The warm morning rays hit my skin gently while Gwyneth is brushing my thick black hair in the balcony where I stared at a six feet size mirror in front of us. My hair bounces whenever the brush rakes it. I noticed that my freckles are now slightly visible and the bags under my eyes made me look like I aged a decade.
I squinted while looking at the pale blue sky which was filled with white foams. The chirping of birds would definitely lighten my mood if I had a wink last night.
I yawned unconsciously which is very unlady-like. Gwyneth might have noticed it as she set the brush down.
"Do you have trouble sleeping, your grace? Does the bed make you feel uncomfortable?" She asked.
I shook my head. "No, I'm fine."
After having breakfast, Gwyneth helped me with my morning routine. She is now attempting to braid my hair. I actually suggested that it would be nice if she do it here in the balcony where I could overlook the city during daytime but the sunrays make me feel drowsy.
If it wasn't for Wilhelm, that rascal! I kept thinking of him all night! I feel guilty when I don't even know what's my fault! Was he mad because I pinched his ear? Or the thought that I think of him as a dumb?
I took a deep breath. I don't know. "Perhaps, do you want to go shopping with me? The weather is nice today. I could also show you around the hotel."
She started brushing my hair again.
I tilted my head to glare at her. "Didn't you know? I'm in disguise. I don't want to take a risk by showing my face outside. A fae might see me."
Some faes might have their vacation here and I don't want to bump into them.
I could feel her hands tensed as she sectioned my hair. "M-my apologies, my lady."
Did I sound scary to her? Damn. I want to clench my hair as a result of these frustrations. This is why the kingdom is frightened of me because of my voice, they misunderstand my tone when in fact, I was just explaining.
"I changed my mind." I crossed my arms and leaned my back to the chair. "I'll go shopping."
Besides, I can't just sit here all day and wait for Hugo to feed me some details. Going out would help me get some leads for this case.
From the mirror's reflection, I saw Gwyneth's smile. "That would be great, my lady but will you excuse me after I'm finished with your hair? If you allow me, I'm going to change my clothes."
I slightly nodded, trying not to mess up her braid. "Fine by me."
"Thank you, my lady."
I closed my eyes and felt her soft fingers. The way she braids my hair felt like a massage. She made a low bun first and after that, she twisted the remaining sections of my hair and tucked it in under the bun.
As soon as her fingers stopped moving, I watched myself in the mirror. Then, she slowly pulled some strands beside my ear, making my hairstyle look more natural. She distanced herself and bowed to me.
"I like it." I complimented her.
I moved my head sideways and the bun was rolled in a messy but perfect way. A hairstyle that is compatible for my pink off-shoulder maxi dress.
I stood up and turned around. "You can go change your clothes, Gwyneth. I'll be waiting here."
She looked up and clasped her hands. "Thank you, my lady. I promise to be quick."
I reached for her hand and smiled. "No, take your time. I won't mind."
Gwyneth is also a lady. I don't want to deprive her nobility.
"Thank you, my lady!" Her eyes showed excitement.
She snapped her fingers before she turned to leave me, making the mirror and the chair disappear.
When she already left the room, I sat down on the couch, leaned my neck and was careful not to mess my hairstyle.
I looked up and thought of some possibilities. Where the heck should I find those knights? This world is big and complicated. There's a slight chance if they happened to be around this place. I clicked my tongue. I forgot to tell Wilhelm about their scroll!
I decided to stand up before I bit my thumb again and went to the balcony. I leaned my arms on the railings and watched the busy streets underneath as the wind swayed a few strands of my hair.
The people looked like ants in my perspective as they walked sideways. I could also hear the loud honks of the vehicles from the busy streets. There is black smoke coming out from the buildings that makes the city look dull however, because of the surrounding trees, the landscape has color.
"My lady? Are you ready to go?" The way Gwyneth knocked the door awakened me. Is she done changing already? I yawned one more time before opening the door.
