"First, we need to change clothes. Looking too rich or influential will only help us get into the city but will not make locals trust us. So, we need to blend in with the locals first."
Dimitry managed to convince (drag) Sui to go on the mission.
Sui had tried to resist at first, but she had relented once Dimitry showed no signs of backing down.
She was also afraid of what Dimitry would do to her if she kept on refusing all the time.
'Being a poor slave is such a tough task. I don't have any rights or privileges at my disposal. I cannot even refuse an order from a noble.'
Sui sighed but followed after Dimitry.
The man seemed to know what he was doing and quickly brought Sui to one of the average-looking clothes shops in the village.
Sui was surprised when she entered the shop and looked at Dimitry with suspicious eyes.
"What? Are you surprised I did not bring you to a shop catering nobility? Well, it will not help us blend in with the locals, right?"
Dimitry asked, and Sui considered what he had just said.
He was right when he said shops catering to nobility would not help the pair blend in with the locals.
Even if they bought plain clothes, there was an apparent difference between the quality of fabric the nobles used.
"Don't get distracted now. The main reason we are here is to catch gossip. Try listening and see if you can learn anything about the situation."
Dimitry ordered before he walked toward the clerk and began to whisper in quick succession.
Sui was left alone and wandered the shop like a stray dog looking for food.
Some people looked at Sui, and she knew she was attracting unwanted attention.
'People will not feel comfortable talking about important stuff around me if they continue to be on guard against me. I should pretend that I am not listening.'
Sui pretended to observe the garments in front of her, but even that did not help.
Finally, Dimitry returned and had a long shirt and work pants in his hand. The shirt was plain and would likely cover Sui's knees.
"Here, change into this. You must be feeling uncomfortable in your current attire. These clothes will be easier to move around in."
Dimitry assured before he pushed Sui into the changing room.
Sui reached out for her mask, which suddenly made her realize why people were wary of her and gave her suspicious looks.
'Fuck! I got so used to wearing this mask that I even forgot that I was wearing it in the first place. I should pay more attention to my attire next time. Also, why is this shirt so big? It's difficult to walk around in.'
The shirt was too loose around Sui's middle, and was not only because of her lack of development.
It almost looked like a dress as it came down to cover her knees.
"Sui, are you done? I am coming inside now."
Dimitry gave a single warning before he entered the room.
It was good that Dimitry had changed her clothes already because it would have been awkward for her otherwise.
"Hmm, it's big on you, but it also makes you look younger than you are. We need to do something about your hair first. Shall we cut it? But it would be such a waste."
Sui felt uncomfortable under Dimitry's gaze but did not move until told to.
Once Dimitry was finished observing her, he threw a rope and a locket toward Sui.
"Tie the rope around your middle so that your shit is not flying all the way around. The necklace is to mask your voice and your hair. Remember, you are my little brother for this mission."
Dimitry dropped this bomb and then disappeared outside of the room.
Sui blinked, her brain trying to gather what happened before realization stuck her.
"Huh? What did you decide that? No wait! Is that even fine? Isn't he a noble?"
Sui questioned but there was no one to answer her.
Ultimately, she sighed and walked out of the room.
Dimitry was nowhere to be seen once Sui made her way out, but it did not surprise her.
"Are you looking for your brother? He went inside to change as well. You must be proud of your brother, right? He managed to earn money and get you both out of the hellhole you were living in."
The shopkeeper sounded sympathetic and sad when he looked at Sui.
He had been fed with bullshit that made him emotional and look at Lea with a sorry expression.
'That bastard! What the hell did he tell this shopkeeper? What kind of story did he weave?"
Sui opened her mouth but then closed it. She had no idea what kind of thing she could say.
Dimitry had not discussed the story with her beforehand, so Sui had no idea what she could even say.
"..."
The shopkeeper looked even more sorry when he saw Sui struggling to speak.
"Don't force yourself to reply to me, kid. Your brother told me everything. You cannot speak, and your family abused you for this reason. But don't worry! The people in this town are nice and kind."
The shopkeeper assured Sui and the genuine concern in his voice horrified Sui.
'T-That bastard! How can he tell everyone that I am a mute? Where did he even get this idea from? What if I had accidentally spoken something and ruined his lie?'
Sui felt panicked inside her mind, but her face was blank, causing the shopkeeper to look even more apologetic.
"Oh my! I am sorry. Looks like I reminded you of some bad memories. But don't worry! You will become happier soon."
'The only way I will feel happy right now is if I can strangle Dimitry. Where did that man disappear to while leaving me on my own?'
Sui was shaking with anger while trying her best to control her temper.
But the more she held her anger back, the worse her face and complexion looked.