CHAPTER 139: CH 139: THE PRECIOUS NECKLACE - PART 1

The thief darted into a narrow alley, his breathing ragged from the thrill of the chase. His lips curled into a triumphant grin as he clutched Kana’s stolen purse tightly against his chest.

The decorative leather, embossed with delicate patterns, had looked expensive the moment he spotted it, and the satisfying weight had only fueled his excitement.

"Hah... jackpot."

He muttered, crouching low behind a stack of crates. He ran his thumb over the fine stitching, imagining the glittering coins and precious trinkets that surely lay inside.

Visions of a week’s worth of good food and warm lodging filled his mind as he pulled open the flap with greedy anticipation.

Then he froze.

Inside the purse was... a single necklace.

A simple, delicate chain with a pendant, faintly glimmering in the muted light of the alley. There were no coins. No jewels. No treasures. Just... one necklace.

The thief’s expression twisted into disbelief, his excitement draining instantly.

"What the hell is this?! Are you kidding me?!"

He hissed, shaking the purse violently as if that would make gold spill out.

He stared at the necklace for several seconds, conflicted. For an instant, he wondered if perhaps it held some hidden value, but anger quickly overwhelmed reason.

With a frustrated growl, he hurled the purse and necklace aside, muttering curses under his breath.

"Waste of time."

He spat before disappearing deeper into the alleyways, determined to find a more worthwhile target.

Moments later, the discarded purse was picked up by slender, pale hands.

A woman dressed in lavish furs and elegant, rich fabrics examined the item carefully, her sharp eyes narrowing as she brushed dust off the pendant.

"Well, well. Which fool decided to throw something this precious away?"

She murmured, her soft voice carrying an air of amusement.

Her bodyguard, a tall and broad-shouldered man clad in dark armor, stepped into the alley behind her.

His presence was imposing, his gaze constantly sweeping their surroundings for threats.

"Lady Seraphine, please... don’t forget your status. We should not be lingering in the open like this. The person who sent those threats is still out there."

He said firmly, his tone laced with concern.

The woman, now identified as Seraphine, glanced back at him with a faint smile and an elegance that seemed unshaken by his warning.

"Relax, Dorian. Nothing will happen to me."

She said, twirling the necklace between her fingers as the faint glimmer caught the light.

But Dorian didn’t look convinced. His jaw tightened, his hand resting instinctively on the hilt of his sword as his sharp eyes scanned the street once more.

Seraphine, however, seemed entirely at ease. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she tucked the necklace safely into her own pouch.

"Contact the auction house. I’ve just found something... truly extraordinary."

She instructed lightly as she stepped out of the alley with effortless grace.

Dorian sighed, falling into step behind her, though his expression remained tense.

---

Meanwhile, on the bustling street outside, Irielle was still fuming, her face flushed red as she rubbed at her irritated, powder-stung eyes.

"That damned thief! I swear, if I ever catch them, I’ll wring their neck!"

She growled, loud enough for passersby to glance their way.

A few onlookers stopped to watch, pity etched into their expressions, whispering quietly among themselves.

Some shook their heads, others murmured about how common such thefts had become lately.

Lysera, meanwhile, remained calm as always. She walked up to a nearby local, her tone sharp but controlled.

"Where’s the security division? Aren’t they supposed to prevent things like this from happening?"

The local man glanced at her, then at Kana, before giving a resigned shrug.

"Security? Don’t put too much faith in them, miss. Around here, they’re probably working with the thieves themselves. It’s why these incidents keep happening."

He scoffed softly, lowering his voice as if wary of being overheard.

Lysera’s brows furrowed slightly, her expression darkening at the implication.

"So you’re saying there’s no point in chasing them?"

"Exactly."

The man replied flatly before walking away.

Irielle, however, wasn’t ready to let it go. Her curses grew even louder, drawing more attention from nearby vendors and pedestrians alike.

Her hands clenched into fists, and she looked ready to storm off in pursuit.

Kana stepped forward quickly, placing a gentle hand on Irielle’s arm.

"It’s alright. Really. I’m fine."

She said softly, her voice calm despite the knot forming in her chest.

"Fine?! They stole your purse, Kana!"

Irielle snapped, glaring at her with frustration.

Kana offered a faint smile, though her grip tightened slightly.

"We’re lucky it was just the purse... and nothing worse happened."

Lysera silently observed Kana, noting the way her voice wavered.

Finally, they headed home.

Despite Kana’s gentle reassurance, the disappointment lingered in her eyes, faint but undeniable.

She kept walking quietly beside Lysera and Irielle, her head slightly lowered, fingers absentmindedly fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.

The bustling noise of the streets faded into the background as her thoughts circled around the stolen purse and the necklace inside it.

Lysera stole occasional glances at her, her lips pressed into a thin line.

It wasn’t like Kana to look so deflated; usually, even when she faced trouble, she wore a calm smile to ease others’ worries. Seeing her so subdued left Lysera uneasy.

Irielle, on the other hand, kept scowling, her arms crossed tightly.

She’d been angry at the thief, but now a different frustration gnawed at her—frustration at her own inability to make Kana smile again.

The silence between them stretched, heavy and uncomfortable.

"Should we... buy her something sweet?"

Irielle whispered to Lysera, her voice low so Kana wouldn’t hear.

Lysera shook her head slightly.

"It’s not about that. It’s about what the necklace meant to her."

Irielle’s scowl deepened, but she had no response. She glanced at Kana again, wishing she could just force the smile back onto her friend’s face, but no words came to her.

By the time they reached home, Kana still hadn’t said much. She tried to mask her mood with a faint smile, but both Lysera and Irielle saw right through it.

The weight of the day’s events hung over the trio like an unseen cloud.

Neither of them knew how to cheer her up. They could only stay close, quietly watching her, hoping her spirits would lift with time.