Chapter 20: ~Choosing clothes.~ (2/2)

Hooh...? I could get used to having my hair like that. It's out of the way and i don't have to cut it. And the hair needle could have ~other~ uses.

Anyway. Those copper mirrors distort the image and the colours. So it's always good to have a second opinion. When I am done I look at Ascathon. “Stand up. How do I look.”

“Why? You look fine. Like a real ~sugar cat~.” His expression becomes lecherous but he quickly follows my order when I start to smile.

“~Stand still. I have to test this dress.~”

*Swish*

I place a perfect Mawashi geri at the point where his head had been a second ago. But I strike just air because he ducked away at the last moment. It all happened in a split second.

“Ohoho... You got faster ~honey bear.~”

“I already expected violence ~sugar cat~. Please don't use lethal force next time. If I hadn't dodged my head would have popped like a melon.” He straightens his jacket.

“Of course I would have stopped. I would never harm the provider for the family.” Maybe..... But a little bump on your head would have been a suitable punishment for that creepy grin of yours.

Then I look at the saleswoman who turned pale at our exchange. Or was it my usage of the expensive dress? “I will take it. My honey will pay.” I snap the fan in front of my grinning face and leave the room.

The store is subdivided in different compartments. There is the one for festivities which I was in. Then there are other doors which lead to different ones. All are connected by a central sales area.

I take a look out of the window and watch the snow-storm. What a depressing country. I wish there would be more sunny days.

A minute later Ascathon joins me while mumbling to himself. “I don't understand why a piece of cloth is that expensive.”

He walks towards the exit and I quickly catch up and link arms with him. “Don't forget to cast environmental protection honey.”

“Hahah... I would never forget that.” He grabs the handle of the door and leads me outside while a blue shimmering bubble encloses us to form a shield against the snowstorm and the cold.

I wouldn't really need it because of my new skill. It's a perfect protection against any harm. But my dress would suffer without Ascathon's help.

We silently walk down the streets of the biggest seaport of the continent. Fellmar is known for it's size and the amount of ships which are coming and going.

It was chosen by the Jarl because the journey to this city is the easiest for most nobles. He wants to create good relationships with other nations after all.

“When will you start to introduce the new techniques and greenhouses to your principality by the way? I am of the opinion that we should move faster.” I strike a conversation with him to kill time.

“You think? I thought of changing everything slowly and little by little to draw as little attention as possible.” He grabs my hand and interfolds his fingers with mine. I guess that's meant to be an intimate gesture?

I smile and draw closer. “But the more time others have to get aware of the new techniques and machines, the more attention our principality will get. They hear about a new machine. So they will take a closer look. Then they see the lenient ruling. So they will sent the inquisition of the Academy. Then they find even more strange things. Maybe they will want to take a look at the source of all those new things.” I take a deep breath.

“All our changes and laws shouldn't draw any attention by themselves. But all the new techniques together with all those changes on how our normal population is treated will surely activate some red lights in their heads. News travel slow in this world if they aren't carried by nobles or merchants.” We start closing in on a big shimmering palace. The Jarl hasn't feared any cost to make the Ball of Fellmar a spectacle.

“So I think it would be nice if we wouldn't have to worry about a hypothetical inspector if he turns up in two years from now.” I end my train of thoughts and Ascathon starts to hum in thoughts.

Then he shrugs his shoulders. “It's a nice opinion. The question is if we really have that much time until an investigation starts. Or if we just trigger it earlier by following such a path.”

“That's why we have to control the trigger.” I start to grin.

“Controlling the trigger!?” Ascathon arches an eyebrow while thinking about my words.

“Do you think the Jarl would be willing to grant you a little more freedom and a little protection in exchange for your intelligence about the Phenex Empire? A war is coming and your principality could be a decisive factor in the coming war if left alone.” I snuggle a little closer once more. “And a war can be long and gruesome.”

Ascathon starts to grin while we approach the big entrance door to the Ball of Fellmar.

“And who knows? In the end? Maybe they will find out that the puppy which was left off the leash can't be controlled any more?”

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