CHAPTER 3

HAIR AS DARK AS THE sky at night. A pair of crimson eyes, a trademark of the Eveningstar Family. A pale complexion and a small frame for a 17-year-old. I had a striking appearance resembling my mother, something I disliked seeing before.

But now, I started admiring my looks. Maybe because I'm growing up?

Marina and the other maidservants finished dressing me up. I asked for a simple-looking dress with no ribbons and frills. This would make it easier to walk around at the market.

They fixed my hair in a loose braid style and added a red flower ornament clip on the side of my hair. I smiled at the mirror as I checked on my reflection. The maroon dress decorated with gold laces matched my pale complexion.

I showed them a satisfied smile, and praised how amazing they were. The uneasiness they seemed to be feeling earlier had disappeared as they smiled back at me.

"You may all go, except for you." I pointed at Marina as I dismissed the others. "You will accompany me outside," I added.

I wore my black cloak, and placed the list I made in the inner pocket of it.

Marina may look like a scared little kitten, but I can feel some strange aura around her. And aside from that, she looks like she's willing to serve me if given the chance, because if not, she wouldn't continue staying close to me.

I'll give her the chance to prove her worth by letting her accompany me today.

"Greetings, my lady. May I ask your destination for today?" Caesar asked when he saw us going downstairs.

I turned to look at him. He looked busy enough, yet he's prying on my business. "I'm going out to buy new sets of dresses and jewelry," I answered, smiling at him.

He didn't look surprised and was only relieved by my answer. "I understand. Have a good day, my lady," he added, bowing his head as he bid us goodbye.

I couldn't help but smirk as we headed outside. Caesar would definitely report this to them. This may help reduce their interest in me. Or I'll just need to sway the duke, and only him, a little so I can get an increase with my allowance.

They're rich anyways. It wouldn't hurt to help someone in need, like me.

"Shall we go now, my lady?" Mr. Ruderick asked. I looked at the carriage in front of me and I smiled.

Like what I requested, we used the humblest looking carriage. I'm glad that the coachman was able to prepare this for today. "We shall," I answered after Marina and I boarded the carriage.

We didn't bring any knights with us since they disliked me too, and I wouldn't want any annoying fly accompanying me today. Besides, I can perfectly protect myself.

The ride wouldn't take long, considering the distance from the estate to the capital's marketplace. However. . .

"This is boring," I whispered to myself as I watched the view outside from the carriage window. It was a refreshing sight of numerous trees surrounding the front of the estate.

I'm not really good with boring rides.

Anyway, we're bound to visit the boutique I frequent. I wouldn't want the coachman to tell on me, so I'd have to pretend I'm out shopping. But truthfully, I'm here to visit the shop that the book referenced yesterday.

It was called the 'Artisan Hut' located on Cornerstone Street. The shop sells the things I needed for the summoning. And honestly, this is the only shop I know at the moment, considering that this is also my first real attempt in exploring my abilities.

I threw a glance at Marina. She looked worried for some reason. Should I inform her of what we need to do for today?

"Marina," I called her attention. She then looked at me, I noticed how her hands were fidgeting on her lap. What are you so nervous about? "I need to visit a shop in Cornerstone Street. Do you know where that is?"

I could see the confusion on her face with my question. Perhaps she's some sort of a spy that the duke or the young masters tasked to watch me? I leaned closer to her, making her flinch from her seat.

"Marina, if you're not on my side, I'd gladly dispose of you," I whispered threateningly as I stared at her.

There's no point for a test of loyalty, I only need direct answers. And if I ever catch someone, I trusted stabbing my back, then I'd be more than happy to dispose of them. Although not in some grotesque way.

I watched her tremble on her seat. Was I being too cold? I sighed inwardly then leaned back on the carriage seat. I crossed my legs, then folded my arms across my chest.

"I'll tell you a few things," I started. "You will not have to worry about anything if you'll be on my side. I won't use underhanded tricks to keep you on the leash, just pledge loyalty to me," I said, shrugging my shoulders lightly.

Marina looked as if she was thinking deeply. I wonder what she's thinking about. Our conversation was cut off when the carriage stopped.

"My lady, we have arrived," Ruderick announced outside.

"I'll give you time to think about this, but I hope you'll do the right thing." I smiled at her before heading outside. I may not need some allies, but I will be needing an extra pair of hands and legs to perform some of the tasks I can't do alone.

"Should I park close to the boutique, my lady?" Ruderick asked. I shook my head then pointed at the other side of the boutique.

"No. Stay near this area and wait for us." I handed a small pouch to him, and I almost saw anxiety and amusement fighting in his brown eyes as he checked the contents of the pouch.

