“What are you babbling about? I can’t understand a word you’re saying!”
It was obvious that Andrea couldn’t grasp Ailaira’s teasing, so modern in its tone, but she could hear the mockery clear as day. Instantly, she brandished her small pink fist at Ailaira, ready for a fight: “I’ll have you know, I’m not who I used to be! Do you dare to fight me one-on-one, no magic allowed, a fair match?”
“Miss Red Dragon, you sure have a profound understanding of what ‘fair match’ means. Maybe Jody should give you a refresher on language lessons?”
Ailaira calmly rose from the bath, showing herself openly in front of Andrea.
Meeting the naked Ailaira head-on, Andrea’s cheeks suddenly flushed red. She turned her head to dodge Ailaira’s gaze, but her eyes couldn’t help stealing glances at her.
“You’re blushing. Is being easily embarrassed also a Red Dragon trait?”
“It’s the heat! Who would blush just from seeing your naked body, you perverted exhibitionist!”
Ignoring Andrea’s unwitting confession, Ailaira turned and left the bathroom.
Before leaving, she leaned against the doorframe, back to Andrea, lifting her long hair to reveal a back as pure as blank paper, as if hinting at something: “I’m waiting for that day you mentioned, but before that—”
“Hurry up and finish being embarrassed. We have to go.”
Seeing how lightly Ailaira brushed off her own ambitions, Andrea, holding her breath, sank down to the bottom of the bath.
Her heartbeat pounded louder and louder in her ears. She wanted to tell herself this was all because of Ailaira, but for some reason, that figure lingered in her mind.
Like a scene spliced from a film reel, Andrea subconsciously matched it to the morning. If she had opened her eyes to see that Ailaira, instead of the properly dressed one, how would she have felt then?
“Hmph, what a mind-bending witch!”
At the Chapel’s gate, Jody had been waiting for a long time, gently soothing the hoof-stamping horse. Hearing movement at the main entrance behind her, she turned around to see her mistress and her mistress’s “attachment” approaching at a measured pace.
Unlike Ailaira’s graceful bearing, Andrea looked more like a duck learning to walk, the luxurious Ball Gown making her look awkward and out of place.
Ailaira cast her a glance, closed her eyes with distaste, as if seeing someone far away in the Royal Capital through Andrea.
Decisively, she chose to avoid what annoyed her, quickening her steps and getting into the carriage first.
Andrea couldn’t catch up; the High Heels on her feet bound her movements, and she could only stumble forward.
After finally reaching the carriage, Andrea seemed to notice something odd about Ailaira. She whispered to Jody beside her, “What’s wrong with her?”
The perceptive maid, understanding her mistress’s mood, glanced through the carriage window at the resting Ailaira and immediately understood: “I suppose Miss is thinking of her younger sister. When Miss Vista Green first learned social etiquette, she was even worse than you are now, Miss Andrea.”
“This meant Miss Ailaira had to master two sets of etiquette herself, so she could correct Miss Vista Green’s behavior at any time when they went out.”
Andrea cocked her head in partial confusion, but after a brief hesitation, she didn’t enter the carriage. Instead, she grabbed her dress and sat next to Jody, who was driving.
Jody immediately tried to urge her back into the carriage, but Andrea waved her hand, unconcerned: “It’s fine. I’d just annoy her if I went in anyway.”
“Besides, can you tell me more about what I need to watch out for on the way? It’s my first time at a human… Why are you looking at me like that!”
At that moment, Jody’s face was filled with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears about to fall.
She grabbed Andrea’s hands in excitement: “I understand! Miss Andrea, you’ve finally grown up. You know not to embarrass Miss when you’re out!”
Andrea bristled at once, pushing Jody’s face away and shouting, “Who said it’s for her! I’m doing this for myself, you hear! As a Red Dragon, my pride won’t allow me to lose my dignity in front of humans! It has nothing to do with Ailaira!”
“I understand, I understand. As Miss would say, you’re just saying one thing but doing another, Miss Andrea.”
“What nonsense are you spouting!”
A loud noise came from inside the carriage, as if someone had been woken and kicked hard, making the two fall silent and start whispering instead.
The carriage rolled smoothly forward, entering the Inner City. The largest estate ahead was their destination.
The spacious courtyard was filled with all kinds of rare flowers and plants, and Magic Circles were buried in the earth.
Even in the chill of impending winter, the whole garden stayed as warm as spring. This garden alone was as big as two whole Green Family estates.
From afar, they could see various carriages parked at the Chapel’s main gate, maids in uniform lined up to welcome the arriving guests. This high-class gathering overwhelmed Andrea, a country bumpkin from the sticks. She had thought Ailaira’s home was already big enough, but there were even more impressive places!
“This courtyard is big enough for my dragon form to roll around! How rich is the owner here?”
Jody, holding the carriage reins, explained to Andrea: “Actually, there’s no owner. No one in this city has a noble title big enough to claim this estate.”
“The entire property belongs to the Royal Family of the Kingdom, but it’s rented out to the United Guild, who use it to receive special guests or hold Banquets. If a private person wants to use it, they can apply to the United Guild and pay rent—it’s about 1,000 gold coins per night.”
Andrea: “Can we even afford that?”
“Well… I don’t know exactly how much Miss has now, but based on her past finances, it’s safe to say she could live here for about ten years if she wanted.”
Only now did Andrea truly understand the scale of Ailaira’s wealth. She was still reeling from shock when Ailaira stepped down from the carriage. Andrea grabbed Ailaira’s arm, her eyes sparkling with greed, and couldn’t help asking, “Ailaira, just how rich are you?”
Ailaira did a rough calculation, drawing a circle in the air with her finger: “If I wanted, I could buy this whole city.”
“So, keep your spirits up.”
Ailaira took Andrea’s arm, letting her hold onto hers. She adjusted the bow on Andrea’s chest, gently smoothed her waist, and made her stand tall.
Only then did she lead her through the main doors. As all eyes turned to them, Ailaira said calmly,
“You don’t need to care about anyone else here.”
“As long as you stand by my side, I’m the only one you need to rely on.”
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