I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 69

(Dress And Cakes)

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"What?! Outside?! Really?!"

"Why? Can I not?"

"N-No. That's not what I meant, My Lady. It's just that…"

"That?"

"It's just that you have never stepped outside the Royal Palace."

"Yes. That's why I want to go."

My mood was already ruined seeing that man. So I wanted to fresh my mind by going outside. Who knows I might find something interesting. And I will just go THERE today and finish the work.

"I understand, My Lady."

"Anyways call Kelvin."

"The butler?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

Saying that Anne bowed and left the room.

Hmm… I have to go to a library, then I do have to buy some dresses. 

But then what… 

Well, I will know after going.

Knock* Knock*

"My Lady, I have brought the butler."

"Hmm. Come in."

Creak~

"Greetings, Princess. Did you call me?"

Kelvin greeted politely with a bow.

"Yes. I definitely asked you to send the Royal Jeweller."

Kelvin flinched hearing that.

"Are you looking down on me?"

"What?! How dare I!"

"Then, what was the reason for your action?"

"That…"

"Don't waste my time."

"The Royal Jeweller is busy preparing Jewellery for the Second Princess. I apologize, Princess. He couldn't come."

I see. It was Rubena.

"But I promise, My Lady. The Jeweller I sent had excellent pieces of jewellery. Even the Royal Jeweller won't be able to craft some of them."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Princess."

"Hmm. I brought everything, so make sure to pay her."

"Yes."

"Ah. I totally forgot. I will be going outside."

"Huh?"

"..."

"Ah- Pardon me. I was surprised as you never wanted to go outside. I-I will arrange a group of knights to escort you."

"That won't be necessary."

"Huh?"

"I will go only with Anne."

"What? But Princess-"

"As a commoner."

"Huh?"

"I will wear a Commoner dress then go. So you don't have to worry about my safety."

"But-"

"No buts. I didn't call you here for permission. My allowance."

"Ah."

"2 bags of Gold and 5 bags of silver will be enough for now."

"I-I see. I will prepare your dress and the allowance."

"Good. Then hurry up and go."

"Alright."

Kelvin said while bowing.

'Haa~ She's so moody nowadays!'

Kelvin cried inwardly.

After a while, Kelvin came to my room with some maids. One of the maids had a round-shaped tray in her hand. It was covered with a red cloth.

"Princess, here is the gold and silver coins you asked for."

Kelvin said while removing the red cloth. Soon bangs of Gold and Silver Coins were visible.

"Hmm. Good."

"Please choose an outfit from here."

As soon as Kelvin said that, the maids presented racks filled with different kinds of dresses.

"Hmm."

So many to choose from.

Ummm…

"The peach coloured dress."

I like the colour of that dress. 

"Alright."

After the maids left with other dresses. 

"You can go now too, Kelvin."

"Princess…"

"What is it?"

"Just one escort-"

"No."

I replied instantly. I don't want anyone to follow me around.

"Sigh~ Alright. Then please excuse me."

Kelvin bowed and left the room.

After that, Anne helped me change my dress. As for accessories, I wear pearl earrings.

"My Lady, Your hair?"

Hmm… It's too long. It will stand out. 

"Do a ponytail so that it looks short."

I don't want to cut my hair for now.

"Alright."

After a while, I finished preparing. Now, I can finally go out.

"Let's go, Anne."

"Yes, My Lady."

Anne replied with a smile.

'She is happy. Nowadays, she looks too attractive for me to refuse any of her orders. What the- A spell? She looks too pretty. She will definitely stand out.'

Anne pondered.

"What are you thinking?"

"N-Nothing."

Anne flinched then answered with a flustered face.

"Then let's go."

After that, I walked out of my room. Kelvin was standing outside my door.

"Princess."

"Why are you here, butler?"

I asked with a frown.

"Don't worry. I will just escort you till the main gate."

"Is that so?"

"Y-Yes."

Kelvin replied with cold sweat.

"Whatever. Let's go, Anne."

"Yes, My Lady."

After walking for a while, we reached the palace's main gate. A carriage was already standing in front of the gate. 

"Princess, then-"

Kelvin forwarded his hand then said.

But I already got in the carriage by myself. 

"I didn't see your hand."

I really didn't think he would forward his hand to help me get in the carriage.

"Pfft!"

Anne laughed at Kelvin. But before he could say anything, she hurriedly got in the carriage.

Embarrassed Kelvin, coughed then returned to his composed self.

"Please have a safe trip, Princess."

"Yes."

Then a knight closed the carriage door.

