Side Story 2

As Meia had anticipated, washing up took quite a while. The two, having left their room late, changed into light clothing and ate a late breakfast that doubled as lunch.  

Before departing for the Gradi Empire, Meia busily worked to wrap up urgent matters at the Grand Duke’s estate. One of these tasks was preparing a gift for the Marquis Zenovil’s household.  

The Marquis Zenovil held military command in the Gradi Empire, overseeing border defense and dungeon security. In short, they were a powerful family in the Gradi Empire.  

Moreover, the Marquis Zenovil’s daughter was the Crown Prince’s fiancée and the future Empress. This made the words exchanged and the gifts given during the visit all the more important.  

“Your Grace, here’s the report on Annibella, the daughter of Marquis Zenovil.”  

“Thank you, Aethon.”  

“It’s nothing.”  

“The Marchioness has passed away… and her only family is her daughter. Her preferences are…”  

Meia smiled as she set down the report she had been reading.  

The Marquis had never remarried and had devoted himself to raising his only daughter. This suggested he cherished her deeply, but it also meant she might have grown up spoiled and self-indulgent.  

Still, it didn’t matter. Whether her personality was good or bad, if they could build a good relationship, they would become closer; if not, she could simply sever ties.  

“I’m a bit concerned.”  

“About what?”  

“I didn’t include this in the report, but I’ve heard unsavory rumors about Lady Annibella at the academy.”  

“Unsavory rumors? Tell me more.”  

“They say she bullied a talented scholarship student out of jealousy.”  

“She bullied a scholarship student? How?”  

“By tearing dresses, throwing away textbooks… even physically hitting them. That’s what the rumors say.”  

Meia let out a low chuckle at Aethon’s words.  

“That’s ridiculous.”  

“Excuse me? Rumors don’t come out of nowhere.”  

“Think about it. Would the daughter of a high-ranking noble personally tear a dress just to bully someone? And so openly that it becomes a rumor? It doesn’t make sense.”  

“Now that you mention it, that does sound odd. Then why would such rumors spread?”  

“We’ll find out when we meet Lady Annibella. But one thing is certain.”  

“What is it?”  

Aethon tilted his head, curious about Meia’s next words.  

“Someone wants to tarnish Lady Annibella’s reputation.”  

Meia spoke coldly as she glanced over the documents Aethon had handed her.

***

Annibella couldn’t hide her excitement.  

“I’m so nervous.”  

Annibella was one of the many fans of Madame Clairira’s dresses. As such, when Madame Clairira frequently mentioned, ‘Lady Meia is my muse,’ Annibella’s curiosity about Meia grew.  

Anyone who had seen Meia even once would say this: ‘She possesses a nobility that no portrait could ever capture.’  

Hearing people describe Meia as the beautiful “flower of the social scene,” Annibella found herself imagining her and growing more curious each day. Then one day, she read an article about Meia defeating pirates who had attacked a cruise ship and rescuing its passengers. From that moment, Annibella became Meia’s ardent fan.  

“Sarah, what should I do? I’m so excited I can’t sleep. Meeting a hero… This isn’t a dream, right?”  

Annibella, overwhelmed by her admiration for Meia, clasped her hands together in prayer.  

“How wonderful it would be to become her friend. But me, friends with Lady Meia… That’s impossible!”  

“It’s not impossible. You’re the future Crown Princess of the Gradi Empire and will one day become Empress. It’s only natural that you’ll form good relations with her.”  

At Sarah’s words, Annibella’s face darkened instantly. Sarah’s expression shifted to one of realization—she had forgotten that the word “Crown Princess” was currently forbidden around Annibella.  

To change the subject, Sarah brought up Meia again.  

“Did you know, my lady, that the Grand Duchess of Florence is skilled in magic?”  

“Of course! She’s a hero who defeated those pirates with ice magic and saved all those people. And now, I get to welcome her and have her stay at our estate… It’s such an honor.”  

“I’m looking forward to meeting her as well.”  

“I’ve already planned out all the things I want to do with Lady Meia while she stays at the Marquis’ estate.”  

Annibella even thought about how to introduce herself in a way that would leave a lasting impression on Meia. She also prepared strawberry-themed snacks and tea, knowing they were Meia’s favorites.  

“Just thinking about it makes me so nervous my hands are sweating.”  

“My lady, your hair is finished.”  

Annibella looked at herself in the mirror with sparkling eyes. She loved her beige hair, half tied up and half left down, adorned with a magical gemstone hairpiece she had recently purchased.  

“Well, shall we go?”  

Accompanied by Sarah, knights, and Taro, a coachman with an assassin’s background, Annibella arrived at the teleportation point at Elaine Port in the Gradi Empire. Seeing that the Grand Duke of Florence’s party had not yet arrived, Annibella let out a deep sigh.  

“Looks like we’re too early.”  

“They’ll be here soon.”  

