238 Visiting The Alchemist Shop (1)
Stepping out of the palace and breathing in the warmth of the sun, Agnes had already informed the Coachman to get the carriage ready like Anna had asked, but to Anna’s surprise after stepping out, two guards were waiting for her, including Becca and Agnes who stood beside the carriage.
“What is going on here?” Anna asked after stepping down from the stairs and taking little strides to stand in front of them. She doesn’t think she understands what’s happening here, and Becca was the first to explain things to her after noticing her unquestionable confusion.
“How can you forget that you’re getting married to royalty, Milady, you aren’t allowed to leave the palace without taking at least two guards with you.”
“Guards?” Well that was new.
Becca excitedly nodded before letting Anna mentally picture the scene herself, “Soon you’ll be referred to as Queen Annalise of Viscarrian, by then, you’ll have to have at least four carriages following you. Isn’t that amazing?”
Becca was trying to make her know her importance and how things have started to change for the better for her, but the thought of it made Anna uncomfortable as she dealt with her nails. She doesn’t need anyone following her about, she just wants to take a look around Viscarrian and then return back before evening.
“But I don’t–”
“His Highness will have our heads if we let you leave alone,” Becca caught in with that reminder, “so just do as we say, Agnes and I are accompanying you as well, I’ll show you the best places in Viscarrian and tell you a lot about it too.”
The carriage door suddenly opened in the middle of Becca’s persistent speech, revealing Gemma who had pushed the door open herself, and she waved at Anna, letting her know she was coming along as well.
.....
“Oh boy.” Anna muttered underneath her breath. A simple alone trip has turned into a family trip.
But now that she thought about it, it doesn’t sound bad.
“Alright then.” She agreed, knowing she won’t feel bored with having them around. The Coachman opened the carriage door for Anna to enter, Gemma was already seated, and Anna sat beside her.
Agnes and Becca followed suit while the two bodyguards stayed with the Coachman. Inside the carriage was incredibly fancy, and the neighing sound of the horse made them aware that the carriage is about to ride of.
“This is so exciting!” Becca exclaimed, she couldn’t remember the last time she stepped out of Viscarrian. And when she did, it was mainly to get stuff from their market district, and she had to return early too.
When they left the palace, the carriage rode them through the snowy path, and different unfamiliar people had stepped out of their homes. They appeared to be going somewhere and most of them were dressed lavishly, getting into their own fancy carriages.
Gemma peered out through the window, watching it herself, and Anna, out of curiosity joined her. She noticed the people they had passed would pause on what they were doing to look at their carriage, and it got to a point Anna was forced to look away.
Becca let out a simpering laugh due to how nervous Anna quickly got, “you don’t have to worry about them.” Becca reassured her, “trust me, they’re nicer than you think.”
“No no, I’m not thinking about that.” Anna shook her head, letting Becca know her body reaction was being misinterpreted.
“Then what troubles your mind? Truth be told, is there a day that goes by when you aren’t bothered about something?”
“That is not true.” Anna denied, “I am just wondering if they’ll accept me into their kingdom since I’m human. I haven’t interacted with any of them before, and won’t it be shocking that a human chose to marry a Demon?”
“None of the royalties interact with people who aren’t up to their standards, it’s not allowed, except if you’re a worker in the palace, or a maid.” Becca enunciated, releasing a sigh since she wasn’t a fan of such rules as well.
“Being born in a royal home is like welcoming you to the prison cell that was beautifully arranged for you, so you have nothing to do with the outside world. I heard His Highness Azazel was locked up for more than a hundred years so he wouldn’t interact with anyone. The difference was made to have a clear line.”
Becca told the story, and Anna looked out at the unfamiliar houses they kept passing.
“Does that explain why they never visit the palace?”
“Very much yes,” Becca asserted, “Lady Odette will never allow it. If the people have a problem they either tell it to the guards who relay it to his Highness, or send a letter to the councils, but the council will only respond if they think it’s necessary to be looked into.”
“So they pick out the ones they think are important?”
“Yes, they’re responsible for looking into the problems before relaying it to His Highness.”
