Running From The Prince

Chapter Fourteen

For the first time in over a month, Alex was finally allowed access out of the manor. On the day of the Ball, Jeffrey Silva had given her the instruction to go dress shopping in preparation for the event

Of course, she felt no joy or excitement for this particular trip, the reason being that her oldest brother was to go with her, plus there was also a total number of twelve highly trained guards tagging along on the trip. They set on the trip with three carriages, she sat stiffly across from Edwin in the middle carriage. The moment the carriage left the dense forest that surrounded the Silva Manor and made it into a more populated area she could feel the looks even without glancing out of the window

After all, it wasn't every day that royals visited the marketplaces. The town folks would whisper to themselves with immense curiosity and wonder which royal it was. The news had already spread around the kingdom about the Ball but not all common people knew the reason behind it

The Silver encrusted carriage finally pulled up in front of a big shop. It was two stories high and had a very decent appearance. Edwin came down from the carriage and she took that as a cue to follow. The fresh air was refreshing after having not had it for a very long time. Alex couldn't help but look around a little. The part where this shop was located was even different from the view she had seen from the town. Each shop stood independently and had a good enough space between them, the environment was clean and there wasn't a crowd like most markets she had seen. She decided that this place must be some sort of VIP section for royalty. Typical

" Try to pay attention" Edwin warned her when he saw how distracted she was. Alex looked back at him and nodded, their little army had already lined up around them as if to form a protective wall. She wondered if they were going to be following them around the whole time.

A man was already waiting outside the doors of the shop to welcome them. " It is an honor to have the Silva family visit our shop today. We hope we can be of utmost use to you"

Edwin simply gave a nod, he placed a hand on her waist and guided her into the shop, he also led her so she wouldn't bump into the few customers already inside. All eyes were on them as soon as they arrived, she could already see some women whispering. Alex realized earlier on that although all nobles had high standing in the society compared to normal citizens there were still vast differences in ranking. For example, her own family was only second to the royal family in the capital, so it meant that having a glimpse of a single member of the Silva family was enough to arouse excitement even among other nobles

It was also because the men in her family barely interacted in the social cycles of the nobles. From money to good looks, and power, the Silva family had it all. Too bad they were all so damn weird!

" We would like to purchase some dresses" Edwin's voice brought her out of thought. He was still holding her closely so when she looked up she was met with a handsome side profile of him. This brother of hers was not inferior in looks

" Of course, Master Edwin" The man addressing them was nonother than the owner of the shop himself. Of course, he couldn't risk having his secretary addressing such an important guest. It was already a blessing to have such a prominent family in his shop today. " Don't mind me asking but are you only shopping for the young madam?"

Edwin glances at the girl in his arms from the corner of his eyes and isn't too surprised to find her once more distracted. He sighs to himself and thinks that this must be the esult of getting locked in the manor for many weeks. He told his father not to be harsh in his punishment but the old man had always been hot blooded

" For now yes, for this reason, it shouldn't take too much time"

" Of course, please follow me"

The owner leads them upstairs where all the expensive and quality goods are kept. The place is wide and contains a variety of both male and female attires and assortments. " Is there a particular design you are particularly interested in Lady Silva?"

Both men watch the girl closely, it seems that she was taken aback by the question and can only stare blankly for several seconds. Honestly, Alex doesn't know anything about dresses, she is the same girl that had spent almost all her life in trousers and shorts, what the hell does she know about skirts and gowns?. But she quickly saves herself and mentions something Emilia always says to her when picking out her outfits for the day

" Something catchy, pleasant, and incredibly expensive. It shouldn't have to be easy to breathe in either My lady...I mean sir " she plays it off coolly when she catches Edwin shaking his head at her words

The owner laughs. He likes this young lady very much, if it was something expensive then he could surely bring out the most expensive dress in this store. Thankfully he knows that it would fit this amusing young girl perfectly

" Excellent choice! I have the perfect dress, please wait a moment" He walks off in a hurry to retrieve his most prized possession. Alex uses the opportunity to look around more, this place was top-notch

" Did you pick that line up from Emilia?" Edwin asked

Alex looks back at him with feigned confusion. " I don't know what you are talking about. This is just how I feel"

His lips curl up in amusement. This little sister of his was still a bad liar even after so long. For as far as he could remember his little sister has always hated fluffy dresses. She would often complain and whine about it to their father knowing just how weak the man was to her pleading. If she got her way Edwin thinks she would end up roaming around in her underwear

" Here is the dress!" Both siblings turn towards the middle-aged shop owner just as he pivoted towards them with a sky blue dress in his arms. " This dress is made of the finest material. There are only three of its kind ever made. The gems and diamonds used to decorate it are not just ordinary treasures, they were found in the deepest mountains of Swayn, you will not find another like this"

" We'll take it"

" Wait.." Alex immediately cuts him off. " This is..."

