Chapter 6

Waiting outside a tavern in the neutral zone, just beyond our borders…

Was Lyra.

Under the dim light, they fell into a tight embrace.

The sight was a searing brand on my eyes.

I captured the moment on a memory crystal.

Then I turned and fled into the night.

This was a thousand times more brutal than just reading words online.

Out in the snow, a growl finally tore from my throat as tears froze on my face.

By the time I stumbled home, dawn was breaking.

In the stone refuse pit outside, I found them.

The gifts my parents had so carefully picked for Lyra, tossed out with the trash.

My fists clenched, my nails digging into my palms.

To see their kindness treated like garbage… my heart broke for my parents.

It was only then I truly understood.

I never really knew Lyra at all.

Maybe she hadn't changed; she had just always been a master of deception.

Just then, the anonymous account posted an update.

It started with a complaint.

"Her parents gave me such flashy, impractical gifts. It's not even close to what I deserve for all my efforts…"

Not even close?

Those words sent a chill down my spine.

My parents helped repair her stone house every single year.

They cleaned for her before every festival, roasted her favorite cuts of meat…

They knew she was alone, so they always gave her the best part of the hunt.

The most precious herbs.

And that was what she called "not even close."