Chapter 33: Giving (1)

Something felt off…

That was Mili’s feeling since early morning.

After returning from the central tower last night, Seraphina hadn’t shown up again.

She’d promised to take Mili out today to meet the outer district’s people…

But despite waiting, as the appointed time neared, there wasn’t a trace of her.

Without Seraphina’s ever-present shadow, the air felt lighter, freer to breathe.

Yet, instead of relief, Mili felt a gnawing unease, like standing on unsteady clouds…

Curled up on the soft sofa, still in her pajamas, clutching a pillow, Mili’s gaze drifted aimlessly around the room.

Had she…

Changed her mind?

Decided Mili didn’t need to appear in public?

But then again—

If she didn’t go out, she’d be stuck with nowhere to go but the back garden.

Wouldn’t that be boring?

And someone like Seraphina wouldn’t be late, right?

So where was she?

As Mili’s thoughts spiraled, a knock came at the door—chaotic, almost careless.

Seraphina didn’t knock like that…

She’d glide in like a ghost, silent and unannounced…

“C-come in…” Mili sat up, tense.

The door opened.

It wasn’t Seraphina.

—Nor her stern-faced adjutant.

It was…

A stranger Mili couldn’t quite describe.

The woman’s appearance was striking.

Tall and athletic, with sharp brows, a high nose, and smooth, honey-toned skin, her wavy hair transitioned from black to grayish-white, cascading over her shoulders.

Braided within were strands strung with tiny, colorful beads that jingled softly with her steps.

Her outfit made Mili stare—

A dark brown leather corset hugged her curves, laced at the chest and waist, exposing a toned midriff and defined abs.

Loose cargo pants, patched at the knees and sides, hung low, cinched with a belt draped in sheer white fabric embroidered with gold patterns, flowing as she moved.

Her bare arms and stomach bore intricate red tattoos, and wide leather cuffs studded with polished turquoise adorned her wrists…

She looked like an ancient Egyptian priestess mixed with a rugged American cowboy, a whirlwind from a distant desert…

“Hey, little Saintess!” The woman waved, flashing a wide grin with gleaming white teeth.

Mili stared, unsure how to react as the woman strode in.

She plopped onto the sofa, eyeing Mili up and down: “Tch… delicate as expected. No wonder that one’s so fond of you.”

“Uh… who are you—?”

“Me?” She pointed to herself, her grin curving like a crescent moon:

“Call me Kaya.”

“I’m a senior operative of the Silent Traders, hired by your queen to be your nanny and bodyguard today.”

Mili’s eyes widened.

The Silent Traders?

The ones Seraphina said would sell her for the right price?

“H-hello… Where’s Seraphina?” Mili squirmed under Kaya’s gaze, setting the pillow aside.

“Oh, she got some urgent business,” Kaya shrugged casually. “Dunno the details—employer’s privacy, you know…”

“Anyway—you’re with me today!”

She started poking around the room, moving like…

Well, like she owned the place, inspecting everything.

“Don’t be so tense, kid.” Kaya noticed Mili’s stiff expression, waving it off.

She flopped onto the sofa, grabbing an apple from a fruit tray, biting into it with a loud crunch:

“Whoa! Tasty!”

“…”

“Burp—Don’t worry, though. We’re pros. Take the money, do the job, no funny business.” Chewing, she mumbled, pulling a neatly folded paper from her waist pouch:

“Here’s a note from your queen. Read it, you’ll get it.”

Mili unfolded the paper, revealing Seraphina’s precise, familiar handwriting:

[Today’s activities will be accompanied by Kaya. Proceed as planned. —S.K.]

Below was an elegant, cursive signature and Seraphina’s personal seal.

Definitely her…

“Burp! Man… mmph, so good…” Kaya stretched, sprawling across the sofa, limbs loose, more relaxed than Mili.

“Done reading? Ready to go?” She tossed the apple core into a distant trash bin with pinpoint accuracy, dusting her hands.

“Um…” Mili spoke cautiously:

“The Silent Traders… are they really like the rumors…?”

“What’s that?” Kaya slid closer, head tilted, intrigued.

“Like…”

“Profit above all? Selling anything…?”

“Ha!” Kaya burst into laughter, doubling over. “Damn right!”

“Money makes the world go round!”

“With the right price, we’ll sell anything! Provide any service!”

Mili blinked, stunned by her brazenness.

“Kid, know what’s most important here?” Kaya propped a leg on the sofa arm, leaning close, raising a finger:

“—Survival!”

“To survive, you need money! Resources! Intel!”

“That’s our game!”

“Where there’s demand, we’re there!”

“Where the price is high, we serve! Fair and square~”

Mili opened her mouth, then stopped.

She’d expected Kaya to deny or explain.

Not to embrace it so boldly…

“So… what if someone paid to buy… people?”

“Human trafficking?” Kaya leaned back, mouth open, thinking. “Happens, sure.”

“…”

“But we’ve got principles! Only voluntary deals or criminals, you know?”

“Forcing the innocent? Nah, we don’t touch that—at least I don’t. Ruins the rep…”

Kaya stretched an arm toward Mili, who dodged warily. She just grinned:

“Don’t let our pragmatism fool you. Our rep’s the best in these parts!”

“Agreed price? No gouging!”

“Promised service? No shortcuts!”

“It’s how we eat…” She chuckled, then lowered her voice:

“And you think your queen built this empire alone?”

“Who do you think supplies her intel and rare goods?”

“We’re kinda a big deal!”