CHAPTER 14

AS I WAS CHECKING on the magical stones, I felt a presence approaching me. I tried to pretend that I was busy looking at them, but then he spoke behind me.

"Hello, Lily. It has been a while." He's being friendly again.

"It has. How have you been, Rin?" I asked without looking at him.

It wasn't an awkward situation for me anymore. I have been dealing with four different types of men back in the estate anyway, that's like, good practice.

Although, truthfully, it still feels weird talking to other men.

"What are you looking at?" He asked.

I could feel him leaning closer, as if he were looking at the same thing I was looking at.

"I'm searching for a nice gift."

I felt him nod beside me. "Those stones are magical. I heard you can cast a spell on them and use them as a tracking device or a communication device."

I quickly turned my head to the sudden information he was sharing with me, but then I regretted that. I took a step back when I realized how close we were.

"Ah, my apologies. The information you shared with me had piqued my interest. But was that true?"

Rin smiled. He was unfazed by our closeness and looked more amused about it. "You can ask the master for confirmation."

"Thank you. This was like the other time when you answered my question."

"I'm glad that you remembered."

"What are you doing here by the way? Are you a mage?" I asked him curiously. I've always wondered what his business with the owner is since they seem close.

He shook his head. "I'm master's former student, but I'm no mage."

"Really? But you know how to use magic, right? That's cool." I chuckled softly. I'm genuinely amazed at him because he's a student of the owner. That means, the owner's quite a skilled man. "Anyway, I'm going to make a request first." I took about five stones with assorted colors with me then carried them to the counter.

"Owner! Someone told me that these stones can be made as a tracking device or a communication device, is that true?"

I watched as the owner glanced at the person behind me before answering me. "Yes, that's true. Would you like to request one?"

I smiled at him then leaned closer to whisper my request. "Yes. Can you make them into a small brooch or pins? Then make all of them into a communication device."

The owner chuckled softly. "Alright, miss. But this might get pricey."

"The price doesn't matter. The people I will be giving these are especially important to me. Can I get them within a week?" I'm sure Scarlet and Marina will like them.

"You can get them tomorrow," he said.

"Great! I want to use this design." I handed a piece of folded paper to him.

I have always carried three to five copies of the flower design I created as my symbol. The owner chuckled softly as he accepted my request.

"Thank you, owner. I will ask someone to pick them up tomorrow. And please keep this a secret."

"I understand, Miss Lily." He placed the magical stones in a small basket and brought them to another room behind him.

"Are you done? Do you want to look around with me?" Rin asked as he suddenly appeared behind me.

"Sure," I agreed since I would feel bored looking around without Marina and Scarlet.

We spent about half an hour checking every little thing in this store while he shared every piece of information he knew about the store's items. I would be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy the time we had together.

His voice was soothing and enticing that I was so eager to listen to him. But sadly, the time to depart came quicker. Scarlet only needed to come inside the store, and I'll quickly know what it means.

"It seems that my acquaintances have arrived earlier this time. I would have to excuse myself now, Rin. See you next time." I was about to go when Rin took my hand, and the most surprising thing was his lips pressing against the back of my hand.

"Yes. Take care, Lily." He smiled at me before letting go of my hand.

For a moment there, I felt like I didn't want to go home right away. I was in a daze when I got out to meet Marina and Scarlet.

"My lady," Marina called and that was the only time I got back to my senses. "We got everything you requested."

They showed me the bags from La'Rose Boutique and Crimson Lily guild before we headed back to the carriage's location.

Instead of sending documents in a plain envelope, I asked Miss Lacrosse to wrap a few dresses for me and had them slip the summary of their reports in those dresses. While the guild representative, Ms. Caroll would discuss everything with Scarlet.

Everything must remain a secret from them, so I have to take extra careful steps.

As we headed to the carriage, I noticed a pair of cufflinks displayed in a jewelry store near the carriage. The design was a flower, and it was red in color. My father's image popped into my head the more I looked at it.

"Let's visit this store first," I suggested.

