"Aahhh—"
A soft yawn slipped from Liyi Yi’s lips. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she blinked awake, her misty green eyes staring blankly at the wooden ceiling above. The remnants of sleep still clung to her mind like fog.
She turned over lazily, hugging the thin blanket to her chest. Just five more minutes... she thought drowsily. But reason kicked in almost imdiately. "No, I have to get up," she muttered to herself, her voice still hoarse from sleep. "There’s still work to do."
With a reluctant groan, she pushed herself upright and swung her legs off the bed. The cool air nipped at her bare feet as they touched the wooden floor, urging her to move faster. She slipped on her rough animal-leather shoes and fastened the laces carefully before stepping outside her room.
The corridor was quiet. Only the faint chirping of distant morning birds broke the silence.
"Uwah~" She splashed her face with cold water from the clay basin, the shock of it chasing away the last of her drowsiness. Droplets rolled down her cheeks as she brushed back the damp strands from her temples.
Peering through the small window, she could see only darkness beyond—the faint glow of the city’s fire torches flickered faintly. "Still early," she murmured, rubbing her arms. "Might as well cook sothing."
The kitchen was small but neat, the air faintly scented with wood smoke and spice. She crouched by the clay stove, placing two logs into the hearth and striking a spark. Soon, the fire crackled to life, casting a warm orange glow that danced on the walls.
The clay pot went on top of the stove with a dull thud. She fetched a ladle of water and poured it in, watching the ripples shimr in the flickering light. The workers from the decoration workshop had taught her how to use this stove properly just a few days ago—she still rembered their earnest demonstration.
Liyi Yi turned to the wooden shelf and found a small hunk of dried octagonal tusk at. "I’m not that hungry... just a little will do," she said, though her voice betrayed a hint of longing.
Her thoughts drifted back to last night’s dinner at the City Lord’s Mansion—the fragrant roasted at, the tender vegetables, the warm soup that lingered in her mouth even now. "No wonder I’m not hungry this morning," she said, smiling faintly. "I ate too much yesterday."
When the water began to boil, she carefully sliced the at into small pieces with her knife and dropped them into the pot. The aroma of simring broth slowly filled the room. She stirred it a few tis with a wooden spoon and then sighed.
"Still no salt," she muttered regretfully. Salt was an expensive commodity. The shops in Black Tortoise City didn’t sell it openly, and she’d have to travel all the way to Astris City to buy any. That was not an easy trip.
Soon, the broth began bubbling vigorously—gulugulu~~—and a thin steam rose toward the roof. She leaned in and tasted a spoonful. Her face imdiately twisted. "Ugh... fishy," she whispered. "But edible."
She forced herself to finish her simple breakfast, reminding herself that life here was not bad—just... different.
"The food at the City Lord’s Mansion really is the best," she sighed wistfully.
Once she’d cleaned up, she dressed neatly and fastened the door latch carefully before stepping out. By then, the first glimr of dawn had touched the horizon, and the mist over the city’s rooftops shimred faintly in the morning light.
As she walked down the stone path toward the printing workshop, she t a few familiar faces—forr retainers from her old household.
"Young mistress, you’re up early today!" one of them called out cheerfully, wiping his hands on his apron.
"There’s work to be done," she replied, then paused, frowning slightly. "And how many tis have I said—don’t call ’young master.’ I’m not that anymore."
The man scratched his head, embarrassed. "Ah—habit, my lady. Hard to change overnight."
She gave a soft sigh. "Never mind. Are you heading to the workshop as well?"
"Yes," he said, straightening his back. "We saw a posting on the bulletin board. They’re hiring workers again—first co, first served. We thought we’d earn so contribution points today."
"Then go," Liyi Yi said with a faint smile. "Don’t waste the opportunity."
The group waved as they hurried off, their laughter echoing down the street. Watching their retreating figures, Liyi Yi felt an unexpected warmth in her chest. They were adapting—just like her. Everyone was learning how to survive in this new city under Lord Luciel’s rule.
By the ti she reached the printing workshop, the place was already buzzing with activity. The faint sll of ink and wet paper hung in the air. Workers moved briskly between tables, stacks of freshly printed pages piled high beside them.
Because the workshop ran a two-shift schedule, the night crew was still wrapping up, waiting for the morning shift to arrive.
"Morning, Miss Liyi!" one of the workers called, raising his inky hands in greeting.
"Good morning," she replied with a nod. "Thank you for your hard work."
"Here for the prints again?" he asked, gesturing toward a wooden rack stacked with papers.
"Yes," she said. "How many finished last night?"
"About a hundred and fifty copies," he replied, pulling out a neat bundle. "Is that enough?"
"It should be," Liyi Yi said, taking the heavy stack in her arms. "Keep printing ’Chaos’ and the ’Black Tortoise City Atlas.’ We’ll need more before the week’s end."
"Understood!" the workers replied in unison before turning back to their presses.