She glances back at the monstrous dress in horror. Although it did look expensive and had a stunning design this dress was too big. It stretched to the ground even as the shop owner tried his best to hold it all in his arms. She already found it difficult to walk about in normal-length dresses, not to talk about this one that would drag far behind her as she walked. She was just trying to be funny before, she doesn't want to wear this at all. She didn't think even Cinderella could pull this off

" What happened? Don't you like it" Edwin asked her with that amused smile on his face

" I do but.."

" Go try it out"

" But I don't want this, it's too expensive"

" You think we can't afford it?"

" No no no, I was just saying that..." She was cut off by Edwin's stern gaze. She should know by now that arguing with this ice block was a waste of time. She took the dress in defeat and followed the owner's direction to the changing room

The space was fairly large but the moment she put on the ball in the dress the whole place became suffocating. Alex doesn't even glance at the mirror before escaping out of the room. She was already heaving by the time she made it to where her brother was standing

" Edwin, I don't think I can wear this. What If I suffocate and die?"

Edwin dismisses her words and turns over to the shop owner. " It looks good. Package it up"

" Yes Master Edwin "

Edwin finally glances at his young sister. " Come choose assortments. Do you also want Something catchy, pleasant, and incredibly expensive ?"

" No no, a hairpin will do"

* * *

Edwin hands over the bags of purchased clothing to a servant when they step out of the shop. Their escorts are already waiting patiently for them outside and they were prepared to take off when they came out

Something suddenly catches Alex's eyes and she finds herself equaling before she can even think about it. " Edwin, Edwin look at a candy shop"

The brother glances over at the small stand a few distances away from his sister was pointing out. He even See's a group of children lined up there and he frowns in distaste. " What are you getting excited about? I can tell the cooks to make your snacks at home. Don't go eating street food like some commoner"

" But this one is different, I don't think the cooks can make it the way they do here. Let's just get one and be on our way"

" I do not recommend it"

" Edwin please"

" I.."

" Please!" She gives him her best puppy dog eyes. Who knows what got into Edwin today but he gave in to her pleading. Or maybe she had gotten good at pleading?

" Fine, but don't buy too much" He places money into her hands. " Be quick about it"

" I will, thank you" She walks off excitedly

Edwin settled in the carriage and gestured over to a guard. " Follow her"

Alex walks over to the sweet stand just as the last child strode off happily eating his purchased candy. The seller is startled when a well-dressed lady approaches his candy stand with a smile.

" I want to buy some sweetened apples please"

" Um..yes of course " He can tell by her clothes that she is not someone ordinary, also a big man was standing protectively behind her. The seller suddenly feels anxious and he hurries to deliver her order

A whistling sound startlstartlesall and out of nowhere, a man wheezes past them at such an incredible speed that all of them barely reacted. Alex stood stunned as the person passes right in front of her, he seemed to have glanced at her momentarily and she noticed his stormy blue eyes and dark hair, but the rest of his face was shielded by a mask and he was gone before she could even take a second look. A crowd followed behind the man and it seemed to be a case of a crowd chasing a thief, it was too bad said thief was too fast for them to catch

" Are you alright My Lady?" The guard sent to protect her asked, Alex, nodded and confirmed that she wasn't hurt

Her eyes glanced down and she noticed a piece of paper on the ground. She bent down to pick it up and unfolding it she found out it was some sort of flier. Only it was kind of scary. There was a drawing of a scull that had blood flowing from the two eye sockets. Below the scull was written in red paint Bloodbath Country

That sounded a bit too familiar

Could it be that it was the same place Zach was telling her about? Does it mean that such a place exists?

" Hey Mister, who was that man from before"

" No one knows his identity. He just shows up here and there in town and whenever he does someone happen to go missing, some town folks even believe that he is an assassin" the old man hisses in distaste " Such trouble"

Alex sighs. Of course, it is only her luck that this one person who could be on her way home was mysterious. Anyways, it was better to keep the flier in case it became useful sometime later

Alex pays for her sweets and goes back to the carriage. She makes sure to keep the flier safely in her purse