{Third Person}
The next morning ca with a different kind of energy.
After breakfast, Amara stood in her room, staring down at the small chest of money the King had given her. She opened it slowly, her fingers brushing over the neatly arranged notes and coins.
For a mont, she just looked at it. She didn’t know the exact value of anything here. Prices, worth, what was expensive or cheap—it was all unfamiliar.
But she couldn’t stand there forever, so she picked what felt right. Not too much. Not too little. Then, she tucked the money into her shoulder bag and closed the chest.
Next, she adjusted the strap and headed out. And just as she stepped into the living area, footsteps sounded outside, and the door opened.
"Amara!"
The princess walked in like a burst of sunlight, her outfit effortlessly stylish—light, fitted, and modern in a way that imdiately stood out even within the palace. It was simple, but it carried a kind of confidence that made it look expensive without trying.
Amara took it in briefly. ’She really knows how to dress.’
"Good morning," Elowen said brightly.
"Good morning," Amara replied.
Then Elowen’s eyes swept over her quickly. "You are ready."
Amara nodded.
"Did you get permission from Alex?" Elowen asked almost imdiately.
"Yes, I did. Yesterday. He consented to it."
"Good." Elowen smiled. Without hesitation, she reached out and took Amara’s hand. "Then we should leave before he finds out I’m here."
Amara blinked, slightly caught off guard as she was pulled along. "...You’re avoiding him?"
Elowen didn’t even try to deny it. "Of course."
"Why?"
Elowen glanced back at her with a small grin. "Because I don’t have the patience for his endless reminders today."
Amara couldn’t help it. She smiled inwardly. ’This sounds about right.’
She didn’t resist as Elowen led her out.
A carriage was already waiting outside. They got in, and it set off imdiately. The ride was short, just enough to reach the main palace grounds.
As soon as they arrived, Elowen stepped out first, still holding Amara’s hand, and guided her towards a sleek car waiting nearby. The engine was already running. They got into the passenger seats. As soon as the doors closed, the car began to move.
Elowen leaned back comfortably. "Our first stop is the clothing store."
Amara nodded, and then Elowen began speaking. She didn’t stop.
She spoke about the town, her friends, places Amara had to see, things she shouldn’t waste ti on, and even random little stories that sohow connected to nothing and everything at once.
Amara listened attentively at first, then quietly, she thought to herself, ’Does she ever get tired?’
Though she didn’t say it out loud, the thought lingered as she occasionally glanced at Elowen, who seed completely energized by her own voice.
By the ti they arrived, Amara was more than ready to step out.
The clothing store stood tall and elegant, its glass exterior reflecting the daylight. Inside, it was bright and spacious, with neatly arranged pieces that imdiately gave off a sense of quality.
The mont Elowen stepped in, the atmosphere shifted.
"Princess."
"Good morning, Your Highness."
Several people greeted her at once, their smiles appearing almost instantly as they approached. So bowed slightly, others simply greeted her warmly.
Elowen replied effortlessly, as if she was accustod to it, which she was. But then, Amara stepped in, and the focus shifted to sharp curiosity.
She sensed it instantly, as pairs of eyes lingered longer than others. A few whispers followed, quiet but noticeable. Fingers pointed—subtle, but not subtle enough.
Amara’s steps slowed just a little. Her grip on her bag tightened slightly. She didn’t like this at all.
Elowen noticed and turned slightly toward Amara, her voice lowering just enough. "Relax."
Amara looked at her.
"As long as I’m with you, no one will do anything to you," Elowen said simply,
There was no hesitation in her tone, just certainty. And sohow, that helped.
Elowen didn’t linger at the entrance for long. "Co," she said lightly, already moving deeper into the store. "We will start from here."
Amara followed, though her awareness hadn’t eased. The whispers hadn’t stopped; they had only grown quieter and more controlled. That sohow made it worse. Still, she kept her composure.
Elowen picked up a few pieces, glanced at them, then held one up against Amara with a thoughtful hum.
"This might work... no, wait." She shook her head and put it back. "Too safe."
Amara raised a brow. "Too safe?"
Elowen grinned. "You will see."
After a few more steps, she paused. "Stay here for a second. I want to check sothing."
Amara nodded and watched her slip away toward another section, her presence imdiately pulling so of the attention along with her.
Amara felt alone. She exhaled quietly and reached out to touch one of the fabrics on display. It was soft, finer than anything she had worn in a long ti.
"You shouldn’t touch that." The voice ca from her side.
Amara turned and saw a woman standing there, dressed in rich fabrics, her posture straight, her gaze sharp and unapologetically assessing.
Her eyes moved over Amara slowly from head to toe, then back again. "...It might get ruined," the woman added, her lips curving slightly—not quite a smile.
Amara withdrew her hand. Not wanting to cause trouble and be the centre of attention, she explained, "I was just looking."
"Looking?" the woman repeated, as if the word itself amused her. "Do humans usually co here to look?"
Amara didn’t answer imdiately. Around them, a few people had gone quiet, listening and watching.
Then the woman stepped a little closer, lowering her voice just enough to make it feel more personal. "Or are you planning to buy sothing with... what, exactly?"
Amara felt it then—the weight behind the insult. This wasn’t just about her; this was about what she represented. Human.
’Peace treaty or not, it didn’t an acceptance.’ She thought as her fingers curled slightly at her side. Before she could respond—
"Elowen."
The tone that cut in was light but firm, forcing everyone, including Amara, to turn towards the voice.
Elowen was already walking toward them, her expression easy, but her eyes... sharp. "What’s going on?" she asked, stopping beside Amara.
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