Mrs. Fornier’s face was etched with sorrow as she crouched down, her fingertips lightly brushing over the bloodstains on the ground. Her voice was hoarse as she murmured, “Three years… the color of these stains hasn’t faded at all. I still remember everything that happened that morning as clearly as if it were yesterday.”
Her voice trembled with fragility and grief. “It was a gloomy morning. I made his favorite pancakes and urged him to hurry and get ready for class. But when I brought him warm milk and the pancakes, “
She fell silent for a moment before shuddering. “He suddenly started… swelling. His body ballooned like a sack, and then, right in front of me, he burst. The room was covered in his blood… everywhere. Everyone said he was cursed, that he had angered the gods with his irreverence.” Her head snapped up, her gaze locking onto Shen Lin with near-ferocity. “Don’t you think so too?”
Shen Lin replied calmly, “If he was your child, I don’t believe he would have done such a thing.”
“I’ve always revered the gods,” Mrs. Fornier said. “But they’ve abandoned us. Abandoned this town. Benson and those outsiders have polluted this place, ruined everything! We never had divisions based on bloodline, everyone was equal! But ever since outsiders arrived, everything changed! They’re the reason people like you are displaced, why children like you have no home!”
Her agitation grew, veins standing stark against her gaunt face. Suddenly, she broke into a fit of coughing, the sound ragged and wheezing, like an old, broken bellows straining in her throat.
“Are you alright?” Shen Lin asked with concern, gently patting her back.
Mrs. Fornier shook her head.
Layla spoke softly, “Mrs. Fornier, you should rest.”
“I’m fine,” Mrs. Fornier said, her eyes lingering on Shen Lin. “Call your friends out. I’ve known since the day you moved in. You’re all very bold, others refuse to stay here, claiming this place is cursed. I brought pancakes for you.”
“Thank you,” Shen Lin said.
Mrs. Fornier stroked his soft, short hair, her gaze tender. “You’re a good boy.”
Shen Lin lowered his eyes, suppressing the flicker of light in his emerald-green pupils.
One by one, the others emerged from the shadows. Mrs. Fornier studied them. “All so young.”
“Finding work is impossible,” Brian plopped onto the floor, sighing. “The moment they learn we’re from George Street, no one wants us. They say we carry disease.”
The others: “…” His acting was truly something.
Nana added, “I had a lover from Wells Street. The moment he found out where I was from, he looked at me with disgust, called me a filthy rat. I hate those people.”
“Poor child,” Mrs. Fornier murmured, embracing Nana gently. “This is all the outsiders’ fault.”
The outsiders: “…”
Mrs. Fornier opened her basket, distributing warm pancakes. “I hope you enjoy them.”
They ate gratefully, the warmth of the food seeping into their hearts. Brian even whispered to Freud, “Isn’t it wrong to deceive her like this?”
Freud took a bite before replying, “This is a game. We have to win.”
Mrs. Fornier asked, “Is it cold here at night?”
They nodded.
Her expression softened. “I’ll bring you some blankets later.”
“There’s no need to trouble yourself,” Shen Lin said.
But she insisted, “I’ll be back soon. Layla can keep you company.”
Layla held Shen Lin’s arm. “When Mrs. Fornier decides to do something, she can’t be stopped. Let her go.”
They relented.
Once Mrs. Fornier left, Layla eyed Shen Lin with envy. “You’re quite the charmer. In all these years, I’ve never seen her so gentle, well, she’s always kind, but never to outsiders. She’s a leader, after all.”
Freud asked, “Is Mrs. Fornier the one organizing George Street and Harsank Street to demand equal resources and abolish bloodline divisions? I saw her giving a speech today.”
Layla nodded. “She’s a great woman. She’s vowed to spend her life fighting for equality.”
Shen Lin asked, “Why did you come with her tonight?”
“I saw you all staying here and worried she’d chase you out,” Layla admitted. “This place means a lot to her.” She huffed. “But I didn’t expect you’d win her over so easily!”
Her haughty expression reminded Shen Lin of Lilia. He smiled. “I met a lady today. I think you’d get along.”
Layla smirked. “I get along with everyone. I’m the most beloved flower girl in town. When you have money, come buy from me?”
“I can now,” Shen Lin said, pulling out coins taken from Cain. “How much for a lily?”
“One copper each, sir. Buy five, get one free!”
“Then I’ll take six.” He handed her five coins, which she accepted gleefully.
She tucked them into her small purse, murmuring, “This year’s been hard. I need to save up for winter supplies for Mrs. Anne. The cold comes fast in Moonfall Village. Tomorrow’s the resource census, but…” She glanced up, her violet eyes darkening. “The outsiders haven’t arrived yet. And the Messenger… he’s missing. He still hasn’t gone to Luther for his pocket watch. In three days, it’s the Decennial Rite. They say if the ceremony isn’t held, everyone, Moonfall Village and outsiders alike, will face the gods’ wrath.”
“What kind of punishment?”
“Who knows?” Layla shrugged, fiddling with her empty basket. “Last time, some fell ill. A few died.”
Shen Lin was silent.
Layla continued, “But to Benson, it’s just proof of the ‘inferior bloodlines.’ He doesn’t care about the townsfolk. He’s a hypocrite, you’d never guess, but he’s the one who envies outsiders the most. Yet he won’t give up his power here, nor dare defy the curse.” She paused.
Tonight, Layla was unusually talkative, as if she’d opened up completely to Shen Lin, perhaps because he’d bought her last lilies.
“Have you seen what happens to those who try to leave?” she asked. “Like zombies in stories, the moment they step beyond Moonfall’s borders, their skin burns and rots. It’s horrifying. I never want to see it again. No one dares leave.”
“Is that the curse?” Shen Lin asked.
“Yes. Even outsiders can’t stay long. Mrs. Anne said the earliest ones began changing after a month. Have you met the Messenger? He drinks at Lina’s Tavern. They say he was once tall and handsome, even taught outsider etiquette. Now look at him. That’s the curse.”
“If the gods love us, why curse us so?”
“They do love us. This is protection. But…” Layla sighed. “I agree with Mrs. Fornier, we’ve forsaken them. We must atone.”
“How?”
Layla fell silent, studying him with deep, unreadable eyes. Then she laughed. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be a poor flower girl. I’d be preaching in the Grand Cathedral.”
Shen Lin smiled. “If that day comes, invite me first.”
“Oh!” Layla pressed her hands to her cheeks, a gesture eerily like Lilia’s. “You’re too charming! Handsome, clever! talking to you is a delight.”
She winked, plucking the last pancake from Mrs. Fornier’s basket. “May I?”
“Of course.”
“Generous knight!” She curtsied playfully. “Mrs. Fornier’s back, I see her shadow. I should go, or Mrs. Anne will scold me.”
“Let me escort you, princess.”
“Thank you, sir knight.” She giggled, letting him take her arm. At the door, they met Mrs. Fornier, arms laden with blankets.
“Leaving, Layla?”
“Yes. It’s late.”
“Be safe.”
“I know these streets better than anyone.”
Shen Lin took the blankets as Layla kissed his cheeks, whispering, “If all the sin were cleansed… do you think the gods would forgive us?”
She didn’t wait for an answer, hurrying off with a sweet smile.
Mrs. Fornier helped them arrange the blankets, her stern face betraying quiet warmth.
Shen Lin spoke suddenly. “Mrs. Fornier, the pancakes were delicious. Could we have more tomorrow?”
Her sternness melted. “Of course, child.” She stroked his hair again, a gesture she loved. “I’m glad you liked them.”
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