Chapter 4: The Capital
Shirley had approximately three days before the Marques Madeline family's annual banquet and now she decided to arm herself. From what Shirley knew, a noble family banquet was tantamount to a hidden battlefield.
If she didn't want to be underestimated by others then Shirley had to start preparing and formulating her plans, the first thing that came to her mind was to buy a dress that she would wear later.
"Ivy, do you know about the dresses that are currently trending among the upper nobility?" Before going out Shirley chose to look for information first, she couldn't afford to choose the wrong dress and make herself even more ridiculed by the nobles.
For a moment Ivy stopped her movements that were combing Shirley's red hair, "Recently on Little Street there was a boutique called Young Flower, I heard that boutique is on the rise among the upper class nobles. They are also great, in a short time they have become one of the best boutiques in the Kingdom." Ivy immediately said the information she knew.
"Then we'll visit the boutique today. I'm curious about their dresses," Shirley replied, already deciding that today they would visit the famous boutique.
"I'm glad you finally want to go out, I'll get the carriage ready for you right away." A smile spread across Ivy's lips when she heard that Shirley was no longer confined to her room after the annulment of her marriage to Duke Blair.
"Go on." Then Shirley waved her hand to shoo Ivy away, not really interested in what Ivy thought of her.
There was something more important that Shirley had to do, she had to see Gilbert again today and say that she needed money to buy the dress and jewellery she needed to go to Marques Madeline's banquet.
"I hope Gilbert won't mind giving me some money." Remembering how the real Shirley acted extravagantly and liked to spend money, Shirley was now worried that Gilbert would not agree to her request this time.
. . .
As Shirley was about to head to Gilbert's room, they accidentally bumped into his parents. This was the first time Shirley had met Rosemary - Shirley's stepmother - although quite surprised by this chance encounter, Shirley immediately greeted her.
"Have you finally decided to step out of your room?" Rosemary's voice asked Shirley, looking none too pleased to see her.
"Yes, madam." Shirley did not really intend to have a conversation with Rosemary, who was her stepmother who did not really like her.
Shirley also did not wonder why the real Shirley was not very close to her own family, having experienced it firsthand she could judge that this family was too cold and rigid, there was no hint of the warmth of a family.
Actually, Shirley herself did not really care about the warmth of this family, because before entering Shirley's body, she was also not from a harmonious family. That's why she always depended on her boyfriend, who ended up cheating on her with her own best friend.
For now it is very difficult for Shirley to trust anyone other than herself, especially since she can only rely on herself to survive in a strange world. Not to mention the death that kept looming over her destiny, Shirley really didn't have time to care about her family.
"There's actually something I want to tell you, Father." Given that Shirley needed financial assistance from Gilbert, it seemed like she should attract his attention by calling him father, especially now that she was in the presence of her annoying stepmother.
Honestly, Shirley could see a glimpse of surprise in Gilbert's eyes when she called him father. However, Shirley pretended not to notice and waited for Gilbert to reply.
Before answering Shirley, Gilbert could be seen clearing his throat softly, "Tell me what it is?"
"I need a lot of money for shopping today." In order to sound like the real Shirley, she had to speak arrogantly and proudly, the problem being that she saw the OOC warning from the System.
After her words slipped out smoothly Shirley could see two different reactions from her parents, Gilbert looked unconcerned and Rosemary furrowed her brow in displeasure.
"Like I said yesterday. Do as you please, I'll give it to you," Gilbert replied without bothering about what Shirley had said.
"Oh my, darling! How can you give Shirley more money, you know how extravagant she is," Rosemary interjected quickly, very unhappy with Gilbert's decision to immediately agree to Shirley's words.
"I wonder if our wealth will be depleted just by Shirley shopping, seriously!" Gilbert didn't look too pleased with what Rosemary was saying at the moment.
Having already gotten Gilbert's approval, Shirley had no reason to watch the two of them bicker. "Then I'll take my leave," Shirley cut in before Rosemary opened her mouth to speak.
Shirley swaggered away towards the carriage that was waiting for her, Ivy was already there. They quickly left the Marques Estelle family residence, Shirley couldn't wait to see the bustling capital city.
. . .
Sure enough the capital of the Cheniel Kingdom was bustling with activity, Shirley looked at the bustling streets from behind the window of the carriage she was riding, this time she just felt that she had really come to a new world.
Seeing Shirley who was not too happy Ivy was quite worried about it, "Are you okay, Miss?" asked Ivy carefully, not wanting to aggravate Shirley's mood.
"Yes. Are we still far from the boutique?" Shirley was quite curious about the boutique that was said to be famous.
"Looks like we're here, Miss," Ivy replied, smiling happily as she realised that their carriage had stopped in front of a beautiful boutique.
Shirley glanced outside and sure enough they had stopped in front of a sizable building that was very beautiful. From the outside, Shirley could already see the beautiful dresses they had displayed in front of their boutique window.
With Ivy's help, Shirley got off the carriage. There were many pairs of eyes watching Shirley who was dressed in a luxurious black dress, not to mention her beautiful face, even without the slightest smile.
After finding out who she was, some of the people near the Young Flower boutique began to whisper about the rumours that were circulating among the royals about Shirley Winona Estelle who had just been dumped by Duke Victor Payne Blair.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone