Friend Or Foe?

Hina had been in an amazing mood since the surprising conversation she had with the merchant some days ago. She couldn't be more excited. She even made a conscious effort to treat him nicer as long as he stayed true to his words.

As she sat comfortably on the fluffy seat, staring out the glass window of the carriage, she patted her growling stomach as if to ease her hunger. She had not eaten enough during breakfast. She found herself picking at her meal and she barely touched any fruits, to her surprise. She still found it a bit awkward to eat with the merchant while accommodating Tanaka's presence as well.

She checked the time; it was quarter past one. She sighed. She needed to eat something or she felt like she'd starve to death before she could make it to the bookstore.

"Are you okay, lady Hina?" Suki asked

"Hmm, I'm fine. I'm just a little hungry. Let's stop by the café first"

Hina changed her destination and decided to make a quick visit to Rebecca's café. She would grab a quick breakfast meal there and then head to the bookstore as originally planned.

The Beaux Reves café had a beautiful and properly shaded outside seating area but Hina had never really taken note of it. She was always too busy thinking about something else to pay attention to the decor.

Suki pushed the glass door open for Hina and the two headed to the window seat at the back. Hina was probably the only one who ever sat at the back area, framed with a painting and some white and gold ceramic wall planters.

She looked over her shoulders as the front door of the cafe flew open, unsurprised to see Rebecca as she sashayed her way towards her.

[What's this? Is she stalking me? It's not like she comes in every day so why is she always here when I come over?]

Hina smiled at the fast-approaching Rebecca. Rebecca took a seat across from her as she reached out to hold Hina's tiny hands.

"Oh~my adorable Hina ~ I've missed you so much"

[It has been barely a week] Hina thought as she smiled even wider

"It hasn't been that long we last saw each other"

"I know, but it feels very long to me. I didn't think I'd see you here on such a random day. I also haven't come in for some days. What are the odds of us meeting"

[I know right? Does she have some sort of human GPS tracker on me?]

"Yes, I didn't know I'd get to meet Miss Rebecca like this either"

[I would've just starved]

"How has Hina been?"

"I've been good, the same. How has Miss Rebecca been?"

"I'm good but I'd be much better if Hina could stop addressing me so formally. I'd love for my cute Hina to call me a bit more warmly"

Rebecca leaned in now with a hand under her chin. She flashed Hina a dazzling smile and a wink.

[She's coming on too strong]

Hina awkwardly looked away as her order was served at the perfect time

"Would Miss Rebecca also like something to eat? Or some tea?" She smartly changed the topic.

"Aww~No thanks. I'm fine for now"

Hina had ordered a plate of medium-sized waffles with strawberries toppings and a cup of hot chocolate tea.

She cut through her waffles and stuffed the pieces in her mouth, trying not to rush her meal.

"You're so tiny but you eat so well. It's so cute"

Rebecca kept staring at Hina while she ate, wondering how someone could be so cute even while eating.

She had first met Hina at her café and was instantly drawn to her. The young child was so elegant and adorable. Despite her mature attitude, she also looked so vulnerable sometimes and it made Rebecca want to protect her. Since then, she had come to the café more often under the disguise of checking on things, while in fact, she was hoping to run into Hina. Rebecca also noticed that Hina didn't seem to be interested in her, regardless of her family name and connections. This was new to Rebecca who was used to other noble ladies fawning over her with fake smiles and compliments. They were all the same. Using her to get some sort of business opportunities or to seduce her brothers. It was disgusting and tiring and she had eventually given up on them all. Everybody always wanted something from her. Until she met Hina Kudo; the only one who seemed to want nothing to do with her. She was never curious about Rebecca or her brothers, not even when Rebecca insisted. This made her want to know more about little Hina. She even got Hina to become a model for her café, all under her plan to befriend her.

Rebecca pinched at Hina's puffy cheeks as she took another bite of her waffles, surprising both Hina and Suki.

"I've always wanted to do that~" she smiled at Hina.

"I'm not a little child though"

"I know, but you're just so adorable"

With the sound of the front door opening and a group of chattering noble ladies storming in, Rebecca forcefully excused herself to go and converse with them. Hina used the opportunity to eat her food more peacefully without Rebecca's eyes glued to her.

"The young Miss seems to be infatuated with our lovely lady Hina. It's understandable since My lady is the most beautiful" Suki sounded proud as she acknowledged another Hina stan.

Hina didn't want to admit it but she was slowly enjoying Rebecca's presence. Rebecca was nice and pleasantly funny. She also adored Hina; although a bit too much. She made Hina feel comfortable to a point that Hina sometimes forgot about their foretold sour relationship.

As much as the order of the novel was slowly drifting from its original path, she couldn't be too sure about how things will turn out once the timeline of the novel began. She sometimes told herself that it was okay to truly befriend Rebecca with no worries but Hina knew it was a lie. There were tons to worry about and her brain often reminded her about their direful path in the form of a nightmare. To be honest, Hina was slightly scared; of forming a sincere friendship with Rebecca only for Sakura to come along and she'd be forgotten. She also wondered how Rebecca would react if she knew her true story- her not being a pure noble lady as Rebecca thought. Would she be prejudiced? Would she still call her the empire's whore? Hina felt the need to avoid Rebecca and to act cold towards her because of all these little worries but it was not so easy to treat her terribly when she was so sweet to her.

As Hina ate the last bits of her waffles, she finally noticed several people staring at her and whispering amongst themselves.

"Isn't she the famous model? The one in the huge frames on the wall?"

They would glance at her and glance at the pictures on the wall for reassurance.

Hina took a breath and sighed tiredly. At this point, Hina's emotions were decidedly mixed. She had to admit that she felt an undeniable thrill at being quite popular, but there was also a sense of annoyance at the endless stares and whispers.

"Shall we go, lady Hina?" Suki leaned over to ask as if noticing the rising uncomfortable feeling Hina felt.

"Yes, let's go now"

As Hina left, she gave Rebecca a slight goodbye wave and a smile. Rebecca waved back and mouthed a "see you soon" with a huge smile across her face. As warm as the words felt, Hina didn't know if she should be happy about it. Another encounter with someone who was destined to drag her down.