CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

"I'm ruined."

Misa's head slumped back on the seat of the carriage. Her face displaying a look of despair. "I can't believe Lady Liese mistook me for a lesbian. Now I have to endure weeks, or worse, months, of teasing from my brother."

Leila laughed awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Misa. It was partly my fault; I've been shouting words that can be easily misunderstood."

She, accompanied by Misa and Senpai, residing in her shadow, rode across streets on a family carriage heading to the city. At moment's desperation to hide their faces from rumors that has certainly reached every ear of everyone in the mansion because of Liese's screams, Leila and Misa immediately jumped inside of it and ran off as quickly as possible.

Leila remembered how fast Misa worked on her dress, shoes, and hair before their departure. She really had a very impressive set of hands that worked very efficiently and immediately. Therefore, Leila was very satisfied to have earned herself another potential life-long friend and partner.

However, there was still one thing left unsolved. Leila cleared her throat, "Misa."

"Yes, Milady?"

"You forgot to mention the full story of what happened before we met. Who sent the assassins?"

Misa flinched, glancing cautiously at the open windows. Leila smiled at her reaction, "Don't worry, I had it covered. You can talk freely."

"Um, well..."

"Who sent them, Misa?"

Misa bit her lip, looking deep in thought. She was seriously contemplating if she would tell her mistress the answer.

After yesterday's dinner, the duke had summoned her and Carlisle to know what had happened. Under the duke's intimidating gaze, the twins didn't hesitate to recounter the events.

What happened after was, Duke Amaryllis had ordered them not to tell anyone about the assassins, their motive, and the person behind them, to anyone. To Lady Leila in particular.

However, in the face of her mistress, who was the one who rescued her, along with her brother, and brought them into the ducal family after they were almost slaughtered by greedy aristocrats after their village, she couldn't possibly keep anything from her.

She could never forget it. That moment when her mistress, Lady Leila, heed their plead, after no one else did, and made those nobles pay for what they did ten-fold.

It was because of her, that Carlisle and Misa had their revenge for those who killed their parents, and at the same time, finally reclaimed their village back.

Both she and her twin brother greatly respected the duke. However, their whole-hearted loyalty solely lies on the dignified noble lady in front of her.

"The assassins..." Misa started. "They were sent by Queen Roselia."

"That slut, again? For what reason?"

"She wanted to know the secrets of the Amaryllis family. About why she couldn't lay her hands on milady's family. Or why even the king himself fears them."

"So, she tried to recruit you?" she asked, Misa nodded. "Why did she think you two would agree to it?"

"She said if we chose to obey her, she would shower us with riches and power. Enough to support our entire village."

"...I see."

"Don't worry about it, Milady! Even if it costs me my life, I will never betray you!" Misa said, her eyes shining. Even without reading her mind, Leila could see her sincerity in those stunning pair of gray eyes.

Leila smiled and flicked the maid's forehead, "Ow!"

"Silly girl, don't go throwing your life for something as this. Bear in mind that Misa is Leila Ravenna Amaryllis' dearest maid and family. So, when the time comes where your life is in danger because of me, don't hesitate to run."

Misa's heart swelled when her mistress claimed she considered her as family. However, when she spoke of those last words which literally meant she won't be mad if she abandoned her, Misa was horrified. "But Milady---!"

"Promise me." Her mistress said sternly. It wasn't a command of a master, but a request from a friend and sister.

For the first time since she began serving her, Misa inwardly disobeyed her mistress and instead, she spoke lies. "Of course, milady."

"Oh, and if that queen ever approaches you guys again, tell her to fuck off!"

Misa laughed, "Your wish is my command."

***

As the carriage passed the gates of the city, Leila peeked out the window and waved at Carlisle, who rode outside to accompany her, "Carlisle, stop the carriage."

"Ha? We're still far from the clothing boutiques, lady."

"Just do it, I want to do some exploring."

He grumbled in annoyance but urged his horse forward. Leila heard his voice talking to the person manning the carriage, and only after it parked to a safe side of the road then it finally stopped.

The carriage door opened, displaying Carlisle's irritated expression. One of Leila's perfectly arched eyebrows rose, "Aren't you brazen? Grumbling about on your master's command."

She moved for the opened door, slightly lowering her head to avoid hitting the roof. As her feet finally touched the pavement, Leila stretched every stiff bone in her body.

Carlisle tsked. "That's a funny remark. You talk about manners when you don't even act like a noble, Lady."

"Carlisle!" Misa exclaimed. "You're being rude!"

Despite Carlisle's brusque behavior, Leila just waved her hand nonchalantly. An action that surprised Misa every time she sees it, "Ignore him, Misa. I'd prefer he's like this, it's much better than having those kinds of people who speak flowery words and pretend to be loyal at front, and later stab me in the back."

Though it didn't show in his Carlisle's expression, Leila's words clearly shocked him. He, of all people, knew how ruthless and cold-blooded nobles can be. They held themselves in such a high manner that they don't hesitate to execute anyone who disrespected them.

