Chapter 87

Roro’s hand brushed over the blanket.

The fabric slipped between her fingers, smooth and soft, unlike anything she had ever touched before.

“I bet this thing costs a fortune.”

Her eyes darted around the room, moving fast.

From the looks of it, this was a rich person’s house. Maybe if one or two things went missing, no one would even notice.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Roro slipped down from the bed and grabbed a bowl from the table, stuffing it into her pants.

Clink.

The heavy feel of real silver made her heart warm instantly.

Yeah. Even if one or two things disappeared, what could they do about it?

I’ll be gone before they find out anyway.

Roro grabbed whatever small trinkets and dishes she could see, shoving them into her clothes.

“Phew.”

After a quick look around, she figured she’d collected enough.

Then her gaze fell on the pillow she had been lying on.

It had been so soft, like resting her head on a cloud. She could still feel it on the back of her neck.

After a brief hesitation, Roro made up her mind and hugged the pillow tightly.

I’ll take this too.

If I can sell it, great. If not, I’ll use it myself.

With a pillow like this, I could sleep anywhere, even on the street.

She crept to the door with the pillow in her arms and quietly opened it.

“Oh my.”

Bang.

Before she could see who was there, Roro stumbled and rolled across the floor.

Clink.

The sound of metal rattled noisily.

Damn it.

Roro scrambled to grab the little trinket that had fallen from her pants, eyes darting in panic.

Maybe I should’ve gone out the window.

“Are you alright?”

The soft, kind voice made Roro’s head snap up.

Crap.

The moment their eyes met, her own widened like saucers.

That’s the crazy lady whose wallet I stole!

“W-what! Did you kidnap me?”

She blurted it out before she could think, trying to divert attention while inching backward toward the window.

But the woman only blinked in surprise.

“Oh, I suppose it might look that way!”

…What?

She agreed? Not even denying it?

Roro stared at her, dumbfounded, then quickly glanced back at the window.

Whatever.

Once I run, I’ll never see her again.

Keeping her eyes on Melissa, Roro took another step back until her shoulders hit the window frame.

If I jump straight down, it’ll be dangerous, but if I grab that branch outside—

“I’m sorry.”

Melissa’s gentle voice stopped her.

“I brought you here in a hurry because you fainted. I thought you might’ve been hurt. You must’ve been frightened.”

…Huh?

Roro blinked rapidly.

After quickly scanning Melissa’s face and posture, she asked warily,

“You’re saying sorry… to me?”

“Yes.”

…Well now.

Roro’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

Judging from the house, this lady had money. Maybe I could just stick around for a while.

Or milk her for some cash and disappear later.

Yeah. That sounded better.

Hehehehe.

A sly smile crept onto her face.

Just then, the half-open door burst wide.

“Master! I found something incredible—”

Huh?

The tall woman who rushed in froze when she spotted Roro.

“What’s this kid?”

Damn it.

Roro’s stomach dropped.

The woman was tall, carrying a big wooden box, and her face looked terrifying even under the veil.

Change of plan.

‘I’m out of here.’

The moment Roro saw Natalianne, she decided to flee.

She grabbed the window frame and leaped.

“Where do you think you’re going.”

Crack.

A chill spread through the room. The window froze over in an instant, sealing completely with thick ice.

Thud.

Roro crashed into it and tumbled to the ground again, silver dishes clattering all around her.

Damn it.

Her eyes darted around frantically.

Now what? Should I try another window? No, maybe pretend I’m going for the window and bolt for the door?

As she shuffled sideways, trying to find an opening, Natalianne asked casually,

“Master, who’s this?”

“She’s a friend I brought home.”

“A friend?”

Natalianne narrowed her eyes.

Unbelievable.

She was still furious after hearing that Demius, that cockroach, had gone on a secret date with Melissa while she’d been detained by their mother.

And now Melissa had brought home a street kid?

A pickpocket, at that?

Natalianne pressed her temple and said dryly,

“Did you happen to lose your wallet?”

“Ah, yes.”

Melissa smiled awkwardly and nodded.

“That child over there took an empty purse, so I chased after her to see what was going on.”

“I see.”

That was all Natalianne needed to piece the story together.

Melissa had caught a pickpocket, chased her into a dangerous alley, and run into those drug-dealing thugs.

Demius had shown up, beaten them senseless, and Melissa, unable to leave the unconscious kid behind, had brought her home.

Natalianne smirked faintly.

That cockroach was still limping, wasn’t he?

Still pretending to use a crutch, acting like he’d been gravely injured.

‘Unbelievable.’

The same man who could fight monsters for days without a single wound, claiming he’d been cut by a few street thugs?

‘Ridiculous.’

He’d actually slashed his own leg just to make Melissa worry about him. That lunatic.

Natalianne sighed and shook her head.

Meanwhile, Roro had reached another window and placed her hands on the frame when a sharp voice called out.

“Hey, kid.”

Suddenly her body lifted into the air as if grabbed by invisible hands.

“W-wah!”

Roro kicked wildly, but Natalianne’s spell held her tight, dangling her upside down in midair.

With a flick of her wrist, she brought the squirming girl closer.

“Put me down, you ugly woman!”

“At least I’m confident about my face.”

“Liar. You’re hiding behind a veil. Must be really ugly under there!”

“Well.”

Natalianne tilted her chin proudly and answered in a wistful tone.

“There are secrets in this world that can’t be shown, little one. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Don’t call me little!”

Roro screamed, thrashing her arms, but Natalianne ignored her and continued.

“And no thank-you for saving your life?”

“I-I didn’t ask for help! She dragged me here without permission! Why should I thank her?”

“If not for my master, you’d still be in the hands of those thugs using Smile of the Spirits. You wouldn’t have survived.”

Roro flinched.

Natalianne’s eyes narrowed.

‘This kid.’

‘She knows about Smile of the Spirits.’

A slow smirk curved her lips.

So that drug had spread far enough for even children on the streets to know its name. How charming.

Before she could ask more, Roro twisted her body sharply.

“Ugh!”

She slipped out of her top, leaving it behind in the invisible grip, and rolled to the floor.

Clink.

Landing neatly, Roro bolted for the window again.

“It’s no use.”

In an instant, she was caught again.

Roro struggled and shouted,

“Let go! Let me go!”

“Not until you drop what’s in your pants.”

“N-no way!”

Roro clutched her trousers tightly, trying not to make the silver clink as she yelled even louder.

“This, this is, um, compensation! Yeah! Compensation money! I deserve it!”

Natalianne raised an eyebrow, amused.

“What a bold little thing.”

She flicked her fingers lightly.

The invisible hands floated forward, dragging Roro closer once more.

Just as she reached Natalianne’s face, Roro puffed up her cheeks and spat.

“Ptooey!”

Ping.

The spit bounced right back off an invisible barrier.

“Pwah!”

“Pathetic.”

While Roro wiped her face with her arm, Natalianne’s eyes caught something under the girl’s bangs.

“What’s that?”

She reached forward. Roro flinched and waved her arms wildly.

“Don’t look!”

“It’s no use.”

With a light motion, Natalianne pinned the girl’s arms in place and brushed up her bangs.

Her eyes widened.

…This can’t be.