Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Our eyes met
Since Diana eventually felt good after eating a few sweets, she comes walking happily into her room and slumps on the sofa with Eva following behind as she carried Diana's sweets.
Eva placed the sweets on the table and Diana immediately grabbed one as she suddenly remembered something, "Ah! Eva, do I have any schedules for the upcoming days?"
"There's none, Lady Diana."
"Is that so..."
"But knights and special forces would be coming here a week from now," Eva said as she pours tea in front of Diana.
"Really? Why?" Diana said with an uninterested look.
"Well, the higher-ups are assuming that there'll be another war therefore the King ordered Duke Erwin to begin preparations and training once again at his orders."
"My father's just the Grand Duke... why is he getting involved?"
Eva gave Diana a perplexed look and answered in a confusing way, "... Lady Diana... he may be the Grand Duke but he's also the highest general here at Northlyn..."
Diana's eyes widened from the shocking news she just heard that made Eva feel more confused with her reaction.
Damn... He's also a General? Then I'm actually filthy rich?
Diana scoffs with the thought when she suddenly noticed Eva's confused look at a glance. Diana immediately knew the reason as to why Eva felt puzzled hence she responded with a smile, "There's a reason for my reaction but I couldn't tell you right now. I'll tell you eventually but for now, I hope you would abide by my conditions."
Eva swiftly composed herself back and answered back with full of trust, "Of course I would."
Diana helplessly smiles as she changed the subject, "By the way, prepare two horses, we'll be visiting Jonathan."
"Horses? What about the guards...?"
"No... they're a hassle besides I'll just be talking business with him. It wouldn't take much time," Diana said as she searched for clothes in her dressing room.
"I will prepare it immediately," Eva said and exited the room.
After a few moments of travel, Diana and Eva have arrived at Jonathan's store and to their surprise, the store was surprisingly sparkling with cleanliness. The outside of the store remained unchanged but inside the store, it felt cozy and refreshing.
Diana gazed at every corner of the room until Jonathan comes in and said, "How is it? It's not bad, isn't it?"
"It's quite pleasing to the eyes..."
"I'm planning to open the store again and take in some orders. I'm sure you're here to help me, right?" Jonathan said as he smirked at her with full of confidence and determination. He was certain that Diana was up to something.
Diana was amazed by his predictions and helplessly smiled, "Well, it's somewhere along the lines but how did you know?"
"I've just known you for a few days but I felt like I've known you for years... is that reason acceptable?"
Diana chuckled at his response and went straight to the point, "I'm planning to open up a business with you and I have designs for you that would surely sell, would you like to accept my offer?"
"Do you even have to ask? Let me see the designs." Jonathan happily said as he took the designs that Diana was holding.
Since she was living in some kind of historical dimension, Diana thought that it would be too much of a culture shock if she sells clothes that were too modern or futuristic. And even if she did, she was certain that it wouldn't make sales and impact since it may look weird in their eyes.
"Those designs are simple, they're not too fancy or old-fashioned. I actually would like to sell clothes such as the dress that I wore the other day but it would be too much for a start."
"That's right... These designs are perfect since people here are kind of picky. Based on the designs, are the commoners our target?"
"Yes. Our best target customers would be people from the town. They are the ones who will publicize our store and product which will be no doubt reach the nobles' interest. But of course, our ultimate goal here is for them to love our clothes."
"Wow... that's true... People are usually talkative when things are good..."
Heh. It's just basic advertising. With my knowledge from modern times, I think I'm gonna be a billionaire.
Suddenly, Diana remembered something, "By the way, I want these designs to be done in a week," Diana hands over Jonathan a booklet.
"And what're these weird clothes?" Jonathan asked as he flipped a page.
"They're not weird. It's just a simple shirt and shorts that are usually used indoors."
Jonathan's eyes widened as he faced Diana, "What? These are actually wearable?! It looks like undergarments with weird designs!!"
"I told you they're not weird! Anyway, I won't be giving you any materials since I'm saving money for our business. I'm sure they're cheap and are easy to find."
