We continued our lives together, like normal. The time we had in the castle felt like a faraway dream. I didn’t dislike it, though. A mere pleasant memory—a mere pleasant experience. It was something that I wished to keep as a temporary magical experience. The magic would be gone if I got used to the enchantment. Perhaps, that was my reason to come back to this hell of a slum.

Or, perhaps, I might really love it, here in this poor city of the lawless.

We went about our daily lives, as per usual. Hera woke up before me every single day, we did our own business. Sometimes she went missing for a few hours, sometimes she came home with a little cash which I didn’t question any longer. Every time I asked, she would change the topic, anyway.

Well, good enough to have some extra cash.

The important thing was, I was no longer alone. I was no longer lonely. I was no longer miserable. At least, I could look forward to every day. At least, I woke up feeling content every day.

Every day was a series of magical days—that was what I naively thought. As if I were never left alone. As if life were always perfect.

How foolish.

That day, too, was no different. I was in our modest nest all day, while Hera had something else came up. I decided to tidy up this tiny place of a home, while she went about her business that I never knew.

Hera came home after her day. She looked thrilled, grinning ear to ear. On her hand, she waved a bunch of newly acquired cash. “Got me some more money today!” she claimed enthusiastically. I, again, didn’t question it.

“We’re eating some fresh food today?” I asked instead, finishing my tidying. I rose and approached Hera who was standing at our doorway. She nodded, excited like a little puppy. We decided where we wanted to buy, and we went.

Though, I only waited outside while she purchased a portion of something a little fancy.

Hera had better clothes. She looked much cleaner than I was. I never questioned that, though I did find it strange. All I thought was maybe she sneaked into a lot of rich people’s palace like we did before, and stole some of their best clothes.

I watched her as she waited for our food and had conversation with the diner owner. Unlike me, she was friendly. Though we both lived together, supposedly in the same life, she was loved by a lot of people. On the other hand, I wasn’t. Maybe, Hera was the only one ever telling me she loved me.

Perhaps, it was all a fluke—perhaps she went with the flow back then.

Hera came out, holding a bag of hot food. I let her chose—I didn’t know anything about food, anyway. So, what we’d eat tonight was entirely a surprise for me.

We walked back together, hand in hand, having miscellaneous conversation as we usually did. And—I saw something.

Two men standing suspiciously near the turn to our path home. The two men were impeccably dressed—a suit, some expensive leather shoes polished up, some mysterious hat. Very out of place. Like some kind of businessmen lost in a poor neighborhood.

Maybe they were.

Hera abruptly squeezed my hand a little too tight. I glanced, finding her expression agitated. Surprising, I’d say.

“Vega, leave first,” she whispered, her eyes locked on the two strangers. “You can eat first. I’ll be right back.”

I glanced at her, hesitating. She looked that disconcerted, yet she told me to leave? I worried about her, but she then drifted her gaze at me, her expression trying to assure me that it was alright. So, I believed in her—and I left, taking the turn to rush home. I glanced behind my shoulder, finding the two strangers inching closer to her.

All I hoped then was she came back home safely.

I arrived home and my place felt cold. Somehow, it felt empty. I felt uneasy—though, not sure why. The house felt unsettling and lonely—as if I were the only one living here.

I took out two plates, putting the bag of food on a card box I made into a table. I didn’t open it yet. I waited for Hera to come home.

All I wished was that she was alright.