Free As Her

Marlina, who was packing her bags, cast a deep sigh as she watched Seraphina, who was perched on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs.

The previous night, Marlina had been in her room praying, hoping Seraphina wouldn't cause too much trouble for Lord Hydral. However, she heard Seraphina's loud shouts from outside the manor.

"We can finally leave, Marlina!"

These words caused Marlina's heart to abruptly miss a beat, and soon after, her "weird" sister burst into the room with a hearty laugh, chattering away incessantly.

Her chatter boiled down to two perspectives—"That Ansel of Hydral is no gentleman" and "In some respects, Ansel of Hydral knows how to behave like a gentleman".

After much effort, Marlina managed to piece together the events of that night from Seraphina's narrative, which left her fuming. She didn't believe Seraphina's subjective disdain and criticism of Ansel, because she understood too well what kind of person her sister was.

Following a heated argument between the sisters, Marlina, although more restrained in her voice, found herself unable to bear Seraphina's wailing— it seemed she wanted the entire mansion to hear her disdain for Ansel.

Left without any other choice, Marlina had to abandon the argument, feigning agreement, else she feared the maids in the mansion might come to their bedside in the middle of the night with knives in hand.

Meanwhile, Lord Hydral had spent the night at Count Daram Stoneheart's manor and had yet to return.

Marlina intended to divert Seraphina's attention and secretly plead with Lord Hydral again. Even though such an act might seem shameless, she was willing to do anything for Seraphina's future.

— She couldn't even imagine how impudent Seraphina had been at the banquet towards Ansel, who not only didn't punish her but also gifted her two hundred Imperial gold coins. Even if Ansel's kindness was merely a façade, Marlina was determined to have Seraphina stay and serve Ansel, given his magnanimity.

If they missed this opportunity with Ansel, they might never, no, they would definitely never meet such a high-ranking and magnanimous person in their lifetime.

She didn't want her sister to remain an anonymous hunter in a remote northern village for the rest of her life. Seraphina was so extraordinarily talented, how could she witness her wilful sister waste such potential?

"Oh yes, what shall we do with those two hundred gold coins?" Seraphina excitedly wiggled her toes, her face, which always wore her emotions, was filled with joy.

The young girl lifted her chin in thought, "We could have Uncle Barton build a house, like the warm ones in Ansel's carriage! That way, father's legs won't hurt in the winter— Ah! We could find a good doctor and completely cure father's ailment! He would be so happy if he could hunt again! We could also buy new clothes for mother, and you, Marli... you'll have lots of dowry, you could find someone better than Gideon... no, uh, Lachlan? No, that won't do, someone handsome and influential...Yes, someone better than Ansel!"

At first, Marlina found her thoughts heartwarming, but as Seraphina continued, she couldn't help but sigh and cover her face.

"Ahhhh— I can't stand it anymore! Marli, let's go shopping!"

Daydreaming about a warm, sturdy new home, a healthy father, a mother who no longer had to work so hard, and a wonderful future for Marlina, Seraphina, unable to contain her excitement, decided to go out and spend money.

"Now? Right now?"

"Then when?" Seraphina, jumping off the bed, shed her top, her body, a perfect blend of adolescent innocence and seductive charm, radiated allure—if only she could remain silent.

Marlina, who was hoping to wait for Ansel's return, was slightly panicked, but she quickly calmed down and continued packing her bags, "You go ahead, I'll catch up soon."

"Why?"

"Don't you want to go home? The sooner we finish packing, the sooner we can leave."

Marlina answered with a sweet smile.

"Uh..."

Seraphina, pondering, slowly crouched down, staring straight into Marlina's eyes.

Suddenly, an insight burst into the girl's mind, "You're waiting for Ansel to return!"

"!"

Marlina was shocked. When did her sister become so smart?

Her astonished expression was noticed by Seraphina, who immediately shouted in discontent, "What! Why are you still thinking about that Ansel—"

Covering Seraphina's mouth, Marlina could only respond with a bitter smile, "Alright, alright, I'll go with you, okay?"

"That's more like it."

Contented, Seraphina playfully tugged at her sister's cheek before scampering off to change outfits. 

When the sisters finally emerged in their new attire, they found Meli, the maid who had been tasked with their care for the past few days, waiting at the doorstep.

"Butler Saville relayed Young Lord's message," she relayed, her eyes downturned. The maid, in all her ethereal beauty, spoke again, "If you both need to purchase items in the city, I shall serve as your guide temporarily."

"Guide? You mean, you'll lead us?" Seraphina blinked in surprise.

"The Red Frost territory is vast. You would require a carriage driver and a guide, both of which I can provide."

Seraphina scrutinized Meli, rubbing her head. Suddenly she blurted, "Such good luck? Are you here to spy on us?"

