What was that?
"Oh, a butterfly."
Ett watched as the butterfly in her desk flew up and escaped through the window. She leaned on her chair, sipping lemon juice. These past few days, it felt like the people in this palace were rather too busy and quiet as still water. The people of the Empire are different; now and then, gossips fly to and fro, reaching people's ears and informing others of what's currently occurring.
Why isn't someone coming here yet? Aren't they being lax about this?
Right, shouldn't she go out and revisit the Imperial Capital? Ett was quite worried about Eru. For so long, she neglected her thinking this might be an everyday occurrence between the novel Ett and Eru. Ha, how naïve and careless was she? Akan is still doing her errands; she's not familiar with Ares either. She's still observing him. Should she order a mercenary from Cashim?
"Forget it."
She'll go directly to speak to him.
Grabbing her cloak, wig, and the vial that could change her eyes, Ett waited as the entire surroundings were enshrouded by the moon's light and left the palace traveling briskly to the Imperial City, straight to Isolet. As she passed, there were kids still sweeping the pavement, soldiers patrolling in a uniform pattern, and people still hanging out in taverns. He could hear their boisterous laughter a mile away.
Just as Mazi instructed when she came before, Ett went to the backdoor, showing her token to someone sitting beside the door. It must be a guard and smoothly guided to the highest floor.
"Chief, our one fine customer has arrived."
Fine? Ett twitched her lips. It feels praised and like she's a money maker ready to be squeezed to death.
"Finally! Alright, let her in."
"Yes." The man turned to her with a smile, "Please."
"…"
Why are these people so polite with a kid and feel like it's a regular occurrence? Strange.
Cashim was all smiles seeing her.
"Come sit. Do you want some cookies? My subordinate brought some after traveling through our neighboring Empire."
Ett shook his head, sitting opposite him.
"It's been so long since I've seen you."
Ett raised her eyes, "Hasn't it been just a short while?"
"It feels ages if I should say so myself."
You're already saying it yourself.
Cashim grinned, "How did I do?"
"How did you do?"
"Yes, haven't you heard my endeavor lately?"
Ende, "Oh."
So it's about that. Ett shrugged, "More or less, you did just fine."
"So it's not enough. Hm."
Cashim began to mull over.
Ett doesn't care about his pondering expression and directly told him her purpose, "Accompany me to Ostenian Duchy."
"Pardon?"
"You heard it."
"Ostenian... Why should I accompany you?"
"Name your price."
"Hey, do you have to view me like that?"
Cashim helplessly said. Although he loves money, this kid is too direct.
"You don't want?"
"I want. I want. When are we going?"
"Now."
Now...
As if Cashim thought of something he nodded, "So you knew there's a gathering in their place and came to me to escort you."
Ett covered her surprise with a slight frown before reverting back to her aloof face. For some reason she was pissed.
"Then you know the occasion?"
"Of course I know? Who do you think I am? I'm Cashim! I was just not interested to go. It's just some show of canaries in their cage."
Ett's eyes turned cold. Now she knew why she felt anger in her heart.
"They've been preparing these for a couple of months collecting some rare birds and so on just for this day. Really, as a noble I can't understand there hobby."
"Did it start?"
"Mm."
Ett looked at her dressed underneath her cloak.
Hmm, this should do. It's just a simple formal dress. It won't be too attention-grabbing and too lowly.
Cashim, on the other hand, seeing her dress grimaced. "You're going like that? Wouldn't they think you're insulting them?"
"..."
"Not good. You should dress a bit more extravagantly. How could you not know those nobles live in luxury and almost all the noble women swirl their dress filled with rubies and gems?"
She didn't know. It's just a coincidence.
"Let's get you a lovely evening dress first. Worry not; it won't take long. We'll be able to see it."
Yeah, I see the end of it.
"Do you have pieces of jewelry here?"
"What are you thinking? You look like you aren't qualified to attend."
Ett didn't move, "Do you?"
"...I do not. But Mazi might have one."
He was ordering one of his men. Not a while long, Mazi rushed into the room and handed a box of ladies' pieces of jewelry.
"My acquaintance owns a jewelry shop, although it isn't extravagant as the famous shop of the Imperial City, hoping the customer would find something to your liking."
She nodded, picking something suitable for her.
Glancing at a set of necklaces and an earring, she confidently said, "This blood of mine, wherever it goes, will always shine."
"I'm shooked, Young Lady."
There's additional confidence, okay? Even if she's in disguise, Ett's beautiful features can't be hard to conceal when she steps on stage. She has to bring it to the full extent.
They rode the carriage for about 20 minutes, but it took another 10 minutes to slow down the carriage. Cashim was keen enough to see her pale face and ordered the coachman to move slowly.
