The Imperial Capital, Osloga—one of the most prosperous cities on the entire continent.
Even the outer district was bustling with people and traffic.
Lilian first returned to her small clinic.
Though called a “small clinic,” only the first floor served that function; the building itself was a compact three-story house.
It was a house purchased by Lilian’s parents.
To be honest, owning a house in the Imperial Capital was already quite an achievement.
Unfortunately, her parents passed away shortly after buying it.
As for selling the house to pay off debts—that was never something Lilian had considered.
Maybe it was a leftover mentality from her previous life, but Lilian believed having a place of her own was very important.
Besides, there were still some belongings of her parents in the house.
Although from the time she could remember in this life until their passing, only ten years had passed, Lilian remained deeply grateful for the love and care they gave her.
And in any case, this was the outer district.
No matter how expensive the house was, it certainly wasn’t worth 300 gold coins.
She unlocked the front door with a key and pushed it open, revealing a layer of dust covering the interior.
The last time she’d been here, she had just rushed in to grab something.
Lilian didn’t think it was worth cleaning at the time.
She figured the next time she returned would be when her contract ended.
She could tidy up then.
“Aileen, you don’t need to come in. I’ll just go up and grab something real quick.”
Leaving the little maid outside, Lilian climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The wooden steps creaked beneath her feet.
The second floor was where she made medicine, and the storeroom for her ingredients was also there.
After taking a quick inventory, she realized her stock was low.
She’d need to buy more herbs to last her the next month.
She pulled out 10 Glo silver coins from a chest.
That should be enough.
Lilian hadn’t even worked at the Count’s mansion for a full month yet, and her salary wouldn’t be paid until the middle of the next month.
For now, she’d have to cover the costs herself.
Coming back downstairs, she saw Aileen chatting with the elderly neighbor lady.
“Yes, the young lady is very kind to Lilian.”
“Mhm, mhm, we’re friends.”
“Of course I’ll take care of her.”
“Who are you taking care of?” Lilian walked over and greeted the old lady, “Good afternoon, Granny.”
Aileen showed an awkward smile and scratched her head, not saying anything.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. We were just happy to see you doing well at the Count’s estate. We neighbors were a little worried about you.”
“Oh, Count Cohen. You’re such a lucky girl.”
Back when Lilian still worked as a healer, her neighbors would often come to her for help.
Over time, they developed a decent relationship.
“By the way, Lilian, a nun from the Church came looking for you not long ago. Said she wanted you to treat someone.”
A nun from the Church?
What’s going on?
“But, in the last few days, a new doctor moved into the next street, so I told her to go find that one instead.”
That made sense.
The Imperial Capital never lacked professionals.
Once Lilian left, someone else would soon fill the gap.
After chatting a bit more, Lilian and Aileen said their goodbyes when they saw the hour growing late.
This time, they were mainly out to buy food and some daily necessities.
The carriage driver skillfully brought them to a commercial street.
The maids had always done their shopping here.
However, most of the time they came in the early morning, so Lilian and Aileen, both in maid uniforms and full of youthful energy, stood out quite a bit in the afternoon crowd.
Especially with how cute they looked—no wonder they drew a lot of attention.
Lilian wasn’t used to being stared at like this, so she urged Aileen to quickly follow the shopping list.
“Say, isn’t shopping something that should’ve been done in the morning? Why are we sent out in the afternoon like this?” Lilian asked.
“Seems like some guests are visiting tomorrow. Supplies at the estate have been running low lately, so they needed a bit extra…” Aileen answered her question.
The two of them continued to shop while chatting.
But Lilian couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Ever since she unlocked the [Flesh] sigil, Lilian’s senses had become much sharper.
Although the occasional glance from passersby wasn’t unusual, they would just look briefly and move on.
Still, Lilian had the distinct sense that someone was watching her.
Constantly.
Like a shadow, always there.
Wherever she and Aileen walked, that gaze followed, blatantly.
Were they being watched?
That didn’t make sense.
They hadn’t tried to hide anything when they got off the carriage.
The Count’s insignia was displayed prominently on the carriage.
Who would dare follow someone from Count Cohen’s estate?
“What’s wrong?” Aileen noticed Lilian’s unease and tilted her head.
“Someone’s watching us,” Lilian said as if casually chatting, her tone calm and natural.
“Well, that’s not surprising. You’re so cute, Lilian…”
Lilian pinched Aileen’s cheek.
From a distance, it looked like two playful maids messing around—anyone would smile seeing such a wholesome scene.
Taking the opportunity, Lilian glanced back.
She caught the corner of a black cloak disappearing from view, and with it, that oppressive stare vanished.
Turning back, she saw Aileen on the verge of tears, her cheeks pinched red, pouting and looking aggrieved.
And then the feeling returned.
They were being watched again.
Lilian smiled on the surface, but her voice was serious: “Just follow the shopping list and buy everything as planned. I’m going to step away for a bit.”
“Okay?” Aileen nodded, still a bit confused.
Waving her off, Lilian walked into a nearby shop.
Having lived in the capital for nearly four years and frequently shopping for herbs here, she was familiar with the area.
She knew all the shortcuts, side streets, and hidden corners like the back of her hand.
Judging by the black-cloaked person’s behavior, he clearly wasn’t skilled at tailing people.
No one trying to blend in would wear something so conspicuous.
He wasn’t agile either.
He couldn’t even react in time to Lilian’s very slow backward glance.
As for why she was going after him alone, despite the danger—
One reason was that Lilian wanted to seize the initiative.
The other was that this was a commercial district.
Any disturbance would immediately attract the attention of the city guards.
Plus, Lilian was armed.
The shopkeeper knew Lilian and greeted her as she entered.
She slipped out the back door into a narrow alley.
At the mouth of the alley, Lilian peered out.
Aileen was not far away, shopping just as instructed.
The black-cloaked figure stood in another alley’s entrance, his eyes fixed on Aileen’s back.
Lilian’s heart sank.
He was tailing them.
That particular shop required Aileen to buy quite a few things, giving Lilian enough time.
She navigated through the back alleys, winding around the block.
At last, the black-robed figure appeared ahead.
Drawing her knight’s longsword, Lilian quietly approached from behind.
She pressed the blade against his neck.
The black-cloaked figure raised his hands in surrender.
His arms were thin and pale, almost skeletal.
“I talk, you listen. Understand?”
With a twist of her wrist, the sharp blade sliced through the connection between his hood and cloak.
He nodded.