Page 7

Things were going well. My ghost tactic worked extremely well, and in the last few days, I had managed to buy a few shops on this street.

I also dismantled the funeral shop and merged it with an adjoining shop to make a bigger space for Magnolia Boutique to move in.

Tommy was also doing his part and had been spreading the word about Magnolia.

I stepped into the bustling Magnolia Boutique, the soft tinkling of the bell above the door barely audible over the excited chatter of customers.

The once-empty space now teemed with life, with racks of dresses in varying shades and styles lining the walls.

The scent of fresh fabric and subtle perfume hung in the air.

“Well, well, well. Looks like moving here worked wonders,” I muttered to Laurel, a smirk playing on my lips.

Annalise, her face flushed with exertion and joy, waved us over. She directed the customer she was handling to a new employee she had hired. “Lady Ilyana! Laurel! I’m so glad you’re here. As you can see, business is booming!”

I raised an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance. “Oh? Do tell.”

Annalise beamed, her words tumbling out in a rush. “It’s going excellently! Your idea of selling good-quality but practical dresses at a more affordable price? Genius! We’re catering to those who can’t afford the extravagant, impractical gowns from places like Primrose.”

I nodded, my mind already racing ahead. “That’s a good start, but we need to tap into the noble ladies and high-class dress market to truly beat Primrose.”

Laurel, ever observant, piped up. “My lady, what about the rumor of the Queen wearing Magnolia’s dresses? The one you had Tommy spread?”

I waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, that? I’ll gift Her Majesty a dress from Magnolia as a thank you for her help with the divorce and care at the palace. Two birds, one stone.”

I didn’t have the time to meet Her Majesty and thank her since I was in a hurry to move out of the palace. Queen Felicia was under strict security since that attack on the palace. If I had to meet her, I needed to get an appointment, which would take some days, days I didn’t have.

“But how will people know if Her Majesty wore the dress? There’s no ball coming up soon,” Laurel pointed out.

I paused, caught off guard. “That’s… actually a valid question. I’ll think about it.”

As we left Magnolia, I turned to Laurel. “How’s the shop acquisition going?”

Laurel’s eyes lit up, and she launched into a detailed explanation, rattling off numbers and strategies with impressive efficiency. I found myself nodding along, impressed. Who knew my little maid had such a head for business?

“…and there’s this one particular shop that’s refusing to sell,” Laurel concluded. “But I have a plan to make them reconsider.”

I grinned, a touch of my old evilness creeping into my voice. “Do whatever it takes, Laurel. If you need more money, then take it from the account. We need those shops.”

“Of course, my lady. Oh, and how’s the permit application going?”

And just like that, my mood soured instantly. The rejection from the Vermilion Circle still stung. Since Vermilion Circle gave more preference to lower-class women with experience, I applied this time with Laurel’s name, but I was rejected again. I would need to wait a whole year to apply again.

I hunched my shoulders, eyes growing misty. “Rejected. Again. That’s the third time now.”

Laurel’s face contorted in an awkward grimace. She patted my shoulder stiffly. “There, there. There must be another way. Let’s get back home for now.”

As we trudged back to our modest apartment, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for my old life. The grandeur, the respect, the ease of it all. But then I remembered the price of that life - the lies, the manipulation, the constant fear of discovery. And… my eventual death.

I shuddered at the thought of getting skewered with a sword. No, thank you. I hope I meet Commander Maxwell again.

I glanced at Laurel, her brow furrowed in concentration as she no doubt plotted her next move at acquiring that shop. A small smile tugged at my lips. Perhaps this new life, built on honesty and hard work, wasn’t so bad after all.

As we climbed the stairs to my apartment, I spotted Sebastian waiting by the door. How he found out my apartment, I had no idea, but my mood instantly brightened.

“Seb!” I cried, rushing to embrace him.

He laughed, wrapping his arms around me. “Easy there, kiddo. Anyone would think you actually missed me.”

I pulled back, grinning. “Don’t let it go to your head. Come on in, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

As Laurel headed off to buy some refreshments from the marketplace, I flung open the door with a flourish. “Ta-da! Welcome to my humble abode.”

I fidgeted nervously as Sebastian surveyed the space, his face impassive. The apartment was small but cozy and, most importantly, very clean, with worn wooden furniture and warm earth tones. What it lacked in grandeur, it made up for in homey charm.

Finally, Sebastian nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. “I approve. It’s…quaint.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” I drawled. “I was so worried you wouldn’t like it. However, would I sleep at night?”

