*Multiple POVs*
***
(Su Daji POV)
The soldiers on either side of the gate nodded as I passed through what divided the middle layer from the outer layer. The garments I chose to wear didn't standout too much from the surrounding populous. It would be difficult to tell that I was from the middle layer or just a little richer than the rest, but it wasn't that rare for people from the middle layer to enter the outer layer so even if they thought I came from the middle layer it wouldn't matter.
But, none of that would have mattered if I was in my original form. Distinct fox ears and tail trailing behind me would give me odd stares from many around. In fact just the unique orange hair color I currently had would attract a bit of attention, in contrast the nicer clothing I had wouldn't be the focus anymore. Luckily in this life I was able to not only survive that encounter, but also save my clansmen many of which had valuable skills for me to learn.
The ability of transformation for example, which allowed me to hide the fact I was from the Fox Clan. If I knew such a useful ability in my last life I might have thought more useless and have an easier time to escape, but it's all in the past now.
It didn't just allow me to hide my features though I could even change them, but I only just started knowing the basics so I couldn't do anything too drastic. I did focus a lot of the time learning how to change my face though, so that part should be more advanced in manipulation than the others.
It doesn't matter if I attract attention or not, but still I didn't want everyone I met to stare too long so I only got rid of the most distinct parts: the fox ears and tail. If my Beloved is around maybe attention wouldn't be too bad. Maybe it could even help me, I could perhaps use it to increase my prestige and make him feel honored that I would even talk to him.
'First I need to find him and from there I can plan out a perfect first meeting with him. I'll watch him and write down his schedule, making sure to thoroughly plan out this meeting in the best way possible.'
Moving through the streets at a leisurely pace I scanned the whole area multiple times to make sure I won't miss him I happen to run into him. Of course there was at least one person who came up to me to ask me out.
A young man appeared in front of me before asking, "Hey there young lady, I couldn't help but notice that you were walking down the street all by yourself. Would you mind if I accompanied you?"
I didn't give the man another second after he finished speaking before promptly rejecting. "Yes, I do mind, please leave."
Dejected the man left while sagging his shoulders. This short encounter would occur a few more times on the way to the locations reported to me.
Asking around those locations I eventually was pointed towards an inn. As I neared the inn I started to look for a place to secretly transform my face change my hair color. Since this was a scouting mission I couldn't let him know I knew about him yet. It was also to confirm if it was really him or not. If it really was him then it would definitely be suspicious, if not quite coincidental that I happened to be near him at my designated meeting location.
Though, most of it is just me over planning for any possible thing that could make him lose faith in me later.
In an alley I changed my facial structure to appear less charming and attention grabbing along with my hair color to a brown.
When I exited the effect could immediately be felt by me. If before 75-90% would at least give a noticeable glance, now perhaps only around 40% would.
Entering the inn I was overjoyed by seeing the man I've been dreaming of, but that was short lived. What I saw in his immediate proximity instantly froze me at the doorway.
There was a striking little girl who sat happily on his lap eating food, she mostly ate the food on her own, but every once in a while my Beloved would feed her. Next to him was a stunning woman who oozed charm, she fed my Beloved food and in turn he would also feed her.
When I recovered a few moments later I went to sit down at a table with a clear sight of them. After my shock at the situation dispersed what I felt next was heavy distress followed by a ting of anger.
'W-what...? W-why is he with someone.. a woman and a girl at that! T-this.. it isn't right! This isn't how it's supposed to go!!
Why! Why!! Why!!! How did it change? What's different about this life?! Where did I go wrong? Does it possibly have to do with that fact that I came back?'
As I watched this scene of them acting like a loving family, anger surged in my mind as I clenched my fist under the table. I watched as that woman raised a piece of meat to feed my Beloved.
'That's supposed to be me!!! How could this happen before I could even find him? Once again I've watched him fall for another woman other than me!! This is unacceptable!! Once I take him away from her I'll make sure I get all the love I've lost.'
