Lana and the Duchess get down from the carriage and quickly walk towards an enclosure guarded by two scrawny-looking guards. The guards upon seeing Lana and the Duchess quickly make way for them, gesturing with their hands while maintaining a respectful bow.
The Duchess slips a coin into one of the guard's hands as she passes through.
"Split it." She signals to the guard to split the money with his partner.
The enclosure is surrounded by high stone walls, giving it a quiet, secluded feel. A heavy iron gate opens to a cobblestone path leading to a large medieval shop made of dark wood and stone. The shop's roof is steep, covered in green moss, and a wooden door with a bronze dragon-shaped handle that welcomes visitors.
With Lana and the Duchess walking inside, they are greeted by the smells of herbs, wood, and thick Mana. Shelves filled with spell books, glowing potions, and enchanted artifacts line the walls. Bright candles flicker, casting a warm light over the creaky wooden floors. At the back, a long counter displays rare items like magical staffs, amulets, and maps. Scattered tables hold beast weapons, crystals, and strange jars.
Walking deeper into the shop, Lana begins to get scared.
"Your grace, where are the workers here? Isn't this place a bit strange?" Lana asks, feeling uneasy.
"Fufu…. What do you mean by workers? There is only a store owner here!" The Duchess says in excitement.
"Speaking of the devil…" Just as the words left the Duchess's mouth, the air crackles with energy, a sharp tearing sound filling the space as a swirling portal rips open in the center of the shop. From the glowing portal, a short, hooded figure steps through, their dark cloak billowing. On one hand, they are holding a tall, gnarled staff, its tip embedded with a glowing crystal. Without a word, the figure surveys the surroundings, the portal humming behind them before sealing with a final crack of energy.
"Waaah~ See who came to visit me today!" The figure remarks, sounding a bit excited.
"Nyx, long time no see. Can you remove that retarded hoodie, I want to see my dear friend's face." The Duchess demands.
Without arguing, the short figure unveils their hoodie, showing their face.
She is a young, petite woman with a short frame, her blonde hair tied neatly into two ponytails that bounce with every step she takes forward. Her bright green eyes shimmer with inquisitiveness, wide and full of life, giving her an air of youthful energy. Despite her small stature, there's a spark of confidence in her gaze that hints at hidden strength.
"Amelina, it's surely been a long time. You've grown older, fufu. I might eat your burial pancakes sooner than I thought," Nyx giggles childishly.
The Duchess holds her face in embarrassment.
"First of all, it's funny that you still don't get my name right after all these years. It's Amelin, not Amelina. By the way, do you even realize that humans can now live up to five hundred years and above? So… Who knows, it might be the other way around." The Duchess shrugs.
"Sigh… Humans, always have a wicked comeback. Cunning little bastards." Nyx says jokingly as she turns to a shelf, dusting off some cobwebs.
"Isn't she a human?" Lana whispers.
"She's a witch." Amelin answers, clearing Lana's doubt.
"Why are you here anyway, Amelina? Don't tell me you are here to get another round of manpower potions for your husband?" Nyx asks, oblivious to the unsettling weight her words carry.
For a split second, the Duchess's face turns extremely red and dark before being replaced by an embarrassed expression.
"Nyx… What do you mean?" The Duchess asks, her fists tightly balled at her sides.
"Huh… Aren't you here for those potions to make your husband more active? Now, that I remember you told me you wanted him to handle you like a beast. I already made out the formula, I just to put ever—"
Lana suddenly runs forward, covering Nyx's mouth with her hands.
"Fleeb me, wibble me tchack." Nyx struggles to talk, but her mouth gets tightly sealed with Lana's hands.
After struggling for a few seconds, Nyx falls silent and still, prompting Lana to leave her alone.
Meanwhile, Amelin stands in place, her face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly regains her composure, focusing on one thought.
'Thank goodness only Lana is here with me.'
"Why did you cover my mouth? Isn't that rude? You're in my shop!" Nyx bellows, scolding Lana as she tiptoes to bring her face level with Lana's.
"Isn't it wrong to reveal your customers' secrets like that? You need to learn when to choose your words, ma'am. With all due respect," Lana says, offering a respectful bow while simultaneously roasting Nyx.
"Humans are so complicated. I'm sorry about that, Amelina," Nyx says, apologizing to Amelin. Without holding a grudge, Amelin flashes a smile in return.
"I can't stay mad at you since you're a bit scatterbrained anyway. I'm here because of my daughter-in-law. I need you to provide her with a few things," Amelin explains, gently patting Lana's shoulder.
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This chapter is solely focused on Lana and Amelin. I think there should be more fun chapters like this.