Chapter 016

Sitting in the carriage Kaoru pulled a strand of her curly hair, trying to tame the stubborn strands hair. When Kohana had informed her she wanted to go shopping and wanted her with her, she had rushed to the bathroom to have a quick bath and changed into her most presentable yukata, courtesy of first young master Yuuko, and left without realizing her hair was uncombed. Right now, Kohana held up a mirror for her while snickering and she could only blush in embarrassment.

Her fiancé, who she now knew to be Lord Kjartan of Sathlei, had joined them on this shopping spree. He crossed his legs and had one arm on his lap while the other rested on the window frame of the carriage. Laughter danced in his sandy brown eyes as he watched her try to tame her errant hair. When her eyes accidentally met his she quickly put on a nonchalant expression and continued arranging her hair but the red tips of her ear betrayed her true feelings. It seemed like he didn't notice though, as he was now engaged in a conversation with Kohana who had laid the mirror face down on her lap.

Kaoru turned away from them and looked out the window, enjoying the wind as it brushed past her face, then the carriage pulled to a stop. Lord Kjartan stepped out first then helped them out.

Where they had gone was the famous gold district where the rich came to shop, her younger sister had been here numerous times but this was the first time for her and Lord Kjartan, after all, he wasn't from around her. But he acted like a fish back in the water, he must spend like a nouveau riche.

Walking further with Kohana leading the way, she noticed a store that was by far the most magnificent store of the others they had passed. Swinging her head left and right she took in the splendour of the interior of the building as they walked in. They were received by the owner, madam Karin, a heavily bejewelled old woman whose dress was oddly compatible with the lord's attire. Her teeth were yellow from years of smoking tobacco and she displayed them unabashedly for all to see.

'Welcome, welcome. Dear Kohana, is this your fiancé?' she linked arms with Kohana who exclaimed in mock surprise.

'My, my, word sure does travel fast!'