"Thank you."
Now I can say it because he doesn't know I'm Ett. Hoho.
"You're welcome~."
When they entered the ball, it was already nearing its end and the time for a change of scenery going to the main event. A guide led them to a different door, another hall with seats, and an attendant showed them their designated seats. The place was dimmer than Ett had imagined, and about a hundred nobles had appeared. Most of them were from the Noble Faction. She thoughtfully looks at Cashim.
"You joined the noble faction?"
Cashim grinned, raising two fingers. "2 golds."
"Pass."
"That's quick."
"…"
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! I'm sure you're eager to find out what lies ahead for you. "
The man must be the emcee, eh?
"We will now reveal the birds we collected for the major event. Who knows, maybe one of you will find it appealing. "
Ett twitched her lips. Of course, not only one of the nobles will find it appealing.
The curtains were drawn to the side, revealing one cage. It was a about 12 inches tall bird with green feathers on its back, wings, and tail. It has bright red feathers on the chest, with orange and yellow feathers on the sides of its trunk. It has deep blue feathers on its abdomen and head. It also has stripes of yellow among its green feathers. It has a bright red bill with grey legs and feet. Ett instantly recognizes it as the Rainbow Lorikeet.
"This is called Immanesce Bird. It was found in one of the woodlands of the Farus Empire, where they are only seen. They mostly forage on shrubs or trees' flowers to harvest nectar and eat fruits, seeds, and insects."
"To your fun's delight, you can bid at 20 gold!"
Ett's jaw dropped. That's too much! This rich people are wasting their money!"
100 gold is something that an average person living in Adiand felt could live well for a year or three! One copper is one cent. One silver coin is one dollar, and one gold equals 1,000.
"25!"
"27!"
"30!"
"31!"
"33!"
Ugh.
Ett closed her eyes, "Tell me when you see a bird that is 80-100 pan long, including his 55-pan-long tail. He is dark brown on the upper part of his body and lighter brown below, with red-brown markings on his throat. The tail feathers are dark brown above and silver-grey below."
Pan is a measurement equivalent to centimeters.
Cashim raised his brow in desbilief. It's his first time hearing her speak so long and for a bird that seems to preciously described well.
He nodded, "Alright. But how are you sure?"
Ett didn't answer. The truth will eventually come out.
Presently, she didn't see the Duke of the Ostenian Duchy. His wife and their children were present, but she couldn't catch a glimpse of the head. Maybe he was attending a while ago? Still, isn't this the main event, as they say? Ha, the grandeur of this place is not that far from the Imperial Palace. Although she didn't visit any noble's estates and whatnot, it was part of Akan's report before, and she had roughly estimated the materials and 'efforts' they've done as she passed by.
She tries to reminisce about what happened in the novel.
Ostenian Duchy didn't have that much exposure in the beginning chapters, and as it moves forth, there weren't any schemings other than mainly portraying the ML and FL. They were the median of every event. Ostenian, Ostenian, Ostenian…
They don't have that much profile in the novel. Since the lenses are currently set to a different perspective, Ett wasn't sure if the characters that used to be mobs, cannon-fodders, and mini-villains were the same. There are some of the reports that she found some subtle changes. If it affects the future, she doesn't know. For now, though, she's sure that the Ostenian Duchy is gathering more power, taking more lands, and concealing them in the different names of serfs while there are traces of transactions with the other Empire. Ett doesn't mind if their plotting stays within this Empire, but the novel makes no mention of this Duchy expanding its influence outside of this Empire.
They don't even deserve to be called mini-villains in the story.
No, she needs more thinking. Maybe she is wrong, and there are some parts that she can't remember. There's a need for Plan B.
"You're Lyre of Songs is here."
Lyre of Songs?
Ett opened her eyes and immediately became red.
"Everyone! This is the last and most desired, the rarest and most intelligent bird we had ever found, the untamed Lyre of Song! This bird has the purest blood and can understand people. If you tame him, not only for his wild beauty, you can use him not only as a pet, messenger but,"
The emcee smiled evilly at the audience as if it knew something. "A mole."
The crowd cheered.
"Not only that isn't the famous Croatan Empire love this kind of bird, and even the king has this."
"Say the price!"
"No, I'll buy it 500 golds!"
"550 golds!"
"600!"
On the stage, Eru was caged. Her wings were bound, and there was unmistakable cruelty on his body. There were traces of blood, she had missing claws, plucked feathers, and its strong legs had some skins of it torn off. Eru must have been fighting for his life. He looks frail and isn't well-fed.
As if he sensed her stare, his eyes slowly opened, revealing a dull light.
Crk…