5. Angles Street

Helena smiled and strolled Angles Street with the children and her guards. People were busy running their shops, buying groceries, or just passing by. As usual, the street was bustling but peaceful.

There was only just one thing that bothered her.

"Why are you coming with me?"

Helena stared at Adham, who casually walked next to her side. He might be her lover in her first life, but she held no feelings for him in her third life. They might be the same person, but the current Adham was not the past Adham.

"Somebody needs to look after the children. I have to make sure the kids get back before dinner. There is a case of missing people you know."

Helena frowned. "The case is still ongoing?"

He put his hands behind his head. "Yes, the investigators have not caught the perpetrator yet. Maybe they were busy spending our hardworking tax instead of working."

Helena tried to remember her past. The case was intriguing as it was never resolved in her first or second life. Other than Daisy, many victims were found in different places. More than twenty people had been murdered in a year. Perhaps more victims were not covered by the newspaper. 

"Do you think the murderer is more than one?"

"It is a plausibility."

They passed the bakery and smelled something delicious. Before Helena went inside, Miss Elisa rushed to meet her, still wearing her apron. She had her long brown hair tied in a low ponytail. Her grey eyes sparkled when she saw Helena.

"Good afternoon, Lady Blackmoore. Would you like some bread fresh from the oven?"

"I-"

Miss Elisa returned to the kitchen before she answered. Helena was dumbfounded when Miss Elisa brought her plenty of loaves. Helena shared it with the knights and the children. She broke her bread into half and gave it to Adham. 

"I cannot eat all of it since my stomach is full from breakfast."

Adham was surprised. "Wait, are you sure? Don't nobles hate sharing with commoners?"

"Better than throwing it."

Adham hesitated but accepted her offer. They continued their trip after finishing eating bread. The owner or worker would come and greet her every time she passed in front of the shop. Mrs Dorian, the florist, gave her free flowers. The fat old lady smiled when she held a big bouquet. "My, the sunflower suits you, Lady Blackmoore."

Helena was smiling at the friendly woman. "Thank you!"

They continued walking further in the street. This time Mr. Dean waved his hand. The black-haired fisherman brought something in his hand. "We caught big fish this morning. You can have it, Lady Blackmoore."

He gave Helena a fish as big as her hand. Helena was stunned but received it. "Uh, thank you…."

Adham cackled from behind. "Wow, you are really popular. Even I never get free fish before!"

Helena stared at the fish eyes and Adham. "…. Do you want to take it?"

"No."

"Lady Blackmoore!"

More people ran to her with a gift in their hands. Saint of Angles Street was more than a title for people there. She was a woman who created a better place for the residents. Everywhere she went in the street, their gratitude always followed her. She was overwhelmed by the attention. 

It hurt her conscience. 

Helena realized how awful she was in her second life. She led many people to misery. That woman took her anger on people who did not deserve mistreatment. Helena caused Mr Umber to die from overworking, made Mr Dean lose his job, burned Miss Elisa's bakery, and hired hooligans to disrupt Mrs Dorian's business.

"Lady Blackmoore, good afternoon."

"Tch, those people appear."

Helena heard Adham click his tongue. In front of them was Mr and Mrs Gray. They were a commoner couple who ran a small inn business. Both created a place for the elderly and retired veterans of war. They knew her weak point and used her sympathy as a gold mine. 

Helena hated them since they framed her in her first life. Of course, she showed no mercy to them in her second life. Helena ruined their business and drove them to poverty. The retirement house was destroyed when the couple lost all of their wealth. Many elderly lost their homes and died in the street. Even in her second life, she regretted the impact of her crime. Helena should have handled the situation better. 

She was unsure how to deal with them right now. 

"Greetings, Mr and Mrs Gray."

The woman smiled at her. "Long time no see. Where have you been? The people in the retirement house miss you."

"Don't worry. I am going to come around next week."

The couple had sly expressions on their face. "We will wait for you."

They finally left Helena alone. Adham, who watched the scene, only shook his head. "They don't have a good reputation around here. It will be better to stop giving those crooks the money." 

"I know…"

Adham decided not to push her further. He gave her some space to think for herself. He turned around and spoke to the kids. "Okay, everyone. It's time to get back to the orphanage."

"Eeeeeh…" The children grumbled at his words, but they followed Adham. Helena said goodbye and waved her hand to them. She continued her trip and walked to a weapon shop. The old man on the counter greeted her when she stepped inside. "Never thought I've seen noble lady coming here. What do you want?"

"Cut to the chase, as usual, Mister Iron."

Simon Iron was a well-known weapon smith. He was a short man in his sixties with white hair wrapped in a bandana. His muscular body was covered in scars from forged weapons. Mr Iron crafted his item and sold it in own shop. Despite receiving many orders, he refused to move from Angles Street. The shop had been passed down from generation to generation.

"How is your searching for an apprentice?"

"Don't even remind me, Lady Blackmoore. There is no applicant."

"Don't be so pessimistic. It's only been two weeks."

"Did you come to buy a gift?"

"No. I am here to buy myself a sword."

Eric joined the conversation. "No offence, Lady Helena. A sword might be too much for you."

"Come on." She grabbed a sword from the showcase. "How heavy can it-"

The weapon along her body slumped to the ground. Helena underestimated the weight of a sword. Eric cackled while the rest of the knights held their laughter.

"Don't laugh, Eric Taupe."

"… I am sorry."

Mister Iron crossed his arms, "I am afraid the knight is right. You are just too scrawny. Even a wooden sword will be too much for you."

Helena never thought being a proper noble lady would give her problems. Wielding a sword was unnecessary in high society. Perhaps it was a shallow mindset. People should learn self-defence, no matter noble or commoner.

"Lady Helena, why do you even want to buy a weapon?" Eric asked her. Helena just sighed at the question. "You heard my father. The street is getting dangerous. I want to find a way to protect myself."

Mister Iron was thinking and rummaging through the cupboard behind him. He put a dagger on the table. "You are too weak for a sword, but I have a better weapon for you."

It was a simple, light and short weapon. Helena took the dagger and released the sheath. She observed the blade. It was sharp enough to deal fatal damage.

Mr Iron smiled at her. "How is it?"

"I'll take it!"

She bought the dagger and then returned home. Helena glanced at the wrapped weapon inside the carriage. That woman was lying. Helena bought it for protection. She was going to face someone who knew about her regression. 

Helena never thought that person was suspicious. The suspect remained on the sideline like the other in her previous life. However, one sentence turned her presumption upside down. Helena felt anxious when the moment arrived. She had called that person to her room before the night came in.

"Lady Helena, did you call for me?"

Her voice was shaky as she spoke.

"Karl…. Who are you?"