Do all narratives conclude with a perfectly happy ending?

I have endeavored to answer this question on numerous occasions, but I have yet to find the precise and correct response.

When will the burdens I carry be lifted from my shoulders?

I have also attempted to answer this, but without success.

I start to feel sick and tired just thinking about it.

"Lulu, it would be advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, as it could exacerbate your eye condition. Please come inside, as dinner is prepared."

"I am coming, Mother Tiffany, I am coming," I stated as I turned and retraced my steps towards the house, seeking refuge in the only safe haven amidst this tragedy.

"You should rest and avoid overexerting yourself," Mother Tiffany remarked as she served me soup.

I took a seat at the dining table, admiring all the delicious dishes she had prepared for us.

"Did George send you money? I thought he wouldn't after his wife discovered it!" I inquired as I took a sip from my soup bowl.

She seemed momentarily distracted by my question, her gaze shifting to the table dishes rather than maintaining eye contact, and I have a strong feeling that she may not be entirely truthful. "Haha!...no...absolutely not. These are gifts from Mary and the other sisters for our efforts to keep this zone safe. Why---...why would George send us money?"

"Alright, I will express my gratitude to them tomorrow when I visit the capital markets," I softly stated.

She simply nodded without uttering any additional words.

**************************

I awoke early, as is my custom, and began my journey towards the capital. I had chosen a simple white dress and donned my red cloak, seeking to protect myself thoroughly from the chilly weather.

"Good morning, Lulu!" Every person I pass by smiles at me with the same greeting.

I traveled to the red flower village by carriage, as it is a bit distant from my residence but conveniently located closest to the capital markets, allowing me to continue my journey on foot after disembarking.

As I traveled, I observed the delivery of red sapphire jewels in large glass containers. Annually, the Crows dispatch these containers to the Northern Kingdom as a gesture of gratitude for their alliance. It will be quite ironic when the Crows realize that these jewels are being directly delivered to their adversaries, known as the Savagery Land.

***********

The capital markets were not typically bustling, but today presents a different scene. This week, the Northern Kingdom is hosting the Harmony Festival within its territories. Traditionally, the Solar Empire has been the host of this festival, attended by the wealthiest individuals from various kingdoms and other empires. However, this year, there was a desire to introduce a change and invite participation from across the globe. In essence, this festival serves as an occasion for interspecies pairing.

This festival appears quite extraordinary to me, and it seems to generate a great deal of excitement, particularly among the young women. The dresses feature exquisite designs, and the accessories and footwear are equally beautiful. Attracting the attention of a king or a nobleman might prove challenging given the existing social hierarchy, but I sincerely hope they achieve their aspirations.

************

"Oh my goodness! Look who has decided to visit me so early in the morning!"

"Good morning, Sarah! Is Giovanni present?" I inquired gently.

"It seems you are speaking to me quite politely! Giovanni will not be available this week. His wife recently gave birth, and he has returned to the western kingdom. The shop is under my care until his return."

I approached an unoccupied table and placed a small, golden, ornate box upon it. "This is intended for this week, and I will require five hundred gold coins in exchange."

She approached the box, opened it to examine its contents, and then placed it back on the table. "I will offer you two thousand instead of five hundred, as per Giovanni's instructions. He values your efforts, thank you, Lulu."

"Very well," I simply stated and gave a nod.

Three individuals entered the shop. They acknowledged our presence and proceeded to browse the merchandise. Their demeanor suggested a distinguished, high-ranking status, which was discernible even from a distance.

"You are looking for something special, gentlemen?"

They turned and approached us. The palpable tension and their unwavering gaze from behind their masks are causing me considerable unease.

"You are too short!" one of them remarked; he was slightly taller than the other two and appeared to be on a different level.

"Huh!!.."

I simply stared, unsure of his exact meaning.

"Short but pretty," he added with a smile.

"You meant me by that?"

"Yes."

