Chapter 7
Leaving the residential area and stepping into the busy streets, the crowd gradually grew larger.
Once they entered the market, the people were so numerous that it was easy to lose sight of one another.
“Come on! Come on! Let’s go shopping! I’ll get everything at a super reasonable price!”
“No, I just need to buy the essentials…”
“Just trust me!”
Sigh…
Seeing her friend already so excited before they had even started made Selina feel an overwhelming fatigue.
“So, what do you need to buy?”
“Um… paper and writing supplies?”
They needed stationery for use at the academy and basic items like clothes for the dormitory or weekends.
Selina had suggested just bringing what she had at home, but Mie had said…
“Hey! While we’re at it, buy some new clothes! You’re wearing your aunt’s hand-me-downs! You can’t be wearing 30s–40s clothes at your age!”
There was no way to argue with that.
Since Selina’s figure had started to resemble Stella’s, she hadn’t personally bought clothes and had just inherited all of hers.
She wasn’t particularly interested in fashion, but the bigger reason was that she had to pose as Madam Stella.
No one could discover that the real Madam had been replaced, so she had to wear Stella’s clothes to maintain the disguise.
“We got the essentials! Now let’s go buy clothes!”
Having bought the basics quickly and at good prices, Mie’s eyes sparkled as she led Selina into the fashion district.
“Hmm… what do you need? Let’s see… two dresses, a skirt, a blouse… oh! And some comfortable shoes!”
“There are plenty at home…”
“No! You want to avoid being ridiculed at the academy, right? Kids these days are so sensitive about trends. If you dress like you always do, you’ll be a laughingstock.”
“Mie, you don’t understand. People aren’t paying that much attention to me.”
“Hmph! That’s just adults. Once you get to the academy, it’ll be different. Kids nowadays are sharp. You’ve only been around nice people like me, so you probably don’t know.”
“Y-yeah, yeah.”
Mie dragged the reluctant Selina into a clothing store.
It wasn’t an expensive store frequented by nobles, but it was well-known and relatively pricey for commoners.
“Welcome! Whose clothes are you looking for today?”
“We’re looking for clothes for me and my friend.”
“I see. Please, follow me.”
Following the clerk, they were led to the section for teenage girls’ clothing.
“Are you looking for any particular design?”
“No, I’ll just look around.”
“Very well. If you need anything, please let me know.”
The clerk stepped back to avoid disturbing them. Seeing this, Mie let out a quiet squeal.
“Kyaa! Aren’t these clothes just too pretty?”
“…Too bright.”
“You just always wear dull clothes. Bright colors suit you too.”
Mie began scanning the clothes like a hawk, selecting pieces for herself and Selina, then showing them to Selina one by one.
“Hmm… take off your hat for a moment. I can’t see your face, so I don’t know what fits.”
“…I’d rather not.”
“You’re doing it because of ‘that,’ right? Don’t worry. If anyone’s rude here, I’ll handle it. Just take it off.”
Reassured by Mie’s words, Selina smiled softly and carefully removed her hat.
As expected, the atmosphere around them subtly shifted.
“Hmm… everything looks good on you. Hard to choose.”
“Just pick something simple.”
“Then… how about these two?”
Mie held up a pale yellow dress, perfect for the coming spring, and a light purple dress that matched Selina’s violet eyes.
The colors weren’t flashy, but they were refined and elegant.
“These, please!”
Mie called the clerk over, who had initially guided them. Unlike her initial friendly smile, her lips were now stiff, her smile forced.
“Ah… did you call for me?”
“Yes, we’d like to take these two dresses. Um… Selina, since you’re tall, they may need minor alterations.”
“Really? I don’t know.”
“Will these fit my friend?”
“Well, since she’s tall, adding extra fabric at the hem would be better.”
“Hmm…”
Mie narrowed her eyes at the trembling clerk, assessing her carefully.
“I see. Then we should take accurate measurements.”
“Yes… yes, of course.”
