23 Dorothy and Jeames

"Seven hundred thousand gold coins," Mr. Clairmond said. "Shall I use your token?" he was looking at the Duke, smiling.

"Yes," Duke Lucas said as he looked at her. "Do you need anything else?"

"No," she immediately shook her head as if her life depended on it. Seven hundred thousand gold coins!?

That is enough to fund a Kingdom!

She glared at him, wondering what he was thinking using this amount of money to buy books— five books, to be more exact.

"Wonderful. Let me process your purchase. Ah… this token is for the Young Miss. You can use it next time you want to have access to our special guest lounge. All future purchases will be twenty percent off. The token doesn't expire and you can use it wherever you are on this continent."

This time, she didn't hesitate and accepted the token. She was certain she could use this in the future.

Once Mr. Clairmond left, a short silence descended between them.

"I will pay you back," she uttered.

"Oh?"

"Not now." But soon.

"Take it as a gift."

"No."

"Pardon?"

"I can't."

"May I know why?"

"Taking me in will already endanger your Kingdom. There is no reason for you to spend that amount of money on me."

"You saved my life— "

"And in exchange, you will save mine," she answered. "I will pay you back."

The Duke narrowed at her. "I wanted to insist that this was just a mere gift, but something is telling me that you are going to act so stubborn and not accept anything from me."

"Good instincts," she smirked.

"Well, then take it as an investment."

"An investment?"

"Yes. I am investing in you and the future."

Her lower lips twitched. An investment, eh?

"Very well… I am going to take this as an investment. I am going to pay the capital and give you more in the future."

"Thank you."

She smiled and took another one of the bitter tea.

After a few minutes, Mr. Clairmond came back with the five books that she purchased. To her surprise, the man used some sort of special pouch for the books. The pouch was only about the size of her palm. It was known as a spatial bag— something that had gained fame shortly after she married Jeames in her past life. It was tiny but it could fit a lot of things.

"I am not sure if you have seen one, but this is a spatial pouch. On the outside, it looked normal, but once you imprint your blood on it, you can use the space inside at your will. We always provide one for our guests. We promised discretion, and this is a part of that promise."

She glanced at the Duke.

"Take it," Duke Lucas said. "It's yours."

She wanted to tell him that it was his money, but then she thought of what he said earlier. She accepted it with glee and thank both Mr. Clairmond and the Duke.

Not long after, the two left the auction house. She also took this opportunity to bid the Duke goodbye. Being with the man just attracted too much attention, and since she wasn't wearing any mask and was just using an illusion to hide her appearance, it was getting harder and harder for her to blend in.

After her trip, she immediately went home to where Milith was waiting.

"Young Miss! I am so glad you are safe— " Milith said.

"What happened?"

"I have been knocking since earlier since…"

"Since what?"

"Since Miss Lellana came a few minutes ago. She informed us that Mr. Jeames Sencler was in the mansion. Miss Dorothy wanted you to join them for tea after dinner."

"Jeames?"

"I don't know if you remember him but— "

"Oh, I know." Rosalind smiled. Was it that time already? Werethey going to meet so early in this lifetime? "I remember him."

"Then— "

"I will join them. Give me one of Dorothy's dresses."

Dorothy and Rosalind were of the same height, so the dress should fit perfectly. The colors were a bit out of style, but she didn't care about that. She chose a black dress and asked Milith to make sure that her long black hair was straight and beautiful.

She used to hate her black hair in her past life and would choose a modest hairstyle in an attempt to hide it. She also liked to put on large hats that could cover her hair while going out. Obviously, she is doing none of those things today.

After about an hour, she made her way to the back garden where Dorothy and Jeames were waiting for her. With Milith in tow, Rosalind started traversing the maze-like garden.

"It seems that — someone is lost." A condescending voice interrupted her.

Rosalind turned around and found three women wearing beautiful, colorful dresses. Their faces were perfectly covered with some cosmetics, as if they were going to go to some gathering.

Rosalind's eyes narrowed.

"Stop staring at me like that, you dirty wench!" the woman leading the group of women spoke. Just like the other two, she had white blond hair and eyes that spoke nothing but hatred. Rosalind recognized them at a glance.

But she wasn't willing to acknowledge them.

"This— Are you talking to me?" Rosalind asked, her voice gentle and low.

"Then did you think we were speaking to your lowly maid?"

"Why not?"Rosalind blinked.

"What?"

"Is there a reason for you not to talk to my maid?" Rosalind asked, almost innocently.

"You— Do you know who I am? How dare you answer me like that?"

"No," Rosalind said before her eyes widened. "Oh! Are you the one who received the new Blessing!? Milith look! We are blessed enough to be able to talk to the new one who received the Blessing! Come on… kneel in the presence of her Grace."

Without hesitation, Rosalind kneeled. Her maid Milith immediately followed.

"This— "

"What is going on here!?" Dorothy's voice interrupted the weird atmosphere that Rosalind created.

...

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