"How much for that hat?"
I asked a guy running a stand who was selling different clothes.
"H-Huh, 18 Eden."
The man stuttered.
I was still covering my face but what was diverting his gaze was the scary black-haired girl next to me.
"..."
Mary was looking around her curiously, she wasn't showing it but I could feel that she was a little excited.
"Here, I'm paying with the Eden Guild card."
"Yes,"
The man nodded and I swiped my card into a card reader.
I took the hat and headed toward an isolated spot.
Removing the clothes from my head, I gathered my grey hair and hid it in my hat.
People would find me strange wearing a hat in summer, but since it was early in the morning now, it was a little cold, so it wouldn't necessarily attract attention.
I also removed the clothes from my face as well. People would only recognize me if they saw my grey hair, which was unique to Falkrona in the Celesta Kingdom, but my face was hardly recognizable right now. I lost weight and the fat on my cheeks and even my features changed a little, so it was alright.
"Finally, I can breathe calmly."
I let out a long breath to which Mary didn't react. She was just staring at me.
"Let's go buy clothes now."
…
I wandered in the streets with Mary.
…and I still gathered attention.
It must be because of Mary's gloomy aura and the dress she was wearing. She was also bare-footed and in the capital of nobles like that, it wasn't well-seen.
"This one will be good."
I nodded my head while standing in front of a big building. Screens were showing the different dresses available for both women and men.
TrueStyle huh.
It was definitely a famous brand.
The automatic doors opened and we entered, but before we could take the next step, a guard in a suit stopped us.
"What?"
I asked with a frown.
The guard looked at me and pointed at Mary.
"This girl cannot enter. You are also barely barely, but it's okay for you."
"..."
Mary didn't show any expressions like usual, but I was annoyed.
"I thought the 'customer is king' though?"
"Have you ever seen kings wearing beggars' clothes?"
[<Pff->]
Cleenah stifled a laugh.
"TrueStyle huh."
I swept my gaze around and snorted.
"CringeStyle would be better, don't you think so?"
I put my palm on my forehead and shook my head.
"Brat, you should better leav-"
He tried to put his hand on my chest but I grabbed his wrist before.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands."
Disgust welled on me when that guy tried to touch me.
It was unlike.
No.
It was definitely how I acted before gaining Nyrel's memories. I hated strangers touching me, even more when they weren't nobles.
"Aghh!"
I squeezed his wrist hard and he yelped in pain.
"Know your place."
The man kneeled on the ground because of the pain and I let him go after that.
"What's happening?!"
"Call the security!"
"Let's leave Mary, this store is not that good actually."
[<Your eyes were shining when you looked at the store though.>]
"Don't retort to me like that! You know what I mean."
I replied and looked for another store.
"Here!"
"Hm?"
I shifted my gaze toward a little store, eclipsed by the bigger ones. A man wearing spectacles was waving a white flag and on it was written [50% sales!].
The name of the store was [RealStore].
I think I know where he got his inspiration.
Since I was feeling too much pity for him, I decided to give a look at his store.
"Y-You came! I thought you would avoid me like the others!"
This guy was sure pathetic.
"I will take a look."
"I beg you!"
Pathetic…
"Milady!"
He bowed nobly to me and Mary behind me.
Well, at least he was courteous compared to the other guy.
"Welcome!"
A little boy and a little girl were there to welcome us.
No one was there except them.
Were they staff members…?
They were barely ten though…
"I need shoes and a total dress-up for her. Help her, she's a little awkward in such a place. As for me, just show me the men's area."
"Yes! Please, Milady, follow me!"
The little girl dragged Mary by her hand.
"Sir, I will take care of you."
The boy said and I followed him.
I glanced behind me and saw the man, who was probably the children's father, still waving the flag. He must have full confidence in his children to let them alone like that.
…
…
…
"Now, it's better."
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and nodded.
I'd already thrown away my previous clothes and now was wearing new black pants, black shoes, a white shirt and a black jacket.
"Are you perhaps…a noble?"
"!"
I flinched when the boy asked me that. He seemed nervous.
Has he found my identity?
I touched my hat but it was still there.
"Why do you think that?"
I asked curiously.
"Your stance, gait and…your face."
"My face…?"
Do I have the face of a noble?
"The lady is ready!"
Cutting off from my thoughts was the voice of the little girl. She was dragging with her hand Mary that I nearly didn't recognize.
""Woooowww…""
Both the little girl and little boy exhaled in admiration. The difference was that the girl was looking at me and the boy at Mary.
As for me, I was looking at Mary shocked. She was even more beautiful than what I witnessed in her life in the Sekrin town.
She was wearing a one-shoulder white sweater with black pants with simple white sneakers. Her black hair was tied behind her, showing her pretty face well.
Mary was looking back at me, showing no emotions.
"I will buy them. How much?"
I decided to buy them without waiting.
They were really good clothes.
"Of course, Sir!"
