Bab 101: Pleasure district

"Princess?" Iva narrowed her eyes, placing her tray under her arm. "What are you doing here?"

Jacquelyn stood up from her chair, forgetting her hunger. She was so happy to see a familiar face. "I-I came to eat."

Iva nodded. "Hm... eat... what happened to the palace food?" the young girl asked, pushing back a woven braid that had fallen over her face.

Jacquelyn shrugged, unsure how much she could trust the girl yet, but knowing Iva was the only person she knew in town. If she needed help, she would have to be truthful. "Actually, I—"

"Hold on, you're the new fish," Iva grinned, shaking her head slowly. "I was wondering exactly what had all these wormfood excited," the girl spat.

Jacquelyn furrowed her brows, unsure of what Iva was talking about. She saw the man who had offered to pay for her food running out of the house, holding a white porcelain jar. "That's him, the man I'm with."