Chapter 06 Awakening stone

"Back then, I woke up inside the iron bars along with everyone. I didn't talked with any of them as I was afraid because I don't recognize them. Then three days passed and I found myself be bought by someone from the palace; overheard that I was sold by the wandering merchant from the slave trader mouth itself." As nervous as she was, Mellisa's clear voice undoubtedly calm. No trace of unneasinness from her tone alone; making it hard for people to distinguish it as a lie.

'I'm glad that I trained my poker face even though I suck at it.'

"Is that all ? No additional info or something you're not telling me ?"

"No, Your Highness. That's all I know for now."

'Of course, Like hell I'll told you that I transmigrated from earth. I'll be burned and hanged in the name of the temple! The devil!'

"..."

Silent situation emerge's between them as the uncomfortable feelings arose uncontrolably. Alexander eyes still trying to uncover what lies beneath Mellisa innocent face.

"Sure, then I'll believe to what you said." Alexander's smiling with his eyes, alarming Mellisa's as she was sure that his words count as an indirect threat.

"I'll fill the rest of my information as soon as I can remember and reporting it to the butler, Your Highness."

With a bow from Mellisa, Alexander left the library. The tension loosened as soon as he's shadow nowhere to be seen, she let out a relieved breath; Mellisa's eyes see passed the directions where he gone.

'Phew, this is almost like facing a horde of zombie's insida a single individual. Did he found something about me ? Tch! Should I hit my own head or leave this place ?'

Thinking by herself, Mellisa soon shaking her head because leaving palace was too rash. She need money and informations, and the probability to learn at the palace somewhat bigger than the outside.

'Looking at Mrs. Haley, there's a chance that she's willing to teach me if I became the library assigned maids. She's strict but not unreasonable, and I was confident that I can be-friend her.'

Feelling's determined, Mellisa's continuing her work efficiently. Throwing her encounter with the Third Prince's behind her head, Steadily arranging the book back and cleaning the dust with a feather duster. Missing the chance to notice that Mrs. Haley eye's keeping watch her behaviour everytime.

•••

In the next morning, Garnet Palace were in uproar when the messenger from the emperor arrive at Garnet palace door. Following the next scheduled Imperial family dinner, the Head Maid announcing that the third Prince will choose his temporary personal maids.

Mellisa who left in the morning to buy kitchen groceries in accordance to Head Maid order still in the shroud about this matter. Peeking at the listed place at the hand of Eve, the kitchen maids. there's long list and unrecognizeable font.

"How long will it takes to order everything on the list?" I asked Eve who sat beside me. We're currently inside the carriage on the way to the merchant guild market; re-supplying several goods including vegetables and meat.

"A half of day ? Since the butler add knight's neccessity we're going to the blacksmith too

Although we're just going to check the number and send it to the Garnet palace using another carriage's.

I'm not sure if we can arrive at lunchtime, should we just buy our lunch outside of the palace?" Stuffing the list inside her pocket, Eve's questioning Mellisa's back.

On the other hand, Mellisa who's peeping the busy road in between the window; startled. Swiftly turning her head, She's seeing the tilting head of Eve's. The rattling sound of carriage's didn't make her miss the word 'lunch'.

the food palace wasn't poor in quality, she won't complain if this happened at the deserted earth; where she belongs. But doesn't human always looking at more tastier dish ?

"Do you know where the recommendable restaurant is ?" Salivating at the delicious lunch that i'll had, I cant help but gaze at Eve's in hopefull manner.

"I know, my friend told me about it. Should we go ?"

"Of course!" Half shouting, I held her hand warmly; from now on she's my favorite person after Mari and everyone at the garden!

Mellisa's and Eve's talking about food on the way, during that conversation their topic broaden to where Eve's come from and how she ends up becoming slave.

Mellisa's attentively answering and consoling her, making Eve's enjoyed her presence as she's not as bad as the rumors said.

"Did you know that everyone talking about you ?"

Eve's wanted to know how she thinks about it.

"I'm aware, maybe half of the servant at Garnet palace sees me as a potential enemy because of his highness picking me on his first day arrive at the palace."

"So you knew... Then, why you're still allright ? If it were me, I might be crying every night because of them." Shuddered; Eve's told her honestly, imagining it as the worst possible outcome for her.

"Heh.. he, Is that important ?" Smiling playfully, Mellisa's wants to laugh because her situation then and now was way better. Therefore, the sight of Mellisa's bright face made Eve's looking at her strangely.

"I was paid generously, given food, and shelter. I'll just have to do my job diligently, beside's people who judge someone based on a mere rumor without knowing the subject of their personality; They didn't need our attention. At the end, we'll know how the other true nature before being an acquintance. I'll just let it go, because it helps me gaining more sincere individuals; does it answer your curiosity?"

Smiling widely, Mellisa's truest reason was because she doesn't want to be bothered. In fact, when she outcasted by them; she secretly thanked the third prince for making her work as an outer section maids. If not, she's probably had to deal with most of the maid servant quarell.

Seemingly understanding Mellisa's reason, Eve's muttering weakly "I see, Well... it's fine as long as you aren't harmed."

"Right ?"

Then their conversation resumed even after they arrive at the Merchant guild building. Only stopped when the plump looking man with his big bellies come out from the 2nd floor building; greeting Eve's and Mellisa's.

He was called Mr. Pian, one of the branch manager from the Merchant guild association.

Mellisa's observing Mr. Pian, since this is the first time she met him.

He bring them inside the building, walk to the warehouse where the goods are. On their way, Mellisa saw several product and colorful gem stored behind the glass shelf. One particular gem with crystal color caught her attention.

Although no light shine upon the gem, It still gleamed beautifully. Mr. Pian who saw Mellisa's eye glued to it, spoke.

"That gem called, Awakening stone. Containing pure mana to assist and to awaken one's sense towards world energy called mana. Sometimes awaken the person potential itself, although it rarely happens except for someone who had inherit ability from their ancestor such as Royal family and several ancient noble's houses."

Hearing that, Mellisa's interest piqued. On her way from the slave trader market, then meeting one of the priest specializing in healing magic left deep impression. She doesn't know that they were awakened person.

"Still, the world filled with genius people and once or in two cases; there's this kind of human who can feel that energy even without this gem called awakening stone."

"... does this awakening stone avaible for the masses?"

Questioning it, Mellisa's thought to the unknown future she'll probably had if she forcefully awoken herself to the world energy in this world.

More power means freeier chance to survive outside, as she didn't plan to stay in the palace for as long as she lived. Aside from swordmanship, this awakening stone could be another tools at her disposal to make herself avoid the precarious situation.

"Of course, but do they have the money to buy it ? That thing is expensive... so the upper noble's was the only one who bought it despite the high price."

Mr. Pian tone held some mockery in it as if blaming Mellisa's limited knowledge to the obvious reasons. Aside from it, he's quite talktive person as a merchant and quite good at explaining things except for occasional blunt comment and sneer. Mellisa's didn't mind much when in her previous world; people talk with such an unfiltered words.

Well... Mr. Pian gave every information she's curious at, as soon as they reaching the warehouse where the stock are piled up. During that time Mr. Pian barely stop talking not until he let Mellisa and Eve checking the content of the wooden box.

"I've confirmed the goods, please send it to Garnet Palace of the third prince Alexander C. Salvatore by today lunch."

"I understand, please follow me to paid the bills."

Mellisa and Eve following Mr. Pian to his office; Finishing the transaction and left the merchant guild.

They left to the next place which is a blacksmith store from Dwarven Union branch that settled inside the Kingdom.