021 ※ White Rose Boutique [I]

"GODDESS ABOVE, PRINCESS, I CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS, it's way too much money. More than my store is worth it!" Mr. George exclaimed, shocked. "Half of this would be more than necessary to buy everything, invest in the store, and repair this place," damn, he's denying the money? That's a first.

I push the bag back at him when he tried to give it back to me. "Take the money, Mr. George! It will be necessary, believe me. Plus, I have a suggestion as to what you can do with all this," he was open to hearing me but didn't seem that willing to accept the money.

"What do you have in mind, Your Highness?" I don't quite like to be called that way, but I'll bear with it.

"Repair this place and turn the whole building into your house. Build a basement to work on. Then buy the two neighboring houses on the right and left, so you can rent them and win more money. About your store, with this," I pointed to the bag. "You have enough money to buy a new place to work downtown, where you will have more customers. And you will also be able to afford heavier protection for both places!" He bit his bottom lip, considering.

Besides the fact that he seemed to be fighting with himself because of it, he looked at me again and sighed. "Why are you so good at this? I thought you only knew how to fight," that made me laugh.

I stared at him, with a dangerous grin on, "Mr. George, Mr. George," I repeated his name, playing with it on my tongue. "I may be on opposite political factions of my father, but I'm still his daughter! Besides, I am a Duchess, even though most people usually forget that. My dad made sure that all of his children receive a rich and strict education, especially me, because of my condition," I swift my weight from one shoulder to another. "But I still have to take care of the important matters related to the Astryn Duchy. They don't care if I'm thirteen or nine or whatever. I have had duties since I was born and I'm very responsible when it comes to them."

He was frightened. Even Alisha noticed and held his hand. But I only laughed at that.

"There are some words that you shouldn't say to me, Mr. George. I respect you and I want you to be safe, healthy, and alive. But even though I'm very flexible, I know how to draw my lines." I came closer. "So, no, fighting isn't my only ability! You would be surprised to know that I'm more capable than anyone in most things except for magic."

"I… I'm sorry, Princess. I shouldn't have looked down on you," sighing, I let the matter go.

"No problem, it's not like you are doing something nobody does too, anyway. Just don't do it again, or you might see me get angry," he gulped and agreed to that. "So, where were we?" I asked as if nothing had happened.

Alisha looked at me, "You are quite good at scaring people, Princess!" And she's quite bold.

"It seems like I learned something with my family, Alisha. While you are very audacious for your age," she gulped and I laughed again. "Calm down, little kid. I'm not going to do anything against you, I've told you before. That's not the type of person I am," anymore. Then I focused my attention on her father again, "What about you, Mr. George? Will you accept the money once and for all, or will you keep denying it?"

Getting on his feet again, he turned to me and bowed. "I'll accept it, Princess!" Finally. He got the bag again and looked inside, his throat suddenly dry.

"Graceful Mikla," the kid exclaimed, taking a look inside. "I've never seen so much money in my life," her dad smiled at seeing his daughter's fascinated gaze. She turned her excited gaze to me. "You are so rich, Princess, oh my Goddess!"

"And you are," I touched her chubby cheeks, "Adorable!" She smiled at me full of teeth and two windows, making it even cuter. "Look at those two windows," I pointed, and she got shy. "What a cute Lady you are," she seemed to like being called a Lady.

I got on my feet and brushed the dust out of my annoying skirt. They got up right after me. "It was a pleasure to make a deal with you, Mr. George. And to meet you too, Lady Alisha," he handed me the bloody-diamond pen and I kissed the kid's forehead.

"When will you come to get the jewels, Your Highness?"

"Well, when will they be ready?"

"Tomorrow, in the evening, is it okay for you?" I nod. "Then I'll be waiting for your Knight!" Then he bowed and so did his daughter.

After a farewell, I left with Kate and Asher, parting ways with them. Satisfied with my first investment and already occupying my mind with the next one.

Preparing myself for my encounter with that old acquaintance of mine.

※※※※※

Flashback of seven years in the future - First Timeline

※

As the 8th month of the year arrived, and a new Knighthood Oath Ceremony was at bay, I had to fulfill my darling's wishes. Last night I couldn't bear the pain I felt by seeing her cry like that on my tights. She told me that she had a bad argument with the Royal Stylist, Lady Gwen, my disciple brother's widow.

My relationship with her was alright, and I enjoyed her company. It made me remember Asher, who died three years ago by my hands, although that's a secret. But how could she mistreat my sister like that? Doesn't she know who she's messing with? What are the consequences to those who disrespect Dalilah?

And my darling was still thinking of not saying anything to me about that. She thought that even those the stylist screamed and mistreated her, she didn't do it with any ill intentions and just a punishment like cutting her tongue would do. How can she be so merciless to those who hate her and want to see her disappear? She is indeed the Saintess the priests in the Goddess Temple claimed her to be.

My sister knows how I tend to act when it comes to protecting her, and for not wanting to see me getting hurt by anyone, she tries to hold information and not tell me when someone is mean to her. It pains me because she's the purest girl I've ever met. She isn't able to have any ill intentions toward anyone. And that's why I'm here to do the job for her and clean her way to success, as the future wife of the Imperial Princes Christopher Caspien. Even if I don't quite like him, my sister loves him and that's enough for me.

If she's happy, then so am I!

And so, seeing me unwillingly just cut her tongue off, she gave me the alternative to killing her with poison. I wanted to protest, but she told me that it wasn't just normal. But seeing her insisting on it, I accepted and went with it. Planning exactly what was I going to do.

I had been ingesting all types of poisons for over two years now, to create a tolerance, so I could just poison myself with her. She would die, and I would watch it. And although I would also be affected, it wouldn't cause me my death, and I would be taken as a suspect either. Very clear and not troublesome at all. Pain is something I can handle better than most people.

※※※※※※※※※

Thanks for reading!

Join the Discord Server for arts, music, and more, the link can be found in the bio 🤗