Chapter 37

The days passed, the imperial palace was taking care of the coming-of-age, and Nash was busy reading the book she needed to open the demon realm.

"Nash! Someone's here for you!" Idris shouted from downstairs.

Nash didn't bother to hide the book as the others won't be able to see it. She hurriedly ran down the stairs to see who her guest was.

"Nash!"

It was Marais.

"Why are you here?" She asked.

"I just want to say that I'm joining the coming-of-age, how about you?" Nash shook her head. "Ehh? Why?"

"I'm not interested," she said, "Are you here to pick an escort? Sure you could pick one."

"As if you're selling us," Aidan muttered as he passed by them.

"No, it's not that. I thought you would also join the coming-of-age. I want you to meet my mother to tailor you a dress." she pouted.

"Then, let's go? I'm free today."

"What's the point? You will not be attending the ceremony at all." Marais sighed and sulked.

"So what? Come on, I want to meet the one who made your best clothes." She intertwined her arms with hers. "Even if I won't be attending the ceremony, I'm sure I could wear your mother's design in the future."

"Really?" Nash nodded.

"Also, a friend of mine requested me to pick out an outfit for her because she is too busy. She will also be attending the ceremony. I'll introduce you to her some other time."

"Okay!"

They head to Marais' house where her mother is. "I'm back, Mother! I brought along a friend!"

"Really?" A lovely lady appeared to greet the two, "Oh, hello! I am Millicent, Marais' mother."

Marais and her mother almost look the same, the only difference between Marais and her mother is the color of their hair. Marilla's hair is black while Marais' is brunette in color. They are both freckled and have brown eyes.

"Nice meeting you, I am Nash. I really loved your design of clothes the first time I saw one of your creations."

"Really? Come inside and I'll show you more of my designs."

They went inside, where there were piles of various textiles. There are different styles of dresses and so does pants attires.

'It's exactly my type!'

Nash chose a gown with a blue color scheme right away.

"Oh! You have excellent taste! That is my most current work."

It was a gown in several colors of blue ranging from dark to light. It exudes elegance, and Nash was confident that it would suit Katherine.

"Do you want to try it on?"

Nash gave a nod.

Marais offered to assist Nash, but she declined. She was afraid Marais would notice her bandages.

But she realizes that regardless of whether she receives assistance from Marais, her bandage will be visible because the back of the dress is see-through.

'Tsk. Forget about that.'

She went out of the changing room and noticed the two people who were waiting for her.

"Woah! It's lovely!" Marais stated as she examined Nash. "You've got bandages..."

"Well, we train harshly," Nash stated. She looked at Millicent, who was pleased with her outfit. "I'll take it."

"You'll come to the ceremony?" Marais asked, her voice filled with joy.

Nash shook her head, "I told you it was for my friend who will participate," she said as she returned her attention to Millicent. "I'll just come back here if there are changes in the measurements."

"Certainly, you are welcome to come over at any time of day." Nash gave a nod. "Marais, assist her in changing; her bandages may have come off."

Marais assisted Nash in removing her dress. "That glove, what's with it?"

"Would you like to see?"

"If it's okay with you,"

Nash removed her glove exposing her reddish and wrinkled hand. "I put my hand in boiling water before. It can be healed but I didn't bother. I look cool with glove on"

"I see,"

They stepped out of the changing room and Nash gave the dress to Millicent, who put it in a box. Marais started to choose a dress. While Marais is choosing, Nash approaches Millicent.

"In the future, I'd like you to tailor my dress; is that okay with you?"

Millicent smiled warmly and said, "Of course! Simply tell me what kind of design you want. If you like, you can call for me and I'll bring the drawings I have."

"Thank you!"

"It is my pleasure. I'd like to express my gratitude for becoming Marais' friend. I apologize for her being a boisterous and amusing child."

"I am, too, sometimes loud," Nash chuckled.

"That explains why you two get along so well,"

"Mother!"

"Sit for a moment, Nash. You might look at several clothes that you like; they are all reasonably priced." She walked away from Nash and went to see her daughter.

She simply sat there, watching Marais choose a dress for the upcoming ceremony.

...

She went to Barcley's Diner before returning to the inn and ran into Katherine.

"Katherine!" Nash approached Katherine, who was sitting at the counter. "Did you just return?"

"Yep! What's that?" Katherine asked, pertaining to the box Nash is carrying.

"Oh! This is for you! For the upcoming ceremony. Everything has been planned. You will enter the ballroom hall once the fake duke announces the fake you. I've already spoken with my father."

"Really!?" Nash nodded. "Let me see that!"

Katherine opened the box and saw a blue dress. "Woah! It's so gorgeous!"

"Of course! I'm the one who picked that," Nash boasted, "If you need any adjustments to the measurements, just let me know and I'll make them altered."

"What about yours?"

"I won't be taking part, but I'll be there as a squad knight."

'One of the reasons I don't want to wear a dress is because I heard we have our own clothes for the celebration. I'm expecting my squad to wear matching outfits.'

"What did the Emperor say?"

"Well, I was right when I predicted that the fake Duke would use the palace's ballroom hall. You just have to come in when the fake Duke will introduce her daughter."

"I like that," Katherine smirked.

This is one of the characteristics that makes these two a wonderful match. When it comes to pursuing vengeance, they have the same thinking.

"I knew you would," Nash replied, smirking.

Nash returns to their inn after discussing other topics. Nash discovered them eating dinner. She sat in her chair, staring at her squad members.

"I'll be gone for three weeks," she began.

"Aren't you leaving more often?" Aeries asked.

"I notice it too, I wonder if there's something wrong with you or maybe a relative of yours?" Aidan said.

"There is no problem with my relatives... I just need to do something... private," she responded.

She can't just tell everyone that she's going to train in another world.

"When will you be leaving?" Yjhan asked.

"Days after the coming-of-age," she answered.

"Write a letter, and I will deliver it to the head to get your leave approved." Yjhan said.

Nash returned to her room.

"Raum"

"Yes?"

"How's the creatures moving?"

"I don't feel too much presence as of now. It simply indicates that there aren't any movements. It must be because of the cold season."

"I see..."

The first week of December has arrived, and the cold breeze can be felt through the skin.

Nash gazed out her windows and noticed snowflakes falling.

"It's snowing..."

[knock knock]

"It's me, Aidan. Yjhan wants you downstairs."