Dawn crept in like a whisper over ash, the sky still veiled in heavy clouds. A faint grey light filtered down, mingling with the ever-present murmur of the river nearby. Luca stirred.
The sound of water filled his ears, steady and soft. He blinked slowly, as if waking from a dream he hadn't chosen. His heart was heavy even before memory returned.
He rose the way he always did, quietly. It must be around six. Life in this world had taught him to greet the day early.
And his first thought, as always, was Evelyn.
At some point, without realizing. She had become his number one priority.
He turned to her, still lying beside him under the makeshift blanket. Her chest rose and fell, each breath slow but steady. Gently, he removed the cloth from her forehead and placed his hand against her skin.
It was warm, but not dangerously so. A thin sheen of sweat clung to her temples, proof that the fever had broken sometime in the night.
He exhaled, a tiny relief in the weight of morning.
After making sure she was stable, he limped to the river. Today, he didn't just splash water on his face. He stripped and cleaned his body thoroughly, scrubbing away the days of sweat, grime, and the stale scent of fear.
The cold water bit at his skin, but he welcomed it. It made him feel awake and alive.
The cut on his forehead had scabbed, and his aching leg he rewrapped with fresh cloth and splints. He had to look ready. He had to feel like he belonged.
Back at their spot beneath the bridge, he took the leftover bread from yesterday and softened it into porridge. He split the mix into three chip cups. One for Evelyn. One for himself. And one for Rin.
He knelt beside Evelyn and brushed her tangled hair away from her face.
He whispered. "Sister, wake up."
"Mmm... Lu?" Her voice was weak, but her eyes fluttered open.
"It's me," he said softly.
"Eat something. Then take your medicine."
She nodded slowly and sat up with effort. He handed her the cup, then she spooned the food into her mouth and chewed it slowly.
Once she was settled, Luca walked over to Rin's side of their shelter. She had just woken up, yawning and stretching with her usual sleepy mischief.
Luca handed her a cup of porridge.
"Here, your portion, Rin."
Then her eyes landed on Luca.
"Woah," she said, blinking twice, as if she didn't quite believe her eyes.
"You… actually look like a noble's lost son or something."
"..."
She leaned closer. "Hey, if you looked like this every day, I'd have proposed already." She grinned widely.
"Pfft. Just kidding."
Her laughter rang bright, and she took the porridge with a grin, and he sat beside her. The three ate quietly.
Afterwards, he turned to her again. "Rin, can you help me… again?"
"Of course," she said, still grinning. "What do you need?"
"Stay with my sister. Just for today."
Rin's smile softened. "No worries. Leave her to me."
With that settled, he returned to Evelyn's side and handed her the medicine. She drank it.
"Lu," she murmured, "I need to go beg today."
"No," he said firmly, adjusting her blanket. "You should rest."
"But... if I don't, what'll happen to us?"
"Trust me, sister," he said, voice low but sure. "I have a plan."
She hesitated, searching his eyes. Then, slowly, she nodded. Moments later, sleep claimed her again, she was still too weak to resist rest.
He placed a damp cloth back on her forehead and turned to go.
"Rin, she's in your hands."
"Got it," she said with a wink.
Luca limped through the slums to the merchant stall he'd visited before. The old man was already arranging his wares when Luca approached and greeted him as usual.
"Good Morning,"
"Bread again, kid?"
"Not today," Luca said. "Do you have any clothes?"
"Clothes?" The man raised a brow. "What kind?"
"A shirt and black trousers."
"That'll be eighty copper."
"What's the cheapest you have?"
"How much do you have?"
Luca reached into his pocket. "I have fifteen."
The merchant stared at him, then sighed and vanished into the back. After a few moments, he returned with a bundle.
"These belonged to my son. Old, but still decent. I'll let you have them for thirty. You can pay me the rest later. If not, you bring them back. Deal?"
"Alright. I promise." Luca said with serious eyes.
The merchant gestured inside. "You can change in the back."
Luca emerged minutes later, transformed. The shirt, though loose, hung neatly on his body while hiding his bony frame. The black trousers gave him a sharper look. With a pair of old shoes now on his feet and his hair tidied, he no longer looked like a child from the gutter.
"You look good, kid," the merchant said.
"Thank you for everything."
"Just remember our deal."
"I will."
With a final nod, Luca turned and made his way toward the Red District.
Luca arrived at the Scarlet Veil. Just inside the entrance stood a young woman who looked to be the receptionist, poised behind a polished wooden counter.
She was speaking to a well-dressed customer, her voice light and practiced as she explained the choices of entertainment.
Soon after that was his turn, Luca stepped forward with calm, measured steps, his cane tapping softly against the floor.
The woman turned to him, her gentle smile not fading.
"What can I help you with?" she asked, her tone warm and inviting.
"Could you take me to your boss?" Luca asked, his voice soft but steady.
She tilted her head slightly, eyeing him with quiet curiosity. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, but something in his demeanor persuaded her.
"Hmm... alright. Follow me," she said, turning with a sweep of her skirt and leading him deeper into the brothel.
The scent of perfume and smoke mingled in the air, thick and cloying.
Laughter drifted from distant rooms, laced with exhaustion and false cheer.
And the woman led him to a red door, she knocked.
A gruff voice barked from within, "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Luca stepped inside.
Behind a desk cluttered with papers and empty glasses sat a broad man with sharp eyes and a cruel smile.
"What is it?" he snapped. "Are you here for a girl?"
"No, I came for a job," Luca said.
The boss blinked. "A job?"
"As a musician. I can play musical instruments, and I have a background in music"
He gives a glance at him. He's a handsome brat with a refined appearance, though he walks with the aid of a stick.
The man barked a laugh. "You? Don't waste my time, brat. You think music's just noise you slap together? It takes years of training."
"I know. And I've trained. Give me a chance to play one song. If you hate it, I'll leave, or you can beat me senseless instead"
The room went quiet. Then, slowly, the boss leaned forward, intrigued by the boy's nerves.
"You've got guts," he said. "Fine. One song. But if you waste my time... I'll kill you immediately."
"Understood," Luca replied, voice calm.
He stood straighter, gripping his cane to ground himself. Every breath felt deliberate.
But he didn't flinch. Not because he wasn't afraid, but because he had already faced death once.
If this didn't work, the thought of leaving Evelyn alone would be the only thing he'd regret.