Volume 1 Chapter 90

Volume 1 + Chapter 90: Equal Treatment

The little girl who suddenly popped up in front of her and directly recognized Eve’s true identity filled Eve’s heart with doubt.

Out of concern for the children, Eve did not harbor much wariness toward her.

Instead, she gently half-squatted down, stroking the little girl’s dirty hair as she softly asked about her background.

“Little one, do you know me? Where is your mother?”

Eve looked around but did not see any sign of this dirty little girl’s guardian.

Yet seeing her in such a miserable state, skin and bones from hunger, it was hard to believe anyone was actually taking care of her.

If she truly did have a legal guardian, that would be even more frightening.

To let such a small child wander the streets like a little beggar, starving and malnourished…

Aside from deliberate abuse, Eve couldn’t think of any other explanation.

Appearing like this on the streets of the imperial capital was very dangerous. Knights on patrol often swept through, tasked with driving away beggars from the imperial capital in order to maintain its appearance.

Such a small child, if discovered by the patrol knights, would be mercilessly sent off to some unfamiliar place…

Her death might not be far away.

What’s more, she had recognized Eve’s identity as the Crimson Witch at first glance. If the girl blurted that out in front of the patrol knights, it could cause Eve no small amount of trouble.

“Hungry…”

The little girl tilted her small face upward, gazing innocently at Eve before her.

“Before she died, Mama said—if I run into something I can’t handle, I should go ask Miss Eve, the Crimson Witch, for help.”

“Miss Eve, I’m hungry.”

Hearing the words of the dirty little girl before her, Eve froze on the spot.

She said that her mother… told her to come seek out Eve when she faced troubles she couldn’t resolve—what was that supposed to mean?

“Who is your mother?”

“Mama is Mama.”

The little girl’s answer was completely nonsensical.

Or perhaps she was simply too hungry, and couldn’t answer Eve’s questions properly at all.

Either way, Eve couldn’t just leave such a small child wandering the streets—especially one who knew her true identity.

“You’re hungry, right? Then let me take you to eat first. But at least tell me your name, okay?”

“Pipim.”

The little girl, who called herself Pipim, had finally answered one of Eve’s questions.

That gave Eve a sense of relief—it seemed she wasn’t completely unable to communicate.

“Alright then, Pipim. Since you know me, come with me.”

“His name is Maodou.”

Pipim pointed to the skinny, all-black little cat at her feet and whispered.

“Maodou, huh? Is he your pet?”

“Mhm. Because Maodou is like me, I brought him with me. We’re both pitiful children that nobody wants…”

Pipim pursed her lips, her voice tinged with grievance.

“In any case, let’s go eat first.”

Eve took Pipim’s hand. Although the girl had made herself dirty all over, she didn’t carry any bad smell.

She had probably just fallen down or crawled into some narrow space, and that’s why she was covered in grime.

But even so, such a pitiful state was enough to attract the attention of the imperial knights.

Eve decided to feed her first. After filling her belly so she could answer questions properly, she’d get the girl some proper clothes, then slowly figure out what exactly she meant by “Mama.”

Thinking this, Eve held Pipim’s hand and led her toward the nearest diner.

The little black cat Maodou followed close behind.

Clearly, the sight of an elegantly dressed, melancholy-looking lady in white leading a filthy little beggar, with a skinny black cat trailing them, was too striking.

For a moment, they drew the gaze of many passersby.

Even the patrol knights noticed them. But since the well-dressed Eve was firmly holding the beggar girl—Pipim—by the hand, they hesitated.

Was this someone who should be expelled from the imperial capital, or just a mischievous child who had dirtied herself while playing?

After some thought, the knights ultimately did not trouble Eve.

Partly because she was beautiful and well-presented, and also because they had already met their quota today.

They had just escorted off a crazy beggar who had been calling himself “Young Master Dragon,” sending him to a vagrant shelter in the neighboring city.

That place was filthy and chaotic, and its management varied depending on the quality of the people inside. But at least there, the homeless wouldn’t spoil the appearance of the imperial capital.

At least there, those poor wretches would have a somewhat clean mat to sleep on and one hot meal to fill their bellies.

Eve didn’t notice the patrol knights across the street. She simply led Pipim into the diner.

This was, after all, the imperial capital—its diners were worldly enough. Faced with such an unusual pairing as Eve and Pipim, the staff showed no trace of surprise.

Not only did they seat the two of them, they also thoughtfully provided Eve with water and a damp towel.

Eve ordered some simple dishes—mainly the staples of this world, grilled beef steak, potatoes, salad, bread, and assorted vegetable soups.

But each dish, once placed on the table, held Pipim’s wide-eyed attention.

She even let out little cries of amazement.

“All of this… Can I eat it?”

“Yes. But once you finish eating, you must tell me—why did your mother say that when you faced troubles, you should seek out the Crimson Witch Eve, alright?”

Eve gently wiped Pipim’s dirty hands and face with the damp towel.

“Mhm.”

Pipim nodded earnestly, then immediately grabbed her knife and fork. She eagerly speared a piece of steak, but before she could put it in her mouth, she suddenly stopped.

As if recalling something, she lowered the fork. Then, with practiced hands, she sliced the steak in two, though it wasn’t a large portion to begin with.

She placed one half down in front of the little black cat Maodou, curled up in the corner under the table.

“Meow, meow!”

The black cat’s eyes shone at the fragrant steak before it, and it cried out in excited, pleading mews.

“Don’t be shy, eat.”

Eve couldn’t help but shake her head at the sight.

This child—she couldn’t even feed herself, yet she was still thinking of this black cat.

“Waiter, please bring another portion of these dishes. Thank you.”

“You can eat as much as you want. I’ll pay.”

Hearing Eve’s words, Pipim instinctively looked up at her. In her tender eyes seemed to flicker both gratitude and puzzlement.

“Okay!”

She nodded, but the waiter at Eve’s side discreetly tugged her sleeve.

“Are you sure you want another portion? This little girl… she’s actually a regular around here, living off people’s pity for free food.”

“She seems a little unstable. Whenever she sees a beautiful, gentle-looking woman, she calls her the Crimson Witch.”

“This is already the fourth time we’ve run into her. Honestly… it’s a little creepy.”