Chapter 8

"Good morning." Rowena chirped immediately I opened my eyes. 

Frowning I looked around. "What is the time?"

"I don't know." she shrugged "But it's morning."

I slept at noon and woke up the next morning? No wonder my stomach is complaining. Although I ate some dessert in the carriage it wasn't much. 

After washing my face and teeth. I arranged my bed and went to the kitchen. Rummaging through it I found a loaf of bread in one of the cupboards. Immediately I cut a big slice and downed it with a cup of water. 

The clomping of hooves alerted me on the arrival of a visitor. "Must be the dressmaker." I muttered while going to invite her in. 

I watched as the visitor got down from her carriage and looked around in admiration. 

Upon seeing me she hurried forward and saluted. "Good day, Miss Williams. I'm Mrs Delilah Aston owner of Lilah dressmakers. Pleasure to meet you." she said with reverence. 

"The pleasure is all mine." I replied suspicious. "Why is she looking at me like that?" I asked Rowena.

She rolled her eyes. "Building a house and restructuring it's surroundings with magic is a huge endeavour that requires money and power. That's why she's looking at you like that."

I accepted Rowena's explanation and turned to the dressmaker. "Please come in." I gestured for her to follow and walked inside. 

"You have an amazing home." Mrs Aston commented in awe. 

'Home uh." I thought but replied " Thank you. Please have a seat."

"Thank you." she acquiescenced.

"Can I get you anything?" I asked. 

She blinked "No but thank you for asking." She smiled. 

"Alright" I sat down. 

Bringing out a book she explained. "I brought drawings of different styles. Please choose from them and give me your feedback." I nodded and accepted.

After flipping through the book I looked towards the dressmaker. "What about a dress with no frills, laces or ribbons."

"So...you just want a simple dress?"

"Exactly."

"Nonsense." she said sternly "You need to wear a dress befitting your status and reputation."

"But I don't have repu-" I tried to explain. 

"Still not acceptable." She said firmly and my face twitched. I'm the one wearing the dress, the one with the nonexistent reputation. Why are you more worried than me? 

"Mrs Aston." I said softly with a smile on my face. "Imagine what would happen if the dresses you make becomes popular."

"But...they're already popular." she reiterated.  

"More popularity isn't a crime, is it? You'll be the pioneer of plain...I mean simple but gorgeous dresses among the aristocrats."

"Pioneer." she repeated contemplatively. 

"I'm working in the upper district which is perfect. I'll definitely be noticed." It might be for a completely different reason but she doesn't need to know that. 

She shook her head. "They'll think you don't have the wealth to make luxurious dresses."

"Do I look like I don't have the wealth to make them? Those dresses are too bulky and heavy, they'll prefer something lighter." I seriously bluffing I'm completely broke. 

"Lighter hmmm." she said dazed "How many do you want then, Miss Williams?  10? 20?"

"No no. Mrs Aston even though I'm right and it'll eventually be accepted it'll be a gradual process and I can't make you have a bad reputation. So for starters maybe 6 dresses including indoor, outdoor and a riding habit." I smiled apologetically.

"You're right." she looked at me gratefully and began taking my measurements. 

"Why do I feel so guilty?" I sighed. 

"It's because you just deceived the poor woman, that's why." Rowena snorted. 

"I'll be leaving now, Miss Williams." Mrs Aston said after she was done with taking measurements. "And you can call me Delilah. I feel like you really understand what I want."

Awkwardly I said, "You can call me Seah then. I'll walk you to the door...Delilah." 

I walked her out and immediately retreated back inside. "Did you feel that?" I asked Rowena 

"Yes." she said with a grim face. 

"It was like I could tell her anything and she'll do it" I frowned. 

"It did feel like that sometimes when I was talking to others." she said in a grave voice. "Is this the ability the princess was talking about?"

"It should be but it's quite unstable we should train it."

"It's scary."

"Indeed if it appeared in a wicked person that'll be a disaster." I commented. 

"You actually said princess and not master."

"Oh shut up. Are you going to explore the capital today?" she asked changing the subject. 

"No I'll just stay at...home and get some rest. I replied uncomfortable and Rowena chuckled.