V.I.P. Treatment
"Miss, we're here." Marie announced.
Carina nodded, and stretched her arms out a bit before stepping out of the carriage.
Finally being outside of the mansion was a strange feeling, as Carina had almost gotten used to the cramped, uncomfortable feeling that was building up. But now that she finally had some fresh air, it just reminded her of how she really needed to get out of that house for good.
She took in a deep breath, relishing in the feeling of momentarily being free, before heading towards the biggest and most popular boutique on the street.
The moment she entered with Marie, Carina could tell this was a shop that catered exclusively to the rich. The entire shop was decorated as if it were a noble family's living room, with plush chairs and velvet lined seats. Carina would've thought this wasn't a shop at all if it weren't for the dresses lined up against the walls.
"Welcome, Ma'am." An employee greeted her, smiling politely.
Carina smiled back, and was about to ask a question before another girl stepped forward and pulled the employee back and away from Carina.
"Excuse me, Ma'am, but, which family do you belong to? I'm afraid I don't recognise you, and this store only serves to... exclusive customers."
Carina blinked, a little startled by the sudden hostility. Though she supposed she wasn't entirely dressed like a snobby rich girl, since her dresses haven't been updated for a while.
"Oh, what a shame, and my stepmother Vanessa suggested this store personally. I suppose we'll have to go somewhere else, Marie, come on."
Carina turned around to walk away, but before she could reach the doors, the girl spoke up again.
"By Vanessa... do you mean Duchess Vanessa Rayburn?" The girl asked, hesitantly.
Carina turned back around and nodded. "Yes, that's my stepmother."
The girl gasped, turning to her co-worker and whispering fervently in her ear, and then the both of them turned to Carina with twin looks of surprise and trepidation.
"We're ever so sorry for not recognising you, Miss Rayburn, it's just that... well, no one has seen you out in public since you were a child and we just assumed-"
Carina stepped forward before the girl could finish her sentence, smiling at her with the same kind of iciness she liked to use on Anne whenever she said something out of line.
"My family are very protective of me, you see, so they kept me hidden to ensure my safety. But I'm eighteen now, an adult, and more than capable of protecting myself, so they've let me come into town for the day. So, are you going to continue standing in my way, or are you going to let me shop?"