Devil’s Bodyguard

Evelyn's silver hair neatly fell down her back and swayed with her movements. All around her, people plastered polite smiles as they walked around the busy marketplace.

Loud yells echoed across the street and were muted by the numerous footsteps of the customers. The stalls were painted in bright colors and accentuated by bold calligraphy that marked the products being sold.

Evelyn passed by several stores including Leah's dumplings, Daven's silks, and Glorious Dolls. Two maids followed her, one of them held an umbrella over her head and the other held a basket.

With small quick footsteps that were expected of a princess, Evelyn moved gracefully around the market as she searched for daily necessities.

Every time she entered a store, she was greeted with flattering smiles and polite greetings of "Welcome, your highness." Luckily, a silky white veil covered her face so that her expression was unreadable.

Otherwise, they would realize that this weak princess wasn't quite as polite and timid as they imagined her to be.

This time, she entered a store with shelves full of beautiful cloth. Brocade, silk, linen, velvet, wool, and chiffon were all laid out carefully with their exquisite designs faintly visible in the afternoon light.

This was one of the most famous stores in the capital known as FourSeason Fabrics. Many clothing makers preferred buying cloth from here because of their superior quality and designs although their prices were sky-high.

No one knew the owner of the store but they did know that the store next door, FourSeason Designs, was owned by the same person.

FourSeason Designs made beautiful clothes out of the cloth from FourSeason Fabrics. Their dresses were unique and their robes were a masterpiece.

It was said that even the royal family loved clothes from FourSeason Designs and all of the palace seamstresses bought cloth from FourSeason Fabrics.

Evelyn was immediately greeted by the store manager who followed her to the back room where all the different fabrics were embroidered and made.

All of the workers stood up and bowed to her before returning back to their work.

Indeed, Evelyn was the owner of FourSeason Designs and FourSeason Fabrics. Since young, she knew she would need a powerful force in order to free herself from the palace so she built one up bit by bit.

Walking past the workforce of the stores, she entered an elegantly decorated tea room.

"Tell me, is there any news?"

The store manager stood respectively with her maids at the side of the room as Evelyn started to enjoy the light fragrant tea on the table.

Upon hearing her speak, he straightened himself respectfully before speaking in a very polite tone.

"Yes, your highness. Castillo's emperor wants an alliance with Phoenicia and sent over a hostage prince who will become the fiancee of one of Phoenicia's princesses."

"Oh? Which prince?" She asked while taking a sip of the tea with her veil lifted up an inch which revealed her orchid pink lips.

"Prince Asura Castillo."

Evelyn sputtered before letting out a loud laugh that ended in her coughing from the tea that slides down her windpipe.

The store manager anxiously walked closer only to be waved off by Evelyn. In a good mood, Evelyn's lips curled up into a beautiful smile that dazed the store manager and her maids.

They blushed and looked away from the oblivious princess who quickly regained her composure.

"Get more information on Asura Castillo and keep an eye on the emperor. I'm going to have fun with this."

The store manager nodded and hurried out. The maids continued to follow Evelyn as she stood up and returned to her courtyard in the palace. As soon as she entered her room, she hurried to dress up in the men's clothes.

She wore a Brocade robe with elegant floral patterns and put on the plain facemask. To be honest, the facemask wasn't very plain and when worn by Evelyn, she could still be considered as handsome. However, compared to her real face, the facemask could only be described as plain.

After dressing herself, her aura changed. The previous gentle aura became stronger and mysterious like a noble scholar going on a walk.

She checked herself in the mirror several times before jumping out the window and to the city.