The village of Eldewood woke up like it always did.
Smoke rose from chimneys, children ran through the dirt paths, and the world moved on as if nothing had ever gone wrong.
Riven watched it all quietly.
Lina had been watching Riven from the window. She noticed how his gaze lingered on the children playing outside.
After a moment, she stepped out of the house and stood beside him.
"Riven," she said softly, "don't you want to play with them?"
She followed his eyes toward the group of children laughing together. "Look at them. They're happy when they play together. Don't you want to join them?"
Riven kept watching the children for a few seconds longer before he spoke.
"Hey, sis…why don't you go join those girls sitting under that tree?" he said quietly. "They're all around your age, right?"
Lina shook her head slightly."Oh, those girls?" she said. "They're from the richer households in the village."
She gave a small, bitter smile. "Do you really think they'd let a commoner like me join their group?"
Riven glanced at them and said quietly, "Then they're not really friends, are they?"
Lina looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
Riven said, "Why do you think they are friends?"
Lina tilted her head, still confused. "Because they've known each other since childhood and always stayed together."
Riven didn't answer right away.
His eyes remained fixed on the children playing in the distance, their laughter drifting through the air like something borrowed, something that didn't quite belong to him.
"They aren't close because they care for each other," he said at last, his voice quiet. "They're close because they have the same things."
Lina blinked. "What… do you mean?"
Riven slowly turned his gaze toward the girls beneath the tree.
"Listen to them," he continued. "They don't talk about fears or dreams. They talk about dresses, houses, places their families visit."A brief pause followed."Every word is a comparison."
Lina followed his stare, her fingers tightening around the edge of her sleeve.
"If one of them lost everything," Riven went on, almost thoughtfully, "she wouldn't be chased away. No one would shout. No one would blame her."
His lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
"They'd simply stop inviting her.""And one day, she'd realize she no longer belongs."
Silence settled between them.
Riven exhaled softly.
"Whatever," he said, his tone almost careless. "I don't know what others think. For me… being alone is peaceful."He paused, eyes lowering."The moment you step into someone else's mess, you're already done."
The words left his mouth easily.
"By the way, where are Mom and Dad?" Riven asked
"Oh, Mom is in the garden picking vegetables, and Dad is at the village school teaching kids," Lina said.
"Sis, you're already 14… why not enroll in Nirvanic Academy? It's the most renowned school on the continent," Riven asked.
Lina hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers as she avoided his gaze."I've already thought about it, but… I'm nervous. And can Mom and Dad really give me permission?" she asked softly.
Riven gave her a reassuring smile, placing a hand on her shoulder."Don't worry, I'll talk to them for you," he said confidently.
Riven grinned mischievously, scratching the back of his head."Well, sis, I'm heading to the market for a walk… don't tell Mom, hehe," he said with a playful wink.
Lina cupped her hands around her mouth, calling out from a distance,"Just come back quickly, okay?"
Riven walked down the dusty path toward the village market, the faint hum of voices growing louder with each step. As he entered, the quiet road behind him was replaced by a lively bustle of activity.
Stalls lined both sides of the street, covered with colorful cloths and overflowing with fresh vegetables, fruits, and handmade goods. Vendors called out to passing customers, advertising their best deals with energetic voices. The scent of spices filled the air, mixed with the warmth of freshly baked bread and grilled food.
Children ran through the narrow paths between stalls, laughing and chasing each other, while villagers chatted and bargained over prices. A blacksmith's hammer rang in the distance, adding a steady rhythm to the chaos.
Riven glanced around, a small smile forming on his face. The market was as lively as everfull of life and noise,
As Riven made his way through the crowded market, a boy about his age suddenly crashed into him. Caught off guard, the boy lost his balance and fell hard onto the ground.
"Hey! Why did you push me? I fell so badly because of you!" the boy shouted in the middle of the market, drawing everyone's attention toward them.
"Oh, so you're just a poor commoner. Now I'll have to wash myself because I bumped into someone like you," the boy sneered."Why do commoners even exist? Look at me—my family is one of the nobles who run this village… this entire town!"
The boy continued shouting at Riven, his voice filled with arrogance as he hurled insulting words without restraint.
The shopkeeper sighed softly, shaking his head.
"Huh… poor boy. Hearing such shameful words from the son of a noble family… it must be hard on him," he muttered.
"But what can we do…?"
After a few minutes, the boy exhausted himself from shouting and hurling insults at Riven. But Riven simply stood there, wearing a soft smile.
The boy took a step back, his voice trembling slightly.
"W-what… why are you smiling?" he snapped. "Don't you have any shame, being insulted in front of the entire market?!"
Riven's soft smile didn't fade as he finally spoke, his voice calm and steady.
"Why should I be demotivated?" he said. "That anger… it's yours. It belongs to you."
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes unwavering."I refuse to carry something that was never mine to begin with."
"W-what…?"
The boy opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Without sparing the boy another glance, Riven turned and walked away toward his house.
The crowd parted slightly as he passed, their eyes following him in silence.
"What a wonderful world…" Riven muttered under his breath."No matter the world… greed, cruelty, and disgrace always follow."
Riven let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm hungry… let's see what delicious food Mom has made at home," he muttered to himself.