And soon the carriage started moving with a rattling noise. 

I looked outside. It's my first time… I am going somewhere alone in the Loire. I hope everything will go well.

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After a while, the carriage stopped in front of a commoner town. And we got out of the carriage and started walking.

We are now walking on a wide mosaic road. There were different big and small buildings on both sides of the road. 

"This is where rich commoners live."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Princess."

"There are so many people here."

'That's because you are standing out too much.'

Anne thought inwardly.

"Anyways, let's go to a dress shop."

Although I want to sightsee, first I should complete my work.

"Huh?"

"Which one is the most famous dress shop here?"

"The Desantis Boutique. I will take you there."

"Alright."

After that, we both continued walking and after a while, Anne stopped in front of a two-storied building.

"This is it, My Lady."

I can see the Nameplate from a distance. 

'Desantis Boutique'

"Let's enter."

Saying that I entered the boutique.

"Yes, My Lady."

Anne followed me behind.

"Wel-"

A girl with glasses halted and looked at us with wide-open eyes. She looks much older than me.

Does she want something? Do I have to give her something?

"The Lady is here to buy dresses."

Anne said with a frown.

"Ah. Pardon me. Welcome to the Desantis Boutique."

The girl welcomed me inside with a smile.

"I am Carlotta, the owner of this shop."

"Hmm."

It's so not that crowded here.

"Bring out your best dresses."

The girl widened her eyes at my words but then fixed her composure and said,

"Yes."

She brought out different kinds of dresses adorned with different kinds of stones, pearls and ribbons.

"Please come here. The servants will help you change."

"Yes."

I tried on a blue dress first.

Gasp*

The servants who helped me change gasped.

"Wh- Wow~ You look beautiful in this, Lady!"

Carlotta said excitedly.

"Ah. Thank you."

"Then please try the next dress."

"Alright."

After changing…

"It suits you perfectly. Please try the next one."

"Yes."

And like this, I changed dresses for more than an hour.

"Lady! Do you want to be my model?"

Carlotta asked with sparkling eyes.

"What?"

"I will pay you a handsome amount of money."

"No."

Haa~

I am already exhausted after changing dresses for an hour.

"Aww~ That's too bad."

"Anyways bring out some dresses that will suit her."

I said pointing at Anne.

Carlotta: "Sure~"

"What?!"

Anne gasped.

"My Lady, I don't need anything."

"..."

I don't really need her opinion. I know how greedy she can be.

Don't worry I will make sure to That you pay back later.

After that, Anne tried different dresses.

"Hmm. We will buy those 3 now."

I said choosing three dresses.

"Yes. I will ask the servant to pack the dresses right away."

"Oh and about the dresses I tried. Take my measurements and fix the dress before the second Princess's birthday. And send it to the Royal Palace. The bill too."

"Th-The Royal Palace?!"

"..."

Without saying anything, Isabella smiled at the boutique owner.

"Then… You-"

Carlotta then stopped as if understanding something.

She is smart. Well, she is a businesswoman after all.

"Here are the dresses."

A girl said while handing over 3 bags. 

"Anne, take those."

"Yes. Thank you, My Lady."

After that, I paid for the dresses. 

Phew~ 

Finally, I can go out.

"Please come back again, Lady."

"I will try."

Sorry but I won't. I have already bought more than enough dresses. And I will go back to Fellmirr soon.

There I have a lovely mother who loves to choose my dress and wear matching dresses with me. 

I want to see her…

Anne: "My Lady? Are you alright?"

"Ah-Yes. Let's go out now."

"Yes."

"Please come visit us again."

I nodded my head and left the shop.

"Where do you want to go next, My Lady?"

"Hmm. I heard there is a famous bakery here."

"Ah. Red Cherry Bakery?"

"Yes. Let's go there. I want to eat chocolate cake there."

"Yes. But that place might be…"

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Let's go, My Lady."

After that, we walked for a minute then reached in front of the bakery.

But what the-

Such a long line! I guess, it really is famous.

"My Lady, I will go and inform them that you are the Princess. Then we can enter easily."

"No, Anne. You stand in the line and buy the cake. I don't want ANYONE to know that I am the Princess."

"Then what are you-"

"I will look around some shops. Here, take these coins and go. I want to eat it as soon as possible."

"Al-Alright, My Lady."

Saying that Anne hurriedly took the money and stood in the long line of people.

"I should go there now."

I have to come back before she is done with the cake. Thank goodness, I saw that place on the way here.

I don't have to waste time finding the place.

I hurriedly started walking.. And after a minute, I was finally there.