The civilians walked deep inside the mountain and decided to rest. Some scattered to find wood for fire, some set up camps, and the rest went searching for food.

  I decided it was still best to stay hidden. These people didn't like me anyway. Exposing myself would only get me in trouble. But that was just me, for Lady Ly Giai...

  "I think you should join them."

  "Huh? Why?"

  "They can take care and protect you."

  "No!"

  "But..."

  She held my hand and looked at me with teary eyes "Don't leave me... please."

  "I... didn't mean that. I'm sorry."

  After they regrouped. It was our turn to find fire and food. While searching, I noticed Lady Ly Giai was not in a good mood. The awkward silence we were having didn't help either. So I began talking: "Things were chaotic so I didn't have a chance to introduce myself. My name is Do. Do in 'Fallen'."

  "I'm L… Ly Giai," she replied weakly.

  "Everybody in South City knows your name, Lady Ly Giai." I nodded. "What a beautiful name. What does it mean?"

  "Giai means 'Stage'. Ly means…"

  I waited but she didn't continue. "It's okay if you don't want to say it, Lady Ly Giai."

  "Just Ly Giai..."

  I was taken back when hearing that. It was a strange and surreal feeling that I can't describe. "Ly Giai," I said for the first time in my life. "Thank you for trusting me." I smiled.

  We didn't say anything after and continued gathering wood and food in silence. Once finished, I set up a small fire and Ly Giai put down the fruits she had gathered. There was a lot.

  "Wow, there's this many?" I was surprised.

  "I was lucky," she shyly replied with a slight smile.

  "Let's eat then!" I smiled back as well.

  We ate in silence. To conserve, we decided to only eat a third of the fruits. I finished my portion quickly and watched Ly Giai slowly eat hers.

  I guess the nobility and gentleness of a lady never go away. It was just her slowly picking up a fruit, putting it in her mouth, and gently chewing it. Nothing fancy or extra. But for some reason, those gestures were beautiful to watch.

  I suddenly remembered who I was, and who I was with. This was the young lady that I had always loved and could only see from afar. I never even dared to dream of being with her, but now, she was right there, right in front of me. I even talked to and comforted her. Suddenly, I felt nervous and turned my head away.

  "What's wrong?" she asked when saw my strange behavior.

  "Not… nothing. I'm tired so I'm going to sleep first," I quickly replied and lay down.

  "Good night," she said.

  "Good night," I returned.

  I pretended to sleep while she kept eating. When she was done, she also lay down as well.

  Time passed and my sleepiness helped me have a deep sleep. But before I went unconscious, I heard a quiet cry.

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  The next morning, I woke up to the noises. Looking around, I saw the civilians grouped up to choose a leader. Finally, an old male veteran was chosen to lead the group. He thinks that going to the capital makes the most sense. The most experienced and armed soldiers there would be able to keep us safe.

  They quickly packed things up. I shook Ly Giai who was still sleeping the entire time so that we could move as well.

  We tried our best to keep a good enough distance that the people from South City wouldn't see us. Numerous times, I said to Ly Giai that she would be much safer joining them instead of traveling with just me. They would welcome her and treat her well since she was loved by the people. But Ly Giai refused every time I mentioned it.

  "You have saved my life. Even if it is a little more dangerous, I won't leave you by yourself," she said.

  I was touched. In the end, the young lady I loved still had a good soul even after all the trauma she just went through.

  On the second night, she asked me, "Do you mind if I ask why the people of South City don't like you?"

  I choked on the water I was drinking. "*Cough... Uhm... I am not entirely sure, but probably because I am a garbage collector and I am always dirty," I replied as I slowly moved away from her. It wasn't the whole reason, but what I said was still true. I realized like what I just described, that I was dirty being next to her.

  "You can't hate someone just because of what their profession or how they look," Ly Giai said sadly.

  I would have considered that to be a pretentious statement if it was coming from the mouth of someone else. But since it was Ly Giai, I knew she truly meant it. "Thank you. At least you don't hate me. That's all I need."

  She then smiled and encouraged me, "I'm sure that they won't hold those prejudices anymore one they get to know you."

  I smiled even though I knew that wouldn't be possible, "They probably will."

  That night there was no moon or wind. Ly Giai and I both stared at the flickering fire that was warming and protecting us from wild animals.

  "Hey... are you... alright?" I asked after puzzling myself whether it was appropriate or not, remembering the quiet cried I heard last night.

  "No," she replied honestly. "The sounds, the screams. They are still haunting me."

  "It must be difficult," I commented. "That morning was all fine, but then at night..."

  Ly Giai began tearing up. She tried to smile to keep her from being too depressed. "I am just their adopted daughter, yet I never experienced any unfair treatment from the servants or my siblings. They all treated me as a family member and loved me dearly."

  The more she talked, the shakier her voice got. Until she couldn't bear it anymore and collapsed her face in her hands.

  She continued after calming herself a little. Ly Giai just needed to talk to let out the burden she was carrying. "Father is disciplined and can be a bit harsh at times, but he always apologized to me or my siblings after a rough scolding. He didn't hesitate running to the mountain right away after the sky turned dark when we heard our brother had gone missing. He was the last to rest when our sister was ill. Father doesn't smile or show much emotion, but we always feel his unspoken love.

  Mother was gentle and caring. She always patiently hears us ranting about anything in the world while smiling. She always talked down the situation whenever one of us made mistakes. Somehow, Father could never get angry at her. She always stays in the middle of the conversation, trying to smooth things out. Because of that, she was loved by guests and servants. Ladies loved talking to her and children loved to be around her. But that doesn't mean the mother is easily pushed around. She had principles and beliefs that she wouldn't waver no matter how much you tried to intimidate her. Unless there are sound reasons, she doesn't alter her principles easily. That night, Mother fully trusted when Father said to go ahead of him. 'Listen to your father. We are going,' she said to us calmly amidst the chaos and yelling.

  Brother took the image of Father. He is stern, righteous, and always treats everyone fairly and equally. He is a responsible person who always does his tasks wholeheartedly. Brother takes his training seriously. Our family never understood why he was so disciplined when his peers were having a relaxed life. He would spend the whole evening training the sword and his room is always lit at night from him studying. My Brother was the person to always disciplined me when I caused trouble or was lazy. He is the best brother I could have had. "Nobility is given by the people, we can not take advantage of that privilege." 'But brother, we are not nobles. We only own businesses.' "But we are responsible for the livelihood of our workers, how is that different from nobility?"

  Sister, my dear sister. She is the sweetest person I have seen. Always see things optimistically. She sees the purest, most innocent form of the world. I learned how to be happy from her. But contrary to her innocent view, Sister is the wisest person I've met at that age. She told me, 'The world is heaven or hell depending on whether you want it to be heaven or hell. If you look for curses, you will see curses. And if you look for blessings, you will see blessings.'

  And...

  And..."

  Ly Giai stopped. She couldn't say a word anymore, and she couldn't control her tears either.

  My family... My family..." she uttered. She cried and wailed. Each scream took away a part of her soul, and mine as well. I moved in closer and offered her a hug. She didn't hesitate to wrap her hands around me.

  How much pain it is to be the only survivor in your family?