Yihan let the girl clutch his hand, studying her eyes carefully before jerking free.

The sudden movement made Louise even more frantic. Her lips trembled, eyes brimming with pleading as her fingers twisted the hem of her skirt. She racked her brain for anything she could offer to win his favor.

Arms crossed, Yihan asked, "You want to leave this town?"

"Yes. As far away as possible." The girl nodded desperately, her whole body shaking from tension.

"Why?"

Louise’s breath hitched. Her shoulders slumped as she stared at the ground, voice hollow. "Recently... I overheard the headmistress talking to someone. She lets outsiders come to the orphanage to... pick children. Take whoever they want."

*So that’s happening here?* Yihan’s brow lifted slightly, but his face remained unreadable.

Louise’s voice still quavered. "That’s when I realized the rumors were true. For years, we’d heard children ‘adopted’ by families were actually sold by the headmistress. Turned into playthings. Their fates were... terrible. But none of us fully believed it. Until I accidentally heard—" She swallowed hard, stealing a nervous glance at the boy’s impassive face. "I don’t want that end... So, can you help us escape?"

"If your headmistress is trafficking children, why not report her? Surely Soul Valley Town has someone willing to stand for justice."

A bitter laugh escaped Louise. "She wouldn’t dare without backing—from the mayor, local nobles. Who’d risk challenging them? And we’re orphans. No family. No one cares."

"Then why come to me? Because I’m an outsider?"

"Lia trusts you." Louise answered without hesitation, her conviction stirring something in Yihan.

She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "After... that day, we noticed Lia changed. She seemed... different. Unusual."

*They don’t know she’s a Witch.* Yihan realized. Neither the mayor nor the Fallen Cult wanted Soul Valley Town aware of Lia’s true identity—too risky.

An idea sparked in his mind.

"We watched her secretly," Louise continued. "Lately, she’s been selling matches tirelessly, but the copper coins she turns in... never match what she should’ve earned. I’m certain she’s hiding savings."

"And since you always meet her—since she’s so happy around you—we guessed she’s saving to run away with you someday..." Her voice dwindled. She eyed Yihan warily, heels inching backward, ready to bolt if he lashed out.

But his expression stayed stern, unreadable no matter how long she stared.

Yihan was inwardly stunned by this frail, cunning girl. Her mind was sharper than he’d expected—connecting dots, gambling on a hunch. Under other circumstances, he might’ve admired her grit and helped. But time was bleeding away. He hadn’t even entered town yet.

He just wanted to dismiss her quickly.

"If you want to leave, you already did. You’re out here, aren’t you?"

"But I don’t know how to cross these mountains! Or where to go! I have no money!" Louise cried, grabbing his arm again. "I was going to take Luna too—she’s stalling the headmistress for me right now. I can’t abandon her."

"And the others... they want to escape too. We planned it together. I’m their only hope."

Watching her sob—tears and snot streaking her face—Yihan felt a headache throb behind his eyes. He wasn’t heartless. He’d help if he could. But this? He was powerless.

*How would Louise navigate these mountains? Did he know the way?* He’d only ever stood on the slopes overlooking Soul Valley Town. The deeper passes, the routes beyond—only Carola, who’d come from outside, might know.

From what he’d gathered, Soul Valley Town lay in the north, near several kingdoms. But distances? Borders? Safe passage? He knew nothing. And he had no coin for travel.

*If only I’d known Lia’s identity sooner. Hidden her. Taken her away.* None of this would’ve happened. He’d already failed that girl. He wouldn’t raise false hope for others only to crush it.

Seeing Yihan’s flickering gaze, Louise’s shoulders slumped. Years of fighting for scraps had taught her never to quit—but despair was winning. Jaw set, she gripped the tightly wrapped collar of her dress like armor. "Just... think of something. I’ll give you... a reward."

His eyes instantly brightened—eager, hopeful. Louise’s heart sank. *Of course. Men are all the same. Show them this bargaining chip, and their faces change.*

*So this is where I lose? After guarding it for over a decade...* Regret and confusion clouded her mind.

"Can you get me into town?" Yihan pointed toward the entrance, where two burly guards stood like gatekeepers.

Louise shook her head frantically. "The mayor sealed all entrances. No one in or out. Even traveling merchants were driven away."

"Then how did *you* get out?" Yihan frowned. He’d assumed she’d slipped past the gates.

A flicker of pride lit her eyes. "We know a hidden passage. An old well connects the town’s insides to the outside. We crawled through."

"Where is it? Take me now."

Hope surged in Louise. She bargained quickly, "I can take you—but will you—"

"Just guiding me inside won’t buy your freedom. That’s too cheap a trade."

Panic flushed her face as he scowled. "No! That’s not—I’ll take you anytime! I meant... if you help us escape, I’ll do *anything*—"

"Then let’s go."

Louise led the way; Yihan followed cautiously. He doubted she’d lure him into a trap. The threat of being sold as toys to nobles was real enough to make orphans desperate. Life at the orphanage was harsh—scant food, threadbare clothes, endless labor—but it was better than losing your dignity, your freedom.

The "hidden passage" was a crumbling well. They climbed down into a narrow tunnel. Louise navigated ahead while Yihan groped his way forward step by step.

They kept talking as they walked.

"Why trust *me* to save you? What if I’m a liar? A slaver?"

Louise didn’t turn. "Because Lia trusts you. She never doubts you."

"*That’s* your reason?"

"We’ve lived together nearly four years. She’s wary of everyone. Questions everything. Never trusts easily."

"But she trusts *you* without hesitation. Watching her work so hard, saving every coin... I’d believe she was planning to elope with you. If she believes in you that deeply—I’m betting on you too."

Louise rambled on, but Yihan heard nothing.

He walked in silence, head bowed, heart heavy.

*So she believed in me from the start? Memorized every word I ever said?*

*What hope kept her selling matches day after day? What future did she imagine while counting coins in that wooden box?*

His fist clenched in silent resolve.

*No matter what—it ends now. I* will *save her.*