Somehow, I found myself walking along the commercial streets of the East with Anette and two personal knights appointed by my father—Sir Alaric and another one named Sir Roan.
It seemed like every nook and corner had been adorned with glittering roses that gave off a refreshing vibe amidst the busy and crowded streets. I fear that the next time I get out, all I'll ever see are roses and the whole city will be covered by them. They seem to grow in numbers each time I go out.
"Young lady, are you sure it's alright to walk around like this?" Anette asked while making sure the bandages on me were still intact. It had only been a few minutes since we got out but I already lost count of the times she has fretted over these white sheets. "Shouldn't we go directly to the boutique the head butler suggested for us to go to?"
"Loosen up a little, Anette." I nudged my chin to the direction of my guards who have kept a safe distance from us. "Those two are here, what could possibly go wrong?"
Sir Alaric noticed that we were looking at them. The knight flashes a toothy smile at us while giving out an informal salute. Then he goes back to checking out a merchant selling cheap-looking swords and armory by the street.
"See? Sir Alaric pays good attention at us."
"B-but…"
I raised my eyebrows at her and by each second I lift them higher and higher. My maid sighed, defeated.
"Fine… we'll just be extra careful or else your allergies-"
"Great! Let's go check out that stall over there." I pointed to the place where different kinds of trinkets were displayed.
I didn't fail to notice the leering glances and obvious whispers by a group of ladies just a few meters from us.
"Isn't that the Young Lady Rosa over there? My, what's this about allergies?"
"Not many knew this but apparently the young lady is allergic to flowers. That's why she wasn't able to provide aether for us for a long time."
"Oh goddess! Is that why she's wearing bandages? There were rumors that she wore those because she's afraid that our commoner dirt might spread to her."
"How stupid are you to believe such rumors?"
"Well, even I thought that she was just traumatized by what happened to her mother, the Duchess… they were together during the time of the accident after all."
What? I didn't know about that! If only I could remember everything-
A blurry scene flashed through my mind that made me flinch. It was so foggy that I could only make out a white-haired woman, lying on the ground and covered with blood. I felt a pang in my head as I forcibly tried to remember the one-second memory.
"Young lady! Are you alright?!"
I composed myself. I didn't realize that I had stopped walking. My right hand was on my temple as well.
"Why? What happened?" Sir Alaric marched closer to us while the yellow-haired knight followed behind him.
"Is the young lady hurt?" asked Sir Roan.
Both their faces and voices had a trace of nervousness.
I sighed and tried to beam brightly. "I had a bit of a headache, is all. I'm perfectly fine." I held out my hands to the sides. "See?"
"Sh-should we go back?" Anette didn't look convinced at all.
"I'm telling you, I'm really alright." I continued to walk and made my tone as cheerful as ever. "You know what? Forget that stall. Come on, we're going to that store Karl told us about."
With that, the three of them had no choice but to follow me.
I admit—I was quite excited to pick out a few clothes as I'd never gone shopping before.
I clutched my sweating hands to the skirts of the plain cream dress I was wearing. The sleeves were a bit tight already, all the more reason to buy new ones.
There were some people who'd bow at me, children also waved and I greeted everyone back as we walked down the street. For a moment, I had wondered why they were able to recognize me so quickly. I realized that one thing, I wasn't wearing my cloak. And second, these knights. Aside from bearing the Rosa House Crest on their red and white uniforms, they were also quite charming as well—at least the ladies think so.
But Anette thought otherwise. She'd roll her eyes every time Sir Alaric waves at a lady. These two never get along at all.
"Wynona's Fashion Boutique" "High Quality Fabric" "Rare Gems and Jewels"
Sir Alaric read the writings on the wooden shop signage above a glass door out loud.
"Must you read them out loud?" Anette raised one brow.
"Can't help it, it'd be a waste to keep my dreamy voice to myself." The sandy-haired knight winked at the maid.
Anette only lets out a groan as I snickered.
"I'll open the door for you, young lady." Sir Roan offered.
"Oh, alright, thank you."
He bows after he opened the door while his other hand gestured me to enter. He's quite formal, isn't he?
