The city was alive. Neon lights illuminated every corner, flashing in reds, blues, and golds, reflecting off the bustling streets filled with honking cars and distant chatter.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWrrfpb1Dv
She walked along the sidewalk, eyes darting between the towering buildings, unfamiliar storefronts, and lively crowds. Everything was so bright—too bright. Her home in Beaufort never buzzed with this much energy at night.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4FWytHpRm
Her wandering thoughts halted when her gaze landed on a bar glowing under a deep crimson light. Something about it intrigued her. She stepped forward, but before she could enter, a broad figure blocked her path.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgurawddkOW
"ID."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi0Nsvg4m8
She blinked up at the bouncer, confused as he held out his hand.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJVFlkyAjf
ID? She never needed an ID before. As a noble, her name alone granted her access everywhere. But here… she was just another stranger.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx6JDnRAFT
Fumbling through her pockets, she let out an awkward chuckle. "U-Um… I don’t have one."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDjeMJErRd
The bouncer didn’t even flinch. "Then you’re not getting in."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGjSNmSySx
"Is it really necessary?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtWekWzzTJ
"It’s the law. We check IDs to confirm age. No ID, no entry."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzCWUdeM6Z
"What’s the required age?" she asked.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMvAQF6kIR
"19 and above."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb80cVBX92
Damn it. She was two years younger.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmRV42FsAX
With a sigh, she turned to leave, but just as she took a step away, hushed voices from the alley behind the bar caught her attention. She hesitated before peeking around the corner—
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3BEOnuxbZ
A woman stood there, panting heavily, her black suit torn in places, and her shoulder smeared with blood. Her platinum-white hair clung to her damp forehead as she clutched a mask, pressing it to her face as if trying to keep it from slipping.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT9td3Zn4C
Her breath hitched.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDcuSr8JSD
Sensing eyes on her, the woman slowly turned her head, their gazes locking.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhSTkMrfX2
Caught red-handed staring, she stepped forward. "A-Are you alright, ma’am?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdphjboN3Y
The woman let out a hoarse chuckle, her voice rough from exhaustion. "Does it look like I am?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJLZEmKiCu
Philomela stiffened. "I-I'm sorry, that was blind of me to ask." She bowed instinctively.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqJztL11UX
The woman tilted her head. "No need to bow, child."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYxRUI466W
---
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Zxal8hCX
The woman’s POV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSUN1oOouc
Formal. That was the first thing she noticed about the girl. From the way she spoke to the way she bowed—definitely not a local.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYE5qJIVhi
But what the hell was she wearing? A cape and hood? She looked like a lost character from a Halloween parade.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL7fuYhjCY
"D-Do you need help, ma’am?" the girl asked, concern laced in her voice.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gvmEEitou
The woman smirked. "Hmm… I suppose I do. What, are you going to take me to the nearest hospital?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrfAuVscij
"Isn’t that what help means?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1YgGeqlim
The woman threw her head back and laughed. The girl blinked at her, utterly confused.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWAT1mzFEU
"Did I say something funny…?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklH4GzjAFN
"No, I’m just messing with you." She wiped a stray tear from her eye. But now that she got a reaction out of her, she wanted to tease her more.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJdLdYFKiY
She leaned in slightly. "Come closer, would you?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai1YdMUhgN
The girl stepped back, wary. "And why would I do that?"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7p9bdl9et
The woman’s lips curled. "So I can see you properly…" Her sharp eyes traced the girl's features. "And maybe because I just want you near."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S0MONc7Oh
"W-What?!"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv1RdgAYXo
The woman let out another laugh. "Relax, kid. I’m just kidding."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnKRC0bZSS
"O-Oh…"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DvxlEVNbj
The tension was beginning to settle—until heavy footsteps approached.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6ZSv5myUr
Large, broad-shouldered men in dark suits stormed into the alley, their hands already reaching into their pockets.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPAYcSSZRF
The woman clicked her tongue. "Relax, boys. She was just keeping me company."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObt6rT3R8P
The men exchanged glances before withdrawing their hands.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14sPIiDgSP
"Of course, Noonim," one of them said respectfully.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFMf0KnszQ
The woman sighed, rolling her shoulders. "Well, I have to be going now, kid."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFfNtrBOuT
She pushed off the wall and—despite her earlier state—walked with ease, as if she wasn’t just gasping for air a moment ago. As she passed the girl, she smirked.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJWj29aKSN
"See you around," she murmured, stepping into her car.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvsBqL0SKv
The tinted window slid up, but not before she shot the girl a wink.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcOCRJsd6x
The Lady barely had time to react before noticing something in her hand. She opened her palm and found a small, neatly folded note.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhyolDrcJo
"See you♡"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuBCocTgWa
She exhaled sharply. "Huh…" she's really goofy."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DNGsC6Pwq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluLzNgYU9p
and then Add to home screen.