Chapter 6: Artisan

While riding the carriage, Diana was excited to see the town since it was her first time going out ever since she arrived.

"Wow... everything is so brownish. Bricks and stones... not a single modern type of houses and buildings. I should definitely walk around."

"You are actually forbidden from roaming around, Lady Diana," Eva interrupted as she shattered Diana's happy thoughts.

"Why? Who said it?"

"Duke Erwin. I don't know why but I assume that it's because of your temper. He doesn't want you to ruin Lambert's reputation with the attitude you may cause to the townspeople."

Diana simply scoffed and went back to look at the surroundings as she pretended that she didn't hear a thing. She was fascinated by how the town looked that she sneakily pulled out her phone from her pocket and took pictures of the town.

Knowing that Eva saw her pulling out a strange thing, it was only natural for Eva to be curious but she didn't ask as they arrived at their destination, "Lady Diana, we've arrived."

Diana didn't step out of the carriage and stared at Eva, telling Eva with her stares to not tell anyone about the things she saw just like what they've agreed. Eva caught on and simply said, "Don't worry Lady Diana, I won't tell anyone."

Diana smiled as she trusted Eva and walked out of the carriage.

The old lady of the store was cleaning the shelves until Diana entered the store did she stop. At first, she didn't recognize Diana but after carefully staring at her, she was surprised to see her and quickly greeted her politely.

"Lady Diana, I apologize for not recognizing you sooner."

Diana was quite surprised since she was already wearing commoner's clothes and more than that, her face and body have changed drastically. So she was confident that no one would notice her but someone did that made her more cautious for sudden events.

"I'm stunned...how did you know?"

"I suppose, after living for years, I've gained an eye for people."

Diana smiled with her response, "Then I suppose, your son also has an eye for clothes that he became a modiste and also a skilled artisan..."

The old lady was surprised to hear Diana say the words that she hasn't heard for the longest time. Everyone had forgotten about her son's skillful abilities but she knew afterward that Diana wanted to meet him, so she immediately told Diana without having any second thoughts as she didn't want to offend a noble.

"He's upstairs, please come with me", Diana and Eva followed the old lady upstairs.

As they reached the second floor, the old lady first cleared her throat before knocking on the archaic door, "Son, someone wants to meet you."

No one responded but loud and heavy steps were heard from the other side. The creaking door slowly opened as a man with his messy reddish hair and long beard peeps between the gaps of the door.

Diana was amazed by how creepy he looked, and how he stank so much but she didn't show disgust as she maintained a charming smile. The man stared at her from head to toe before smirking.

"A noble? Get lost! I don't have any business with you." The man said and closed the door but before he could even shut the door, Diana places her foot between the gaps in a blink of an eye as they all heard loud crushed bones.

Great... Fracture... I think I'm totally going to die...

Diana didn't let a sound of pain as she maintained her smile until she suddenly fainted due to the impact.

"Lady Diana!!"

Everyone panicked and Eva yelled Diana's name a few times as she supports Diana in her arms. The man offered help to bring her to the nearest clinic but Eva refused as she thought that maybe Diana wouldn't like it and insisted to let her rest on a bed as she calls a doctor from Diana's household.

A few moments later, Diana slowly opened her eyes as she adjusted her vision and mumbled, "Am I in the afterlife...? But why does it stinks so much?"

The man heard her clearly since he was sitting right next to her, waiting for her to finally wake up but never had he thought that the first thing she would say is that it stank, "Is this how a noble say thanks, especially from someone who offered you a bed?"

Realizing that she's not dead or dreaming, Diana quickly sits up straight but she felt pain from her foot, making her remember how she fainted after putting her foot in danger between the gaps of the door. She can't help but feel stupid for her actions.

"I've never seen anyone, especially a lady, would sacrifice her foot just to have a talk with a commoner, a nobody," the man said with his arms crossed.

Diana stared at him for a while before answering him with a proactive smile, "Then you're lucky since you're the first one to witness it."

The man was stunned and laughed inside. He smiled as he never thought he would encounter such a young lady who had the guts and a great sense of humor, "You're also lucky enough because the doctor said your foot wasn't that serious and it would heal in a week or maybe two."

"Oh... A week or two huh..." Diana mumbled.

"So? What brings you to this shabby old place? For someone who offered her foot, I should at least listen to your request, right?" The man said as he didn't want to wait any longer.

Diana helplessly smiled but as she opened her mouth to say something, she got interrupted by the smell of the room.

"First of all, I would like to talk to you in a refreshing room with your refreshing looks."

The man caught on and answered her, "Sure but it might take some time..."

"I don't mind waiting."

The man shrugged and escorted Diana to another room which was more exhilarating and pleasing to the eyes. As the man left and closed the door, Diana slumped on the sofa and gave a loud and long sigh.

"I'm already this tired, what more if I met my enemies just like that Lucifer bitch."

Eva who's standing far away from Diana, feeling worried, asked about Diana's injury, "Lady Diana, is your foot alright?"

She looked at her bandaged foot and answered Eva reassuringly, "Well, it doesn't look that bad... I just hope it would heal for the week."

"I apologize for my negligence and for mindlessly letting you get hurt."

Diana noticed Eva felt upset and blamed herself for being slow so she smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry about it, I already knew this was going to happen."

Seeing that Eva is still feeling responsible, Diana sighs, "If you're still going to be gloomy and blaming yourself then I won't raise your salary this month."

In a split second, Eva changed her gloomy face to an emotionless expression which made Diana think sarcastically that Eva's really amazing... in her own way.

A few minutes later, the man returned looking fresher than ever with his blooming reddish hair that matched his attractive chiseled face. All of a sudden, the man became attractive enough to make Diana gazed at him in astonishment.

"I'm back..."