As she turned to leave, her gaze fell on the topmost sheet of the stack—and froze. The portrait printed there showed a young catwoman, delicate yet fierce, with striking eyes and a calm expression.
"This face..." Liyi Yi whispered, frowning. "Why does it look so familiar?"
She stepped outside, the morning light catching the edges of the page. Her heart gave a sudden lurch as the image snapped into focus in her mind. She had seen this person before. Not just once—but recently.
"I’ve seen her!" she gasped. "Yesterday—on the street outside the City Lord’s Mansion!"
The realization jolted her awake completely. She rembered the evening vividly—the shadowy figure she had crossed paths with, the way the catwoman’s sharp eyes had glimred in the torchlight before she disappeared into the crowd.
Liyi Yi didn’t waste another second. Clutching the engravings to her chest, she hurried up the sloping path toward the high ground.
By the ti she reached the second level, dawn had broken fully, washing the city in pale gold. She was just about to cross the gate into the City Lord’s Mansion when a cold, crisp voice cut through the air.
"What’s the rush?"
Liyi Yi stopped abruptly. Elara materialized in front of her, silent as a shadow, one hand raised slightly in warning. Her silver hair shimred faintly under the morning sun.
"Elara?" Liyi Yi blinked. "I—I’m looking for Lord Luciel."
The guardian’s brows knit slightly. "Why? What happened?"
Without answering, Liyi Yi quickly unfolded the top sheet of the prints and pointed at the portrait. "This woman," she said urgently, "I saw her yesterday in the comrcial street."
Elara’s sharp gaze flicked to the image. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely," Liyi Yi said without hesitation. "I won’t mistake her."
For a brief mont, Elara’s expression flickered—surprise, then a hint of satisfaction. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Follow ," she said at once. "Luciel needs to hear this."
Inside the City Lord’s Mansion, the sll of freshly baked bread and tomato soup filled the dining hall. Luciel sat at the head of the table, sharing breakfast with Mirean, Agni Moon, Yanlu, Alina—and Mino, the young rabbit-eared girl, who had been unusually quiet this morning.
The mont Elara entered, the calm atmosphere shifted.
"Luciel," Elara said, unable to suppress the joy in her tone, "good news!"
Luciel set down his chopsticks, eyebrow arched. "Oh? What kind of good news makes you smile like that?"
Elara stepped aside, letting Liyi Yi forward. The girl clutched the engraved prints tightly in her hands and bowed slightly.
"Lord Luciel," she began, her voice steady but tinged with excitent, "this portrait—we’ve been printing it for the city. I saw this very person yesterday on the street."
Luciel’s expression turned serious. "You’re certain?"
"I’m sure," she said firmly. "I rember her face clearly."
Before Luciel could respond, Mino suddenly pushed back her chair with a loud scrape. "Where?! Where did you see her?!" she cried, blue eyes wide.
"Mino," Luciel said quickly, holding the table steady. "Calm down."
But Agni Moon had already stood as well. She leaned closer, scanning the print. "Wait... I’ve seen her too," she murmured. "In the comrcial street—just a few nights ago."
"That’s two witnesses," Luciel said softly, tapping the table. "Could it really be your Big Sister, Mino?"
Yanlu and Alina exchanged uneasy glances, then looked down at the print. Recognition flashed instantly across their faces.
"Master Luciel," Yanlu said after a pause, "that’s the sa woman who broke into the high ground last night."
The entire room went silent.
Luciel’s hand froze mid-air, and then he sighed deeply, rubbing his temple. "So it really was her... Mino’s sister, slipping past us again and again."
"My sister... broke into the mansion last night?!" Mino gasped, her voice trembling.
"She wasn’t hard," Alina reassured quickly. "She escaped with her companion."
Mino’s eyes shimred with panic and confusion. "She doesn’t even know I’m here," she whispered. "Luciel, please—I need to find her."
Luciel placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You will," he said softly. "But not alone. Let those experienced in the field handle it. I’ll send Yanlu and Alina to track her down and bring her back safely."
Mino opened her mouth to protest, but one look at his calm, steady eyes silenced her. She bit her lip, then nodded reluctantly. "Okay."
"Good," Luciel said. "Yanlu, Alina—prepare to move after breakfast."
"Yes, my lord!" the two replied in unison, already straightening up.
Luciel leaned back in his chair, half-smiling despite the tension. "And finish your food. No one chases fugitives on an empty stomach."
A ripple of quiet laughter lightened the mood for a mont.
Then he turned to Liyi Yi. "Have you eaten?"
"I have," she said politely—though her stomach betrayed her with a faint growl.
Mirean chuckled softly. "Then eat so more," she said, pouring her a bowl of tomato soup. "After that, you can co with to the bookstore. There are still a few people there who need... a little reminder to behave."
Liyi Yi hesitated, but the warm sll of the food was irresistible. "Then... I won’t refuse," she admitted shyly.
Luciel nodded approvingly, but his gaze lingered on the portrait that lay between them.
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