My eyes instantly glued at her. She let her straight hair fall just above her neck that suits her small face. She is wearing a printed black shirt, a pair of fitted blue trousers and white shoes that have lace on it. Her outfit is complimenting her curves. She surely knows how to dress like a normal human.
"Come in, help me with my money." I went to the couch where my untouched bag was on it while Gwyneth was behind me.
I opened the backpack and her eyes grew larger when I took out the ten drawstring pouches that were fully filled with gold coins.
"M-my lady.." She gasped and covered her mouth. "T-this is too much!
My brows creased. "Too much?"
I could only live with these coins in LaRue for a week.
"With these," She pointed to the pouches. "You could live for a lifetime here or even feed the entire city."
I now get why she overreacted like that. It was written in the Book of Human Ream that this world values gold more than anything else. Why did I forget about that?
"But, I still have to pay Hugo for my living expenses here."
"You shouldn't worry about that, because a single pouch of gold coin is enough for a year's stay in this hotel."
"Is that so? Then, how can we convert these to this country's money?" I don't plan on returning to LaRue with these coins.
She shook her head. "We can't, your grace. We could be suspected if we sell these coins. Lord Hugo knows where to sell them but don't worry for today's shopping, he gave me his black card. With this, we can spend today without limits."
She wiggled her brows and clipped the card in her fingers while grinning.
We put back the pouches inside the bag. I don't know what's a black card but I think that is something like a noble's certification letter when we shop. Gwyneth also put back the card in her pocket and took out a pink shawl from her bag.
"My lady, you can wear this. It's hot outside and dusty. You might get an allergy."
I was going to ask her how she knew my allergy. Did Martha tell Hugo? Or was it Wilhelm?
Before I could speak to her, she put the shawl over my head and twirled the remaining hem around my neck.
"Let's go?" She excitedly asked.
I nodded and she locked the door. I was behind her as we walked through the corridor. Because of a sudden edgy feeling when I saw multiple doors on this floor, I lifted the hem of the shawl to cover half of my face. What if someone gets out and notices me?
Gwyneth leveled my steps and whispered. "My lady, don't worry. There's a secret exit here so we can use that."
"Okay." I uttered.
When we were about to ride the lift, which Gwyneth suggested because it would take us to the exit easier, a woman that has deep set of blue eyes greeted us while crossing her arms.
My eyes almost plummeted when I realized who she is! Both of us bowed but I did not lock my eyes to her. I'm sure she would recognize me at first glance.
We paved our way inside quietly as I was looking down. Gwyneth pressed the closed button. I swallowed hard and tried not to breathe when the silence filled the lift. What is Lady Fraulein doing here? Is she on a vacation? I doubt that, why would the palace allow the prince's fiancé to wander in this world where she has no knights?
We heard a ding sound and the lift opened. Lady Fraulein instantly makes her way out. I took a deep breath when she wasn't looking back at us. It was suffocating having her around.
"I assure you that she didn't recognize you, my lady." Gwyneth said as she was comfortably leaning on the wall.
"H-how can you say that?" I asked while I loosened the shawl.
"I put a spell on the shawl. The moment I put it on you, it altered your prominent features."
"I see." I nodded.
I praised Gwyneth in my mind. She surely knows how to avoid risks but it still bothers me as to why Lady Fraulein is here. She is the last person I expected to meet in this world.
After a few moments, the lift opened again and Gwyneth guided me outside. We entered a floor where a door has a sign that says 'Strictly Prohibited'. Gwyneth raised her hand and it opened. I guess only the hotel's staff has access to it
.A sudden gust of wind welcomed us when we stepped outside. The smell of roses that was planted around the wooden door remained in my nose. I moved my feet and realized that this hotel is built on top of a hill. I looked up, the building was designed with old bricks and slightly looked like a castle.
"Let's go, my lady." Gwyneth appeared and beamed in front of me.
I smiled back as we started walking under the sun's heat.