Sunday.
The ball wasn't until late evening, which meant I had plenty of time to kill before anything dramatic had the chance to ruin my day. Or night.
So I decided to take a walk into town.
A visit to the Emporium wouldn't hurt. After all, it had been a week since the last inspection, and knowing Cassandra… she probably had half the interior renovated within three days and the rest within four. That, and I wanted to meet this "mysterious colleague" she mentioned. Whoever it was, I'd likely be working alongside them for the better part of a year. Might as well get the introduction out of the way.
Of course, I'd have to stay sharp.
Cassandra was still… Cassandra.
Smiling, laughing, pleasant to work with—and possibly someone like me. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not completely. That didn't mean I had to treat her like an enemy. Just that every word, every gesture, needed to be catalogued.
Act natural. Observe quietly.
Fifteen minutes of relaxed walking brought me to the street.
And sure enough—the place was ready.
A polished green door with brass fixtures stood proudly under a wrapped banner reading:
"Opening Soon – A World of Knowledge Awaits"
…Huh.
I hadn't expected it to be this grand.
With the golden trim along the windows, the potted plants by the entrance, and a light floral scent wafting out from within, I almost mistook it for a boutique cafe or some noble opening ceremony.
They really went all in.
I stepped closer, trying the handle—unlocked. A pleasant little bell jingled as I pushed the door open.
Inside, the transformation was complete.
Books of all kinds filled the elegant wall-mounted shelves. Aisles of comfortable seats were arranged at just the right distance to feel both private and communal. There was a quiet buzz of enchantments in the air, regulating the temperature and softly amplifying nearby voices while dampening distant ones.
And the counter...
Polished. Minimalist. Stocked.
Rows of light snacks and bottled drinks lined the display—refreshingly, nothing alcoholic or questionable. Clean branding, well-organized sections. Honestly, it was the kind of place you'd expect to see in a high-end academic district, not tucked in this town.
I gave a small, approving nod.
They pulled it off.
This is actually workable.
Just then—soft footsteps.
Someone was descending the stairs. Almost silently.
Almost.
If not for my improved hearing—thank you, painful-potion-bath-of-doom—I might not have noticed.
But I kept my back turned, feigning absorption in a nearby book. The steps were deliberately light—tiptoeing, almost.
Cassandra?
A grin threatened to break my composure.
She's trying to sneak up on me.
Then—
"RAAARGH!"
A voice roared directly behind me, accompanied by what sounded like someone flailing their arms in a poor imitation of a monster.
I turned slowly, face blank.
Cassandra stood frozen, hands still raised in a claw-like pose, her usual noble grace replaced by… whatever this was. She wore a tailored uniform dress—dark green with gold trim, practical yet elegant—but the effect was ruined by her current expression: wide-eyed, lips parted mid-growl.
For a split second, I blinked—caught between secondhand embarrassment and mild fascination.
She looked less like a ghost and more like a startled housecat trying to appear fierce.
One of those fluffy ones that hisses when it gets caught knocking something off a shelf.
Cute.
And just like that, the corners of my mouth almost twitched.
Almost.
We stared at each other.
A beat passed.
Then another.
Her cheeks flushed crimson.
"...Good to see you too, Manager," I said, tone flat.
Her arms dropped like puppets with cut strings. She cleared her throat, smoothing her dress with exaggerated dignity. "Y-yes. Likewise."
I tilted my head slightly, letting my gaze linger just long enough to make her fidget. That lingering image of a ruffled cat still danced in my mind.
So this is how she acts when she's not playing the refined noble.
She huffed, crossing her arms. "You're no fun. I was trying to surprise you."
"You did," I chuckled inwardly. "I'm just very good at hiding my terror."
Cassandra threw me a glare.
Well—tried to.
It landed somewhere between "mildly offended" and "pouting kitten."
Cute.
I managed not to say it aloud.
She huffed again and took a deep breath, smoothing the front of her uniform as if realigning her internal nobility.
"Alright," she said briskly. "Putting aside your complete lack of proper shock—what do you think? About the changes."
I let her off the hook, choosing not to tease her further. My gaze swept across the room one more time, this time with deliberate focus.
"The interior's excellent," I said honestly. "Layout is practical. Decor is clean, but has personality. Feels warm without being too casual. The enchantments help too—light, ambient, not intrusive. And the drink setup… professional."
Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, the faint blush finally fading from her cheeks.
"We're opening next week," she said proudly. "Nothing too grand—soft opening with curated guests, a few academic contacts, a couple of influential traders I've been in contact with. Then a gradual public rollout."
Smart. Understated start. Smooth control over first impressions.
"And I'll need your help," she added lightly. "With staffing. Atmosphere. Crowd control. You know. Manager things."
I nodded. "Sounds doable. What's the first step?"
Cassandra smiled—slow and sly.
"First," she said, "I should introduce you to someone."
Ah.
Finally.
The mystery colleague.
I kept my expression neutral, but the flicker of interest must have shown in my eyes, because her grin widened like a cat that spotted a fishbowl on a wobbly table.
"You're curious," she teased.
I gave a half-shrug.
"I'm efficient."
"Hmph. That doesn't sound as fun." She sighed theatrically. "Why are all the smart ones so immune to teasing?"
"Occupational hazard," I replied.
She gave me a side-eye, then shook her head in mock defeat. "They should be here soon, anyway."
They're not already here?
I blinked, mildly surprised.
But before I could voice the thought, the doorbell jingled.
Both of us turned toward the entrance.
A soft gust of spring air swept into the room—and with it, two new figures.
The first was a girl—no more than twelve or thirteen—with luminous silver-blonde hair styled in elegant twin braids, tied at the ends with satin bows. Her eyes were a deep rose-gold, sparkling with intelligence far beyond her age.
She wore a pastel lilac dress trimmed with white lace and silver thread, layered like a fairy tale princess. A tiny satin purse hung from her wrist, and her shoes clicked gently across the polished floor.
Behind her stood a woman—tall, maybe twenty-five—with short dark auburn hair and sharp hazel eyes, dressed in a form-fitting military-style uniform that screamed knight with its subtle armor accents and utility belts. A sword rested against her hip, and her gaze swept the shop like a trained predator.
The girl's eyes landed on Cassandra—and instantly lit up.
"Cassie!" the girl chirped happily and bolted across the floor with her arms wide.
On the other hand, I felt the weight of the knight's gaze like a silent blade—not hostile, but definitely evaluating.
Probing.
I blinked once.
What the?
My background character senses were screaming. Not tingling, not nudging.
Screaming.
This wasn't a "rival employee."
This wasn't even a "manager-in-training."
I glanced back at the girl, who now stood beside Cassandra, chatting animatedly while clinging to her sleeve like a well-trained noble's shadow.
Everything from the dress to her escort to the very aura she gave off...
This…
This couldn't be—
…
No.
No way.
But…
I stared, speechless.
And dumbfounded.
There was only one logical conclusion.
This… was the PRINCESS.