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In my sister's panicked, accusatory voice, I hugged her in my tattered clothes, placing that beautiful rose in her hair.

"I love you, sister."

"I love you too, brother. But what have you done to yourself? And you're still smiling!"

I let out the most carefree laugh I had had in years, tightly embracing my kin.

The next day, I arrived at the Lord's manor, with my flute and endless dreams for the future.

"My lord, I've come to claim my reward."

The Lord's expression was grim, and his words filled me with unease.

"Reward? I have no reward for a devil!"

"Devil? I don't understand what you are talking about?"

"What am I talking about? You, the Piper with the Magic Flute, took advantage of the time I was gathering your reward to steal the children of my citizens with your dreadful Magic Flute! Get out of my manor!"

The guards chased me out with kicks and blows, joined by the enraged citizens outside the manor.