains don’t get emotional. Emotions are for the weak.

“Thank you, Tommy,” I said softly. “But I can’t accept this. These are your treasures.”

He shook his head stubbornly. “Nah, you keep it. It’s the least I can do. Figured you might need it more than me now. ‘Sides…” His grin turned mischievous. “I heard what them other nobs been sayin’ ‘bout you. Reckon you could use a bit o’ luck.”

Ah, gossip has reached far and wide.

“I understand,” I said quietly. “And I’m glad I could help. But you should be more careful. Not everyone in this city is as benevolent as I am.”

Laurel coughed, barely disguising a laugh. I shot her a look but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

Tommy nodded earnestly. “Right you are, m’lady. I’ll be more careful-like in the future.” He hesitated, then blurted out, “If you ever need anythin’, anythin’ at all, you just say the word. I got eyes and ears all over this city, I do.”

Now that was interesting. I arched an eyebrow, considering the possibilities. A network of street urchins could prove invaluable. Not sure how I was going to utilize it.

Maybe something to think about in the future.

I took in Tommy’s ragged appearance - the threadbare clothes hanging off his bony frame, the dirt smudged across his gaunt cheeks. My heart clenched, memories of Sebastian’s haunted eyes after days in those godforsaken mines flashing through my mind.

Damn it all. I’m going soft.

“Where are your parents, Tommy?” I asked, keeping my voice gentle.

He scuffed his bare foot against the cobblestones. “Ain’t got none, m’lady. I’m from the orphanage on the edge of town.”

I blinked, taken aback. “An orphanage? But why were you stealing? Surely they provide for your needs - the crown funds all orphanages generously.”

Tommy’s gap-toothed grin turned bitter. “Aye, that’s what they say. But there’s too many of us and not enough coin to go ‘round. Gotta fend for ourselves most days.”

Bullshit. I knew the royal coffers allocated more than enough to care for every orphan in Aetheria thrice over. Someone was pocketing those funds, leaving children like Tommy to starve.

Corruption at every level. How shockingly unsurprising.

I wanted to march straight to the palace and demand answers, but what good would that do? I was hardly in a position to throw accusations.

Tommy’s face split into a grin. “Can I ever! I’m the best listener in all of Aetheria, I am! And I’m quick.”

“Excellent.” I reached into my coin purse, withdrawing a handful of silver. “Consider this an advance on your first week’s pay.”

The boy’s jaw dropped as I pressed the coins into his palm. He stared at them in awe, as if afraid they might vanish.

“Now,” I said, “I want you to meet me tomorrow at the old Sweet Delight shop. Do you know it?”

Tommy nodded eagerly. “Course I do! Used to nick sweets from there all the time ‘fore business went down.”

I chose to ignore that admission. “Good. Be there at midday. And Tommy?” I fixed him with a stern look. “No more stealing. You’re in my employ now, understood? I can’t be going around saving you if you get into trouble.”

“Yes, m’lady!” He bounced on his heels, practically vibrating with excitement. His face lit up like a Yule tree. “I won’t let you down, I swear it!”

As I watched him scamper off into the night, I couldn’t help but wonder what I’d gotten myself into. A network of street urchins could prove invaluable… or it could blow up spectacularly in my face.

Well, Ilyana, I thought wryly, at least life’s never dull.

When we finally reached the palace, I stifled a groan as I caught sight of Noah’s tall figure striding down the corridor.

Just my luck. The one person I was hoping to avoid.

I remembered Sebastian’s reprimand and nearly groaned again.

I made my bed; I had to lie on it. But as he drew closer, I realized this might be my chance to finally clear the air between us, and then I would truly be done with it.

“Lord Noah,” I called out. “Might I have a word?”

He paused, his expression guarded. “I was actually hoping to speak with you as well.”

Laurel tactfully retreated a few paces, giving us the illusion of privacy in the echoing hallway. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off with a curt wave.

“Save it, Ilyana. I’ve spoken with Sebastian,” he said, his tone clipped. “And I believe it’s time we put our… differences aside.”

I opened my mouth to speak again. “Noah, I-”

Noah’s jaw tightened. “I’m aware of the divorce proceedings. While I can’t say I’m pleased with how things have unfolded, I… apologize for my behavior that day. It was unbecoming.”

“Unbecoming?” I couldn’t help but snort. “That’s certainly one way to put it.”

I knew I was wrong, but my temper was getting the better of me.

“You can hardly blame me for being upset,” he retorted, a flash of anger in his eyes. “Given the circumstances. And your own actions.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of my past actions. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Noah. Truly. I know it’s far too late to undo everything I’ve done, but I am trying to make amends.”

He regarded me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he nodded tersely. “Let’s just… stay out of each other’s way from now on, shall we?”

“Gladly,” I muttered.

Noah turned to leave but paused, fixing me with a hard stare. “And Ilyana? Stay away from Rosalind. She’s been through enough because of you.”

With that parting shot, he strode away, leaving me seething in the hallway.

I waited until his footsteps faded before letting out a string of colorful curses that would have made a sailor blush.

“Bastard,” I hissed under my breath. “Would it have killed him to be a little nicer? He acts like I’m some demon spawned from the pits of hell!”

Laurel’s deadpan voice cut through my rant. “You can’t really blame him, my lady.”

I whirled on her, eyes narrowing. “Whose side are you on?”

A mischievous grin spread across her face. “Well, look on the bright side. Now that you’re free of Lord Noah, you’re at liberty to pursue other… royal interests.”

“What are you—” I began, then caught her meaning. My cheeks flushed traitorously. “Laurel! That’s absolutely—I would never—”

Her grin only widened.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” I muttered, spinning on my heel and marching down the corridor. “Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

But as I walked away, I couldn’t quite banish the image of the golden prince from my mind.

Oh, hell no!

* * *

The shop was a disaster. Dust coated every surface, cobwebs adorned the corners like macabre decorations, and the floorboards creaked ominously with each step. But it was mine .

I surveyed the chaos, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Well, Laurel, looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

My maid eyed a particularly large spider scuttling across the counter. “Indeed, my lady. Shall I fetch a broom or an exorcist?”

I snorted. “Let’s start with the broom. We’ll save the exorcism for when we discover whatever unholy pastries are lurking in that old oven.”

As we set to work, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement. This dilapidated sweet shop was more than just a business venture—it was my ticket to independence. And most importantly, a way out for my family if everything goes wrong.

And then I can go and live my farmer dream!