Chapter 8: Avaritia of Greed (Eliza)

My name is Eliza IJzerhart. I am the one and only child of the wealthy and successful businessman Sander IJzerhart.

My parents faced difficulties getting pregnant. They managed to have me by sending their DNA samples to a laboratory, wherein scientists used it for genetic engineering.

They created me, a homunculus, from their DNA. I developed in an artificial womb. And besides me there were six other homunculi girls who shared the artificial womb with me. Hence I regard them all as my sisters.

However, something went wrong in our creation; we were all born possessing one of the 7 Deadly Sins. I was born from the Sin of Greed. This is why they call me Avaritia.

And the fact that I am the only child of a wealthy man, only exacerbated my greedy tendencies. I never shared anything with anyone. And I also believed that money can buy literally anything in the world.

I felt like I owned everyone and everything. The fact that people compare me to my sister princess Maeve, made me feel even more exultant.

One day, in year 4 of high school, I attended homeroom classes together with Princess Maeve. The two of us were classmates. And our homeroom teacher was none other than Zipporah Mazzi.

Our school was a private all-girls school. Only the wealthiest, elite Dutch girls are able to enroll in this school.

"What is the most valuable to the human being?" Mrs. Mazzi asked the class.

I raised my hand. "Yes, Eliza?"

"Money," I answered.

"Why is that?"

"Money enables us to survive, to thrive and to exert dominance. There's nothing money can't buy."

"Oh, there are things that money cannot buy, Eliza."

"Such as?"

"Money can only buy that which is tangible. Like a car or a house. Money cannot buy intangible things such as happiness or love."

"Money can definitely buy happiness and love."

"How so?"

"I feel happy because of my wealth."

"But you didn't buy happiness. There's a difference between being happy because of wealth, and buying happiness with wealth."

"Huh?"

"How much does happiness cost? And how do you come to such a measurement?"

"Everyone here is wealthy, so I can't really demonstrate what I'm trying to say," I sighed. "But suppose one of the kids in this classroom is poor. Her mother has cancer and is hospitalized. And her father barely makes ends meet with his low salary full-time job. If I were to give this girl one million euros to cover the hospital bills, and any other charges, don't you think she'd become happier in life as a result?"

"You see, you once again misunderstand what I'm trying to say," Mrs. Mazzi was about to elaborate. "What makes the girl happy is not the money in and of itself. But the fact that her mother can receive the right treatment. If it was possible to achieve the same outcome without getting money involved, she'd still be happy because her mother would receive the right treatment."

"True…"

"Money can be a means to happiness. But it cannot buy happiness itself. Let's say that I'm a happy woman, but you're depressed. However, I'm poor or average, and you're rich. If you were to attempt to buy my happiness from me, how much money would that be? And besides, why would I even exchange my happiness for money in the first place? And how exactly would I be able to transfer my happiness to you? It doesn't work like that. Happiness isn't something tangible."

"I'll prove you wrong, Zipporah."

"Again, call me Mrs. Mazzi. We are in class right now."

"My bad."

"How are you going to prove me wrong, Eliza?"

"I'll buy a man's heart. I'll buy his love."

"What guy are you going to victimize?" She said, as she placed her fingers on her forehead and shook her head from left to right in disapproval.

"Anyone you want. Just give me a name."

"Hmmm… I can't think of anyone," she thought intently. "I'll get back to you about this later."

I'm fed up with Zipporah lecturing me about life. We simply do not think alike. Zipporah is all for "money can't buy happiness", and "sharing is caring", but I don't share that philosophy.

Money is everything. And there's nothing that money can't do. Whether the petty human beings like it or not.

I am Avaritia of Greed; an increase of possessions and property is written in my DNA. I have been predestined to be wealthy. I have been created to be rich.

8.1

I went to the toilet during lunch break. And noticed that someone was following me. I first thought it was my sister Maeve, but as I turned around I came face to face with none other than Lilith, which terrified me.

"It has been a while, Avaritia," she smiled.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm just checking up on you," she replied. "I can't do that?"

"I'd rather you don't."

I went on my way to the toilet, and she followed me. As I locked the door and sat down, Lilith went on a monologue that sent shivers down my spine.

"I see that you're living the lucrative lifestyle, Avaritia. You truly live up to your codename," she said. "But how would you be as a person if you became poor? Would Avaritia still be Avaritia without all of her wealth? I'm quite curious about that, you see. Then again, I decided to scrap that idea. Since you don't have to be wealthy to be stingy. A poor person can be more greedy than a wealthy person. So I decided to take a different approach when it comes to you…"

The fire alarm went off, and the principal spoke from the speakers: "This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. A fire broke out in the school. Please follow the instructions of the teachers and exit the school premises immediately."

I panicked and tried to open the school door, but it didn't work because I was too anxious. I eventually managed to calm myself down a little bit and opened the door.

I quickly left the bathroom and noticed that it was empty in the hallways. I could also smell fire, which made me panic even more.

Turns out that the smell was a cigarette that Lilith lit up around the corner. But I obviously couldn't have known.

