Luca was making porridge again that afternoon, using the leftover bread from the morning. As before, he prepared three cups and handed them out.
But Rin and Evelyn declined. They said it was better to save what little they had, rather than eat again.
He disagreed. He had already seen how frail their bodies were, ebony skin stretched too tightly over bone, their forms nearly without flesh and it bothered him.
They needed to eat well. Three meals a day. And not just bread, but real food, proper portions. He was determined to make that happen, especially for Evelyn. She was far too thin.
He insisted. And eventually, they gave in.
Evelyn accepted quietly. Her habit of saving for emergencies was difficult to let go of, but she ate in silence.
Rin hesitated before accepted. Her usual carefree attitude had faded. Around Luca, she now seemed awkward, unsure of herself.
Afterward, Luca went down to the river to bathe before preparing to leave for the Scarlet Veil in the Red District. It was just around four.
"All right, Sister. Rin, I will be going now," he said.
"Mhm, stay safe," Evelyn replied gently.
"See you later," Rin waved.
He walked slowly at first, cane in hand, but his pace quickened. He needed to gather information. That had always been his way.
Even now, it feels like a habit. Without enough knowledge, he felt unsettled. Especially in this strange world.
As he walked, he began forming future plans. First, they needed a safer place to stay. The bridge was too dangerous. He would ask Gerard for advice later.
Second, he couldn't rely solely on this job. He needed alternatives, and connections.
Third, he owed Erika for the medicine she gave him. He hadn't even asked where to find her.
Lost in thought, he reached The Scarlet Veil. Just past the entrance, he spotted the receptionist girl from yesterday and greeted her.
"Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Luca."
"I just realized, I haven't asked your name yet. May I know it, sister?"
"Eh, my name? It's Astrid."
"It's nice to meet you, miss Astrid. I'm Luca."
"I know," she giggled.
"We met yesterday. Besides, the girls inside talk about you a lot. They say there's a handsome kid who plays the piano."
"I see… May I ask you something?"
"Sure, ask away."
"Is this place owned only by Derek?"
Astrid glanced left and right, then leaned in and whispered, "From what I've heard, the Scarlet Veil is owned by an organization called Phantasm. They run half the Red District. The other half is owned by Maximilia."
"Alright... And the girls here, did they come of their own will?"
She looked around again before whispering, "Honestly, most of us were either captured or bought. Phantasm takes girls from other cities and moves them around so their families can't find them. Some are sold by their parents or through slave markets."
"... What about you, Miss Astrid?"
"My parents sold me... But, I don't blame them, famine's everywhere in this kingdom. At least here I have food and a roof over my head."
"What about that young blonde girl I saw yesterday?"
"She is... a bit different. She never worked as a courtesan and she has been here since I first came. But if you want to know more, just ask her yourself. Room 37, second floor."
So she's different.
He thought.
There's something mysterious about her. And he need to build his network anyway. Getting to know her might help.
"Thank you for telling me, Miss Astrid."
"No worries. If you really want to thank me, just keep calling me 'sister' like before. I've always wanted a handsome little brother."
"All right, sister."
She smiled softly at that.
She didn't seem like a bad person.
His instincts said so. That's also why he approached her.
The others? Too many hidden motives. It was risky asking them anything, except maybe that blonde girl.
As he walked further inside, something caught his eye. A clock on the wall and calendar beside it.
The clock read fifteen past five. So they did have one. He'd been guessing the time by gut instinct all this while.
The calendar was simple: twelve months a year, thirty days each. He'd arrived in this world on the 27th of the seventh month. Now, it was the 4th of the eighth.
He climbed the stairs to the second floor. A few girls passed him in the hallway, offering greetings. Some teased him playfully. He replied politely and kept moving.
Room 37.
He hesitated for a breath, then knocked.
"Yes?" came a voice from inside. The door opened, and both of them froze.
He saw her appearance. She had soft, long wavy blonde hair that fell loosely to her shoulders. Her face held a quiet grace, oval-shaped with smooth, porcelain skin that seemed to catch the light. Long lashes framed her wide, ocean-deep blue eyes, still filled with wonder.
Though her figure was still maturing, there was no doubt she would grow into a stunning beauty.
She stood before him, a little stunned. And she was wearing something... dangerous. White, sheer, revealing.
He hadn't expected this, not from someone with such an innocent face.
"I'm sorry…"
Luca slowly turned away. She shut the door and changed. When she opened it again, she was dressed more modestly and then invited him inside.
Awkwardness hung thick in the air. She blushed furiously. Luca tried to act normal, hoping to ease the tension.
She broke the silence first.
"C-Can you forget what you saw?" Her cheeks were bright red.
"... Understood."
"Really…?"
"I promise."
Luca sensed her lingering doubt, though she chose to believe him. Then a thought seemed to strike her, her eyes widening briefly before uncertainty crept into her voice.
"Then… um… What did you come here for? I-Is it for… those things? I—I'm sorry, I don't do that kind of work."
Luca blinked. "No. I just… came to say hello."
"O-oh… I see…" she said, turning an even deeper shade of red.
What kind of conversation is this?
How did it get so strange?
Trying to move on, Luca gently asked.
"... Can I ask your name?"
"I'm... Pricillia."
"I'm Luca. Nice to meet you."
"I know," she smiled, regaining a little of her cheer.
"I heard you playing last night. It was beautiful. You're so young, but your skill was undeniable"
"Thank you."
"How long have you been learning?"
"Several years."
"Oh… where did you live?"
"I live beneath the bridge"
"Huh? Truly?"
"Yes, with my sister, "
She kept asking questions, one after another. Curious and eager.
He had originally come here to gather information. But now, she was the one asking everything. He could tell she wasn't being rude.
Just... genuinely interested. Still, he wasn't used to this kind of attention.
He looked for an excuse to leave.
"It's time for me to work. I should go."
"Ah… already? Alright. See you later, Luca."
"Yes. See you, Miss Pricillia."
"Just call me Pricillia."
"Alright… Pricillia."
He gave a slight bow and left the room. It wasn't that he disliked the conversation, but her enthusiasm had left him a little overwhelmed.
Soon after, he returned to the lower floor and began his work for the night.