He was raised in a harsh environment where the strong prey on the weak, so he naturally turned into a bastard. But the way he and Lady Leila exchange dirty words, no matter how impudent he behaved, she would always wave it off and often reply in a way worse than his.

Just like that day when he first met her.

Carlisle grinned, 'As expected, milady is really different.'

Deep inside, he always had a great time every single day since he was appointed as her personal guard. A noble who accepts him for what he is, is a kind of master he would gladly offer his life to. Anytime.

Which is why when he heard she went missing, Carlisle's mind went blank.

His reaction was the same as Misa's, storming out the mansion to immediately search for her. With no plans, no clue where in the world did his mistress disappeared to.

But of course, he wasn't gonna tell her that. Instead, he hides his feelings of gratitude and satisfaction by infuriating her more. "Lady, did you gain weight? You're walking too slowly."

Irked, Leila turned to him and hissed. "Fuck off, ingrate." She stomped off in large, fast-paced, unladylike manner that made Carlisle burst out laughing and Misa running towards Leila, scolding her to maintain her noble dignity.

With many annoying things piling up, Leila wanted to claw her hair out in frustration. "Argh! Fuck off y'all!"

As the twins hurried after their master, with Misa panicking and Carlisle cackling like a madman. They strode through the capital, Leila quickly noticed how different the vibe was compared to the lively, joyful streets of City of Rainbows.

It was strictly European-style setting, with beige colored buildings, monuments and pavement. Slightly nicely dressed commoners, fancy carriages running about, and there were sights of noblemen and women surrounded by their guards.

Everything was sort of fancy, even the stores in the market had no signs of anything poorly made. However, the whole place was dull and kind of fake. Like looking into an elegant painting giving off a monochrome feeling.

There were no street vendors yelling their goods, no laughter of children or music from musicians, and even the crickets seem to be hesitant to make noise.

"It's like visiting a funeral home." Leila muttered in a way only her two companions would hear. She jerked her head to the passing commoners. "Look at their faces, their smiles look so fake."

"It's been like this ever since she took over." Misa said in a sullen voice. "For 500 years, not once, have I heard of the people laughing boisterously and children playing in the streets comfortably since then."

Leila's eyes narrowed at the sight of noble ladies approaching their way, 'Hey, Senpai.'

She felt some part of her stirred, 'You called, Master?'

'You told me the first time we met you mastered all elements, right?'

'Yeah, so?'

'I don't want my shopping time be interrupted by a bunch of annoying bastards. Can you place an illusion over us? One that'll make them not notice our presence?'

He yawned, 'M'kay.'

Leila smiled when she felt his power clicked into place and went serpentine even more when the approaching nobles passed by them without a glance.

"Ah, much better." The twins both stared at their mistress who suddenly spoke in confusion and inwardly wondered if she finally went mad.

***

"Too flashy, next!"

The shop assistants immediately replaced the dress on the mannequin with a new one. The one early had been in a shade of neon too bright it hurt Leila's eyes. The next one they brought over had too many ruffles that it looked like the mannequin had been glued to a giant balloon. Leila waved her hand in disgust, "It's too large I won't fit through the door, next!"

After visiting almost all well-known boutiques in the capital, they now currently inside another one. However, the fashion sense of the designers got more and more ridiculous with each outfit. It was all too much that the ache in both Leila and Misa's temple only got worse and worse each dress they rejected.

Carlisle had it worse. After their fifth boutique, his face had already turned into a sick shade of green. Leila let him guard outside instead after he exclaimed, he would literally puke if he ever saw one more hint or any parts of the gowns.

"I don't know how you two take it. They all look the same to me." He said, and quickly stepped back when the both his sister and master bombarded him with things like 'This is why men--!' or 'If I choose a gown with this sleeve, it would make me look--!'

He eventually raised a white flag in defeat and got his ass kicked out of the shop (not that he cared). Carlisle took a glance back, leaned on the wall beside the shop, and grumbled, "Women."

Leila watched in annoyance as the dresses they show her kept getting ridiculous with each rejection. Eventually, it was then she decided that the people here had no great sense when it comes to fashion, even Senpai in her shadow was livid.

"Fucking ridiculous," Leila muttered as she stormed out of the shop. When she was outside, it took Leila a few minutes of breathing to calm her nerves down. As she stared at the people passing by, noting their revolting clothing, she muttered. "No wonder these people looked like a balloon animal."

'Can I burn it down?' Senpai clicked his tongue. 'Seeing these kinds of shit fashion is an insult my kind.'

'Are spirits all fashion sensitive?'

'No! I'm talking on behalf of all maidens stuck in male bodies.'

'Oh.' She pondered until an idea came into mind. 'How's update on that 'thing'?'

'Since I know you're not a very patient master, I hired a lot of workers for it. I think they'll be finished in a week.'

'Good,' Leila grinned, 'Apart from that giant building, have them build several small stores all over the kingdom, I just had a great idea.'