chapter four

"Duke Ezekial was that...?"

"Yes, it was Cordelia." Ezekial huffed steadying his horse looking up at the carriage as it got farther and farther away.

"Why do you think that witch would be going to the south?"

"I don't know. I wish the king would stop asking me to look after her, she seems fully capable on her own."

Cordelia kept her eyes on the man until she could no longer see him. Who was he? What did he want? Was he a client? Did he want to be a client? Many thoughts swarmed inside Cordelia's mind but she decided it would be best not to find out after all she had her own mission and it didn't involve some silly little man in her life. The magic Cordelia had used was only for royal wizards to us when the royals wanted to get somewhere quickly, however, Cordelia was not a royal wizard and so she didn't have to play by their rules. She could hear the children yelling in excitement, this must be one of the better instances they've had in a long while. Their goal was still the south and so Cordelia kept on their course steadfast.

Arriving near the small seaside town of Salilona, Cordelia slowly and gently brought the carriage down from the sky and the children scurried off happy they finally got out of the stuffy carriage, Verity and Jacques soon followed after the children as Cordelia hoped off the driver's seat, patting the horse gently, they weren't going at a high speed which would cause her hood to fall off, walking into the area Verity tensed up afraid the people would cast them out because of Cordelia who was nonchalantly walking forward, everyone was going about their day to day lives and didn't notice Cordelia at all. Cordelia stopped in front of a tailor's store named 'Pears of berr's', the sign said opened for a moment Verity could swear Cordelia hesitated and swiftly looked back at the groups almost as if counting them and swiftly opened the door for the group to enter. After a moment's hesitation, Jacques was the first to enter and after Verity ushered the children in, Cordelia soon followed closing the door, before any could get any further in a woman with golden-brown hair and translucent brown eyes was in front of them."My my who have we here? You certainly aren't from the kingdom of Oceanlian what with that gaudy clothing." The woman said frowning slightly, her hand on her hip.

"Jezebelle." Cordelia stepped out in front of the group, coldly staring at the woman named Jezebelle who jumped in surprise, shrinking back. "Do be careful how you speak to my client and her family, or perhaps you would like to lose your tongue?"

"No!" Jezebelle yelled quickly. "I'm sorry my honored guests! What are you here for today?" Verity didn't answer because she didn't know why they were there either, she looked at Cordelia who nodded her head understanding Verity did not know they were there to look for new clothing.

"This family will be moving to the south. They need new clothes to blend in." Cordelia said looking at Jezebelle who seemed to understand exactly what she meant. Jezebelle straightened her posture and politely bowed.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Jezebelle Adonya Sisa Muttunbaal. The owner of the famous seaside tailor shop Pears of berr's. Esteemed guests, what are your favorite fruit?" Verity obviously flustered looked at Cordelia who nodded her head, this was Jezebelle's specialty. "Don't look so frightened milady. Whichever fruit you pick describes your personality to me and in turn, I will be able to find the dress perfect for you."

"Ah... My favorite fruit is the flowering peach."

"Oho, the flowering peach is known for its sweet scent and beautiful color resembling a budding flower. The perfect dress for you will be my Dasypodidae Borealis. Much like the flowering peach, it is the embodiment of innocence. Please follow me and allow me to take your measurements." Without waiting for an answer Jezebelle took Verity's hands gently and whisked her away to the back of the room to measure her. The children scattered looking at the clothes of many different colors, Cordelia went to sit on the blushing plush sofa followed by Jacques. He looked at Cordelia who was unbothered by his gaze, he spoke not a word just staring at the side profile of Cordelia.

"No matter how long you continue to stare at me Sir Jacques I will not be able to read your mind." Cordelia stated continuing to stare forward.

"How many. How many have you helped like Verity?" From his tone, Cordelia knew he was genuinely curious, but the number escaped her.

"After seeing so many noble and commoner women seek me out begging to get away from their husbands. I've lost count. There is not a day that goes by I don't think of the many more I could save but how can I, the "cold heartless witch", ever save them?" Jacques went quiet, he had no way of answering her question. He too, thought Cordelia to be a cold heartless witch.

"When Verity told me you were helping I expected us to be killed because you're known as the king's right hand."

"I am the right hand only in title. The king wishes for me to live far away from the populace. Out of sight, out of mind. The only reason I am named as the king's right hand is because I am queen Charlotte's beloved friend."

"You are the queen's friend?" Jacques looked at Cordelia in astonishment, before Cordelia could answer Verity had come out of the back a long light pink dress on. It was more modest than what she had on before. It was a v-neck, which lightly reveals the rather simple dress worn below it. The satiny of her dress covers her stomach, the continuous flow is broken up by a thin ribbon worn fairly high around her waist. The bottom of the dress stops just above her ankle, the sleeves were comfortably tight. The next one up was Timmy and Tommy, most tailors did people one by one but Jezebelle excelled at getting two done within an hour. The sun was beginning to set by the time she was done with everybody, Cordelia had spent her time meditating and regulating her powers touching the opaque zircon necklace. The twins were styled in the same manner, bold blood-orange for Timmy and mellow yellow for Tommy. Reagan had an ombre white and blue dress and for Beryl, she had a simple cute blue raspberry. Jacques was tailored in a butler's clothing but only because he insisted on it being this way, at least for the time being.

"Finally done! You owe me a whole bottle sweet Velour Lia!" Jezebelle said sitting on her seat exhausted, usually she only brought one or two maybe four but this time she brought six.

"Yes, I know. How much do I owe this time Jeze?"

"Two thousand and two hundred fefa my fair lady."

"What!?" Verity gasped in shock. "N-no there's no way we'll be able to pay for the clothes!"

"I have it covered." Cordelia said standing up, walking over to Jezebelle pulling the coins out from her pouch. Jezebelle smiled cheerfully.

"My sweet babies! Where are you heading from here Lia?"

"We'll continue towards the capital, I have doubts we'll find a home they can stay in immediately but it's a starting point."

"I'd try Vista boulevard. The king recently had the houses made, because of you know, you should have seen the look on the worker's faces when king Silas personally came down to help work on the houses as well. I was told it was a harrowing experience for them." Jezebelle chortled putting the coins in her pouch. "Are you going to mama Leonarda's inn tonight?"

"Jeze. It's the only inn this town has."

"Well! One day we could make another!"

"When that happens let me know. We'll be going now, I assume they are all tired." Cordelia looked at the children who were half asleep on the blushing plush seats, she had forgotten kids didn't have the stamina she did staying up for so long without food and sleep was enough to make any human tired. Bowing slightly Cordelia headed for the door, opening it for the family to go through. She headed towards Leonarda's inn 'See the Sea'. Walking in she was met with the sweet smell of sweet rolls and the savory smell of their famous two-toned grilled cod.

"Is that you Lia?"