We went inside and I quickly requested to check the displayed cufflinks. The man who seemed like the store manager explained a few details about the cufflinks.

The flower was called 'red poppy' and the cufflinks themselves were made from the finest materials. I smiled as I listened to him.

"I'll get that, and I also want to check your brooches. For men."

The manager quickly pulled a box of brooches on the counter with unique designs and sizes. I looked at them carefully, and what piqued my interest was a brooch pin that has the same design as the red cufflinks.

"That's a red poppy brooch pin. One of our latest designs," the manager said when he noticed me looking at the brooch pin.

This would do. At least they all look the same. "I want three of these. I'll get them now, including the cufflinks."

The manager confirmed my order then he quickly prepared them, placing them in their separate boxes. I asked Marina to pay after we left, holding four small shopping bags from that jewelry store.

I'm only giving them these gifts because I used their family fortune to start my investments.

"What about us, master? Don't you have any gifts for us too?" Ebony asked suddenly.

I'll think about it. I chuckled at him.

"Aren't you being unfair, master? Tell her, Pandora!" He even asked Pandora to take part in his tantrums.

"I agree with Ebony, master." Pandora answered.

"See!" Ebony exclaimed.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at them. Alright, alright. But not today. I'll get gifts some other time, deal?

"Deal!" Ebony cheered in which Pandora seemed to just chuckle.

"We have arrived, my lady."

I got off the carriage first. I ordered Marina and Scarlet to bring the small paper bags and the bags from the stores to my room. I might just give the presents the day before the ball.

I headed inside first and left the two in the carriage. I stopped at the foot of the staircase when I saw the duke and Kaiser descending the stairs.

They were with a few noble people. It seemed like the meeting just finished. I was about to hide from them when a nobleman noticed me.

"Is the lady his grace's youngest daughter?"

I froze and I had to force out a smile for them. Now I must greet them. Crap.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, my lords," I greeted, placing my right hand on my chest, and bowing a little. I'm higher by hierarchy since I'm part of a ducal family, and I only need to bow to royalty, so this much is fine.

"How marvelous! I didn't know that the lady would be a beauty." He must have heard the rumors.

"But the lady resembles the duke. She must have gotten her grace and beauty from his father." the other noble said.

What empty praises we have here.

The noblemen laughed, and I stood there only smiling at them. I knew that the rumors somehow spread outside of the estate, and I didn't know that people are this brazen.

"I appreciate your compliments, my lords. I believe I should get going now. I wish for your safe returns," I said, bowing my head a bit. I glanced at the duke, smiling at him before walking away.

I hope none of them trips outside or something. Anyway, I'll just use the other stairs here.

I felt a throbbing in my head when I entered my room. Marina and Scarlet were inside, fixing the things we bought. "I feel tired. Seriously. My head aches." I sighed.

"Do you want us to call the doctor, my lady?" Marina asked.

I shook my head gently and lay down on the bed instead. Somehow, the softness of the bed comforted the aching in my head.

I couldn't pull my body to stand to change my clothes first, so I decided to sleep with the same clothes. As the softness of the bed comforted me, my vision dimmed, and I was lost in my dreams.

I HAD BEEN FEELING uneasy since the moment I woke up. I wonder what this weird feeling is. I had a dream, an awfully bad one, but I couldn't bring myself to remember it.

My head will only keep ringing whenever I push my mind to recall the dream. A sigh escaped my lips as I gave up.

As my maids prepared breakfast, I read the report that Miss Lacrosse had delivered along with the products. The new designs I handed in seemed to please the customers.

I had drawn a few sample dresses with soft textures that were all inspired from the clothes from my previous life. The only difference is that both the upper and lower garment were all sewn in one piece. Which was convenient for the people.

At first, I had doubted that only a few would welcome a style like those, but to my surprise, we had caught the eyes of most of the noble ladies.

And I think the current businesses I have would suffice. I only need to expand them more.

"What are you thinking so deeply, master?" Ebony asked.

I'm thinking of other ways to expand the boutique and the guild. I held my cream dress as I carefully descended from the stairs.

