Chapter 173: Tiamat
Lena was sad, but not devastated.
She couldn’t hold onto a noble soul; she knew Mines didn’t belong to Almeria.
And the pure, lotus-like girl was going home…
Lena realized she had to give Mines a farewell gift. Walking along Imperial Avenue, she entered a shop.
A fortune-telling themed shop, it had been here for a long time.
“What can I do for you?” A beautiful young woman, probably the owner’s daughter or relative, greeted Lena.
Lena scanned the items on display. “Do you have any pocket watches?”
“Yes.”
She brought out an exquisite wooden box, filled with various pocket watches, clearly expensive.
“I have every style available on the market, and if you have a specific design in mind, I can try my best to recreate it.”
Her confidence stemmed from her craftsmanship.
Lena sketched her desired design and handed it to the woman. “How long will it take?”
“If time isn’t an issue, a week. If it’s urgent, well…”
The young woman smiled faintly, changing the subject.
“The quality of a handcrafted item depends on the time spent on it, even the most skilled master can’t guarantee a perfect replica…”
“Three thousand gold coins,” Lena offered, far exceeding the market price.
“Ah… you have a discerning eye, how did you know my skills are different from those self-proclaimed ‘masters’~”
The young woman beamed, extending her hand. “Modesty.”
“Lena.” Lena didn’t take her hand. “I want it delivered to the Falmouth mansion by tomorrow evening, at the latest.”
“No problem.”
Modesty rubbed her hands together, eager to start.
This customer was clearly someone important, a few words and she had landed a big deal.
After Lena left, Modesty looked at the sketch, her expression troubled…
Made of pure gold, with rare metals as a base, and a complex feather design, who was this extravagant gift for?
The world of the rich, Modesty couldn’t comprehend.
Although Lena’s request was demanding, the reward was substantial, worth the risk.
…
Having chosen her farewell gift, Lena continued her journey.
Walking through the crowded streets, like a caged bird, the noise seemed to intensify.
Suddenly, the bustling street fell silent, the crowd parting to create a path for the Imperial Guard, their footsteps echoing, everyone bowing their heads, not daring to make a sound.
“That arrogant First Prince again…”
Someone muttered under their breath.
And that person was immediately kicked by a sharp-eared guard, a grunt and a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground.
“What did you just say?!”
Two guards pinned the man down, their magic spears pointed at him, ready to execute him on the spot.
“I… I…”
The man, his previous bravado gone, cowered on the ground, covering his head.
Such scenes were common in the Imperial Capital of Almeria.
The Imperial Guard often used violence to clear the path for their master.
Lena considered this just an appetizer, the main course would be much more dramatic…
“Get out of the way! You’re blocking the great Prince Red’s path, you lowly peasant!”
Coleman, the captain of the Imperial Guard, roared, the crowd scattering, returning to their tasks, but remaining silent, not wanting to provoke the royal family, or be on the receiving end of Coleman’s wrath.
They knew Coleman’s power in this area, half the shops here had been extorted by him.
Paying for protection had become a common practice.
After all, Coleman was backed by the First Prince, Red, officials protecting each other, exploiting the commoners, who could only endure in silence…
“Buy a flower, miss?”
A small, thin girl tugged at Lena’s sleeve, her eyes pleading.
“Three copper coins for one, five for two, you can buy some for someone you love.”
“Sounds good.”
Lena was tempted.
She would buy some for Mines, after all, Mines had given her the red spider lily hairpin.
“How much for ninety-nine?”
“Um…”
The little girl frowned, counting on her dirty fingers.
“A lot of copper coins, just give me a silver coin, miss.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re a math genius?”
“Huh?”
The little girl tilted her head, had she made a mistake?
Lena held up five fingers. “I only need five, and by the way, what’s your name?”
“Tiamat.”
The little girl with fiery red hair introduced herself, her expression slightly disappointed at losing a big sale and being teased by Lena.
“Here’s a silver coin, keep it.”
Lena tossed the coin, and the little girl caught it, then quickly disappeared.
“What the…”
Lena touched her face, thinking Tiamat had gone to get the flowers, so she waited.
But time passed, and Tiamat didn’t return.
A nearby shopkeeper warned Lena about a young “flower girl” who often scammed people with their sob stories, and Lena realized she had been tricked, by a little girl, no less.
“A civilized society, and there are still scammers?!”
Lena was furious.
It wasn’t about the money, but about being outsmarted by a child, she had been too careless.
“Don’t let me find you!!”
Lena gritted her teeth, turning to leave this wretched place.
“Wait a minute.”
That voice?
Tiamat, carrying a bouquet of flowers, ran towards her, her bare feet surprisingly swift and steady.
Ha! She knew she couldn’t be fooled by a child!
The little girl had simply gone to get the flowers!
Lena smiled, her impression of Tiamat improving. “Good girl, come here~”
Tiamat ran across the street, about to reach Lena.
“Where did this brat come from, get lost!”
Coleman kicked Tiamat, sending her flying.
“Don’t block Prince Red’s path! The empire feeds and clothes you, and you dare try to extort us?!”
