& Burning Stars
"Wait for me, Theo. Even if this country is rotten, you are not."
The Letter Left Behind
From Theo
"If anyone finds me, tell them you know nothing."
"If I stay, you become dangerous too."
"This country is rotten."
"I will avenge Father."
"Wait for me."
The next day, government soldiers swept through the streets, searching for the man who'd struck the guard captain.
Only then did Saya understand why her brother had fled so suddenly.
She buried her face in her hands, tears soaking her palms.
"Look at you, Theo. You abandoned me without a second thought, yet here I am—still so worried I can't even think straight."
Is this really what siblings do?
But the tears dried quickly.
She was alone now.
And she had to survive.
Saya chewed on the dry bread, forcing it down her throat.
"I promised to gather herbs before sundown."
After finishing her meager meal, she rose and gathered her tools.
Her hand reached for the door—
"Hello."
Saya froze.
Standing before her gate was a girl who looked utterly out of place.
Silver hair gleamed like moonlight. Green eyes shone with an intelligence that didn't belong in these filthy streets.
She looked expensive. Fragile. Otherworldly.
"What is your name?"
The stranger asked, her voice calm and measured.
"Saya. My name is Saya."
The girl smiled—warm, but calculating.
"I apologize for arriving unannounced, but if you're not busy, may I have a moment of your time?"
A Darkened Home
Medea stepped inside the house where embers still glowed faintly in the hearth.
Though the sun had not yet set, shadows filled every corner.
Saya looked exactly like the person she remembered.
Was Theo... a woman?
"My parents passed away long ago. I had a brother, but he's... gone now."
"Do you have any other family?"
It was an invasive question from a complete stranger.
Yet Saya answered—those clear green eyes compelled honesty.
There was a long, uncomfortable pause.
"I heard your father was a retired soldier. Is that correct?"
Saya's pupils dilated.
Her heart pounded violently.
This girl already knows about me.
Did they come to arrest me because of Theo's crimes?
Saya dropped to the floor, prostrating herself.
Medea's expression shifted—surprised.
"My father's name was Pearson. I have a twin brother named Theo."
Her voice trembled.
"Three years ago, my brother struck the guard captain and fled. He's been on the run ever since."
Medea's brow arched slightly.
"You don't know where he is?"
Saya shook her head vigorously.
"Sometimes he sends word—just to let me know he's alive. He says he can't return. He's still being hunted."
Three years. The wanted posters have faded. Punishment would be light by now.
But he still won't return to the capital...
He's already joined the rebellion.
Medea tapped her index finger against her knee, lost in thought.
If Theo is meticulous enough to take such risks just to send her messages...
He cares deeply for this girl.
"I didn't come here to interrogate you about your brother. I heard you were suffering alone, and I thought I could help."
Neril glanced sharply at Medea.
"Your Highness, we can arrange assistance later. I cannot allow a stranger of uncertain origin near you—"
Neril stopped mid-sentence, realizing she'd just revealed Medea's identity.
Saya's eyes went wide.
If she's a Princess...
Stories of the Princess who lived in a magnificent palace far beyond the city walls were legendary—even in the slums.
Saya pressed her forehead to the floor.
"Please. Take me with you."
The little girl thought quickly.
This lady—no, this Princess—is the first and last lifeline I'll ever be thrown.
"You can order me to do anything. I will obey. Please—don't leave me here."
If she's a Princess, she might be able to pardon Theo's crime. Or at least shield me from it.
"My brother sinned, yes. But my father died on the battlefield fighting for Valdina."
The girl's voice was desperate.
But also clear. Distinct.
Saya was different from the Theo in Medea's memories—and yet somehow the same.
Those fragile yet unwavering eyes showed a resolve that would never break.
Saya's manner—informing the Princess while simultaneously reading Neril's reaction—revealed just how brutal her life in the slums had been.
And finally, she invoked sympathy by mentioning her father's military service.
"Your Highness, is that acceptable?"
Medea held out a large pouch of gold coins.
"Even if you don't follow me, I can provide you with the means to survive."
She paused.
"I don't keep just anyone at my side."
Saya was sharp.
A beautiful Princess. A knight who obeyed her without question.
There's only one gap I can slip through.
"Your Highness, you don't need someone as lowly as me—I know that. But I've tried everything to survive. When I learn something new, I master it quickly."
Her voice grew firmer.
"I can do anything. Even the things you'd never ask that knight or your attendants to do."
Medea looked down at the child.
"There's the Princess! Seize her!"
"Look, everyone! This Princess abandoned us to save herself!"
Theo, if I were guided solely by my past life, I should kill you preemptively.
But you let me escape in the end. You gave me a chance.
So in return, I will take care of your sister.
The debts of her past life and this one would end here.
But she would grant him one more blessing.
I'll save you too, Theo.
But when you cross the wall with your rebels, this girl will be your last chain.
Medea warned her in advance.
"You may come to regret having me as your master."
Because I will use you as your brother's leash.
"Is that acceptable?"
Saya stared into those green eyes.
At the very least, there wasn't an ounce of deception in them.
She nodded vigorously.
"Then come with me."
The white hand that lifted the child was cold.
The Same Street—Another Seeker
At that very moment, elsewhere in the slums, Cesare arrived.
As mercenaries with hardened faces entered the narrow, decaying streets, an invisible cloud of menace settled over the district.
Even those with evil intentions retreated when they sensed the killing intent radiating from the newcomers.
"Is this the place? Where's the shaman?"
Cesare asked.
Gallo answered quickly.
"Yes, boss. My source saw an old woman speaking in archaic continental language in the slums outside the city walls. Among her belongings was a pattern—looked like the mark of the Shadeian tribe."
Terence, who'd followed out of concern for his friend, shook his head.
"Cesare, don't get your hopes up."
Cesare ignored him, scanning the empty street with sharp eyes.
It's not a large neighborhood. We'll find her today.
They quickened their pace.
They were passing through a particularly dark and shadowed alley when—
"Are you looking for me?"
The old woman, wrapped in a tattered robe, grinned without looking up.
"You're late. With so little time remaining, I thought I'd have to depart for the netherworld before you arrived."
Gallo frowned.
She speaks as if she knew we were searching for her.
Had she been evading us on purpose? Then why reveal herself now?
The old woman turned her attention to Gallo.
"You will meet those you need to meet. My time and your time intersected on fate's thread, creating a point of contact."
Cesare stepped forward, his shadow falling over the hunched figure.
"Are you Shadeia's shaman?"
A gust of wind lifted the robe from her forehead.
"Black Star, it is a pity that something wicked has tangled itself in your fate."
Terence stopped when he saw her eyes—unfocused, clouded jade.
"You're blind..."
Yet the shaman raised her head and stared directly at Cesare.
As though she could see him perfectly.
"The Darkness of the Beginning is vicious and thick. It does not fade until the final breath. You must have been bitten by something truly evil."
Cesare's golden eyes flashed.
He knelt, meeting her sightless gaze at eye level.
"Do you know how to remove this curse?"
A Princess claims a pawn.
A Black Star seeks salvation.
And fate's threads grow tighter.
To Be Continued
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