Meli paused momentarily, then regarded Seraphina with a stoic gaze. "Truthfully, I am loath to serve a brazen impertinence such as Miss Seraphina, but as it is Young Lord's command, I can bear any uncivilized audacity you might display."

How could Seraphina, proud of her own 'achievements', tolerate such a rebuke? She retorted, "Then don't come! It's not like I asked for your help."

"Young Lord's command is absolute."

"You're mad! Would you die if he ordered you to?"

The maid fell silent, then looked at Seraphina with pity.

"It seems, Miss Seraphina, you do not meet the standards."

"What the hell...you—"

"You have not experienced the joy of genuine devotion, of sacrificing everything for a cause. It appears—"

Meli halted, a smile resurfacing on her face. "In any case, knowing this has improved my mood greatly. Please, if you would, ladies."

She bowed slightly, extending her fingers towards the carriage. Seraphina wanted to retort, but Marlina silenced her. 

The elder sister, unable to control her younger sibling's tongue, could only attempt to mitigate the damage after the fact. Marlina had grown accustomed to this, but it was still exhausting.

Still...

The clever girl studied Meli's face and began to wonder.

What did Miss Meli mean by her words?

*

Seated in the heated carriage, Seraphina let out a long sigh, curling up like a kitten in Marlina's lap.

"Hey, maid, where's the best clothing store around here?" she drawled lazily.

"Clothing store," Meli's voice carried in from outside the carriage, somehow managing to contain a world of meaning. "The...best?"

"Of course!" Seraphina declared with an air of self-evidence. "I've got two hundred gold coins in my hand. Of course I want the best clothing store!"

A light laugh came from the maid. "As you wish."

After an indeterminable period, a gust of cold wind roused the half-asleep Seraphina, who sprang up from Marlina's lap like a startled cat. She glared at Meli, who had opened the carriage door.

"Ladies, we have arrived."

The carriage stopped at a rather modest-looking storefront. Seraphina looked around to find well-dressed people eyeing her with reverence. No, not her, the carriage?

A somewhat puzzled Seraphina followed Meli's direction into the shop. Like the exterior, the interior was plain, with walls made of wood that reminded Seraphina of her own house, and clothes hanging everywhere.

Ordinary-looking clothes.

"Are you sure this is the best clothing store?" Seraphina asked Meli skeptically, "Isn't this just regular fur clothing?"

She slapped a long robe hanging nearby, "There's not even a price tag."

"The Bernarl family's clothing store has a history of one hundred and twenty-six years. It is universally acknowledged as the best clothing outlet in the entire Red Frost territory, and it enjoys a significant reputation across the Northlands." 

Meli explained matter-of-factly. "All the clothes here are custom-made, and Mr. Bernarl's appointments have been booked up to two years in advance."

"Mr. Bernal!" Her voice echoed through the shop, announcing her intrusion to the back room.

"Oh... if it isn't Miss Meli." 

Came the reply, a voice worn with age but still robust. A diminutive figure, crowned with white hair, yet bursting with vitality, emerged from the back room.

Standing behind the counter, he greeted Meli, "Is it Lord Ansel of Hydral who is in need of new attire?"

"No," she replied, "Two young ladies wish to commission garments from you."

In Meli's string of words about custom orders and appointments, Marlina began to sense an impending disaster. As she was about to speak up, Seraphine, unphased, blurted out, "Old man, are you the best tailor in the Red Frost territory?"

The elderly man shrugged, "Perhaps."

"Then make us a dress."

"Hmm..." Bernal looked at Seraphina and Marlina, smiling, his eyes twinkling as he stroked his beard.

His artisan's gaze, appreciative of fine art, did not irritate Seraphina. Instead, she puffed out her chest confidently, "Money is no object!"

"Since Miss Meli has recommended you," Bernal chimed in jovially, "I suppose I could start right away."

"Hooray!" Seraphina clapped Meli on the shoulder, "You're not completely useless after all!"

Meli subtly put some distance between herself and Seraphina, while Marlina was extremely anxious, asking nervously:

"May I ask... how much are your services...?"

"If you're friends of Miss Meli, I can give a discount. Eight hundred imperial gold pieces per outfit."

Seraphina, who had been guzzling from her water bottle, sprayed a mouthful onto nearby clothing. Her voice twisted as she shrieked, "How much?!"

Marlina was also shocked. She had anticipated an exorbitant price, but this was merely for clothing!

A faint smile played at the corners of Meli's lips, but she quickly suppressed it. She watched as Bernal, frowning in confusion, gazed at the two flustered girls and explained:

"Mr. Bernal is an outstanding enchanter. The garments he crafts are imbued with various permanent spells. The eight hundred is simply his crafting fee. The cost of materials is additional, and must be provided by you, or paid for separately to Mr. Bernal."

"You, this, I--"

Seraphina, looking at the clothing she had soaked, stared at the old man in disbelief: "You're a robber, aren't you?"

