The tea had cooled down, having it easier for Auretta to finish it without getting burnt. She took a few sips more before setting it down.

Jaemi had asked her where she was from originally. He could mean where she grew up, besides, Auretta doesn’t know where she was born.

Jaemi was sitting casually, waiting for an answer from her. She bit her lip answering him. “I grew up in the Lantern Islands.” A sneeze escaped her lips again, all she could smell in the living room was dust. Jaemi laughed like a donkey choking on water. Auretta furrowed her brows, she didn’t think it was that funny.

“Hey!—What’s funny?” Jaemi lifted up his arms, shrugging at her as he brushed a strand of his golden hair, scratching a part of his forehead. “You sneezed around two or three times—next question.” Auretta tilted her head. “Are you a runaway?”

She gulped—how was she supposed to answer that question? Auretta organized her thoughts first, eyes drifting back from the bonfire and back to the window pane behind the sofa.

Jaemi waved his hand at her, forming a rueful smile on his face. “Hello? It’s not a difficult question is it?” Auretta feigned a grin, but it was obvious she was trying to hide her irritation. “Oh well I don’t know—I’m afraid you might kill me like those men if I say the wrong word.”

He laughed again, calmly this time. Jaemi bent down, grabbing a box underneath the sofa. Opening it, an awful stench escaped from inside, filling the room. Auretta stopped breathing through her nose, forming an awful expression on her face. “What’s that…?” she asked.

Jaemi looked back at her, grabbing something horrendous from the box, swinging a dead rat by its tail, toward Auretta’s face. She flinched, gasping as she stood up, running to the other side of the living room.

“Why do you have a dead rat in that box?!” she breathed by her nose again, pinching it shut this time. “Look—I’m not the type of person to kill someone, so-” “But you just killed two people earlier!” she screamed.

“I’m not the type to kill every time I feel like it. I try to come up with different ways to get people to give me what I want, so it’s either you’ll answer the question or… this rat will end up on your face.” he threatened. His serious expression shifted into a cheeky grin. Auretta wished she could just rip it off his face. However, she’s grateful he wouldn’t kill her.

She bit her lower lip, speaking whatever was on her mind. “I ran from an orphanage.” “See? That was easy.” he retorted, putting the rat back into the box. “How does it not even smell when you shut the box?” Auretta asked, letting go of her nose as Jaemi put it back, underneath the sofa.

“A special kind of herb to keep awful stenches from escaping some space. Last question—maybe. Why are you out here?” his brows raised.

An itch crept up Auretta’s nose. Her legs trembled subtly. This man might report her to the authorities, sending her back to the Lantern Islands.

Jaemi was waiting for her answer, tapping his foot continuously on the ground, giving her a death glare which she thought could cut her through immediately.

“I couldn’t take it anymore in the orphanage. That’s it! Look, I’m not looking for any trouble—or planning on causing any trouble.” she blurted out, straightening her expression as she looked at Jaemi.

His brows raised, expression softening as he leaned on his back on the sofa. “I’m… sorry to hear that?” “I just want to go back to Myrindel.” she stated.

A yawn escaped his mouth. He returned to a slouched position, shutting his eyes. “I could have you sent back.” Auretta’s eyes widened. She balled her fists, hopping as she clapped her hands together. “Thank you!” she exclaimed. Auretta felt like she was over the moon. “But,” Auretta stood still, tilting her head. “Don’t let anyone know about this place.”

It felt like something stung her as he said those words. Auretta didn’t meet a lot of people her whole life, but she never imagined meeting someone who would be breathing out threats continuously. “Of course-” “I mean it.” he uttered, getting up on his feet.

Jaemi kicked his boots against the wall, slipping his hands into his pockets. He climbed up the stairs, turning his head towards Auretta. “You coming?” he asked. She dazed at him. What was he doing? “Where to?” she questioned, gripping the creases on her dress.

Her eyes lowered to her skirts, it was quite muddy. She would have to wash it when she gets back. “Well I definitely can’t send you back at this hour. It’s dangerous travelling in the dark.” he stated, climbing back the stairs.

“I’m coming,” Auretta muttered, quickening her pace, following Jaemi upstairs.

Reaching the next story, her eyes explored the hallways. There weren’t many rooms upstairs—just two. “It looks cozy here.” she turned around, seeing Jaemi had disappeared. She gaped her mouth, turning her head back and forth. “Jaemi?”

“I’m right here.” Auretta quickly turned around. There was Jaemi, leaning on the doorway. Auretta took a deep breath, completely relieved. “Be mindful of your surroundings.” He retorted, opening the door.

Auretta slowly followed him, hearing the floor boards making creaking sounds again. “The floor won’t break, relax.” he repeated, a yawn escaping his mouth again.

He left the door open for her. Auretta stepped foot inside. It was dark. The sight of darkness made Auretta tremble slightly, but Jaemi took a match stick, lighting up the torch. “Scared of the dark?” he asked with a smuggish tone.

She nodded, taking a few more steps into the room. The room was not that large. There was a small mattress lying in the corner with a small dresser next to it. Right above the wooden dresser was a lovely painting of a seashore.

Auretta froze, studying the painting. She stepped closer, touching the surface. It was rough as stone. She began to fantasize herself, feet in between the sand and the waves of the sea. “Just like those novels…” she muttered, a smile forming on her face.

“The painting’s lovely. How’d you get it?” she asked. “Well this used to be a room for an old friend. I thought the color of the sea was similar to his eyes so I placed it here.” Auretta turned around, mind drifting back to that dark haired young man she had met in the ruins before. Auretta just accepted the fact she would never see him again and she’d be left with unanswered questions.

“Well where’s your friend now?” “Moved away to a nearby village. Anyways, you should rest now.” Jaemi stated, leaving Auretta alone in the room. She felt tears run from the corner of her eyes as she yawned, sneezing shortly after. “Maybe I’m a bit ill…” she muttered, laying down on the mattress.