Jonathan didn't respond as he stared at the designs with doubt. Diana noticed his expression and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Sure... the materials are cheap and easy to find except for one material. Cotton."
"Why?" Diana asked in confusion. Since it was just cotton, Diana was certain that it could be found in a few markets.
"We do have cotton here at Northlyn but no one sells cotton here except at Shehar town."
"Then let's buy it there. Is it a bit far away?"
"That's not the problem. Don't you know? People fear entering that town since no one comes back. It's also known as the lifeless town because nothing can be heard from the other side especially when the town is ruled by the dreadful prince."
"Prince...?"
"You seriously don't know a thing do you?" Jonathan asked in suspicion.
"Oh... well, I've had memory loss during the past month," Diana lied as she half-heartedly laughed, "Does that mean, you can't make it?"
"Well... I'll do what I can. I suppose I still have some connections that I could ask for."
Diana was delighted with his response and talked about further details for their business for a few hours until the sun finally sets.
"Alright then! That settles it!" Jonathan excitedly said as he stretched his arms.
"I'll be going then. I'll just send someone for the updates and maybe next week, you can visit the place."
Jonathan nodded as a reply but then he remembered what happened last night, "By the way, are you ok? last night...
Diana was surprised and it made her remember the horrifying things but she gives Jonathan a smile to not let him worry, "Yeah, I'm fine... it was just a scratch."
"... I see... then, I'll see you next time," Jonathan said and waved goodbye at Diana.
As they rode their horses along the way, Diana caught the attention of the surroundings as each lantern gets lightened up one at a time. People happily wandered and kids were playing around. It was her first time seeing the town at night and was amazed by it as it felt like a festival.
"Is it always like this at night?" Diana said as she gazed at the stalls.
"Yes, but there are more people now than usual since a celebration is coming up."
"Is that so..."
"... Lady Diana, do you want to have a look around as we go our way?" Eva asked since she's been noticing Diana's astonished look.
Diana's eyes sparkled as she excitedly nodded her head and thus they slowed down as they admired everything that was at their sights.
She absorbed everything she saw for a few moments until her eyes landed on someone familiar who was just a few meters away. As they got a bit closer, she quivered in fear and stopped at her track.
Eva was confused with her action and took a glance at her expression. She noticed that she was looking at something and followed her eyesight. To her surprise, it was someone that Eva knew.
Even though the familiar man was in disguise with his black cloak and hood, Diana had no doubt that he was the one she met in the garden. The one who tried to kill her.
Diana looked composed yet was actually already trembling in fear. She slowly goes forward, assuming that she won't be recognized and remembered. She passed him by with her head down until she got far away from him.
"Let's go... I want to take a rest..." Diana told Eva as her hands trembled.
Our eyes met!!
The next morning, Diana wakes up with bags under her eyes. She didn't sleep well enough as she thought about the dangerous man with who she met eyes. It was so vivid that she was afraid that it would be an unforgettable memory.
Diana shakes up the thought and headed towards Eric's room with some sort of handmade device on her hand which she made during the middle of the night.
She bangs the door open to see Eric half-naked. Eric was startled and instinctively covered his upper body with clothing on his hand while Diana remained unfazed, in fact, she didn't care.
"... What the hell are you doing?! Barging into a man's room?"
"Man? Where?" Diana said with a smirk that was clearly heard.
"Nonsense! Don't just barge in like that! What if I was actually fully naked?!" Eric yelled as he puts on his upper clothing.
"Whatever... come with me."
Eric was getting pissed with Diana's commanding voice and annoyingly talked back, "Why should I? Didn't you-"
"One more question and I'll beat you up," Diana swiftly interrupted him with her domineering aura which made him silently follow her with no other choice.
Eric followed Diana to her room and showed him a bunch of stuff that was covered in a cloth.
"Uh... what were we going to do?" Eric asked in confusion as he scanned the weird stuff on the floor.
Diana grinned from ear to ear and wickedly said, "Pranks"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone