Reborn princess: I will change my ill-fate

Shirley didn't get a chance to sneak away because of the guards who didn't let their guard down till the very moment from the past one hour. She began to get anxious. She need to visit black shallow of death and know why they changed plan at the last minute. 

Shirley was gettingannoyed by the passing time. And, her maid friends were not even leaving her side. Shirley was basically with maids and guards around her. 

Going to the lake the young maidens went to buy boats to make wishes. They still got plenty of time before the Emperor visits his people, but if they wait till that time, then there won't be any boats left to buy for making wishes.

The lake is the most crowded place during the festival. Taking it as a chance, Shirley decided its her only time to get rid of those who are tagging them.

"Anna,I will buy that blue boat.Did you like something here. Or else we can go to another stall," Elisa inquired while examining the boat in her hands.

The stall-keepers eyes lit up seeing customers visiting his store and started to convince Anna,"Miss, this Swan boat is so beautiful just like you. Why don't you buy it? If you all buy here I will be giving a discount. This pink boat colour suits you alot. Or else this brown one which fits your silky locks. How about this..."

Anna just smirked while sensing the desperation of the shop keeper. Even without the stall-keepers constant nagging and flowery praises, Anna would have bought the boats here. But, with his flattery, she started to feel embarrassed, so in an attempt to stop him from talking anymore," Its ok. I will buy. Before that you need to tell how much you will reduce the prices by."

Hearing the word discount,Elisa's eye lit with, "Yeah Uncle.Since we all eight members will buy here, you need to give it a good thought and be generous to atleast reduce one-fourth of the initial price."

Stall-keeper:"Ofcourse beautiful ladies, I will definitely keep that in mind," He nodded his head understandingly. He wants to wrap up the business and need to accompany his family.Even if they asked for half percent discount he would have been gladly sold them, since they are homemade which doesn't require much capital.

Turning to face Shirley,"Sister Shirley. How about you buy this yellow colour swan boat. It is so beautiful just like you," However she didn't see Shirley behind her and began to search for her," Elisa,did you see sister Shirley.I don't find her here."

Elisa:" Since you too can't see her here,then how am I supposed to know where is she. Come on, she isn't a kid.She might have went to buy boat at other stalls.I am sure this market is not new to her. She's in capital for almost like 10 years. Even if gets lost in crowd, she could still find her way back to the manor, " Elisa giggled as she told. 

The other maids too nodded and continued to shop around.

Black lines formed over Elisa's head. She isn't the type to be concerned about others private matters. So she immediately cut down Anna's gossipy mode, " That's none of our concern. Now wrap your business here faster. We still got many places to go. "

Anna grimaced behind her back and continued with all other maids, who were giggling among them for some matter nobody knows.

Leaving the group, Shirley went to the address written in the slip the carrier pigeon brought a week ago. Shirley kept on glancing behind her back as to make sure, no one was following her. 

She already was late to reach the place. The guards were too attentive and the maids were worse than them. Clinging to her side always. The escape was more tough than she thought. 

"I shouldn't underestimate these good for nothing people." Shirley visibly scoffed while thinking about this. This day, luck was not on her side. Every situation was raising her temper to the sky. 

After going through in circles for was while to keep the suspicion at the bay, she was finally convinced no one was following her. So, she was now on her way to the address. 

Its not far away from the training grounds of the empire soldiers.Soon enough she got the hint that this isn't any normal restaurant. Its a place to gather information. The restaurant looks simple from the outside and far more livelier from many other restaurants in the capital.

Tables were mostly filled with empire soldiers and middle class families. There is another storey which is specially built for high class people clearly showing the difference between high society and low society. 

Shirley glanced through the whole restaurant on the ground level, her eyes infiltrating the restaurant. 

"Smirk~ So is this how you run a restaurant black shallow of death. Ah...master chose well."

Shirley remarked and made her way inside the restaurant. The restaurant is filled with black paw troop soldiers disguised themselves as normal citizens of seazle empire. Mingling as their own people, they are prying into other matters secretly. This is all child's play. How come she don't understand what those peeking glances mean except if she is a dumbo. 

Shirley took a seat at the corner table of the restaurant and observed others and their actions. Mostly the restaurant is filled with soldiers and this is the only restaurant closeest to their quarters, which ultimately makes them to come here whenever they have a gathering or to party or to have dinner. So now black paw is observing the moments of seazle empire soldiers, keeping an eye on them. 

"Mam, how may I help you? " An young maiden approached Shirley, to take down her orders. 

The young worker can be considered as a beauty, noting she is in her prime age and had a sirenical like voice, who sure is an attractive subject to those young soldiers in the empire. 

Attracting those young men with such beauties is sure a nice underhanded trick to play to get them to the restaurant. 

Shirley smiled back at her, " So, who are you? " She questioned back. 

The young maiden still maintained her smile, and then continued, not at all perturbed by Shirley's behavior, " I work here madam. So what would you like to order, the waiter passed a menu card to Shirley, " She asked politely, smiling back a little more. 

Shirley took the card and merely glanced over it. 

Black paw sure is generous to provide food at such cheap rates to their enemy territory. 

The prices were nearly cut to half compared to other restaurant, making the food very cheap. As a result, the soldiers frequented here as soon as their training ended. It's not because the food is tasty, but because it is economical. There is not much difference when you cook and when you eat here. Both happens to be approximately equal, resulting them to come here. 

Whenever they come to eat, they casually talk about internal affairs of the capital to important matters not knowing they were watched here, helping black paw members to gain more information.

Shirley crossed her hands, lifted her head to make an eye contact with the young worker, " So it's like this, I am not here for a meal. I heard the restaurants food is very tasty and would like to make a deal. So could you bring me to your manager. "

The young maid didn't reject her and instead agreed with her, " Sure mam, please follow me inside. "

Shirley got very excited to know who is so capable of running such restaurant. It must be a member of black paw. She is so sure about it. But she don't know whether it was an old member or new. Many new members were recruited recently.

"Finally. I'm going to meet you. Hope you are the infamous black shallow of death my master often talks about and the black pawns(the members of Black Pawn are called black pawns) often fear about."