5 The wealthy lady who spent money like water (1/2)

Elise stepped out of the palace and smiled when her face was hit with the fresh air from the outside. She hated the stuffy atmosphere of the noble gathering and the sickeningly disgusting masks they all put on. Those people would greet you as a friend or a brother in the morning and stab you in the back by the time the night fell.

She began to walk in the direction of the gate of the noble district until she got distracted by the rustling in the little bundle in her arms. Ashley's head poked out of the coat and looked at the woman carrying her and hesitantly opened her mouth.

”I never learnt how to be a noble, I can only read and write”

Elise gently gazed at the little girl and replied in a joking manner,”What a coincidence, I'm often told by my butler that outside of fighting I am not very good at being a noblewoman”. Her violet eyes flashed cheerfully with mirth and Ashley stared transfixed at the sight.

”Let's go to a tailor shop and get you several new dresses,” she continued. Ashley tried to see any trace of deception in her eyes but could not see anything. She could not understand why this fairy had picked her up and saved her.

”Why are you doing this?”, she finally cautiously asked. Elise seriously looked at the girl and saw the fear and reluctance in her eyes. Her chest tightened unconsciously, and she spoke, ”Promise me you will see me as a mother and no harm will ever come to you, this I swear.”Ashley was still slightly hesitant but nodded her head and decided to trust the lady who brought her away from her cage for now.

”I promise you mom”

Ring Ring

Elise stepped into the store listening to the chimes of the bells hanging on the door as it swung open. She tightly held Ashley's hand as they each looked around the store like a pair of lost ducklings. Elise rarely went shopping and her expertise lay mostly on picking our armour rather than the latest fashion trends. At this time she was suddenly missing her young maidservant who would often pick out clothes for her to wear.

”Hello dear customers, can I help you today?”, a young half elf girl approached the mother and daughter pair. She squealed in delight as she saw the little girl holding her mother's hand and hiding behind her skirt. The mother and daughter were both incredibly good looking and she could not wait to play dress up.

”Yes, I need several pairs of dresses and everyday clothes” Elise replied.

”Is there a price range that you have in mind?” the salesgirl asked curiously. Elise confidently reached into her dress pocket and held out a bag. She opened it and the flashing glint of gold appeared in store. ”Whatever she wants I'll buy it for her,” Elise spoke with no hesitation.

Ashley's eyes opened in shock as she had never seen so much money before. She quickly shook her head sideways and stepped behind Elise. Elise turned and looked down at her, ”Ashley when we left the palace you promise me to be your mother and as from this moment on, you are a member of house Blackwolf. It would throw away all the face of our house if our little princess was not as beautifully dressed as she looks”.

Elise was not good with children so her words were slightly awkward but she knew Ashley suffered from a low sense of self esteem. This bothered he quite a bit and she did not want her to remain that way. Ashley tightened her hand softly and reluctantly stepped out in front of her mom. The salesgirl clapped her hands wildly. ”Alright let me just take you off to try on a few new dresses!”, she took Ashley from Elise's hands and led her to the back room to try on some clothes.

Ashley looked back and Elise smiled at her, seemingly getting some confidence Ashley allowed herself to follow the salesgirl. Elise heard rustling coming from the back of the store and a few moments later the salesgirl and Ashley popped out.

”Alright mom here is dress number one”

Ashley was wearing a pink frilly dress with stars imprinted on the seams of the dress, her hair was tied into a simple ponytail with a red ribbon. Her overall appearance was of an adorable little doll and several customers in the shop could not help but glance over and sigh in amazement. Ashley nervous looked at Elise who did not say a word but fished out a gold coin from the bag and said,

”Buy it”

The salesgirl took Ashley to the back of the store to see the second dress, when she returned Elise's heart melted on the spot. Ashley was wearing a plain midnight black dress similar to the one she was wearing. When they stood together even though both clearly had different features the bond between mother and child was still present.

In the afternoon of the shop, a familiar pattern emerged from the wealthy tycoon visiting it.

”Alright here is dress number two”

”Buy it!”