I found myself observing the three individuals, uncertain of how to respond to such a direct remark from an unfamiliar person.

"Sarah, I'm leaving."

"Wait, where are you going?"

He obstructed my path with his imposing stature. He may have been truthful in his assessment of my height; indeed, compared to him, I am quite short, making any confrontation difficult.

"You are standing in my way, sir."

"I understand. However, I was unaware that the esteemed Lulu could exhibit such a reserved demeanor in response to a lighthearted jest from her student," he remarked with a smile.

"Huh!.."

"It has been ten years, dear teacher! I am delighted to find you." He removed his mask, revealing the face of the student I had narrowly escaped a decade ago.

I got chills seeing his face , I'm really scared, I need to escape this instant.

"Oh my goodness! The King of Savagery Land!" Sarah exclaimed in astonishment.

This won't end perfectly...

​I froze in my tracks, feeling as though the blood had turned to ice in my veins. His gaze—the very one that had haunted my nightmares for an entire decade—was now a tangible reality, a mere two steps away. "The King of the Savagery Lands..." The words echoed in my ears like a thunderclap. I turned to see Sarah stepping back, her hand covering her mouth in sheer disbelief, her eyes wide with terror and awe.

​"I see you still master the art of silence when surprised, my Lulu," he said. His tone was calm, yet it carried an underlying, chilling sense of possessiveness. His smile never reached his sharp eyes, which were scanning my features intently, as if ensuring his prized catch hadn't changed.

​Trying to gather my courage, I took a deep breath to banish the tremor from my voice. Taking a step back, I said coldly, "You have the wrong person, Your Majesty. The Lulu you are looking for died ten years ago. Now, I am nothing but an ordinary merchant in the capital’s markets."

​He let out a low chuckle, stepping forward to close the distance I had just made, his massive shadow completely engulfing me. "An ordinary woman does not wear a red cloak that conceals secrets capable of forging kingdoms, nor does she carry golden chests worth their weight in pure gold. It took me years to track your scent after that night... the night of your grand escape."

​He turned to his two masked companions and gestured with his hand, never taking his eyes off me. "Wait for me outside."

​The two men obeyed instantly and left the shop, making the air inside feel even more suffocating. I could feel Sarah’s pleading gaze from behind the counter. I knew that any reckless move on her part could cost her life; the Savagery Lands knew no mercy, and their current king was the living embodiment of its cruelty.

​"What do you want from me?" I asked bluntly, trying to buy time as my fingers brushed the edges of my red cloak, searching for a way out.

​"We want what is rightfully ours," he answered, his eyes gleaming with a mysterious fervor. "The Festival of Harmony taking place this week is not just a celebration for interbreeding lineages, Lulu. It is a cover. And you know perfectly well what lies inside the red ruby containers sent by the 'Crows' to the North."

​My face drained of color. So, he knew about the shipment. He knew the Crows thought they were sending it to their allies, while it was actually headed to his country! But worse than that... did he know my role in all of this?

​Before I could formulate a response, a loud commotion erupted from the main street outside. The horns of the Northern Kingdom's guards began announcing the start of the festival's opening procession, and the crowds were drawing near.

​Capitalizing on the fleeting moment he glanced toward the source of the noise, and with a swift, unexpected move, I shoved the empty table in front of me toward him to block his path. I dashed instantly toward the shop’s back door, which led to the narrow alleys of the capital's markets.

​"Lulu!" his voice boomed behind me. It wasn't the roar of an angry man, but rather a tone filled with challenge and amusement—like a hunter who had finally found the thrill of the chase in pursuing his prey.

​I burst into the narrow alleyway, the cold air biting my face. My heart was pounding violently, like a war drum. I remembered Mother Tiffany's words about my eyes and my exhaustion, but there was no time to rest now. I had to vanish into the crowds of the "Festival of Harmony," and find a way to hide... or flee this entire kingdom for good.

​For this story, truly, would not end happily if I ever fell into his hands again.