It was currently the third day of me being inside the novel. At some point of the day, it was hard to believe that I was still here but other than that I was kinda getting used to being here.
I had sent a letter to William showing my interest and had yet to receive a reply from him. So, while I waited for him, I was currently bored.
"Is there anything to do, Heather?" I asked in a manner that revealed I hoped to do something to appeal to my boredom.
"At the moment there's nothing scheduled for you to do, your majesty but if you wish to go outside for the day, potentially go shopping, maybe look around, then you are free to do so," Heather suggested.
I never even thought of going outside the walls of this castle and yet now I have the opportunity to do so. I stood up from my chair by my dresser and took a step forward to leave until Heather called out to stop me.
"You must wear something less obvious, your majesty. No one must know it is you that is walking around the town. You never know if there might be a potential assassin sneaking around to harm you." I nodded, taking in Heather's wise words and going towards my closet to see all were very expensive clothing.
"I'm going to need a less shiny outfit. Prepare one for me, Heather." I ordered.
Heather gave a reply as a sign of obedience and went away to get me a dress or suit to wear so I could leave. She was back in five minutes and I took in the sight of a pretty purple dress but it gave off a vibe that could trick others into thinking that I was a commoner.
My hair was brushed and tied into a low ponytail before I positioned the hat that matched my dress onto my head, adjusting it until it seemed perfect to me.
"Let's go."
A carriage was ready for me to be taken in and I sat down with an excited look, happy to finally get some fresh air and take in the rest of this fictional world.
We rode through a forest before we emerged out and into the area where the carriage could stop. As soon as it halted, I was out of the carriage, not being able to hold myself back since I had been wanting to explore.
"Wait, Miss Lillian," Heather whispered harshly, referring to me by my name instead of addressing me like the empress.
"This is amazing," I mumbled in awe, looking around at the scene.
People were selling fruits, vegetables and other items such as clothes or jewellery.
"What would you like to buy, Miss?" Heather asked.
I was about to answer but a blue screen appeared in my line of vision, startling me.
'SECOND MISSION - SAVE THE SLAVE FROM HIS ABUSIVE OWNER.
REWARD - 2ND HUSBAND
FAILURE - DEATH'
'Slave? But I can't see anyone like that!' I thought in panic as I checked for anymore who matched that description but I went into a further panic as I noticed a timer underneath the mission screen.
As soon as this is all finished, I was going to figure out what on earth this mission fiasco was all about.
"Heather, stay here. I need to go somewhere, alone." I ordered and Heather was about to protest until I turned to give her a look that reminded her of her place.
"I will do as you say but please, be careful."
I nodded, sending her a smile before focusing back on the timer, noticing I had three minutes to find my target.
I walked casually, trying to make it seem as if I was not in a rush but as soon as I was out of Heather's point of view, I rushed through the crowd of people who were busy with their tasks.
"Where are they?" I questioned with a hint of frustration.
I almost ran into an elderly man who was restocking his stock of fruit and sent a quick apology before running past him and towards the area where there were fewer people.
"You are pathetic and useless!!"
Ah, that sounds just like what an abusive owner would say.
I followed the voice of the sound, checking the timer which remained in front of me and seeing I had one minute until my death would reach.
"All you needed to do was please that woman but-"
I found the two in an alley but didn't stop running, the owner's word irritating me. I charged towards them, the owner oblivious until he received a strong kick to his back, sending him tumbling forward and away from the slave.
"I don't have the time to argue with you so let me get straight to the point."
The obese man was flabbergasted by what I had done but his eyes almost popped out as I pulled out a large bag of gold and tossed it towards him, it landing in front of him with a large thud.
"I'm buying him and that's final. Do you understand?"
TIMER - 0:23 SECONDS
The owner seemed as if he wanted to say something but I silenced him with another bag of gold.
"T-That's fine, my lady!" He could tell I was someone he could not mess with and bowed in gratitude before running away with the bags of gold in his hand.
I kneeled to the same level as the slave and offered my hand to hold.
"Do you want to live with me? It'll be much more comfortable than in this alley." I said, chuckling over my joke.
The male slave who was potentially a year or two years younger than me didn't hesitate and placed his hand on mine as a sign of acceptance.
TIMER - 0:01 SECONDS
My breath hitched but when the timer didn't end, I realised it had frozen making me feel relieved.
'MISSION SUCCESS! YOUR REWARD IS TO BE YOUR SECOND HUSBAND WHO IS THE SLAVE.'
That took me by surprise and I looked at the male, inspecting his features but he was covered in dirt, his clothes tattered for me to judge him.
"Come on." I encouraged him to stand but he struggled to do so, too tired to do so.
I wrapped an arm around his waist and helped him stand, putting his other arm around my shoulders so I could hold him securely.
"So, do you have a name?" I asked as we slowly made our way to the carriage.
He glanced at me for a moment before staring ahead once again.
"Bradley, my lady." He answered, his voice a very deep tone that had my eyes widening.
"I see. Well, my name is Lillian Vanguard." I revealed and I noticed how tense he had become making me look his way.
I took notice of his golden eyes and was mesmerised for a second until he addressed me differently.
"Your majesty?" He asked in an uncertain tone that had me smiling.
I held up a finger and placed it against my lips, winking in his direction.
"For now, let's keep my identity a secret."