Ellendise was looking around town with a bit of intrigue. This was her first time being away from home and her first time shopping as Ellendise.
She has a sizable budget on her person and she was not reluctant to spend more.
She picked a random boutique with a variety of dresses.
"My lady, what kind of dress would you like?" Rachel asked.
"My lady, look at this! It suits the color of your hair and eyes!" Jill said excitedly.
Ellendise smiled.
The shop owner approached them, immediately recognizing that she was a noble.
"Greetings. Welcome to my humble store. I am Rillian, the store manager. What can I help the young lady?"
"I would like to see your seamstress. I want to commission a dress."
"Ah, yes! Then please, let me lead you to the VIP room. "
Ellendise sat down and quietly drank her tea. Rachel was looking around while Jill kept whispering to her.
"My lady, are you sure that you don't want to pick a dress in the shop? They have a lot of beautiful varieties!"
Ellendise placed her cup down.
"I prepared a design. The dresses here are indeed beautiful but they aren't to my taste."
Ellendise showed them the design she prepared.
"Oh my goodness! My lady, this is beautiful! I didn't know that you could draw so well!" Jill was gushing over the design of the dress.
"It's surprising. My lady is quite talented in drawing." It would seem that the very reserve and quiet Rachel was also impressed.
"Thank you, both of you."
The seamstress wa quick to arrive. Ellendise showed her the design and described the kind of materials she wanted to use for the dress.
"My lady, this is quite an impressive design. But the materials you said. It would be costly."
Ellendise nodded to Rachel.
A bag of gold was thrown on the table.
The seamstress wa frozen stiff. But then, she quickly recovered and accepted the commission.
"I'm sure five days is enough to make this dress possible?" Ellendise calmly sipped her tea while looking at the seamstress.
The seamstress couldn't help but nod. Ellendise's tone was soft yet commanding. Her overall presence was imposing and it was hard to refuse her who possess such a beautiful face and calm temperament.
Ellendise quickly left the boutique before heading towards Viscount Mierheart's mansion.
Due to her unexpected visit, the Viscount wasn't home and the butler greeted her in his place.
"Is my cousin home? I would like to talk to him."
The butler sweated a little.
"My lady, I'm afraid that the young master is feeling unwell. He is currently in his room and doesn't want to see anyone. Would you be alright waiting for the Viscount instead? I've sent a messenger to inform him of your arrival. He is on his way home right now."
Ellendise stood up.
"Since my dearest cousin is unwell. I would like to pay a visit to him. Afterall, his birthday is one week from now. It would be rude of me not to check on him."
The butler paled even more.
"My lady, the things is.."
"What is it? Are you going to refuse my lady's request? My lady is only going to check on her cousin. Surely, there's nothing wrong with that?"
Ellendise tried not to smile. Rachel was very reserved but Jill was outspoken and has fiery temperament. It also helped that she could tell what Ellendise wanted.
"Y-Yes, yes. It is my mistake. Please follow me, my lady. I will escort you to the young master's study room."
"If he's sick, why is he at the study room?" Jill grumbled under her breath. Rachel gave her a look that told her to stop.
Ellendise allowed all of this to pass until she was standing infront of a room.
The butler knocked lightly.
"Young master, the young lady is here to see you. "
There was no answer from the other side of the room which made the butler sweat nervously.
"Young master.."
"Go away!"
The loud voice of an annoyed child was quickly heard.
Ellendise knew that this was Valrug. She turned to the butler and smiled politely.
"Thank you for your help. I'll be okay from here on."
"That.."
"My lady said she can do it. Are you doubting her?" Jill said.
"No.. I'm simply worried because the young master has been very irritable these days. The young lady might feel offended if she were to be on the receiving end of the young master's annoyance."
"It's fine. Words have no power unless you let them." Ellendise said before opening the door.
"Remain standing outside. I will go alone."
The moment she closed the door, a loud voice broke through the room.
"I said go away! Who are you?!"
Ellendise looked at the almost eleven year old Valrug who was nearly drowning in the pile of books around him.
"It's me. I'm your cousin, Ellendise Ariadne Mielle Vitron. It's nice to meet you, Valrug."
The almost eleven year old stood up with furrowed brows. His ginger hair curled lazily around his face while his green eyes looked at her suspiciously.
"You're big brother Nitense's sister?"
Ellendise nodded.
"Yes. Nitense is my older brother. But other than that, I came here to talk to you about your gift."
Valrug's face showed signs of displeasure.
"I don't want a present. Go away. "
Ellendise placed a hand on her cheek. Then she crouched down and picked up a book.
"You haven't even heard what kind of gift I'm planning to give you."
"No need. No need!" Valrug shouted with an annoyed expression as if she was wasting his precious time.
He was firmly clutching his book as he looked at her warily. The same way someone would look at a stranger.
Ellendise smiled before closing the book and showing it to him.
"What would you do if I told you that I could wake up the Viscountess?"
When Valrug look at the cover on the book, it was of a fairy with long hair.
Ellendise knew immediately that she caught his attention.
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