Chapter 22 22
Amelia's POV:
I didn’t know what Jasmine was planning, but at that moment, I refused to give her the satisfaction of occupying even a corner of my mind because I had a far more important mission like, worming my way into Denary’s heart, breaking down those cold walls of his and making him open up to me.
In all of these, Jasmine shouldn't even exist. So I simply smiled at her and said. “Sure.”
After all, horse riding was exactly the sort of activity I needed, something that would require Denary to guide me.
“I will attend.” I added lightly. “Although, I do not really know anything about horse riding.”
“Really? That’s a shame then.” Jasmine’s smile twitched. “Only Alpha Denary and I will end up going.”
“No.” I replied at once. “My lack of knowledge should not stop me from enjoying the art of horse riding. Alpha Denary…” I turned to him. “Would you do me the favor of teaching me tomorrow?”
Denary’s lips curved, not a smirk, not a smile, but something in-between. “Sure.”
“Thank you.” I said, bowing my head just a little. “Excuse me.”
I turned and stepped out calmly, only letting myself breathe once the door was shut behind me. Back in my room, I told Mei everything in one breath and she immediately smiled.
“Then let me call the accountant, Mr. Stanfield.” She said quickly, heading for the door.
“Wait.” I caught her arm. “How long will the journey take?”
“Not long at all, my lady.” Mei replied. “Every important member of the pack lives here in the packhouse. So, I just need to go to Mr. Stanfield’s quarters and call him.”
With that, she disappeared, leaving me to pace the room restlessly. Fifteen, perhaps twenty minutes later, she returned with a middle-aged man following behind her. He carried a thick ledger under his arm and a side bag that looked terribly heavy.
We all moved to the lounge area and sat on the sofa. “Have you carried out the other instructions?” I asked Mei quietly.
“Yes, my lady.” She nodded. “The stableman and the guards have been informed.”
“Good.” Then I turned to Mr. Stanfield.
He adjusted his spectacles. “How much do you require, my lady?”
“Oh… I’m not certain.” I admitted. “I’ve never been to the Square, so I do not know how much anything costs.” I gestured at Mei. “But my maid might have an estimate.”
Mei immediately began listing everything from dresses, shoes, jewelry, riding clothes, sparring garments, headpieces… even some emergency extras. She gave numbers with more confidence than I could ever hope for.
Mr. Stanfield scribbled everything down, flipped through his ledger, nodded to himself, then opened his side bag. He pulled out a pouch and handed it to Mei.
“When you return.” He said. “Please provide a full record of everything purchased, purely for bookkeeping.”
“Of course.” Mei replied politely.
And with that, Mr. Stanfield stood, bowed slightly, and left. Mei escorted him out and returned moments later.
“My lady.” She said. “I wish to go check if the carriages and guards are ready so we may head out at once.”
“Alright.” I nodded. “Get dressed, so when you return we leave at the same time.”
Mei blinked. “I am already perfectly dressed, my lady.”
“Oh.” I nodded, embarrassed. “Yes… right.”
Then she rushed out and in ten minutes, she returned breathless. “The carriage and guards are set.”
Mei gathered a small side bag and tucked the pouch of gold inside. She added a folded handkerchief and a parasol for the sun, then we stepped out. The staircase leading to the front door felt unusually short today, perhaps it was because anticipation quickened my step.
In the courtyard, a beautiful four-horse carriage waited. It had deep brown wood, polished iron frames, and a coachman perched attentively at the top. Two guards stood beside it, dressed casually but with swords at their belts. They greeted me respectfully, then helped Mei and I climb inside, seating us on the right. Then they sat opposite us, one on each side. One guard leaned forward and knocked twice on the carriage frame.
“All set!”
The coachman clicked the reins, and the horses surged forward, pulling us out of the packhouse gates. The Pack Square was buzzing by the time we arrived. People laughed, children ran between stalls, musicians played lively tunes, and vendors called out their goods. Colorful fabrics fluttered in the wind, and the scent of pastries drifted everywhere.
The guards escorted us immediately, one in front, one behind, like shadows that refused to detach as we visited shop after shop. For dresses, we bought silks, satins, embroidered bodices, and flowing sleeves. I believed that I bought far too many, but Mei argued that a woman can never shop enough.
For shoes, soft leather riding boots, dainty slippers, and sturdier shoes for sparring. Then the cobbler wrapped everything in brown paper. We also bought several headpieces like
ribbons, tiny combs studded with pearls, and floral bands. We also bought a few pieces of jewelry, then finally sparring and riding clothes.
I insisted on buying clothing for Mei too, but she protested. “My lady, I may not be allowed to wear such dresses…”
“Nonsense.” I insisted. “Then you’ll have them for whenever you will accompany me to a future event.”
In the end, she accepted just two dresses, two pairs of shoes, a few simple jewelry pieces, and modest headpieces. “I will keep them in your room.” Mei said shyly. “I cannot store them in the maid quarters.”
“That’s perfectly fine.” I replied.
After finishing the heavy shopping, I bought snacks varying from sweet buns, dried fruits, and honey biscuits. One guard accepted gratefully but the other declined coldly, then glared at the one who took it.
“Don’t glare at him.” I frowned. “You decided not to eat, so don't disturb someone else for making a different choice.”
The playful guard, Simon, burst into laughter and the grumpy guard only grunted. Then we enjoyed the rest of the square watching dancing crowds, singers with stringed instruments, and children playing around masked performers who chased them playfully.
Everything was going smoothly until people began running toward the southern end of the square and one person bumped right into me.
“Watch it!” The grumpy guard snapped, stepping forward.
“S-sorry!” The person yelped before running off again.
“I wonder where they’re going in such haste.” I murmured.
Another person darted past us, but this time the grumpy guard grabbed his arm. “Where are you all running to?” He demanded.
“There’s going to be a play!” The stranger said breathlessly. “A play about the Alpha Slayer!” And he tore away, running after the others.
I blinked. “Alpha Slayer? What story is that?”
“I don’t know, my lady.” Mei whispered.
Simon, of course, chimed in instantly. “It’s the story of how Alpha Denary was slayed by a woman.”
“Slayed?” I turned to him. “Isn’t that a bit dramatic? Denary is very much alive.”
“That’s what people say.” Simon shrugged. “And rumors are spreading all around the packhouse about Alpha Denary’s defeat.”
“Shouldn’t we tell him? He could put an end to it.”
“Oh, he must've figured it out by now.” Simon grinned. “He must know the source too and he’ll sort it out soon enough.”
The second guard smacked the back of Simon’s head. “Ow! What was…?”
“Stop talking.” The grumpy guard muttered and I couldn’t help but laugh.