"In this time, master should solidify your businesses in the capital then maybe you can start trading outside the capital."

Somehow, Ebony was right. I should build a solid foundation here first before I expand them. But how did you know that?

"I've been in this world for an exceptionally long time, master. Of course, I somehow adapted the human's mind process in this kind of field."

Oh, that's quite a skill you have there. I guess they just refuse to understand the concept of money.

"I'm hungry. Master has not fed me yet." If he had feet, I'm pretty sure he would be stomping them in a tantrum.

Why don't you just get a body for yourself or something? As if I said something amazing, Ebony exclaimed in excitement.

"Right. Why have I forgotten that? Master!" Ebony called, his voice ringing a little louder in my head. "I can use someone's body without changing my spirit form!"

I frowned at the thought. Okay. How?

"I only need a shell. An animal shell that I can transfer to," Ebony explained.

I pursed my lips, nodding a bit. We'll see about that option.

My face was a little gloomy as I entered the dining hall. I held onto my dress and bowed as I greeted them. "Everyone's always early. Do you have a lot of plans today?"

I sat on the chair beside Kaiser, the same chair I always use. Kaiser and the duke looked specifically in a good mood, while Eclipse and Caspian had an awkward mood going on around them.

"I'm just thrilled to see my beloved sister," Kaiser said as if we didn't see each other last night.

Father agreed with his statement. "Did our Elisse have a good sleep last night?"

I looked at them both weirdly, my head moving from left to right as I exchanged glances with them. "What? Did I do something wrong?" I asked, frowning at them.

"No! You didn't do anything wrong!" Kaiser exclaimed, holding out his hands in front of me.

"Your brother is right, Elisse. Are you going out today as well?" The duke chuckled, maybe because of Kaiser's dramatic actions.

Should I go out and find you a shell?

"Really, master?" Ebony sounded really excited just now.

"Yes, your grace. I was planning to. It's my last day to roam around since I'll need to focus on preparing for the ball soon." The ball or the royal ball that I hate the most.

The duke and Kaiser both handed me a blank cheque. I was bemused as I looked at them. "What's this for?"

"Our gift for you!" Kaiser answered.

Now I'm suddenly starting to feel embarrassed. Why are they doing this again? I almost facepalmed myself.

"What did I do to receive such gifts?" I'm still not convinced that I did nothing wrong.

"Isn't our dear sister's existence enough to be a gift for us?" Kaiser said with that childish tone again.

What the cheesy twat was that?

"Kaiser's right. Does our Elisse hate accepting gifts from us?" The duke, again, agreed with his third son.

Even the duke has gone mad!

I smiled awkwardly and shook my head. Then a sigh escaped my lips. "It's not like that, your grace," I answered then glanced at Eclipse.

He's much more reasonable than these two, so he should help me. What the hell's with him? This punk seemed to be avoiding my gaze. Then I glanced at Caspian to try and seek help. But he just turned his gaze back on his plate. Even him!

I sighed again as I finally gave up. "Fine. I'll accept them. But I will only take it this time," I warned them.

"You're really something, master. Like a person with a pair of gold on her eyes," Ebony commented.

Uh-huh? I'll buy a spider for your shell.

"Master! You know that I like you very much, right? Hehe." Oh, ho? Now you're suddenly changing your tone on me.

Maybe a spider or a bug? But it's fun teasing him more.

"Master!" I chuckled inwardly then ignored the rude spirit that's trying to appease me.

The uneasiness escaping the deepest parts of my anxious head accompanied me again. We're still in the middle of breakfast when I suddenly remembered the dreams I've been having these past few nights.

It's about the faceless Eilisha taking everything from me. I tried to bury and hide it since it did not do me good, but I just couldn't ignore it anymore.

Especially the dream that I had last night. I really feel that it's something I should remember. I honestly thought that nothing about her would make me feel anxious. But I was wrong.

I could feel the anxiousness swirling inside of me, as if it were ready to attack me any moment. Until now, I still feel uneasy because of it.