I sat with Fancy at a table on the balcony of the shop where we were also having a small coffee corner. Customers could also rest while their order was prepared.
I asked for three new dresses for Fancy with three pairs of shoes, surprising the latter but I let her know that as my servant, she had to be at least presentable and it was not with her rags that she would be.
The corner was beautiful. Around the balcony, there were red and pink roses and their smell made the atmosphere so romantic. I smiled. I'm starting to love my new life, even thanking the real Mylène for giving me her place.
How can you not be happy about a second chance where one could live as he sees fit? And as a bonus, I am extremely beautiful and gorgeous, the complete opposite of my past life.
I will do everything to have fun in life and with my new family who believed that trampling Mylène to death was the best thing to do, I will ruin their happiness as they have done with Mylène…
I thought of Frederik and smiled with guilt. I'm just going to use him because even if the real Mylène was in love with him, I don't think I can fall for him but I'll agree to have fun if he wants to... especially since he seemed very reactive in the greenhouse.
«My lady, I would like to know…»
«Yes, Fancy??»
« Are you going to seduce Sir Frederik De Solsten?»
«I don't know what you think?»
«I ... I think that even though you were the first to be in love and that Sir Frederik seems to have fallen under your charms ... I don't think this relationship suits you.»
«I don't understand, can you explain yourself?»
«My lady... you have changed and I could see that you are a wild spirit. So being just the wife of a knight even if he will soon be a count would not be enough for you I think... you are seized to be a woman above the others.»
I rolled my eyes not in surprise but in fascination, this girl was telling me exactly what I wanted to hear and showing me that my desires weren't so sordid.
«You're right, Fancy. In fact, at no time did I think of marrying Frederik. I just want to have fun with him and make Gabrielle angry. Once he calls off the engagement and there will be no chance to engage with her, I would put an end to all contact with him.»
«Ah lady, you are incredible.»
«It surprises me that you don't have the state of mind to prevent me from doing it.»
«My lady, life in the nobility is far too boring. That's why I admire you since this morning. You have shown yourself to be different from the others and I know that you are not going to stop there. I want to be there to see it.»
« Well, well let's continue our lunch.»
We were concentrating on tea again when I heard men talking right behind me.
It wasn't surprising that there were men among the customers because the shop made clothes for both men and women so, of course, seeing men was not surprising but it was the subject of their conversation which interested me.
«Indeed the Duke of Hosten did not have much choice in this affair.»
"The northern forest in his domain is indeed reputed to be the richest in precious stones and medicinal herbs, but because of these beasts, no one dares to enter it."
" I have heard that if the duke had got his hands on the wealth of this place, no doubt he would have become the richest man not only in the kingdom but also in the five great empires. But he won't be able to conquer these lands. Whoever enters there never leaves. Many traders wanted to play with fire and disappeared forever."
" I imagine the pain of the duke to have to lose such prosperous lands but it is also about the security of his domain. Who knows if these beasts will continue to remain calm in the forest and will not come to town?"
" It's true and the king understood that the duke was hand and fist tied…"
" It is the second prince who will lead this exploration, is it not?"
"Yes, and there is no doubt that he will succeed, his feats of arms are exceptional."
I stayed calm for a while. So the big forest far from Hosten's Manor was also rich and my "father" had to cede it to the crown because unable to conquer it. I was deep in thought wondering how important these lands were. I had to continue to be aware of the evolution of this story, you never know.
We finished our tea and made sure the orders were delivered. We walked out of the clothing store to the jewelry store. I want big stones and will buy as many as I want.
In a street behind some buildings, a group of hooded men was in a meeting. The silence around them was heavy as they seemed to be waiting for someone.
« Are you all there?»
The men rose as one welcoming the newcomer.
«Well, according to the indications received, access to the forest of nightmares will not be for now. It means that if we insist on entering now, it will be useless so we should perhaps consider the possibility that these lands are permanently inaccessible.»
«But your Highness, if we inform that to His Majesty, he will not hear it that way…»
«Then he will have to go there himself.»
After saying that, he looked up at the sky and smiled.
«I'm going to take advantage of the fact that we're here to prepare a present for Lady Marion De Solsten. It seems to me that it's her birthday tomorrow and I'd like to give her a present.»
«Ah, it's true you intend to take her as a fiancée, right?»
« No, she is only the daughter of a count without much influence or fortune. And her father is a relative of this bitch as the queen. I do not see why I am going to engage with a person of such low rank and background... If I want to acquire power I need people who have it and are trustworthy...she is certainly pretty but nothing more.»
His men looked at him with smiles, their prince was the son of a concubine, which meant that he would never have a chance of being king. His half-brother, the queen's son, had already been chosen as the crown prince.
But if he succeeded in gaining power, the deal could change and he would become the next king.
The lands of the Nightmare Forest were no doubt a good way for him to get what he wanted but so far dangerous.
