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Dedicated to all my wonderful readers supporting me. I would like to apologize for not updating yesterday but my battery died before I could complete the chapter I was writing and to top it off, I had a meeting in church from which I closed late and so I couldn't write the extra chapters on time. I will try posting them, sometime today or tomorrow. Please don't be too angry 💜

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Clarissa and those travelling with her got to the village before noon the next day.

Never in her entire life had Clarissa had to sleep outside and in such an uncomfortable manner. Her bones ached terribly and to her, only Kieran was to blame. She could not wait to exact revenge on the pompous ass.

She still found it strange that no one had taken credit for killing the bandits whose hearts were ripped out. If it had been a wild beast it would have at least eaten the hearts or come after the rest of them but nothing like that had happened. The hearts were right there on the floor next to the bodies and most importantly the wounds were fresh.

They got to the inn located in the village where they would be staying. They paid for rooms and went up to check if the rooms were safe.

Thankfully, there were no strange candles or crystals this time. Everything was normal.

Dante was still weak from the poison he'd consumed and so went to sleep early. The cat left him alone and went out of the room.

Clarissa would be sharing a room with Dante and Mari who thankfully could get through the door this time. While Raphael and Leonard had their separate rooms. They also got a room for the shadow. Not that it would be needing it, shadows needed no sleep but to avoid unnecessary questions being raised, the room was paid for.

Clarissa woke up to the sound of a busy inn. She was tired of the noise that had continued to penetrate through her sleep. She got up and got ready to explore the town and also go shopping for some things she would be needing.

The sun was still high in the sky but she suspected it would be evening soon. She had noticed the presence of creatures of different kinds in this village. It was a village that was not a part of her kingdom but another that stood between the Haven's Peak and Shadow's Kiss.

It was located in the kingdom of Winterbourne. It was a kingdom ruled by a human king just like her father but it was filled with creatures of different races. It wasn't that other creatures were not allowed in Haven's Peak, in fact, there were a few who lived there but it was the fear of the harm which other creatures could cause the humans that made them socially unacceptable to most humans. Therefore making life difficult for them to live there.

Haven's Peak had also rejected the notion of witches of any sort until the moon blessed witches like her mother rose to help the humans in the wars of old. Now it was a safe haven for them.

Dante woke up as Clarissa turned the lock of the door.

" My lady," he called out sleepily.

She turned back to him shocked, not expecting him to be awake. " How are you feeling? "

" Good," he said, yawning. " Are you going out? "

" Yes, I want to explore the town as well as get some things. "

His eyes popped open and sleep disappeared from his eyes. " Can I go with you? " he pleaded with his eyes.

She shook her head. " I'm not sure you can go. You're not well enough to walk about just yet. "

" We can ask Sir Raphael for the carriage. Maybe he wouldn't mind all that much. " he pouted.

" Fine, I'll ask him. " Clarissa said and then went out of the room.

She drew close to Raphael's room and heard him talking to someone.

Her eyes narrowed wondering what was going on.

She turned the knob of his door and pushed it open.

He was alone.

She looked at him, feeling suspicious. " Who were you talking to? "

" If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," he said grinning.

" Try me. "

" Well, you asked for it. I was talking to the cat," he said pointing to the cat who looked amused staring at both of them.

Clarissa looked at him confused and then rolled her eyes.

Faeries and their love for nature and animals.

" I am going out to look around and Dante would like to come along. I would like to use the carriage. "

" Well, that's not an issue, your highness. But I will have to go with you. My job is to ensure your safety. " he said all ready to please.

" If you say so. In fact, I might need a male opinion. So three would be better. "

" Male opinion. "

Within thirty minutes, Raphael, Leonard and Dante found themselves in a female clothing store.

Raphael was perfectly enjoying himself while Leonard found this to be a little uncomfortable. Dante was glad to be out with the princess.

" What do you think of this? " she asked them, showing off the green gown with an extremely low neck and sleeves which were barely three inches in length which showed her shoulders beautifully as well her long legs at the same time. The back appeared to be longer.

" It's quite provocative. " Raphael said with a pleased smile.

Leonard thought it was inappropriate and wondered what she would be using such a dress to do when she looked good in anything.

" Leonard, " she said, asking for his opinion.

" It looks good on you as always but I believe a dress with a higher neckline and perhaps more inches to the sleeves would be better," he advised.

" Nonsense, " she said, turning to face the mirror in front of her. " This is more in style and honestly I'm trying to go for a different look. Something a little more edgy. Dante, what do you think? "

Dante looked at her with all seriousness and concentration, focused on the task he was given. " I think you look very beautiful and the green fits the colour in your eyes while making you glow like the sun. "

" Thank you. " she said to him. " you see, " she turned to the ladies who were attending to her. " I would like three more of this gown I'm wearing. One in yellow, it should be of equal length at the back and front. Then another in blue, navy to be exact. The blue should be exactly like this and the last should be red. I would prefer, if it were as short as this. The lengths on both sides should be equal. "

" We can get them to you in five days. " the owner of the shop who was an elf said, smiling gleefully as she thought of the money she would be making.

" I'll be leaving early tomorrow. You can do it earlier. "

Author's note

Thank you so much for reading. Don't forget to vote, comment, share, rate/review, add to your libraries and reading lists. Don't forget that you can gift the book now. Thanks again💜