We arrived at the estate around three in the afternoon which just proves how far our estate is. Jacob and others immediately goes straight outside the carriage and entered the manor with a relieved expression. I cannot help but smirk mentally as I have plenty of time to solidify my plan yesterday and I don't plan on being lenient on my family.
'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'
I gave my mother a cold glance before I entered the estate. This is actually pretty stupid because I'll be out again tomorrow to go back to the capital. My only real business here is to pack my things and to obtain 'the thing' that would possibly help me in some ways. I approached my father who's about to enter the manor.
"I'll be going out for a bit father." I said straight to his face. I'm not asking for his permission, I'm informing him.
"Are your things already prepared?"
"I told Casey to do that. I'll get going."
"Have some guards to assist you."
"No need. It's not like I'm someone important."
I walked pass him and walked straight outside the estate. The guards opened the gate slightly, enough for me to pass. I don't have much time to appreciate the architectural design of the mansion since my stay here is very limited.
I wandered around the market place and luckily, the people do not give a damn on me. it took me half an hour to observe the whole market place and all I can say is that the goods here are not so different from my previous life. There are some who sells armor and weaponries; some are selling clothes and dresses. There are also those small stalls where they offer different types of food. Finally taking sight of the inconspicuous alley, I sighed in relief and ran towards it.
As soon as I entered, the funky smell of disgusting things attacked my nose but it was a given thing considering that I entered an alley. There's only one store here in this hidden place and it's not really well known as its goal is to become a mysterious store. I looked at the sign board and read the name of the store which was written on it.
"Antique Bricks"
An old lady opened the door with a benign smile on her face. It sent chills down my spine but I shrugged it off and looked at her with indifference.
"Hoh?" She smiled in a fascinated way before guiding me inside her oh-so-inconspicuous store
The interior is like a witch store that I saw in a famous movie before. The items sure are old and thick layer of dust slightly covers some item's brilliance but that only means that some items here are rare.
"What might be this young lady looking for?"
The old lady asked with a smile that seems to know everything. This old lady is mentioned in the latter half of ' Castle of Love'. She was the merchant who visited the Crown Prince herself in the woods with a potion in her hand. She is an all-knowing woman who likes to feign ignorance to make the clients more agitated. This old lady is somehow connected to the Goddess Estira who collects the souls of the dead so she's obviously one of the most powerful beings in this world.
"Don't feign ignorance with me madam. We both know what I came here from." I gave her a blunt reply which made her eyes twinkle in joy.
"Hohoho!" She laughed heartily. " Let me get the item for you."
I only nodded and wait for the old lady who entered the door behind the counter. After a minute she's now holding a box that was also described in the novel.
Clink'
"I'm sure that you can use this well, Lady Alice Von Grettes."
She said after I put down a pouch that contains 100 gold coins. Alice Von Grettes is wealthy on her own as she save the money and jewelries that her father gave to her. Alice off course being as timed as ever never touched those luxuries and quietly lived without any greediness in material things.
'100 gold coins is nothing to her secret vault which is mine now.'
"It's quite plenty young lady. It seems that you are in need of another item."
"Brooch"
That word is enough for her to understand. I'm talking about a brooch that gives the wielder a protective shield. It is a missing national treasure in the Northern continent called Elizabeth shield.
She gave me a small box and inside is a rainbow colored gem that was made into a brooch. I smiled while imagining the soon to be assassination and upcoming events.
"You'll have the Crown Prince here in the future so you better prepare the potion."
"Indeed. I shall inform my superior about that."
I left the place and goes straight back home. My things are packed already as well as my secret vault.
I lie on my bed and let myself get swallowed by the deep slumber.
The next day, I decided to open the large box that contains the item I need the most. It is a pair of gold shackles with an ancient text inscribed in it.
This was mentioned in the novel as the Crown Prince and the Second Lead fought against a strong lady warrior.
This is called the Chains of Hell and was believed that this was created using 10 million slave's blood and soul. This carries their despair and scorching anger that they kept to themselves.
I kneeled as if wearing a sneaker and locked both shackles in my legs. The small chains are making a clinking sound but I didn't bother to suppress it. I walked out of my room and the servants exclaimed in surprise as they saw the shackles in both of my feet. I did not bother to explain anything to my family and simply walked straight outside the house.
It's already time to leave the Duchy and go back to the capital. There're two carriages in front of our house and the worn out one is obviously mine. Of course I'm separated to the twin which is my two older siblings. Valec and Aston look at me with disgust before they entered their carriage.
"Disgusting"
I heard Valec's murmured as he walked past me then entering the carriage. I just raised a brow and entered my worn out carriage. Casey is driving the carriage since no coachman was assigned for my pitiful self.
We were about to go when Jacob suddenly knocked at my carriage. He's got a basket full of snacks in his hands and then gave it to me.
"Here's your food supply sister!"
"Oh, thanks."
I accepted the basket and smiled at him. At least I have someone in my family now. I reached for my bag and gave him a festive colored egg.
His eyes widened and look at me with disbelief. I slightly chuckled as I saw his expression.
"It's my parting gift for you. Watch the house okay?"
He nodded and bid his farewell to me. I saw him approached my father and showed him the Easter's egg that I gave him with a proud smile.
Father was shocked and looked at my carriage but luckily, Casey started to make the horse run. He's probably going to ask for an egg himself if he managed to stop my carriage so I ordered Casey to hasten the ride.
-----
We arrived at the capital the next day and I immediately entered the manor. I won't wait for those two to say something again.
Unfortunately, I don't have time to slack off since today is the first day of school. Unlike any other novels that I've read, the Magic Institution in this place requires the students to wear a uniform.
This is to avoid discrimination to the students who acquired scholarships. The subjects are the same as the other classes and the only difference is what major you are to choose.
Majors are divided in five different professions. Ragnars are those who use their own body without any weapon. Knights and Archers are for those who use weapons and imbue it with 'intent'. Magis are simply those who use wide range magic attacks. Aida are those who have affinity with Holy Magic and lastly are the Potters who uses alchemy to make potions and other things.
The campus is huge and the facilities are top notch. That's the first thing I can say as I enter the premises. Many students are heading towards the huge building which I think is the assembly hall.
There are so many students here that make me feel like I'm back at my real world.
"Ahem...hem!"
I looked back after hearing a fake cough and saw a familiar playful face. A tall noble man with golden blond hair stood behind me. I immediately smiled as I can't help but remember how he said his cheesy lines at the gathering. I smiled and bowed a little.
"Fancy meeting you here Sir Leonardo"
"Gah! Don't be so formal and call me Leo" He formed an ' X' with his arms then smiled once again.
"Then you too shall call me without formality."
"Deal!"
We shook our hands after that and lined up with the other first years. This will be the start of the Female lead and Crown Prince story.