He chuckled, settling onto the bed. “I have to admit, I’m impressed. I thought you’d last a week on your own before crawling back home.”

I smirked, flipping my hair. “Of course, someone like you doubts me instead of cheering for me. But I am something of a genius, you know. Though clearly not at having supportive siblings.”

Laurel returned with refreshments, including a homemade pie. As she set everything down and excused herself, I couldn’t resist bragging a little. “I made that, you know.”

Sebastian burst out laughing. “Good one, Lya.”

Seeing my offended expression, he sobered quickly. “Wait, seriously? Since when do you cook?”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “I’m so glad you have such faith in my abilities. But yes, I cook now. Try not to faint from shock.”

Sebastian eyed the pie warily. I huffed in exasperation. “Oh, just eat it already. I didn’t poison it, I promise.”

He took a tentative bite, then his eyes widened. Before I knew it, the pie was gone and he was licking his fingers clean.

I raised an eyebrow. “Well?”

“Not bad,” he said casually. “A bit too sweet, though.”

“It’s dessert, you absolute idiot,” I retorted. “And if it’s so terrible, why are you licking the plate?”

“Mother always said never to waste food, even if it’s garba—”

I lobbed a book at his head before he could finish. He dodged it easily, laughing.

“Alright, alright! I surrender,” he said, raising his hands. “It was delicious. I had no idea my little sister was so talented.”

I preened a bit at the praise. “Yes, well. I’m full of surprises. Now, how are things at home?”

Sebastian’s smile faded. “Mother is…the same. Pretending she doesn’t have a daughter.”

My heart clenched, but it was expected. “And Father knows?”

“Everyone in the capital knows by now, Lya. So, of course, Father knows about the divorce. Actually, that’s part of why I’m here. He wants you to return to the estate immediately.”

I stood, shaking my head vehemently. “No. Absolutely not.”

Sebastian shrugged. “You can tell him that yourself.”

I clasped my hands together, giving him my best pleading look. “Seb, please. Help me out this once? I’ll owe you.”

He cupped a hand to his ear. “I’m sorry, what was that? I didn’t quite catch it.”

I gritted my teeth. “Please.”

A slow grin spread across his face. “Well, since you’re begging so nicely…”

I glared at him, but relief flooded through me. As infuriating as he could be, Sebastian always had my back when it really mattered.

I was about to ask Sebastian what he planned to do when a knock interrupted us.

Laurel’s hesitant voice called out, “Uh… there’s someone here to talk to you, my lady.”

Curiosity piqued, I strode out of the room with Sebastian on my heels. In our tiny sitting area stood none other than Lennox, looking as stoic and uninterested as ever. But this time, I noticed a distinct lack of hostility in his eyes. Progress, I suppose.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Lennox?” I asked, crossing my arms. “Come to arrest me for some mysterious incident loosely related to my cousin’s aunt’s daughter-in-law?”

Lennox’s face remained impassive. “Prince Anderic sent me with a message.”

Of course, he did. He sends his loyal hound instead of showing up himself. I bit back a sigh. How did everyone suddenly know where I lived? Then it hit me - Anderic probably still had me followed. Charming.

“Well?” I prompted. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”

Lennox’s tone took on an infuriated edge as he paraphrased, “Why the hell are you living here? In this… hovel of all places. You’re coming back to the palace with Lennox. Right now.”

I felt my temper rising with each word. Even though I didn’t want to admit it at the time, I’d been waiting- no, wanting- Anderic to come to me after that night in the garden, but he never came. Now, he had the audacity to send his errand boy to deliver unreasonable demands instead?

And how dare he call my cute little apartment a hovel? He should see where I used to live in exile .

“Tell me, Lennox,” I said, my voice dangerously quiet, “does everyone think I’m some kind of doll they can move around at will? First my father, now Anderic?”

Lennox held up a hand. “He anticipated your reaction. So, he told me to let you know that he’s not demanding, merely requesting out of concern.”

Beside me, Laurel unsuccessfully tried to muffle her laughter. I shot her a glare.

“Fine,” I snapped. “Tell your prince that I can do whatever I damn well please, and I won’t be going back to the palace. As for his ‘concern’, he can shove it up his ar-”

Laurel’s hand clamped over my mouth, cutting off my tirade. I tried to free myself, but she was surprisingly strong. Stronger than I anticipated; even I was stunned for a few moments. Damn, what does she eat?