i"Her name is Lila. She's the daughter of the God of Earth."/i

….

Solar appeared in position right where Lila had left from. Again, that strange energy. He felt it, but still couldn't quite grasp it. He wasn't sure if he should inform the elder goddess about the girl's presence in the room.

"Hm.." Sophia's eye twitched a bit. "That child definitely needs to learn manners…." Seemed Lila's presence was known to everyone in the room. Flare had felt it too. The young girl hadn't learned how to control her aura just yet. Maybe in the human world she could sneak in and out of places unnoticed, but amongst gods she'd be obvious until she could control that energy. Genie felt it intensely also.

"You want me to fetch her?..." Solar asked, almost certain that Sophia wanted to scold the girl. The old woman nodded negatively.

"Not now. We have time for that. Just keep a close eye on her. Her behaviour disturbs me greatly," she answered disgruntled. Solar simply nodded and walked out, toward the girl's room. He had a strange feeling. He was going to guard her himself tonight.

…

"So?... A penny for your thoughts?... Or, whatever currency gods have…" Genie was a bit awkward, which was definitely not usual for him… He had watched her stand there, in front of the window, looking outside, for at least the past hour, saying nothing. Just observing… He could tell she was troubled and despite his curious and completely indiscrete nature he hadn't said a word till now. But he couldn't help it anymore, and strangely enough, it wasn't curiosity… it was actual concern.

"I have no idea," was her answer, accompanied with a shrug. Genie could tell that whatever Lila had overheard in the dining room was really troubling… But he couldn't push her to talk about it, no matter how much he wanted to know. The young girl looked at the sky. It wasn't full moon this time, the moon was just a thin line on the sky. Still she sought comfort in gazing at it. Why did all this have to happen now? Sure, her life was never completely normal, but suddenly getting caught up in all of that, and the idea of…. No no no, she really couldn't handle this right now. She could handle the dress-up games, the lessons (hell she even liked those) and the over the top attitude of her grandmother, maybe even all those formal events they were going to drag her into. However this was something she wasn't ready for. Not only the responsibility of ruling over every human in existence (let's not forget only a few days ago she was still one of them, this was already overwhelming to begin with) but having to go through… an arranged marriage over that? Nope. All her life and everything she thought was reality had crumbled in a matter of seconds before her eyes. She was barely accepting it already. Everything was pre-arranged and pre-determined for her. She wouldn't let others decide that too. Especially since… Well, not time to think about that now.

"….. I'm… kinda worried…" he said in a low voice. And it was true. He really was. Not just for her ( which was surprising and a bit disturbing for him, he still wouldn't admit he might have some sort of…feelings for her), but also because it had been almost a week he had been separated from Ali. And in the worst possible way. Hunted by mobsters and practically broke. It was safe to assume that no matter how cunning and smart his friend was (yes he could call him a friend by now) this was a situation that didn't look too good for him. And Lila didn't seem willing to use her wishes. He could ask her to go find Ali but it wasn't exactly like she had control over her moves. And she was stressed enough as it was. And there he was, a magical creature with great power, standing frustrated and powerless before a young girl he barely knew.

"Hm?..." his comment made the girl turn and look at him blinking… It took her a few seconds to realise what he had said. The blinking was obviously followed by a faint blush and an abrupt return to her previous position. Still not the right time to think about that. "I'm ok… Don't worry…" she mumbled. Genie was obviously not convinced.

"What did you hear?" he finally got the guts to make the indiscrete question. He was really curious to be honest; since Lila had eavesdropped (something which strangely for him she seemed to be doing with utmost skill and easiness) on her grandma and Flare talking, her mood had gone to hell suddenly. The girl was startled. Maybe she should have expected that he'd eventually ask, it wasn't like he was the subtlest of creatures, but she was still surprised.

"Eh?..." she stayed silent for a little while before her she turned her look to the floor. "Something…disturbing. Very disturbing…"

*FLASHBACK*

i "Sophia…" Flared bowed deeply before the elder goddess and waited for her nod before she sat on the armchair right opposite of her. The older woman made a small bow with her head and then pointed to the armchair.