«I'm going to buy her a jewel anyway, whatever I'm going to buy her, it will become her favorite gift at the party.»
He left his men and walked to the jewelry store.
I had never seen so many beautiful things in my life and now understood the expression that said that a woman's best friend is indeed Diamonds...
They came in all sizes and colors, the designs were too breathless and I decided not to deprive myself and to pick up everything I liked… Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, rings. Nothing was left as I ran in all and the sellers were happy to follow me...I could have robbed the whole shop but I didn't care...it was the duke who was going to pay.
My attention was quickly drawn to a beautiful necklace in a display case that towered over all the other jewelry.
I stepped forward and wanted to take it but I was too slow and a black-gloved hand grabbed it before me.
«Please excuse me, my lady but I saw it first.»
I turned around quickly at the sound of that male voice and glared at the man in front of me.
«Taking advantage of your large size does not mean that you came first.»
«Don't be such a bad loser...I could give it up if you…»
I had already turned my back. I was not going to waste my time fighting for a necklace when I had dozens already ordered.
«Vendor, have all of this delivered to Hosten Manor, please.»
«Well, my lady.»
«Hey, you! Don't tell me you're just going to give up like that... you disappoint me...»
«Yes, I'm just going to give up. I lost interest in this necklace when I saw you touching it.»
I turned, taking the exit Fancy path after me.
We were about to leave when the man stopped us gripping my hand tightly.
« Do you at least know who you are talking to?»
«No, and you will let go of me.»
« You do not even ask?»
«No, since I'm not interested.»
« Let go of my lady soon. I'm going to scream harassment.»
The man clenched his jaw and quickly pulled off his hood revealing gorgeous wavy blonde hair and green eyes, he was knocking his head off and I smiled...the kind of guy I could have fantasized about. ..in my past life but curiously, it didn't cause me much...I even find it rather common.
I squinted as he seemed to be waiting for something but I couldn't see what.
« Your Highness.»
I heard people fussing around and curtsying.
«So you got it? I am the second prince of the kingdom so you owe me respect.»
I rolled my eyes, my hand still trapped in his grip as I tried to free myself.
«My misunderstanding, your Highness, allows me to release myself and present to you with all my respect.»
The prince scowled, she seemed to be having fun with him, and that...that pissed him off like hell.
« I don't intend to do it so it's up to you to find a way to apologize properly otherwise I think I'm going to get angry.»
I blew under his nose. I'm tired of people who use their position to intimidate me. I've already had enough of that and I won't bow to this kind of princely assholes anymore.
I looked up, my intense gaze, and modeled it on that of the prince. I approached his body, surprising the latter by the proximity that I had installed before completely raising my face towards him, our breaths mixing.
At first, the prince thought it was a joke but seeing the look of this young girl, he wondered if he was not dreaming…
Ladies don't normally act like that...they look shy and reserved and this kind of seduction game is not part of their education. So why does this lady behave in such an unpretentious way?
I smiled at the bewildered gaze of this arrogant prince and took my hand slowly almost in slow motion drawing the prince's attention to me despite himself. He saw my hand go up and then move towards his neck before stopping and falling back on his hand that held my arm.
"Your Highness...our position is not the most adequate, don't you think?"
I said it in a sultry little voice making the prince blush, he swallowed heavily then instead of letting go, he tightened his grip on me now staring at my lips with envy.
He saw their contrast into a charming smile before opening their fleshy roundness and their rosy and brilliant color suggesting to him a sweet and intoxicating taste...he wanted to taste them.
How is it that in this kingdom, he who hadn't missed any party of any type whatsoever never met this special girl?
She looked different and so attractive.
He brought their faces closer and the people around were holding their breath while Fancy had taken out her cookies not believing her eyes... her mistress was turning on the prince of the kingdom as if he was just a lambda man and if the latter was thinking that it was he who led the dance, he couldn't be so seriously mistaken.
She had seen the mischievous gaze of her mistress and knew that the latter was only having fun with this man who thought he was all-powerful.
" Highness...you are so ruthless and in front of so many people... how... Do you... want... me... to apologize?»
I punctuated each of my words, widening my smile a little more, which was becoming more and more charming and provocative.
" My lady, what is your name? I want to know, please."
Fancy smiled, it was over. He had started by not addressing her with the honors due to her rank, asking her for an apology to end up resuming his good manners and begging after her name...his mistress is unique.
"Aren't you expecting an apology from me?"
" It is fine now. Seriously, you don't have to worry, you could not know that I am the second prince so I do not blame you... so please what is your name?"
I didn't have time to say anything until a booming voice thundered behind me and I turned to see Frederik De Solsten standing in front of the entrance. His eyes were full of anger staring at the prince's hand on my forearm.
" My lady, are you okay?"
Frederick came at the right time. I smiled.