Suddenly, that woman turned her head in my direction. I couldn't reveal my intentions right after being spotted so almost instinctually I looked away.
'It doesn't matter how this situation occurred, I have to deal with it now. They are going to be a problem, especially that woman sitting next to him. My previous plan probably won't work now with these new variables.
Maybe I could separate them later and get a bit of alone time with my Beloved. Eventually I'll have to deal with them somehow, but first I should get more information. '
***
(Yao Ya POV)
As I fed Darling a piece of meat I felt someone staring at us, but this stare felt a little different compared to the other ones. When I turned to look, I noticed a woman at a small table by herself with her head down. I couldn't see her face as it was covered by her hair, but there is something about her which just doesn't feel right. I can't put my finger on it though. It might just be nothing, but I should keep my eye on her for a little bit.
'Hmm, she's getting up, wait.. she's coming towards us? Is she dangerous? Were my thoughts correct?'
As she approached I kept up a bit of vigilance.
"You're all quite happy family aren't you all?" The woman took a seat across the table from us.
'Asking about our relationship? Will she attempt to gauge how we value one another? Is she trying to figure out who would be the best hostage?'
"Mmhn! Papa is the best!" Zheng Da enthusiastically spoke out.
I looked at Darling for his reaction all the while making sure that that woman was still within the corner of my vision. Darling opened his mouth like he was about to say something before eventually remaining silent.
The expression on that woman's face didn't escape my notice. When she saw what darling did her expression changed and even seemed to relax for some reason.
'Huh? Why does that matter to her? Maybe my previous assumptions were wrong. She might just be a weird, crazy lady.'
Before I could get a word in she said her goodbyes before leaving.
"Ah I see, well enjoy your dinner! Seeing such a joyous couple is quite rare sometimes."
'She quite weird indeed, I'll have to pay attention to her.'
***
(Su Daji POV)
Although I only said it twice, the fact I had to say they looked good together angered me both times I had to say so. Only by clenching my fist under the table could I hold myself back.
'This is good news though, the fact he didn't immediately confirm they were together might mean something. I won't deny what I saw earlier though, he seemed quite happy to be feeding that little girl. So their relationship shouldn't be forced.
It would have been so much easier if it was though, but life won't just hand me such an easy ticket. The child might be a little hard to separate if she clings to my Beloved, but it shouldn't be possible for him to love her in that way, right?
The child's body proportions seem a bit... impossible no? Their table gained the most attention from everyone in the inn. No matter who they were they would look for a bit, especially since everyone at that table looked incredible. But that child's... breasts outshine a great deal of adult women.
Ugh!! Why are there so many problems in this life already?! I thought that An Chu was a greatest problem I have, but can't even spare time to think about her now!'
When I sat back down at my previous table, I ordered something to nibble on and to drink with to blend in.
..
After they finished their meal they went up to their room. I on the other hand of course had to follow them and when I reached the top of the stairs I witnessed another scene which began to distress and anger me.
They all went into a single room together!
'This Woman!! I have to get rid of her soon! Who knows what she'll do to him! What if she breaks his heart!? They aren't really together right?!'
Immediately I left the inn and found a building adjacent which had view into their room. Taking a good seat on the second floor of the public building I peered out towards the inn as naturally as I could, but what I noticed froze me for a second. The window was closed and so was this plans advancement.
Leaving the building as quickly as I came I found a way to climb onto the inn's roof. Locating the roof of their room I carefully removed one of the ceramic tiles and peeped into their room while listening into their conversation.
Luckily, I wasn't away for too long and still managed to hear some of their conversation. I just had to hope that what I missed wasn't important.
Looking through I saw the arrangement of the room; There were two single person beds against a wall separated by a table between the two and a couple of chairs opposite the beds. once you walked into the room the beds would be on the left and chairs on the right.
Listening into the conversation they we beginning to talk about how to set up sleeping procedures.