"Now that's how a knight should act." Anette mumbled while following me inside.
"Hey, I heard that-"
Sir Alaric was not able to continue as his voice was taken over by a chorus of voices from inside.
"Welcome, young lady Calla."
A line of ten women wearing the shop's uniforms greeted as they bowed, their hands were put together in front. In front of them was a middle-aged woman wearing a gorgeous purple gown paired with a huge feathered hat of different colors.
"That woman is Lady Wynonna, this boutique's owner. She's Lord Frederick's mother." Anette whispered to my ear.
I did a rather hasty curtsy. Why didn't Anette tell me that earlier?!
"Greetings, Lady Wynonna. I've come to pick out a dress for my birthday, please take care of me."
This was the result of Lady Elizabeth's etiquette lessons. My teacher is the best—even if she beats me up with a ruler sometimes.
I lifted my gaze to the cluttering of expensive shimmering dresses in golden racks.
How am I supposed to choose from all that?
"You may choose some dresses here from casual to formal attire, my young lady." Lady Wynnona smiled. "For your birthday gown, please choose from this catalogue, we shall have it made by my best tailors here."
A woman hands me a thick and heavy leather-bound book. This is supposed to be a catalogue?
And a gown? I thought a dress would suffice!
"Uh… I-"
Anette stepped beside me. "Don't worry, young lady. I shall take it from here."
My eyes widened as I hugged the catalogue to my body.
And then… what happened next was something I had never expected.
Anette pointed to the farthest left of the room. "From there…" Then her fingers go to the farthest right. "Up to here—we'll take it all."
My eyes nearly flew from the sockets as I turned to Anette. Even the two knights behind me looked like their jaws were about to fall.
She didn't stop there. Anette took the catalogue from me. "I'll be choosing multiple dresses and gowns and have my young lady pick from a few of them."
My jaw fell. Who are you and what did you do to Anette?!
"We will be taking your measurements, young lady. Please come with us." The girl employees giggled as they took me by the arms.
Why are you even asking for permission when you're already dragging me?
I turned my head to my personal maid who took a seat by the door and was already beginning to scan the catalogue, looking all serious. Sir Alaric also had his fingers to his chin as he looked at some dresses. Then he nods to an employee as he points at a dress. Even Sir Roan was casually picking up accessories, barely looking and putting them on a small basket held by another employee.
Lady Wynonna's eyes were practically sparkling.
'Give me back Anette!' I shouted in my mind as I disappeared into the shop along with the overexcited girls.
***
I let out an exhausted sigh as I walked out of Lady Wynonna's boutique. In the end, I wasn't even able to choose. I mean look at this. The three of them are carrying too many boxes ranging from big and small sizes. Because of the towering boxes, I can't even see them.
The thought that a few gowns were to be sent next week did not help either. Did we overdo it?
'I noticed that the young lady has only a few dresses in her wardrobe, and most of them are quite plain.' reasoned Anette.
'I just thought that these jewelries match the young lady's eyes and hair!' added Sir Alaric.
'….' — Sir Roan.
They'd even included cloaks and boots instead of only a gown, a few dresses and shoes.
I was about to step into the carriage when I noticed a familiar wizard's robes. His dark-blue silky straight hair shining brighter as it hit the rays of sunlight while he walks off.
The three were still busy loading the boxes to the carriage so I ran to catch up to a certain someone.
"Lavi, wait!"
The wizard turns to me, his hazel eyes widened as he recognized who I was.
Shoot- he's gonna get mad again because I went out.
I stopped a few inches from him.
"Oh, Calla… were you buying some stuff for your birthday?" He asked as he normally would.
What? Is he not mad that I'm outside? Or that I walked out from him yesterday? He's acting like nothing has happened. Like... he's already used to it.
"Yeah-"
"Oh! Before I forget, I'll pick you up tonight. Alis already allowed you to come—although it did take a lot of convincing." He grins before continuing. "Erion's already done with the preparations. That man should speak up soon."
Then he walks off, disappearing to an alleyway.
What did he mean by "preparations"? Could it be… methods of torture? Oh god.