"Miss," the old man's gaze hardened, "I believe this price is quite fair."

"Fair? Who in their right mind would buy clothing from you?" Seraphina was tempted to spit on the floor.

Bernal's expression changed drastically, his face paling. He pointed at Seraphina, his voice trembling, "You, do you know what you're saying... wait, wait."

Suddenly, he left the counter, taking a few quick steps towards Seraphina, inspecting her again.

"What, you want me to pay for that?" Seraphina took a cautious step back.

"You are..." This time, it was Bernal's voice that sounded strange, his tone becoming humble, "Forgive my rudeness, but are you... Miss Seraphina Marlowe?"

"What if I am?"

"So it is you!" Bernal's demeanor changed dramatically, "I'm too old, I didn't recognize you at first, I'm so sorry."

His slightly ingratiating smile made Seraphina feel uncomfortable.

"If it's for you, I'd be happy to make a dress for free--ah, and for your sister, two wouldn't be a problem."

Meli squinted her eyes, Marlina seemed deep in thought, and our Miss Seraphina, after a brief moment of surprise, immediately changed her demeanor, her smile beaming:

"Really?"

"Serving you would be my honor." The old man bowed politely, "Shall we take your measurements now?"

"Measurements..." Seraphina paused, then turned to Marlina, "Marli, do you remember mom's dress size?"

"Mother?" Marlina was taken aback by this sudden question, "Of course I know her size, but... Seri!"

She raised her voice in realization, "Don't push your luck!"

"What do you mean, pushing my luck... he's willing to make dresses for me and you, what's one more?"

Seri crossed her arms nonchalantly, "Or I can decline mine, I don't need any fancy clothes, yes, let's do that!"

"Old man!" She turned to Bernal, "I don't need a dress, make one for my sister and my mother."

Bernarl's lips twitched at the corners, "Adding another item, indeed, poses no problem, Miss Seraphina."

"Oh, never mind. It seems as though I have coerced you," Seraphina generously waved her hand, "Two items will suffice, Meli, tell him."

*

By the time the three girls exited Bernarl's shop, over an hour had passed and Seraphina was beginning to grow bored from the waiting.

Once they were settled in the carriage, Marlina glanced at her elated sister, fell into deep thought for a moment, then posed a question to the maid.

"Miss Meli... Are you aware of why Mr. Bernarl has suddenly shown such kindness towards Seri?"

The maid outside the carriage paused for a moment, then responded with deep implication,

"The ancestors of Bernarl were vassals of the Stoneheart clan, and have made considerable contributions. After his great-grandfather retired from the Stoneheart family, he established this long-standing clothing shop."

"Even today, the Stoneheart family still takes good care of Bernarl, and the two parties maintain a close relationship."

Marlina, sitting properly with her hands placed on her lap, immediately comprehended Meli's words, "So... Mr. Bernarl learned about last night's incident from the Count of Stoneheart?"

"Mm... huh?" Seraphina, with one foot on the seat, tilted her head curiously, "What does this mean? Oh... wait! I understand now!"

The girl's expression gradually shifted from confusion to delight, from delight to a sense of accomplishment, and from accomplishment to an unabashed, extremely exaggerated self-satisfaction.

"So, the old man knew about how I beat up those assassins at the party last night. He now knows how formidable I am, doesn't he?"

"Hehe." The soft laughter of the maid echoed from outside the carriage.

Marlina seemed to want to say something, but through Meli's hint and Seraphina's description, she had a rough idea of why such a respected craftsman was suddenly so fond of her sister. She was, however...

She was unable to articulate her thoughts.

"Miss Meli." Marlina, as if wanting to confirm something, asked, "Just one night, one morning... Can news spread so quickly?"

"Do not underestimate the acuity and sensitivity of nobility, Miss Marlina."

When conversing with Marlina, Meli's tone became much gentler, "Trust me, not only the shops that have dealings with the nobles of the Red Frost, perhaps, you have received even more unexpected blessings that you are yet to realize. As for the reason..."

She chuckled softly once more, "Let's attribute it to Miss Seraphina's 'strength'."

"What do you mean by 'let's attribute it to'... I am formidable, all right! Marli, Marli! I'll soon become famous in the Red Frost territory, no, I'm already famous in Red Frost!"

Seri laughed heartily, embracing Marlina and shaking her vigorously, rubbing her cheek against Marlina's, "Everyone will respect me, you too. Our days will only get better and better!"

"Seri, calm down, I think..."

"Maid! To the next shop! Since this old man has shown me so much respect, the others should do the same, right? Marli, we might even be able to save those two hundred gold coins!"

"..." Watching Seraphina's jubilant antics, Marlina, who was about to say something, suddenly fell silent.

She suddenly realized, this was an excellent opportunity.