"But–"

"You can buy anything you like or do anything you want with that money. I won't take it back," I quickly cut him off before he could even protest. He was always like that.

He sighed and placed the pouch in his sling bag. "I understand." He said those as if he was forced to do it. What an annoying guy.

"I expect you to do your job well, Ruderick. We'll come back right away," I said as if to place a heavy task on him in exchange for the money I handed to him. "Marina, let's go," I added as I wore the hood of my cloak over my head.

I wasn't really good at bribing people, but I still tried it with the coachman. I just want him to keep his mouth shut so I can sneak out peacefully.

Marina and I headed to the boutique, but instead of going inside, we made a turn on the alley beside it.

"This way, my lady," Marina said as she guided the way.

We made a few more turns before we reached Cornerstone Street. Along our way, we saw a few commoners leaning against the walls of the buildings. They looked hopeless, and I couldn't go my way to help them since I'd be in trouble if some street rats saw a noble lady helping these people.

I wonder what the monarch has been doing with the people's tax for them to be in this kind of state.

"We're here, my lady." I was pulled back to reality when Marina spoke.

We stopped in front of a shabby looking place where an old signage bears the name of the store, 'Artisan Hut'. It was the same image from the book, except that it looked older.

"Do you want to wait here?" I asked as I held the door handle and twisted it open. I couldn't hear Marina's answer as the door chime rang and distracted me.

"Greetings. What can we do for a beautiful lady like you?" A man in elf-like clothing popped out from the shop's counter. He looked quite old because of the few wrinkles decorating his face.

I took slow, careful footsteps as I approached the counter closer. And I stopped as I stood in front of him.

"I'm looking for these things," I said, taking out the list I hid in my inside pocket then handing the paper to him.

The man took the list then he grabbed the glasses hanging around his neck like some sort of necklace. He wore them before reading the contents of the paper.

"Ah. We have what you are looking for. Let me go get them for you," he said after reading the list.

"Then I'll wait here," I answered.

The man smiled and nodded his head before he went upstairs.

The shop looked depressing because of the little light coming through the small cracks of the windows. But despite how dimly lit it was, the energy flowing in this place feels light.

Out of boredom, I looked around the shop to check out a few items that caught my attention.

"Don't you feel a little suspicious about this shop, my lady?" Marina asked and that was the only time I noticed her.

I exhaled loudly. She honestly surprised me. "Can you not speak so suddenly and so closely to me? I might get a heart attack because of you," I said, giving my forehead a gentle massage.

"I'm not going to attack your heart, my lady," Marina said, sounding a bit confused.

"That's not what I meant." I glared at her. Marina closed her lips, raising her hands up to her chest as she backed away.

"I'm just a little worried about this place, my lady," she explained.

I don't blame you. I'm also suspicious about this place. But we really can't judge a place by its physical appearance, no? "Don't worry too much. I can protect us if ever an accident happens."

Well, whatever happens, happens. I turned around looking at the shelves again. I really wanted to check out the daggers that caught my attention before Marina surprised me.

I leaned a bit closer as I examined them. They were stone-made daggers that were famous in the past. And now, only artisans sell them for decorations.

"These daggers don't seem to be just for display though," I mumbled as I tapped the glass of the shelf with my index finger.

"Milady? I've prepared your order," the man announced.

I bit my inner cheek as I looked at the counter. I should request a customized dagger. I remained in front of the shelf; Marina was the one to go to the counter and paid for the things I purchased.

"Do you accept personalized orders for these stone-made daggers?" I asked, pointing at the daggers on the shelf.

The man smiled as he handed the bag of my orders to Marina, then he looked at me. "Yes, we do. The process takes at least 2 weeks since we take extra care in making them."

I nodded at him then threw another glance at the shelf. "Then I want to request a dagger made of obsidian. I will pay half the price today and pay the other half after it has been completed," I said and walked closer to him. "Don't contact me. I'll come back here after two weeks."

It was a hasty request, but a dagger would be useful to me more than a sword. Plus, this shop's stone daggers looked really amazing.

The shop owner didn't ask for any other things, except for the design of the dagger. He gave me a pen and a paper, so I could draw the style I wanted.

I drew a simple one that's easy to hold and wield. Marina handed the partial payment for the dagger before we left.

"Marina, I need you to carry this bag discreetly in your room, and hand it to me before bedtime," I ordered.

"Yes, my lady." Marina bowed her head then we went back to the center of the marketplace.

Other than buying essentials for the summoning, I also need to look around, and check for a product that's easy to sell. I'm not planning to become a businessperson like my past self, I only need an investment for future purposes.