Chapter 14: Dresses, Daria, and Danger
Gabriel sat up in his bed, looking considerably better than he had earlier that day.
"You've earned a reward for your… competence," he said, though his tone was begrudging.
Lirian arched an eyebrow. "Competence? That's all I get after saving your life? Shouldn't I be knighted or something?"
Gabriel's lips twitched into a half-smile.
"Don't push your luck. I'm allowing you to go out. The town is bustling today, and you could use some new attire. I'll have four knights accompany you."
Lirian's eyes sparkled at the mention of new dresses.
But she quickly hid her excitement, leaning against the doorframe. "And what's the catch?"
Gabriel glanced over at Pedro who had been flying nervously near the edge of the room.
"You leave Pedro here. He's going to keep me company. Consider it an exchange."
Lirian sighed, flinging her arms up.
"Fine! Take him. But if your knights don't treat me like the princess I am, I'm coming back here to draw more lipstick on your face."
Gabriel smirked but said nothing as she walked out of the room.
The carriage ride was anything but comfortable.
Lirian winced as the wheels bumped over uneven cobblestones, jolting her every few seconds.
The smell inside the carriage was stuffy and with the scent of lavender sachets, which one of the knights had insisted on placing to "improve the lady's mood."
"I swear," Lirian muttered under her breath, clutching the edge of the seat as the carriage rattled again, "if this thing doesn't break down, I might break it myself."
One of the knights outside called out, "Everything all right, Lady Lirian?"
'Duchess…' she corrected silently.
"Perfect!" she shouted back, sarcastically. "Just enjoying the spa-like luxury here!"
By the time they reached the town square, Lirian was more than ready to escape the claustrophobic confines of the carriage.
As she stepped out, she noticed the lively streets were packed with merchants, townsfolk, and stalls.
But her attention was elsewhere.
Somewhere nearby, the heroine of the story, Daria, was living her quiet life.
"If I can befriend her," Lirian thought, tugging her shawl tighter, "maybe she'll save me from Gabriel's wrath later. Or at least give me a good word with the gods of this novel."
With a new goal, Lirian entered the first dress shop she saw.
The bell above the door jingled, but the atmosphere inside instantly turned cold.
The shopkeeper, a round-faced man with a comb-over, froze mid-conversation with his assistants.
His eyes landed on Lirian, and his smile disappeared almost instantly.
"Lady Nightwind… or should I say Sylcrest now," he said icy.
Lirian straightened her posture. "Yes, that's me. I'm here for dresses."
The assistants exchanged glances, muttering among themselves.
"Why would she need dresses?" one whispered loudly enough for Lirian to hear.
"Probably wants to look nice while causing trouble," another sneered.
The shopkeeper cleared his throat. "I'm afraid we're… very busy today, my lady. Perhaps you could come back later."
Lirian's temper exploded.
"Oh, so that's how it is?" she said.
She took a step forward, narrowing her eyes.
"Busy, are you? Too busy to serve Lady Sylcrest? Too busy to make a fortune from me?"
The shopkeeper staggered, but his assistants stood straight, glaring at her.
Lirian smirked.
If they wanted her to act like a villainess, then a villainess they would get.
"Fine," she said, frowning with her lips.
"If you won't help me, I'll take my business elsewhere. But don't come crying to me when your little shop burns to the ground under Nightwind flames."
"Lad-"
"I'm gonna burn this whole shop down, and what are you gonna do about it? Nothing!"
"Please, we really-"
"No! I should also have your skin peeled in front of me, so I could wear it during the next festival."
Her dramatic threat was cut off when a soft, gentle voice interrupted.
"Is there a problem here?"
Lirian turned and saw her. Daria.
The heroine of the novel.
She was breathtaking—her long, golden hair fell in soft waves, her green-like summer eyes shone like forest, and her presence seemed to light up the toxic shop.
The shopkeeper's mood changed instantly. "Oh, Lady Daria! Welcome! No, no problem at all!"
Daria ignored him and approached Lirian with a warm smile.
"Lady Lirian, isn't it? I've heard of you. Let me help you."
Lirian blinked, her mouth slightly open.
Inside, she was screaming.
'She's so kind! She's so pretty! I want to put her in my pocket and keep her forever!'
"Uh, yes," Lirian stammered, shaking off her awe. "Help would be… fine."
Daria took her hand gently. "Let's find something perfect for you."
Together, they browsed the shop.
Daria's sweet nature seemed to ease the tension between everyone, and even the assistants stopped glaring.
By the time they were done, Lirian had several beautiful dresses packed up.
"Thank you, Daria," Lirian said, attempting to sound casual. "I suppose I owe you for this."
"It's nothing," Daria replied with a smile. "I enjoy helping others."
As they left the shop, Daria led Lirian to a quieter part of town.
She paused by an alleyway and said, "Wait here a moment. I'll be back."
Lirian leaned against the wall, inspecting her nails. But her relaxation didn't last.
Three rough-looking men came from the shadows, grinning wickedly.
"Well, well," said the largest of the three, cracking his knuckles.
"A fancy lady all alone. How about handing over some of those shiny gold coins you've got?"
Lirian rolled her eyes, channeling her inner villainess.
"Do you fools have any idea who I am?" she snapped. "I'm Lady Sylcrest, and if you touch me, my knights will fry you alive."
The men laughed.
"Knights? Where?" one asked. "All we see is a spoiled brat who's about to learn a lesson."
Before she could reply, the largest man grabbed her arm and shoved her against the wall.
Lirian struggled, fear swimmed into her chest as the situation changed.
"You'll regret this!" she hissed.
"I'm sure we will," one of the men said mockingly.
But just as the man leaned closer, a cold, menacing voice cut through the air.
"I believe my sister said you'll regret this."
The gangsters froze.
Two guys also came from the same shadows—Gunther and Johann.
Gunther cracked his knuckles, his lips curled into a grin.
"You made a big mistake today."
Johann smirked, pulling a dagger from his belt.
"Let's show them what happens when you mess with a Nightwind."
The gangsters didn't stand a chance.
Within moments, they were on the ground, groaning in pain as Gunther and Johann towered over them.
Gunther glanced at Lirian. "You all right, sister?"
Lirian, still pressed against the wall, gave a shaky nod.
Johann chuckled. "Good. Because we're just getting started."
The gangsters whimpered as the Nightwind brothers moved in for more "persuasion."