Chương 61: Jewelry

Duchess Grandis crossed her arms and stared back at the woman in front of her. It was Lady Iona, and she had delayed her return to her daughter with her unending remark about the rightful heir of the Grandis.

"You never seem to do anything other than ramble about what has passed," she replied.

Lady Iona's lips formed in a thin line. The only thing she wanted was... She couldn't say anything, it wasn't the right time to reveal such delicate matter.

Duchess Grandis sighed. She couldn't afford to be caught in a scene with this woman as she carried rumors around her all the time.

"My Grace," Lai bowed at her, "Lady Cailina's looking for you."

"Cailina?" Lady Iona's eyes lit up.

She wanted to meet the precious daughter of the Grandis since her seventh birthday. She hasn't properly introduced herself to her niece. She was about to follow Duchess Grandis but was blocked by Lai.

"What are you doing?" she asked and tried to walk past him, but to be repeatedly blocked by him.

"I apologize, but it was clear that the Duchess doesn't want to deal with anyone at the moment."

Lady Iona scoffed and crossed her arms, "How dare you say I am 'anyone'?"

Lai gave her a small smile, but his eyes carried no warmth in them.

"You should join us for tea some time," Odessa said, "the others want to meet you."

All the nobles around their age were itching to see the favored one. They never have a glimpse of her appearance and the rumors were saying that her beauty could make one forget everything and the only focus was her.

Of course, in every appealing rumor, there would always be an exaggerated version of it.

Odessa laughed as she told Cailina that some thought that her features were as an orc that's why the Duke kept her locked away from the public eye. She held her stomach as she steadied herself.

"It appears that the person who made that rumor want something in return," Duchess Grandis' voice interrupted Odessa's laughter.

The twins stood and greeted her, "It's a fool man's tale, Your Grace."

"Where have you been, mother?" Cailina approached her mother.

"Some matters came up and I have to return," Duchess Grandis glanced at the twins, "I leave my daughter to your hands."

Odessa's expression sparkled as she grabbed Cailina's arm, "We will take care of her, Your Grace."

Being left alone by her mother, Cailina followed the duo wherever they wanted to go. She didn't mind spending the rest of the day with them.

Farren was a beautiful city. The Milios expressed their gratitude to the Clan by helping the city be erected with the best establishments and roads. Just a mere street of the capital was a breathtaking scene for any artist that mimic life.

Cailina roamed her attention while the twins went from one shop to another. They spent their time fitting bonnets to trying out rouge. She was never liked to put so much powder on her face, it was a hassle to do every morning.

She preferred directly working and not waste the morning coloring her face. She looked at Odessa who was picking a shade with her brows knitted together as if it was the hardest decision she would ever make.

She turned to Cailina and smiled, "I looked better with the coral one, right?"

At this point, Odessa had dropped the formalities with Cailina and the years that they were apart were just days by her immediate attachment to her.

Cailina picked up the much darker shade of red and placed it side by side on Odessa's lips. She looked better with a lighter shade. She pushed the coral one to her and the latter accepted it with a wide smile.

Ouida had no problem picking her color, she exactly knew what she wanted and immediately purchased it.

The trio continued their exploration of the capital with Odessa their guide as she knew the twists and turns of the streets, which Ouida narrowed her eyes on. Her younger sister seems to get out of the mansion without permission.

While Odessa enjoyed the streets, she was occupied with official work and the duty of inheriting the title. Sometimes, she wished to enjoy a day without worrying about anything. She looked at her bubbly sister who was full of smiles as she dragged Cailina around.

The knights frantically followed them and were reprimanded by Odessa for not loosening their shoulders. She shooed them away and the three of them were left for themselves.

Cailina dismissed Fione and Lai, the twins were to fend off for themselves, it would be rude if she was followed by her maid and attendant.

They strolled around and Odessa suddenly gasped as she remembered something.

"Let's meet my friend!"

Ouida narrowed her eyes at her sister, "I never knew you had a friend."

Odessa rolled her eyes at her stiff as the protocol books she read, "I'm sure you'll like her."

She dragged the two to a less dense street. It was where commoners shop as nobles would lose their minds to know they bought the same things as them.

Odessa walked into a shop as she entered it for the hundredth time. The door's chimes rang as it signaled the shop owner that a customer arrived.

"Lily!"

She rushed and hugged the lady who got out behind the curtains. Odessa squealed as she twirled the lady around.

"Hello," the lady patted Odessa's back, "I never thought you would visit again."

Odessa separated from the hug and shook Lily's shoulders, "Of course, I would!"

She turned to Cailina and her sister, "I even brought my friend and sister."

Lily immediately bowed and greeted them. Although Odessa was her friend, she was still in front of nobles, it would cost her life if she disrespected them. She kept her gaze lowered, considering Odessa's status, the lady beside her older sister would be someone with a higher rank.

Maybe even another Imperial Noble.

"I--"

Cailina stepped forward and smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you."