The midday sun hung like a blazing fireball above the market, roasting the lively land below in golden light. On either side of the street, vendors shouted out their wares in a vibrant chorus.
Colorful fabrics fluttered in the breeze, and the air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of various delicacies, making passersby slow their steps to follow the scents with their noses.
Su Ling’s stomach growled loudly at an inopportune moment, and only then did she realize she hadn’t eaten anything since they had set out that morning. Her stomach was still completely empty.
However, Phil’s figure remained steadily ahead of her, seemingly unfazed by the rich aromas all around. Su Ling felt a little too embarrassed to mention she was hungry.
Just as she was caught in her inner struggle, Phil suddenly turned around.
“Su Ling, why are you walking so slow?”
Startled, Su Ling gave a sheepish smile and hurried to explain. “Ah, nothing… I was just… looking at all the interesting stuff.”
“Cut it out. If you’re hungry, just say so!”
Su Ling’s cheeks flushed faintly. “Mm… I am a little hungry.”
Phil clapped her hands and grinned. “Come on then! Let’s go get you something tasty!”
With that, she grabbed Su Ling and pulled her toward a stall that gave off a mouthwatering aroma.
In front of the cake stall, a line of customers bustled to and fro. Rows of golden-baked cakes were neatly displayed, releasing an irresistible sweet scent.
With flair, Phil bought the two most expensive cakes and stuffed one into Su Ling’s hands.
“Thank you.”
Su Ling took it and bit into it. A rich aroma of milk and baked sweetness filled her mouth, and the soft, warm cake melted slowly on her tongue — sweet, but not cloying.
The two girls ate as they strolled through the bustling market streets.
“I really didn’t expect the capital to be such a lively place,” Su Ling remarked, watching the crowds.
“Of course! For us palace maids, getting a chance to come out like this is almost impossible,” Phil replied.
“Mm… yeah.”
At her words, Su Ling lowered her head slightly, a trace of sadness flickering through her eyes.
At that moment, the soft, melodious ringing of a bell suddenly drifted through the air — like a summer breeze, refreshing and pleasant.
Su Ling turned toward the sound and saw an old man walking slowly toward them, simply dressed and carrying a basket full of woven crafts on his back. Each item was vivid and lifelike.
Her gaze was instantly drawn to a small red bird woven from rattan — charming and adorable in every detail.
Right… After being in the castle for so long, she hadn’t given Tii a single gift — even though Tii had helped her so much.
“Su Ling, what are you staring at so intently?” Phil asked, noticing her dazed look.
“Oh, nothing. I just want to buy a gift for Tii.”
Saying that, Su Ling walked up to the old man and bought the little red bird. Then she jogged back, smiling brightly.
Phil glanced at the bird in her hand, then at the happiness radiating from her face, and silently took another bite of her cake.
“You really like Tii, huh.”
“Mm! Tii’s always been so gentle with me. If it weren’t for her, I don’t even know how many mistakes I’d have made!”
“Oh,” Phil muttered without much interest.
“What about you, Phil? Do you dislike her?”
Noticing Phil’s unusual reaction, Su Ling couldn’t help but ask. Now that she thought about it, back at the castle, Phil did always seem to go out of her way to give Tii a hard time.
But Tii was always so considerate and kind to everyone. Even Kassana, who usually nitpicked everything, treated Tii better than the others. So what was it about Tii that Phil disliked so much?
“Hate her. I really hate her.”
Phil’s fuzzy cat ears twitched. She stared down at her toes and looked genuinely irritated just hearing the name.
“Uh…”
Su Ling felt awkward and didn’t dare press the issue further.
“All right, let’s finish eating and get back to shopping.”
Phil stuffed the last of her cake into her mouth and stood up, patting crumbs off her skirt.
“W–wait for me!” Su Ling scrambled to her feet and nearly tripped.
The two of them walked briskly, one behind the other.
“By the way, there’s something I’ve always been curious about…” Su Ling asked, slightly out of breath. “The food we buy here in the market… it’s not for the nobles in the castle, right?”
“Of course not. That stuff’s only for humans.”
“Then…” Her brows furrowed, confused. “Why would Her Highness have us use palace funds to buy food specifically for humans? Are those humans… important?”
At that, Phil suddenly slowed down and let out a quiet sigh.
“How could they be important?” she replied, tilting her head slightly, her eyes widening just a bit.
“This is… their final supper.”
The moment those words left Phil’s mouth, Su Ling felt a strange chill. The girl walking before her suddenly seemed different — almost uncanny.
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