"How much for that hat?"
The man running the street stand jumped a little at my voice. His stall was crammed with all kinds of clothes with shirts, jackets, scarves, random accessories hanging off hooks. The hat I pointed at was a simple dark one. Nothing fancy though but enough.
"H‑-Huh… eighteen Eden," he stuttered.
I still had the cloth wrapped around the lower half of my face, but it wasn't me he was nervous about. His eyes kept darting sideways.
To Mary.
She stood beside me in her black tunic, barefoot, long dark hair loose around her shoulders. She didn't say anything, didn't even frown, but the air around her felt… a bit gloomy.
"…"
She was looking around with that same flat expression, but through the contract I could feel a flicker of curiosity. A tiny, quiet excitement at the new sights, the noise, the people. First time in the capital will do that, even to someone like her.
"Here. I'm paying with the Eden Guild card," I said.
"Y‑Yes," the man replied quickly.
I swiped the card through his reader, took the hat, and moved off to a quieter corner of the street.
Once we were out of the main flow of people, I unwrapped the cloth from my head and face. My grey hair fell out in a messy tangle, and I gathered it up, tucking it carefully under the hat.
It wasn't the best disguise, but it was something.
In summer, walking around with a hat might have looked weird. Thankfully, it was early in the morning and still a bit cold, so no one would bat an eye.
With the cloth gone from my face, I could breath quite a bit.
"Finally, I can breathe calmly," I exhaled.
Mary didn't react. She just stood there, watching me adjust the hat like she was trying to memorize the new version of my face.
Most people wouldn't recognize me like this anyway. My grey hair was the giveaway, that specific color was unique to Falkronas. But my features had changed a bit. The baby fat in my cheeks was gone, jawline sharper. Hard training and dungeon life had carved me down.
"Let's go buy clothes now," I said.
We headed back into the busier streets.
Even with the hat and cloth gone, attention followed us.
It wasn't me this time either.
Mary's aura did most of the work. The torn, simple dress she wore, the fact that she walked barefoot on polished noble stone streets, it all clashed with the polished capital. People glanced, frowned, whispered. Some looked away fast, like they didn't want to get involved.
She didn't notice pr maybe pretended not to.
"This one will be good," I said at last.
We stopped in front of a big building with tall glass panels and smooth stone. Holographic screens and displays cycled through images of well‑dressed men and women in fashionable outfits.
TrueStyle.
A famous brand. Expensive. Trendy. The kind of place nobles liked to flaunt.
The automatic doors slid open with a soft hiss as we approached. Cool air washed over us.
We stepped forward and a man in a tailored suit intercepted us.
"What?" I asked, brows already creasing.
He didn't answer right away. His eyes skimmed me once, then landed on Mary and stayed there.
"This girl cannot enter," he said at last. "You are also barely acceptable, but it's fine for you."
"…"
Mary's face didn't move, but irritation immediately welled up.
"I thought the 'customer is king'?" I asked.
The man's lip twitched.
"Have you ever seen kings wearing beggars' clothes?" He shot back.
[
Cleenah barely suppressed a laugh in my head.
"TrueStyle, huh," I muttered, glancing around at the gleaming logo, the preening mannequins.
I snorted.
"CringeStyle fits better, don't you think?"
I pressed my palm to my forehead and shook my head.
"Brat, you should just lea—"
He reached out, trying to put a hand on my chest to physically push me back.
I grabbed his wrist before he could touch me.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands," I retorted.
This was familiar. Too familiar. The old Edward's reflexes seemed to bleed through, hatred of being touched by strangers, especially commoners.
"Aghh!"
I squeezed, just enough pressure to make him yelp and drop to one knee.
"Know your place," I added quietly.
He gasped, clutching his arm when I let go.
Shouts went up inside the store.
"What's happening?!"
"Call security!"
"Let's go, Mary," I said, turning away. "This store wasn't that good anyway."
[
"Don't talk back like that. You know what I mean."
I started scanning the street for another option.
"Here!" I said .
A much smaller storefront sat half‑hidden in the shadow of its larger neighbors. The sign above the door read [RealStore]. In front of it, a man with spectacles and tired eyes was waving a white flag with [50% SALES!] written in big, desperate letters.