The man was back in the shop and had a broad smile on his face. He was very very very very happy, without a doubt.
Don't tell me their store rarely has customers.
Well, it was obvious since his store was located near another famous clothes store.
"120 Eden, please."
It was rather cheap.
I paid for the clothes with my card and left the store.
I had already bought something for Belle. I hope she won't beat me up.
…
…
…
It was already afternoon and I was standing in front of my aunt's mansion.
I already told Mary to go back to her world since she was attracting TOO much attention.
I have to admit that she was really beautiful. She could have been a [Heroine] easily.
All the boys and even girls stopped to look at her.
[<The girls didn't stop for her.>]
"What?"
[<Nothing.>]
I ignored Cleenah and took out the key Belle gave me when I came to her mansion a month ago.
I scanned the badge of the key and the gates opened.
Taking a deep breath, I entered.
I walked nervously to the door, a few dozen of meters away.
Since I entered her mansion, Belle should have been alerted.
Opening the entrance door with the key, I entered inside.
Nothing seemed to have changed.
I thought as I strolled around the living room.
"Who?"
"!"
I heard Belle's voice, so I turned around with an awkward smile.
"It's me, aunty."
I removed my hat, showing my grey hair.
"!"
Belle was still the same but she had dark rings under her eyes.
"Y-You!"
-Slap!
"Ouch!"
She slapped my cheeks hard and it hurt like hell.
"I-I'm sorr-"
Before I could beg for forgiveness, Belle hugged me tightly.
"Edward! What! What were you doing?!"
She separated herself and inspected my whole body.
"You changed so much…"
She seemed relieved to see me well. As if a huge burden had gone away, she hugged me again.
"Do you know how much I-I was worried! How we were worried!"
"I…just needed some time alone…"
I said my true thoughts.
I really needed some time alone.
"Oh, dear god, Edward!"
Belle shook her head, speechless at my reason.
"Is that a reason for not informing me, at least? I can understand for your father, but I'm on your side, Edward!"
"I'm sorry."
I could only lower my head and apologize.
Guilt overwhelmed me when she looked at me resentfully like that. I was in her custody, so she must have felt guilty.
"I thought you were dead! How would I look at your father, if something happened to you?"
Like that, Belle scolded me for half an hour.
"I will inform your father, don't move."
She threw me a glare and I nodded my head frantically.
After she informed my father, I took a shower and talked with Belle for an hour.
I explained how I lost weight, my training and the fact that I awakened the first wing of the Falkrona bloodline. She was overjoyed for me when I said that.
"Look at your handsome face, you definitely inherited your mother's face."
Belle grinned at me.
Thanks aunty, but don't need to praise me with empty words.
I'm below average.
"Oh, yes, aunt Belle, I'm late but there."
I handed her the grey earrings I bought in the same cheap store.
If I had more money, I would have offered something better, but unfortunately, I was poor.
"Oh! What a cute nephew I have!"
Belle accepted and hugged me again.
I smirked.
Now, she has forgotten everything.
"Right, Edward, your uniform arrived here a week ago. I put it in your room on the second floor. And don't forget to show your face to your father and siblings."
"Okay for the first part but not the second part."
"Edward…"
"Aunt, please, you know my relation with them and I will see them tomorrow anyway. As for my shitty father, I don't care about him."
I still felt strange, so I'd rather take it slowly.
"How do you speak about my brother, scoundrel."
"Argh…"
Belle pinched my cheeks like before and sighed.
"Alright, I will inform the academy but you should rest to be ready for tomorrow, okay?"
"Yes, yes aunt."
Belle smiled and stroked my hair before leaving me.
After Belle left, I headed to my room and slumped on the bed.
This time the bed didn't crack.
"Mary, take a shower if you want. I'm going to sleep. Jarvis, wake me up tomorrow morning and Cleenah, stay useless as usual."
I said before closing my heavy eyes.
Cleenah's curses didn't reach my tired mind.
It was a tiring day and I needed to be at a hundred percent for tomorrow.
The First Game of the bloody fluffy franchise [Princess And Dragon] is going to start early in the morning tomorrow.
I will meet the [Main Characters].
The [Events] will start.
It's going to be a long…very long day.
"Good night, Jarvis, Mary, Cleenah."
[Good night, Edward.]
"Um."
[<Insolent…Good night Amael.>]
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[...]
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It's the end of the First Volume!
First, thanks to ALL the people who followed and read my book until now. You all have been very patient with me because I know that people want the MC soon interacting with the characters but this small volume was needed and I thank all the people who supported my book everyday not minding the slowness.
Now the StoryGame will start.
I want to warn beforehand all of you that the story isn't going to be a 'fluffy' one.
There will be definitely deaths so please understand that.
I will do my best so you can understand the characters' feelings and more importantly Edward's countless dilemmas he will have to face because he will have to make choices like in the Game…
See you guys tomorrow for the Next Volume!