“Please measure first. I’ll continue looking at clothes.”
“Eek!”
The clerk screamed involuntarily, trembling at the sight of Mie and Selina staring at her.
Realizing her mistake, she nervously guided Selina.
“P-please this way.”
Seeing how terrified the clerk was, Selina secretly sighed.
“Lift your arms for the measurements.”
Complying, Selina lifted her arms. Despite trembling, the clerk began measuring methodically.
As she bent slightly to measure Selina’s waist, Selina suddenly envisioned a scene in her mind:
It was a late, quiet hour. The moon was hidden by clouds, making the night even darker.
A clerk was walking alone down an empty alley, only to be suddenly kidnapped by a mysterious man and dragged into a more secluded area.
What unfolded next was too horrific to witness.
In just five seconds, Selina glimpsed the clerk’s dangerous future and frowned.
Her eyes were special, though not capable of seeing everyone’s fate in real-time. But occasionally, when imminent danger threatened someone, she could sense it—like now.
This clerk would likely be killed soon.
“Tsk.”
Selina clicked her tongue sharply. The clerk shivered, pale, realizing why Selina’s presence had caused such a reaction. She couldn’t reveal what Selina had seen.
“I-I’m sorry! I’ll finish quickly! Please forgive me…!”
“You know who I am, right?”
“Eek! N-no, I didn’t…”
“Then hide properly. Trembling like that makes it obvious even to the clueless.”
“M-Mistress! Please forgive me!”
The clerk now sobbed, bowing to the ground.
‘Mistress’—Selina was called a witch in this town.
Technically, Stella had been known as a witch, and as her daughter, Selina inherited the rumor. People considered the “Madam of the Hidden Moonlight” a prophet, while Stella had been called a witch for her divinations.
People reacted in three ways upon hearing “witch”: fear, indifference, or disdain.
Not knowing which reaction awaited, Selina always covered her hair and eyes when going out. Her hat was worn deliberately for this reason.
“You. What time do you usually finish work?”
“Huh?”
The clerk, still trembling on the floor, froze.
“What time do you get off?”
“Usually between ten and eleven.”
“Late.”
“Why do you ask…?”
The clerk raised her head slightly, saw Selina’s sharp violet eyes, and quickly lowered it again.
“I-I’m sorry…!”
“Enough apologies. Be careful for now.”
“Huh?”
“Some misfortune is coming. So get off work when the sun is high and avoid empty alleys.”
“Misfortune?”
“Yes. You get scared, but take my advice seriously. Many who ignored me ended badly.”
The clerk’s face went pale, nodding vigorously. Satisfied she understood, Selina lowered her arm and rejoined Mie.
“Done with the measurements?”
“Yes. But… you…”
Approaching Mie, Selina noticed more clothes hanging beside her—likely picked while she was being measured.
“I picked both mine and yours! From here to here is mine, the rest is yours.”
Checking Mie’s selections, Selina thought they were fine.
“I’m done. Do you need anything else?”
“No, this is enough.”
“Good. Let’s pay. Here!”
The clerks took Mie’s clothes to the counter, neatly folding each item.
“Ah, could you separate them? Also, my friend’s items may need alterations since she’s tall.”
“That will incur additional charges. Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll alter and deliver them to your home. Please provide your name and address.”
The clerk who had guided them before, now calmer, handed over a pen and paper. Selina scribbled the address and handed it back.
“Ah! Could you send mine with hers? Too many clothes to carry.”
“Yes, we’ll do that. Same address?”
“Yes, please.”
Mie had picked 5–6 items alone; carrying them would have been difficult.
“The total is 3 gold 40 silver. Would you like to pay separately?”
“Yes, please.”
The clerk calculated and each handed over the correct amount.
“Here’s your change.”
Mie accepted hers; Selina shook her head.
“It’s a tip. Handle the rest yourself.”
“What? Nearly 70 silver?”
Handing a tip equivalent to about 30% of the clothes’ cost left the surrounding staff visibly flustered.