Feeling restless sitting still, Annibella wandered around the area near the teleportation point. Following the delicious aroma of bread, she found herself at the entrance to a bustling market.  

“I’ve heard this port has a large market, but… It’s really vast.”  

“My lady, it’s too crowded here. Let’s head back.”  

“Alright.”  

For Annibella, who had always lived quietly in the estate or at the academy, the lively market was a novel experience.  

But before she could fully take it in, she realized something was wrong. Looking around, she could no longer see Sarah, Taro, or the knights she had been talking to just moments ago.  

“That’s strange…”  

Annibella scanned her surroundings, but they were nowhere to be found.  

“What’s going on? They’d never lose track of me…”  

Annibella couldn’t understand the situation. Sarah and Taro had been her escorts since childhood, always by her side without fail. And what was even more baffling…  

“Where am I?”  

Annibella looked around, but she couldn’t find her way back. She felt like a castaway stranded in the middle of a vast market.  

Annibella began looking around quickly, thinking that the entourage of Grand Duke Florence might have already arrived. Her heart grew restless, and an uneasy feeling crept over her.

“What should I do? What if they’ve already arrived…? More importantly, what on earth is this situation?”

Annibella stopped in her tracks. She didn’t know where she was or how far she’d strayed from the original location.

“Get a grip, Annibella.”

She pulled a cloak from her dimensional space, put it on, and firmly pressed the hood down over her head. Slowly, she surveyed her surroundings. The loud cries of merchants and people bustling about made her cover her ears. She needed to find her way back to the port quickly or meet up with Dan and Sarah.

“Let’s make a decision. I can do this.”

Annibella took another look around. She fixed her gaze on a fishmonger ahead of her. Among the merchants nearby, the fishmonger seemed to have the most trustworthy face.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes, Miss. What do you need?”

“Where am I?”

“Huh? This is the market at Elaine Port in the Gradi Empire. Did you come here without knowing that?”

The merchant’s tone was laced with sarcasm, stating something even Annibella already knew.

“I’m looking for the teleportation point at the port.”

The fishmonger scanned Annibella from head to toe. Despite the expensive-looking cloak she had pulled tightly over her head, an air of elegance was unmistakable. Especially noticeable was her white hand gripping the cloak’s collar—hands that had clearly never done any household chores. No matter how shabby one’s attire might be, hands could reveal a person’s true status. And a person of noble status…

“I can tell you, but…”

The fishmonger formed a circle with his thumb and forefinger, indicating he wanted money in exchange for the information.

“Money? I don’t have any… But if I find my companions, I will reward you.”

“Money? That was a joke, just a joke. Haha.”

“Oh… it was a joke. If I had money, I would’ve given it to you right away.”

Despite her admission of having no money, the fishmonger seemed disappointed. However, one could never predict how fate might work, so he decided to give her directions.

“If you go straight ahead, you’ll see a large fountain. From there, head in the opposite direction of the dark alley with the shabby fortune-telling sign. Keep going straight, and you’ll find the coastline and the teleportation point there.”

“What’s your name?”

“Aizhal. I’ve been selling fish here for ten years.”

“Thank you, Aizhal. Your kindness will surely be rewarded.”

Feeling glad that she had the courage to ask, Annibella bowed to Aizhal and began walking in the direction he had indicated.

“I’ll probably run into Dan and Sarah along the way.”

Annibella thought of Sarah, her maid, and the knights accompanying her. They might be worried and searching for her. With this thought in mind, she quickened her pace. However, she soon stopped, panting heavily.

“Why did I follow the smell of bread and end up in this mess?”

She muttered to herself and let out a deep sigh before resuming her brisk walk. Before long, the fountain Aizhal had mentioned came into view.

“Found it!”

Just as Annibella was about to celebrate finding her way, she heard someone call out.

“Young Lady! Young Lady in the red cloak!”

Annibella turned her head, thinking the voice was directed at her. Approaching her was an old woman in ragged clothes, limping as she walked.

“Are you calling me?”

“Please, help me, Young Lady.”

Annibella tilted her head in confusion.

“I’m not in a position to help anyone. I’ll call someone for you.”

Having mustered the courage to ask Aizhal for help earlier, Annibella now felt more confident about asking passersby for assistance.

“It’s a small favor, Young Lady. I twisted my ankle a little… Could you just help me to that alley over there?”

The old woman pointed to a dark alley where a fortune-telling sign was visible.

“Just to that spot… I’m begging you, kind Young Lady.”

Annibella, startled by the unusual request, looked around nervously, but the old woman clung to her arm.

“Please… No one else will help me.”

Annibella wanted to shake off the old woman’s grip, but she couldn’t bring herself to push away someone who appeared so pitiful and in pain.

“Just to that alley… I’m begging you, lovely Young Lady. Sob, sob.”

“Please ask someone else. I’m looking for my companions and don’t have time.”

However, the old woman held tightly to Annibella’s arm and refused to let go.