Runner

It's one of those jobs that one would not expect children to want to do as they grow up, but for some children, especially those who grow up in the poor quarters of the imperial capital Pearlhal, it's one of the few ways they have to rise above their station.
If one of the children gets hired as a Runner, their typical employers will typically include merchants, guilds, temples, or, if they are lucky, they get hired by a senator's household. As the children get older, they may eventually become apprentices to some of the places where they have delivered messages over the years, and the master of the place has taken a liking to them. Some become couriers in the military after they join the legions.
While most of the runners are illiterate, it's still considered deeply dishonorable to open a letter they are entrusted with unless permitted by their intended recipient.
Some of the child runners are also recruited by the gangs of the city as they already know escape routes, shortcuts, servants' entrances, and the like, skills that make them valuable to the gangs, but at the same time, they are sometimes also hired by Opinio to bring messeges from the informants of Opinio and bring it to the advisors of the Emperor.

Typical Pay
2-4 coins for ordinary messages, enough to pay for a loaf of bread, some cheese, maybe tomorrow's breakfast

If the message is urgent, they can get between 6-10 coins, and there is sometimes a bonus if they return with a reply.
Monthly Income
A reliable runner might earn:

50–90 coins per year

Enough to significantly help their household, but nowhere near enough to escape poverty.