I could pretty much guess which brand he was trying to imitate.
He looked ridiculously outmatched, standing there between towering, polished giants of fashion.
Maybe that was why I felt a pang of pity.
I stepped toward his door.
"Y‑You came!" hH blurted out the moment he saw us. "I thought you'd avoid me like the others!"
This guy…
"I'll take a look," I said.
"I beg you!" He added, bowing low.
Pathetic.
But at least honest.
"Milady!" He said, straightening and bowing again, this time to me and Mary.
At least he had manners, unlike the guard from earlier.
"Welcome!" Two small voices chimed.
A little boy and a little girl, both around ten, stood just inside the entrance and dipped polite bows. No one else was in the shop.
Employees? Or his kids dragooned into service?
"I need shoes and a full change of clothes for her," I said, nodding toward Mary. "Help her out…she's a bit awkward in places like this. As for me, just show me the men's section."
"Yes! Please, Milady, follow me!" The little girl chirped, grabbing Mary's hand without hesitation.
"Sir, I'll take care of you," the boy said, voice slightly nervous but determined.
I followed him between neatly arranged racks and shelves. As we moved deeper into the store, I glanced back. The man, probably their father was already back outside, waving his discount flag like his life depended on it.
He must've had a lot of faith in those two.
Some time later, I stood in front of a full‑length mirror.
"Now, that's better," I said.
The reflection staring back at me looked… more put together. I'd ditched the ruined dungeon clothes and now wore black pants, simple black shoes, a crisp white shirt, and a fitted black jacket. Not extravagant, but clean and sharp.
"Are you… perhaps a noble?" The boy asked carefully.
I stiffened hearing that.
He looked nervous, like he regretted the question the second it left his mouth.
Did he figure it out?
My hand went to my hat automatically, making sure it was still snugly in place over my hair.
"Why do you think that?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
"Your stance," he said quietly. "Your gait. And… your face."
"My face?" I repeated.
Do I really have that 'noble' face stamped on me that obviously?
Before I could dig into that, the girl's voice rang out from the other side of the store.
"The lady is ready!"
She all but dragged Mary into view.
"Wooowww…" Both kids breathed at once.
The girl's wide eyes were fixed on me; the boy's were glued to Mary.
For a moment, so were mine.
If I hadn't watched the whole process, I might not have recognized her.
Mary now wore a one‑shoulder white sweater and fitted black pants, with simple white sneakers on her feet. Her black hair was tied back, revealing the lines of her face clearly.
She was beautiful.
Even more so than she'd been in her original life back in Sekrin, before everything fell apart.
She looked at me with her usual blank stare, but I felt a faint stirring and strong self‑awareness through the contract.
"I'll take them," I said immediately. "How much?"
No hesitation in my voice.
The outfits were good. The store deserved the sale.
"Of course, Sir!" The man said, hurrying back inside. His smile was so wide it looked like it might split his face. Pure relief and joy.
Yeah.
This place probably didn't see many customers.
Not when it was parked right next to a famous brand.
"120 Eden, please," he said.
Cheaper than I'd expected.
I paid with my card, thanked them, and we left the shop.
I'd already picked up something for Belle earlier, a pair of grey earrings from the same cheaper row of stores. Hopefully she wouldn't kill me for disappearing for a month.
…
…
By the time I reached my aunt's district, the sun had climbed higher. Early afternoon light fell across the white stone and tall iron gates of her mansion.
I'd sent Mary back to her space before entering this part of the city. She drew too much attention; people kept staring when she walked by, boys and even some girls freezing in place to look at her.
I wasn't exaggerating when I thought she could've easily been a [Heroine].
[
"What?" I asked.
[
I ignored Cleenah and pulled out the key Belle had given me when I first arrived a month ago.
A small badge on it held a mana signature. I scanned it against the gate's panel. With a click and a soft hum, the tall metal doors swung inward.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The path to the main entrance stretched ahead, lined with trimmed hedges and neat flowerbeds. As I walked, my chest grew tighter.
Belle would know I'd arrived the second I crossed the threshold. Her wards would've pinged already.
I climbed the few steps to the main door, fit the key into the lock, and pushed it open.
The interior hadn't changed.