I lost feeling in my legs and fell down on my knees. I began to cry, feeling like my life was over. I believed that Lilith's plan was to burn me alive…

"Hey!" Someone called out to me from behind. I recognized this voice. "Are you okay?" I turned around and came face to face with a dark-complexioned young man in uniform. It was Sansula, Benesha's brother! I met him at Meave's 18th birthday party.

"I'm scared…" Was all I could utter at that moment.

"Rest assured. I got you."

Sansula carried me in bridal style and walked me outside of the school.

"Oh my God… Where were you hiding at a time like this, Eliza?!" Mrs. Mazzi was worried about my wellbeing.

"She was in the bathroom," Sansula answered on my behalf.

"Is there even a fire?" The principal asked.

"I think it was a false alarm," he answered. "Who told you there was a fire?"

"Some girl who resembles the one who you are carrying…"

"It wasn't the Princess was it?" Mrs. Mazzi asked.

"No no. She looked exotic. She might have been North African, or Indian? Maybe partially Dutch or any other European nation, and black African? She might have some Chinese or something similar in her too…"

I could see from Zipporah's reaction that she was thinking the same thing as me. That physical description sounds awfully like Lilith.

"Thank you for rescuing her," Mrs. Mazzi thanked Sansula on my behalf.

"Can you stand on your own feet now?" He asked me. "Yes…" I answered.

"Thank you, Sansula," I expressed my gratitude. He smiled in return. "It's too bad though…" I pouted.

"What is?"

"I'd have wanted to buy your love, but you're a Badilite so you're already wealthy as is."

"Eliza!" Mrs. Mazzi didn't like what I said.

"You can't buy love with money," he said. "Then how would a girl be able to win your heart, Sansula?" I asked.

"If she can make me laugh," he smiled. And at that, he went away. Benesha's brother sure is an interesting, fascinating man.

I think that I'm falling in love for the first time… I unfortunately forgot to ask him for his phone number.

8.2

A long summer break began when I graduated from middle school. I'm going to attend the Utrecht Metropolitan Self-Development School after summer break ends.

I was once walking around the shopping center with friends, when a guy passed us. He had white hair and blue eyes. I stopped in my tracks and turned around.

"What's wrong Eli? Did you fall in love at first sight again?" My friends teased me.

I couldn't put into words what I felt. It felt like I was already familiarized with this stranger. As if we are kin.

"You guys can go to the restaurant before me!" I said to my friends as I went after the guy.

I held him by his shoulder, asking, "Hey. Do I know you from somewhere?"

He turned around to face me. "I've never met you before," he said.

"Oh, my bad," I let go of his shoulder. "I must have mistaken you for somebody else."

"But I do know who you are, though," he said, surprising me. "You are Avaritia of Greed."

"How do you know my codename?" I was astonished. "It's because I'm homunculus too. And your half-brother," he answered. I couldn't believe my ears.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's go somewhere private…"

The two of us sat on a bench in a park nearby. "I was created through the genes of King Frederik and your father Sander IJzerhart."

"I didn't know homunculus could be created by combining male genes!" I exclaimed. "I thought it was only possible by combining male and female genes."

"You're being too loud…" He was right. People shouldn't hear our confidential conversation. So I toned down a bit. "What's your name?" I asked.

"I am Hidde de Ridder. My codename is King Arthur."

"Why were you created?"

"To guide you and your sisters," he answered. "You and your sisters were born with the 7 Deadly Sins. It's my duty to transform you all into virtuous ladies, since you are still sinful witches."

"We don't believe that we are sinful, though," I retorted. "Isn't it a very rude thing to say? That people are born sinful?"

"But it's the truth. And we can fix that."

"I'm not interested," I said as I stood up. "It's nice knowing I have a brother. But I don't desire to establish a bond of kinship with you. Especially after you just referred to me and my dear sisters as 'sinful witches'."

"I didn't mean to offend you."

"I could see that," I was sarcastic, of course.

"I also need your help with something, Eliza."

"With what?"

"My adoptive mother has cancer and is hospitalized. But my adoptive father doesn't have enough money to pay all the bills. You are wealthy, and my sister. I was wondering if you could help me."

"How ironic," I chuckled.

"Huh?"

"Would it make you happy if I did?" I asked.

"Certainly!"

"Money would make you happy?"

"Not that, but the fact that my mother can get the treatment she needs."

"Unfortunately for you, I don't share things with people except for time and space."

"What!" He exclaimed as he stood up.

"Why are you surprised?" I asked. "I am Avaritia after all. No one in history has been more stingy than me."

"What if I was the wealthy one, and you were the one in need of financial support for your bedridden mother, wouldn't you want me to help you?"

"I would. But that's because it wouldn't diminish anything from my own wealth, but from yours."

"You're unbelievable…"

"Why don't you do some performances on the streets and beg people for money? Or start a fundraiser?"

"Shut up…"

"What? I'm giving you valuable ideas."

"How in the world are we supposed to redeem you and your accursed sisters like this?"

"We? Who are we?" I was surprised. Is he alluding that there are more homunculi created for the purpose to challenge me and my sisters?

"If you want to know more information about what the lab has been up to, pay up."

"Forget it. My friends are waiting for me."

And with that, I left my half-brother Hidde. Little did I know that he will also attend the Utrecht Metropolitan Self-Development School…