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Remembering the path was a piece of cake for Conra. Even the notoriously complicated alleys of the slums were no exception.

When he had looked down at the streets of Valencia from the church bell tower, Conra could memorize the entire view, including the slum alleys. Finding Maria’s shack afterward was like drawing a red line on a map based on that memory.

So, it didn’t take long for Conra and Sophia to reach Maria’s shack.

But when they arrived, neither Maria nor any men were there.

“Huh, seems like we missed her.”

Sophia clicked her tongue as she looked at the empty shack.

“What now? Should we wait? Or go around asking questions?”

“Let’s… let’s wait for now.”

Conra answered Sophia’s question, trying to calm his nervousness. He thought Maria might have left to pay the tribute to the slum’s higher-ups.

If they went around asking questions and missed her, it could get messy. There was also the worry that the slum residents might do something if they realized strangers were asking about her whereabouts.

But Maria didn’t return that night.

+++++

The most decent building in Valencia’s slums, Niue de Corb (Crow’s Nest), was located on a slope relatively close to the citizens’ streets in the northeast part of the slums.

Maria, who had come here to pay her tribute quota, quietly smirked at the sight of Niue de Corb, which clearly didn’t belong in the slums.

It was as if the building was flaunting its difference from the slum residents, but wasn’t it just the lair of leeches preying on the poor and orphans? The attempt to separate themselves from the slum like nobles was laughable.

‘Well, I’m not much different, am I?’

At best, she was like a stray dog or hyena, picking pockets on the streets. And judging by the atmosphere, once she hit puberty, she might end up being used as a prostitute.

‘Why is my life like this?’

Maria sighed deeply. In her pocket was a heavy pouch of coins—money Conra had given her earlier as payment for guiding him. With this, she could pay the tribute and still have enough for a few days. Thinking this, she approached a man guarding the building’s entrance.

“Jorge, I’m here to pay the tribute.”

“Maria? You’re a bit late, aren’t you?”

“That’s how it turned out. Will you let me in?”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Entering the building with the man’s permission, Maria sighed quietly. Thankfully, the troublemakers who had come to her shack earlier didn’t seem to be officially sent. After all, Valencia’s backstreets weren’t so poorly managed that they’d send people just because a slum orphan was a little late with her tribute.

Niue de Corb was a three-story building. The first-floor lobby was open to the second floor, with railings instead of walls, making the second-floor hallway resemble a terrace.

The tribute counter was located under this second-floor terrace. Luckily, there was still someone at the counter. As Maria approached to hand over the small pouch of coins, she froze at the voice from behind the counter.

“You’re a bit late today, Maria.”

Maria knew who the voice belonged to. How could she not? It was the voice of a man who always looked at her with a sticky, unpleasant gaze.

His name was Adrian Guillermo, the man who held the throne of Valencia’s backstreets.

“Why are you… here…?”

Seeing the man, who had replaced the usual counter staff, Maria instinctively took a few steps back.

“Why do you think?”

Adrian Guillermo asked back, opening the door next to the counter and slowly approaching Maria.

“My dear Maria, I heard a very interesting story about you today. A very interesting story.”

“Ha! An interesting story about me? I don’t have anything interesting for you.”

“Oh? But it was quite interesting to me. I heard you spent a delightful time with a handsome boy earlier today.”

Maria’s eyes widened as if a heavy weight had dropped in her stomach. How did he know? Then again, Valencia’s streets were his territory. His eyes, ears, hands, and feet were everywhere. It wasn’t surprising he found out.

Enjoying Maria’s reaction, Adrian smirked, his snake-like eyes scanning her slender figure.

Feeling an unpleasant shiver, Maria knew she couldn’t show weakness. She forced herself to stay calm and spoke in a composed tone.

“He just hired me as a guide. I needed the money to pay your tribute.”

“Is that so? Well, I must have misunderstood.”

Adrian curled his lips like melted cheese. He stepped closer, lifting Maria’s chin with his thumb and forefinger, inspecting her as if appraising goods.

“Of course, my future bride wouldn’t sell herself so cheaply.”

“Who…! Who said I’d be your bride!?”

“Oh, my dear Maria Francesca. Then what do you plan to do in this backstreet if not become my bride?”

“What…?”

“I’m asking what you want to do while living in Valencia’s slums. Right now, your young age shields you from demands, but do you think that will last? Soon, people will start asking for things that match your pretty face.”

Despite Adrian’s smile, Maria couldn’t think of a retort. His words had some truth. Without any backing or protection, her life would only head downhill.

Thinking about it, becoming the woman of Adrian, the slum’s power holder, might be a rational choice.

But Maria erased that option from her mind.

“Well, that’s not your concern, is it?”

It was ridiculous for a snake to care about a mouse. Maria knew her thoughts were childish, but it was her honest feeling.

“Anyway, I didn’t come here to listen to your nonsense. Here’s the tribute I owe you.”

Maria hurriedly placed the pouch of coins on the counter.

“Now that I’ve paid, I should get going.”

Not wanting to stay any longer, Maria quickly walked away from Adrian. As she opened the front door of Niue de Corb, Adrian called after her.

“Think carefully. The men in this backstreet won’t always be watching their step around me.”

Ignoring his words, Maria left without a response.

In the now quiet lobby, Adrian leaned against the wall, brushing back his bangs. From the shadows of the hallway, a figure approached and spoke.

“Seems like you got rejected again, Jefe.”

“Well, feisty cats have their own charm to tame.”

“I don’t know. Cats are cats, after all.”

Adrian smirked at his subordinate’s words.

“True. But we must have this cat in our hands. Did you find out what I asked?”

“It seems the timing of the princess’s disappearance from the Catalan royal family overlaps with when Maria appeared in this street. ‘Maria Francesca Isabel Luisa de Gloria Juana Antonia de Cruz y Hortas.’ Phew, why are royal names so long?”

“How should I know?”

Adrian shrugged with a smirk. The subordinate asked again.

“By the way, is it okay to let her go like that? Lately, some guys have been eyeing her for… you know.”

“Oh? That’s good. She should taste some bitterness. Once she loses her virginity to those unruly backstreet men, she’ll come to her senses.”

Adrian smiled, thinking it would be perfect to take her in once she was tainted.

Though the subordinate thought he was insane, he kept quiet. It wasn’t his business anyway. Better to stay out of trouble and enjoy the show.

+++++

Leaving Niue de Corb, Maria hurried back to her shack. She felt it was too late.

Walking through the backstreets at night was extremely dangerous. The darkest and most treacherous part of the slum revealed its true face at night.

If she didn’t find a place to hide soon, she might be in trouble.

But her steps were too slow. Perhaps choosing a shack far from Niue de Corb to avoid Adrian had been a mistake. She didn’t regret it, but she couldn’t help thinking she should’ve been more cautious.

Lost in thought, Maria didn’t notice the presence approaching from behind.

In the darkness, a rough hand reached out, and a suspicious cloth covered her face in an instant.

 

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