Same warm colors. Same arrangements. Same faint scent of coffee and perfume clinging to the air. The living room felt like it had been paused in time and left waiting for me.
"Who?"
Her voice came from behind me.
I jolted slightly and turned around with a sheepish smile.
"It's me, aunty," I said.
I took off my hat, letting my grey hair fall free.
"—!"
Belle stood there, hand still half‑raised from opening an interior door. She looked almost the same as always, wavy hair, sharp eyes, elegant posture but there were dark rings under those eyes now.
Signs of nights spent awake maybe…
Crap…
"Y‑You—!"
-SLAP!
"Ouch!"
Her palm cracked across my cheek before I could fully brace for it. Pain bloomed hot.
"I‑-I'm sorr—"
Before I could finish apologizing, her arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a tight hug.
"Edward!" She choked out. "What—what were you doing?!"
She pulled back just long enough to grab my shoulders and look me over from head to toe, scanning for injuries, then yanked me into another hug.
"You've changed so much…" She whispered.
Relief poured off her in waves.
"Do you know how much I—I was worried? How we were worried?!"
"I… just needed some time alone," I said honestly..
Because that was the truth.
"Oh, dear god, Edward," Belle sighed, shaking her head. "Is that really a reason not to tell me at least? I can understand if you didn't contact your father, but me? I'm on your side, Edward!"
"I'm sorry," I said quietly.
Guilt settled heavy in my chest.
She'd been responsible for me these last weeks. If anything had happened, she would've had to answer for it.
"I thought something happened to you," she said bluntly. "How was I supposed to face your father if something happened to you?"
She kept at it. For a solid thirty minutes.
I just stood there, nodded, apologized when appropriate, and took the scolding. Honestly, I deserved it.
"I'll inform your father. Don't move," she said finally, throwing me a warning glare.
I nodded like a prisoner being granted temporary mercy.
After she made her call, I got a hot shower, changed into my new clothes properly, and then sat with her in the living room for about an hour.
I told her about the training. About the dungeon. About losing weight and getting stronger. About awakening the first wing of the Falkrona bloodline.
She lit up at that.
"Look at you," she said, grinning, cupping my face in her hands. "You definitely inherited your mother's looks."
Sure, aunty.
No need to lie.
I knew where I ranked.
"Oh, right, Aunt Belle," I said, remembering. "I'm late with this but… here."
I took out the small box with the grey earrings and handed it to her.
It wasn't much. If I'd had more money, I would've picked something better. But for now, this was what I could offer.
"Oh! What a sweet nephew I do have!" Belle exclaimed, eyes softening as she took them.
She hugged me again.
I smirked inwardly.
Mission 'Erased All Scolding' complete.
"Right, Edward," she said after a moment. "Your uniform arrived a week ago. I put it in your room on the second floor. And don't forget to show your face to your father and siblings."
"Okay for the first part. Not for the second," I answered immediately.
"Edward…"
"Aunt, you know how it is between us," I said quietly. "I'll see them tomorrow anyway. As for my shitty father, I don't care."
The old resentment still prickled. Even with Nyrel's memories and logic smoothing things out, some wounds weren't gone yet. I needed time.
"How do you talk about my brother, you scoundrel," Belle muttered.
She pinched my cheeks hard enough to make me wince, then sighed.
"All right. I'll let the academy know you're back, but you rest and get ready for tomorrow, understood?"
"Yes, yes, aunty," I said.
She smiled, ruffled my hair, and finally let me escape.
I headed up to my room and threw myself onto the bed.
And it didn't crack this time!
"Mary, take a shower if you want," I mumbled toward the ceiling. "I'm going to sleep. Jarvis, wake me up tomorrow morning. And Cleenah, keep being useless as usual."
[
I closed my eyes before she could hurl anything back.
Her irritated muttering faded into the background.
Today had been long.
Tomorrow would be worse.
The First Game of the bloody, 'fluffy' franchise [Princess And Dragon] was going to start first thing in the morning.
I'd meet the [Main Characters].
The [Events] would begin.
It was going to be a long… very long day.
"Good night, Jarvis, Mary, Cleenah," I said.
[Good night, Edward.]
"Mm."
[
I smiled faintly.
Then sleep pulled me under.