“Wait, how do you even know all this?” Anna asked. She knew Becca enjoyed gossip but she was only interested in gossip if it interested her.
“Enzo told me.” She revealed while relaxing on her seat, “he’s closer to His Highness and the councils, so most times when I tend to run into him, I make him tell me stuff.”
“Aren’t things like that meant to be confidential?” Agnes finally butted in, still not sure how it made sense when affairs like that are meant to be secrets.
“Well, I have my ways.” She smiled guiltily, before looking at Anna with a pleading look.
“Please don’t tell His Highness I said this to you.”
Her sudden reaction made Anna blink twice, and she chuckled, “I didn’t plan to, I’m also interested in the affairs of the palace, just make sure to hint me on anything important when you’re told.”
“Won’t His Highness not like it?” Agnes asked, but Anna nodded her head truthfully, “he won’t, but I know His Highness is extremely busy, so I want to be aware of what he does, it’s possible I can be of help to him, no one can tell.”
“I completely agree.” Becca was in one with that idea.
The carriage continued to ride downtown, the sun was already starting to melt off the snow from the branches of trees, but Anna knew how deceiving the weather can be. It might even get snowier tonight, and she wanted to be in the comfort of her bed tonight, where it’ll be warm.
She looked out the window with Gemma, and outside the district. Anna saw a lot of people gathering against a building. They were all dressed in noble attires, meaning whatever was happening there only involved the influential ones.
“Stop the carriage.” She informed the Coachman who immediately halted at the sound of her voice, stopping the carriage at her orders.
“Huh? Why did you tell the Coachman to stop?” Agnes asked, and Anna’s face looked out the window again, “seems like something is happening there, I want to go see.”
Confused, Becca looked out the window, trying to understand what Anna was talking about, but after seeing the building, her eyes brightened.
“Oh! It’s that time of the year when the famous son of an alchemist visits Viscarrian to hold a small ceremony to exhibit his countless successes since he became an alchemist.”
“I see.” Anna hummed, “is it okay if I take a look?”
“I suppose, this shouldn’t be a problem since most higher Demons of great ranks are present, I don’t think Lady Odette will have a problem if she got to hear about it.”
“But is it safe?” Agnes questioned thoughtfully, “since Anna is human, I hope no one will have a problem–”
“You don’t have to worry,” Becca assured Agnes, “she’s the future wife of His Highness Roshan so no one can dare harm her. Even if they have bad intentions in mind, they’ll think twice before coming near her, but I doubt they’ll have a problem with her presence.”
Agnes was relieved after hearing things from Becca’s side, “okay then, but I’m coming with her.”
“We both are, and you’re safe too since you’re a human as well, we’ll just take a quick look and leave.”
After confirming everything for themselves, the Coachman opened the carriage door, and Becca along with the rest were the first to step out before Anna.
Due to the fanciness of their carriage, and its difference to that of other carriages, it was easy to tell that it came from royalty. All eyes swept their way, and Anna felt nervous for a few seconds, silence followed after that, not until one of the unfamiliar crowd uttered.
“Ah! Isn’t she the new bride of His Highness?”
“Make way for her to pass you delinquents!” Another stranger in the crowd yelled at them, and before Anna knew it, the path was instantly cleared for her to pass, to her surprise.
“Let’s go.” Becca pushed the stiff Anna forward a bit, and Anna began to move, holding Gemma’s hand as they walked side by side. Agnes and Becca followed behind.
“Milady thinks it’s best if you wait outside.” Becca said to the guards who were about to follow them. Anna was already uncomfortable as it is, and she didn’t need the presence of the guard to make Anna feel even more nervous.
“Why do you get to tell us that?” A guard said to her, and Becca frowned, “I was just thinking about grabbing some snacks for you guys, but since you decide to be stubborn–”
“Stubborn?” A guard interrupted her, “we were just asking a question, of course we’ll wait back, right?” The guard asked his fellow guard who hated how Becca always blackmail them with things like this.
“Fine.”
“Good.” She happily turned away and followed Anna into the alchemist building.
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