"Please, have a sit, Flare." she said dryly. Lila was almost certain that the woman was almost incapable of any type of emotion other than poorly conceal contempt. That was totally her strongest point. She peeked a bit from the corner, careful not to be seen by anyone, and hid right back as soon as Flare was seated. The convenience with which the girl had sneaked into the large hall, without being noticed by any of the guards was quite surpising for Genie, if not admirable. Little did he know that she was a master in eavesdropping and sneaking in and out of places. It was almost her specialty. Genie had decided he wasn't interested in the conversation between the two women so he just stayed inside his lamp which was still a miniature hanging from Lila's neck, and play chess with himself. He was doing really well actually. Both of him.

"So?... What was it that you wanted to talk about, Sophia?" Flare asked as she sat back on the chair, elegantly of course as always. The older woman fixed her glasses and sat up, looking at the other one with a serious look.

"About the ball. And the arrangement." Flare rearranged her position and narrowed her brows slightly. She wasn't sure how comfortable she was with this. The past week she had started getting a little closer to the girl, and she wasn't sure she was the type that would be comfortable with something like that.

"So, are we still proceeding with that?" she asked. It was obvious in her tone of voice that she was reluctant about this. Sophia was too perceptive not to catch that. Both her face and her tone became completely stern.

"Yes, we are. I have decided it since a long time and nothing has changed. The girl is being educated. She'll soon be presentable to the Divine World. Why delay this anymore? You know we need the alliances and she'll be a protector Goddess soon, she needs a husband". Lila froze in position at the sound of the last word… A "husband"?... Sure, she was 18 years old, already considered of age but the idea alone terrified her. She was so used to her previous life, her parents still treated her like a kid. And now this?... She couldn't even grasp it. She clenched her fist and tried to remain quiet… They couldn't be serious about this.

"Very well…" Flare answered lowly. It was still clear she wasn't in agreement with this and the elder one was very aware of it, but she could definitely not oppose Sophia, especially on something like this. It wasn't her business, especially since Lila's father was in agreement. However she would still keep her eyes open. It was a heavy task that she'd have to push Lila through something like that, but at least it was her who got to do it, she would make sure the girl didn't get pushed too much.

"Here are the final three" Sophia said dryly again passing, or more accurately shoving, an envelope on Flare's face. Sure, she was noble, but subtlety was definitely not her game. The Martian goddess widened her eyes at the gesture but said nothing, just took the envelope and gave a look to the photographs and papers inside. Her eyes widened in a somewhat terrified expression.

"A Zombie?... Sophia…"

"I'll stop you right there Flare." Sophia interrupted her before she could finish her phrase. Her voice was strict, scolding, almost. "The Undead are a great force. They have influence outside Earth too. I know they're not the most attractive of creatures but let's be honest here. The Divine World is up for a difficult era. You and I both know there are things happening in the background. And the outcome cannot be easily predicted." Flare widened her eyes a bit… Sophia was actually making a lot of sense. She was a creature of logic but this time she sounded as if she really didn't like this either, which was very rare for the elder Goddess; to show any kind of emotion other than contempt and arrogance. "Alliances are very important." Flare knew that she was right. Still, she sighed and made the question she had in mind.

"Will she get to make the choice?" her voice was low, not really hopeful for a positive answer.

"She will get to have a say. But the final choice will be made by her father" Sophia answered plainly. Flare knew what that meant. Sophia influenced Lila's father too much, therefore in the end it would be her decision as well. Flare looked at the pictures pensively. A Planet God, a Dream God and an Undead… Alliances…

Lila clenched her fists and bit her lower lip really hard. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Obviously she couldn't make out everything the two women meant, but one thing was pretty clear to her; they were talking about her marriage… To someone she didn't know and more importantly, she didn't get to choose. No one had the right to do that. Make a choice like that for her. She didn't know a lot about romance and love but she knew one thing; she wasn't going to spend the rest of eternity with someone that others would have chosen for her. Certainly that couldn't be how it was supposed to work, right?...

i No no no no… That's not happening…/i Instinctively she shook her head at the thought.

"Now, on other affairs. Give me the update on her training" Sophia said plainly as she sat back, sipping some tea. Lila didn't need to hear more. What she had heard was disturbing enough already. Slowly she slipped out of the room, as silently as she had snuck in, certain that no one had noticed. /i

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Genie blinked a couple of times, it was partly surprise and partly discomfort. He didn't really know what to say to what he had just heard. For one thing, he really didn't like it. It annoyed him to his gut. He had yet to analyse how he felt about Lila, but it was certain that he felt something by now, or this wouldn't bother him to no end.

