Chapter 7 Sold

• Arya's sharp words rendered Titus speechless. Frustrated, he yanked off an item from his neck and tossed it to Arya. He said, "Take this. It should fetch a good price!"
• Under the light, Arya examined the item in her palm—a moon crystal with a two-eye pattern. She knew its value but said defiantly, "This glass trinket isn't worth much; it'll be spent quickly. How can it be enough? You've made my life miserable. No one will marry or support me. I'll starve to death. Why is my fate so tragic?" She started to cry loudly.
• "Such a hassle!" Titus muttered through gritted teeth. "Wait for me here at this time tomorrow. I won't let you starve."
• With that, he leaped out the window. His tall figure vanished into the night.
• "Gotcha!" Arya wiped her tears and weighed the moon crystal in her hand. She pursed her lips and muttered, "Think you can outsmart me? You owe me a debt, and you'll pay up!"
• With dusk not yet fully settled, she hurried to a nearby pawnshop called Skybound Antiquities.
• "This ... " The shopkeeper scrutinised the moon crystal from every angle. Then he glanced at the slender, sorrowful Arya standing in front of the counter.
• He hesitated to accept it, fearing this poor guy might have stolen the valuable item.
• "How much money can I get for this?" Arya asked eagerly.
• She wasn't just desperate; she was truly destitute.
• The children needed food, new clothes, and tuition fees; their nanny required medication for her chronic rheumatism. Even if Arya herself went without, her family needed money to survive.
• "This item is valuable," the shopkeeper said, "but its origin is unclear. Our shop can't risk an investigation by the authorities, which could lead to severe consequences. So, you'd better try elsewhere."
• Arya's expression betrayed her distress. At this hour, most shops were closing. Where else could she find a buyer?
• Even if she found one, would there be time to buy pastry and medicine?
• "I assure you that this isn't stolen," Arya said anxiously. "A friend gave it to me. Please, you shouldn't worry about its origin."
• "Can you guarantee your friend didn't steal it?" The shopkeeper shook his head and said, "The punishment for selling stolen goods is the same as theft."
• "Steal?!" Arya choked at that word. She clamped her mouth shut.
• The shopkeeper had a point. Who could guarantee that Hades wasn't a notorious bandit?
• His sinister mask, his aura of lethal menace, and his robe slashed by swords—all screamed bandit. Could an ordinary person exude such a powerful, intimidating presence?
• But Arya couldn't give up. She desperately needed money.
• "How about this?" Arya suggested it after a moment. "I really don't want to pawn this item. I'll leave it here as collateral. You give me three silver coins and I'll return in three days with five silver coins to redeem them."
• The shopkeeper weighed his options. Indeed, the moon crystal held immense value, tempting him. He gave Arya three silver coins and secretly hoped she wouldn't return in three days. He could sell it to wealthy people in neighboring countries for a substantial profit.
• With the money, Arya hurriedly bought pastry and medicine. After that, she returned to her rented house under the deepening night.
• "Mommy! Mommy!" The children ran over with their chubby hands outstretched.
• "My sweethearts!" Arya's eyes welled up as she knelt and hugged her two plump children in her arms.
• "Why aren't you asleep yet?" she asked, kissing their cheeks.
• Orion said, "I'm worried about you."
• Thea chimed in, "I missed you, and I want you to hold me to sleep."
• Tears blurred Arya's vision. With these two precious darlings, any hardship was worth it.
• "Sweet child! I had bought pastries for you," Arya said, "and medicine for Holly. Take it inside."
• "I'll put the medicine on Holly," Thea said with a sweet voice. "She's been having back pain."
• "I'll get mommy some water to wash your feet," the boy said solemnly. "Mommy is tired and needs to rest."
• "Both of you are so thoughtful and dutiful," Holly said, coming out of the house. "Miss. Arya, you're home quite late today. It must have been a long day."
• "Luckily, I found a job," Arya beamed, "We won't starve or freeze anymore!"
• "Miss Arya, you are so delicate; how could you earn much money?" Holly wept and added, "It's my fault for burdening you!"
• Arya grasped Holly's rough hand and said, "We're family. Don't say that. I can earn money, and others give me money too."
• "Others?" Holly exclaimed, "Miss Arya, don't do anything rash!"
• "I didn't," Arya said quickly. "And it's not a stranger; it's ... " She glanced at the children and swallowed her words.
• Until she knew if Hades was good or evil, she should keep the identity of her children's father a secret.
• ...
• The next day, Arya donned coarse clothing and disguised herself as a servant boy. Then, she hitched a free ride on a carriage to the War Stables outside the city.
• The two stablemen, the short, stout guy and the tall, thin guy, assigned Arya a task with their faces soured: cleaning the stables.
• "There are over a thousand stables here," Arya said with a frown. "All my work?"