Chapter Sixteen

Special mass release of Easter Day!

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"WELL, I WENT AFTER A TRUSTFUL INFORMANT and the person told me about all of it," at least, I could come up with a lie beforehand. "And no! I can not tell you who is it," I declared when Asher was about to say something.

"But if this crafter is so capable like you said, why isn't he famous?" He pointed, suspiciously. Pfft, he must be getting annoyed at this point.

"Do you think that he can be famous having a jewelry store in a bad state and located in the outskirts of Theolia?" They understood my point.

The answer was no, of course.

"Still, do you think those jewels he craft are indeed able to block any type of mind magic, Princess?" Kate questioned, skeptical.

I can't tell them that I know how effective they are because I come from the future. And even if I said that they wouldn't believe me anyway. Then I just have to use the power of my word as a Princess this time. "I do! And I believe they are. So, if you guys have any trust in me, you will also believe it, okay?!" Sighing, they let the topic go.

But I couldn't even enjoy the silence that was starting to install in the carriage.

"And are you going to go there and do what exactly, Nat? Just buy some jewels?" Oh, yeah, almost forgot that I haven't explained my plan yet.

My eyes got lost in the rain again, while I started to tell them what I wanted to do. "No, I'm not only here to buy some jewels. I'm going to invest in his business!"

This jewelry store isn't famous like it was in the 1st timeline yet, but it already has the material to be. And I can let such an opportunity slip through my fingers, so I must own it, whatever it takes!

I need to have my own money, properties, and investments, but without my family knowing about it. My plans need to happen smoothly without the Nicholais getting involved. Otherwise, Sir Kevin George's business will be part of the aristocrats' properties, once our family is part of the Aristocratic Faction. And that damn faction is in direct opposition to the Crown Prince's supporters and his political faction, having as one of its main pillars the 3rd Imperial Prince.

And that alone is a hell to the no! In this lifetime I refuse to make the same mistake of siding with the aristocracy and Christopher Goddess-damn Caspien.

"But to invest in the store, they can not know that it's me, Natasha Nicholai, one of the Royal Princess and the first daughter of the Grand Duke of the north. If that happened, the owner will think that I'm part of the aristocracy and would throw away any possibility to make a deal with me. For he detests the aristocracy, just as much as I do. And I can not let that happen!"

Asher already seemed to understand my point, but the same couldn't be said to Kate who was bluntly staring at me. She can't be that dense, come on. "So, we'll need to go inside by using your magic, Kate," after a whole minute, she got the meaning of my words.

"What? Me?" No, my cat (I don't even have a cat!).

"Yes," Asher affirmed before I could say anything. "You have transformation magic, Miss Quinlan, so you can use it to disguise us and change our appearance to outsiders. That way no one would know that the eldest daughter of the main branch of House Nicholai was investing in such a place. Neither would the owner of the jewelry know!" See? We understand each other as if we shared the same brain.

My connection with him is only second to mine with Val because he might not have been born my literal twin like Dalilah, but I think it's mutual the feeling that we are twins in our heart. Even if that might not make so much sense to other people. But when you have this with someone, you don't even have to use words to communicate with them, because they understand you like no one else.

"Does that mean you are going to use a fake identity to invest in those businesses, Princess?" Kate's eyes were worried, so I held her hands on mine.

"I have to! We can't let my family know what I'm doing, Kate. If I go inside like myself, they will know that it's me and things will get complicated. We can't afford such complications at the moment. Do you understand?" She sighed but moved her head slightly in agreement. "And do you think you will be able to help me with this?"

By looking in her eyes, I could almost see the engines on her head working to make a decision, and at last, she let out the breath I didn't realize she was holding. "Okay. If it's for you, Princess, I will gladly help! I have way more magic than most commoners anyway, so I think I can make use of it for a long time."

Hugging her, I exclaimed, "You are the best, Kate! I love you so damn much!" And she giggled.

"What else are you planning?" She asked, now with an easygoing aura surrounding her. Now that I get that hugging helps her calm her nerves and worries, I'll make good use of this. "Because I doubt this is your only scheme!"

"For Mikla's sake, Miss Quinlan," Ash joked. "If you say it like that she might be misunderstood for someone with Princess Dalilah's mean personality." He has a point.

My nanny turned pale just as fast and I couldn't help but laugh at that sight. "Don't worry, Kate. If you only speak like that in front of us and Val, there won't be any misunderstandings." That wasn't of much help, so I kept hugging her. "I'm planning on investing in the boutique where we'll go to handle the matter of my clothes," that got her attention.

Kate loves clothes and styling, she once told me that her dream was becoming a stylist. But that couldn't happen because her magic wasn't of any help and neither did she had the skills needed. So, now, she only loves everything related to that, and so she always asked for me to go buy new clothes, but I didn't enjoy that back then. "Is this stylist also not well-known?" She seemed skeptical again.

What's up with her and unknown businesses? Every business is unknown at first, you shouldn't be so doubtful about them. Judging like that isn't a good thing. Besides, I remember that once she told me that her parents had a small and 'unknown' business too. So why is she like this?

"She isn't famous if that's what you are asking me. But she will be!" I turned to Ash, "Oh, and she must be around your age, Ash."

"Seventeen?" I nodded and he got interested all of a sudden, just as I want him to. "Is she single?"

"I believe so!"

"Is she attracted to men?"

"Yes," and that was enough for him to start wondering about that on his mind. At least I already planted the seed. "Oh, back to our disguise on Lollipop That Beats Beats Beats," I started, but none of them seemed interested in it. But I kept talking. "My investor name will be Hana, Kate's will be Vanessa, and Ash's going, to be Arthur!"

"Mmhmm," they mumbled, feigning to pay attention to my words. Well, I hope they don't act surprised when they hear me telling the store's owner their fake names!

And when I looked at the window again, the rain had finally stopped. I got them back to reality and we headed to the shop. Kate's magic already surrounding us. But when we reached the front door, the auras I sensed weren't of the owner alone. There was someone inside with him.

Subconsciously, I made them stay behind me and I headed to the door, taking a deep breath before opening it. Totally on the defensive.

This person inside doesn't seem to be simple at all.

Rather than that, I can feel in my soul that he's dangerous as fuck!