"So.. yeah…" she said as she let herself fall back on the bed. How she was going to get out of this situation was beyond her… Just as she was starting to get used to things. Her face frowned in an almost painful expression… She was actually struggling not to cry.

"H-Hey…" Genie levitated close to her. There it was again, that weird pressure in his chest. "I'm sure there must be a solution. How about your dad? You can talk to him…?" he had obviously no idea how to help, so he went for the best he could think at that point. Lila sighed and frowned even more, actually looking kind of pissed now.

"My...'Dad'? I don't even know who he is! I have never met him… He gave me up for 18 years and then he let that woman imprison me in this place and torture me. And he won't even come to see me!" It was the first time Lila actually expressed her feelings like that… Up until now she had accepted all this without putting up much resistance or protesting. But this was too much… And she realised that even though what she had just said was an outburst of anger, it was true… Every word…

"Hey, calm down." Was all Genie could muster to say, looking at her with wide eyes. This was equally unexpected for him, but truth was… he actually understood.

"You know what?" she hissed sitting up from the bed. "I do have a father. He's a mechanic and he lives on the other side of this city." She got on her too feet. "And I'm going to go find him. I'm going home" She turned to look at him. "Are you coming?" Genie blinked again. He wasn't sure this was a wise move but he couldn't really say anything.

"Well… you iare/i my master… Wherever you go, I go…" he said plainly.

"Fine. So…uhm… go in your lamp or something, we're leaving." She said and grabbed her coat. She was wearing her own clothes luckily. She didn't really want anything from that house.

"Okay… As you wish. If you need any help I…"

"No I'll be fine" She said bluntly. Genie was surprised with himself and how confused he was in this situation. Usually he'd have something witty, or at least funny to offer but right now he was just… there. He quickly jumped into the lamp, this time keeping his eyes and ears open to the outside world. Lila's stealth skills were impressive but this place was a fortress. However, Lila was determined and had absolute confidence in her escape powers. She did it once, she'd do it again. She looked at the clock. Two more minutes to midnight. It was when the guards changed their shift, perfect opportunity to sneak out of the room, and she had already mapped the route she would follow to the wall opening in the garden.

As soon as it was time she leapt to the door. She only had one minute before the shift change. She opened the door slowly, aiming to scout the area only for her hopes on escaping to be shuttered.

"Hello Lila.."

"S-Solar?!..." she sounded a little more surprised than she would have wanted. Quickly, she dropped the coat behind the half-open door. The tall man was standing right outside her door, with his arms crossed behind his back and a calm expression.

"Yes dear. Do you need something?" he asked smiling.

"Uhm… No I was just… going for some water…" and of course she internally cursed herself for finding such a lame excuse but it was all she could think of at this point. Solar looked at her with a wider smile.

"All you have to do is ask one of the maids. Go back to your room I'll ask someone to bring you water" he said and nodded for her to return into her room. Lila couldn't help the disappointed expression on her face.

"O-ok… Thank you…" she said in a completely withered voice and turned back, closing the door behind her. "Great…" she mumbled, going into a pre-crying state again "I'm trapped…." Not more than two seconds passed before Genie appeared in front of her.

"Everything ok?" he asked alarmed. He had of course witnessed the conversation with Solar so he knew the answer but he still had to ask.

"No… nothing is ok… d-dammit…" she mumbled again biting her lips and playing nervously with the tiny lamp that was hanging from her neck. Genie's eyes narrowed in a saddened expression and almost instinctively he raised his hand aiming to caress her head. However, before he reached her she suddenly jerked up, making him pull back abruptly. "Wait!..." her eyes were glistening but not from tears. "You said… You said I have three wishes right?" Genie blinked again.

"Yep…You do…" he answered as he started to realise what was in her mind. And he was gloriously verified.

"In that case, I'm using one right now. Take me to my home. My real home. Take me to my human parents." She practically ordered. Genie's hands started glowing, his magic energy activated by her command.

"Uhm… yeah, the problem is, I don't know exactly where that is, but I guess I can take you somewhere in the vicinity, or at least out of here but still in London…" he grinned as his palms started vibrating. "Sorry, specifics." He laughed a bit before an intense light was emitted from his palms and engulfed them. In a matter of seconds the room was empty.

….

Somewhere in a farther corner of the British capital, a young thief was eating the last pieces of his stolen bread.