SMITTEN

"Are you certain that we are doing the right thing, my lady? You should be in the Athenaeum with Master Aurelius. We only have four days left before your wedding!" Rosalia lifted her chin in feign courage as she walked towards the Gatekeepers of the Castle.

Aisha formed her hand into a steeple and nodded her head.

Aisha was wearing a cape over her face and pretended that she was sick of a skin disease that needed the treatment of a physician outside the Castle.

"I already know the lessons by heart. I just need to find out about those crops. Then we'll be back," Aisha whispered to Rosalia in defense of her reckless move.

Fortunately, Rosalia was so deeply loyal to her that she nodded her head in agreement.

Rosalia went to the Gatekeeper and pretended to be a concerned friend who was worried sick of her condition..

"She needed a physician who is an expert in skin diseases, sirs. I know someone from outside the Castle," Rosalia explained as she lifted Aisha's arm.

Fortunately, Aisha knew how to do stage makeup. She has done this trick before to her butler, and she was able to slip through his fingers.

However, the Gatekeeper who was in charge seemed to be extra cautious.

"Please remove your cape, my lady," he ordered, making Aisha sweat profusely.

Her footsteps dragged back. Would she just go back now? Maybe she's just making a mistake.

"My lady?" The Gatekeeper reiterated.

His agile movements showed that he was getting suspicious of her.

"Sh*t, what should I do?" Aisha cursed as her trembling hands unconsciously removed her cape in a slow manner.

Just then, a brilliant thought came to her mind.

She coughed violently, even coughing at the Gatekeeper's face, making him wince and move away.

His face scowled as his hands swept the air.

"Forgive us, my lord. She really needs to be treated right now," Rosalia pleaded as she covered Aisha back in her cape securely.

"Open the hatches!" The Gatekeeper immediately commanded the servant who was in charge.

Aisha continued her fake coughing mode until they were out of the Castle.

As soon as the coast was clear, Aisha removed her cape from her face and wiped her sweat with her sleeves.

"Whew! That was close," Aisha breathed out as she inhaled a lungful of air.

The clear blue sky seemed to welcome her with a smile.

It was her second time to be out of the Castle. But this time, she was not afraid. She has a friend beside her.

"You performed well, my lady," Rosalia commented to her.

"I know, right. It's really my dream to be an actress. I model for some companies, so the entertainment industries would notice me," she blabbed on.

But seeing Rosalia's confused expression, she just said, "Never mind, high five!" She lifted her hand in the air and expected her to give her one.

Rosalia lifted her hand, but it's not to give her a high-five. She put it behind her head to scratch it. She seemed to have no idea what Aisha was talking about.

Aisha chuckled as she saw Rosalia's reaction. She drew in a deep breath as she recalled her old world where high-fives were just normal, making her suddenly miss it.

But it was only for a fraction of a second. She has a goal in mind.

With Rosalia's help, they were immediately at Market Town. Her honey eyes widened in excitement as she scanned every store in search of possible crops that are familiar to her.

She has already searched the kitchen, the storerooms, and the granary.

But none of them looks familiar to her. This is the reason why she decided to go to the public market, even though it is outside the Castle.

To her dismay, they were just the same as the crops in the Castle.

Her shoulders hunched as she let out a heavy sigh.

Her heart was torn if they would just go back, or she would still keep on looking.

"I think the King will be glad if he would learn of your efforts, my lady," Rosalia cheered her on.

"He is blessed to have a wife that loves him dearly," she added, making Aisha's eyes widened in surprise.

"Loves him? I don't think so. I'm just really a helpful person, you know," Aisha quickly defended her actions.

Rosalia's lips pressed as she suppressed a smile, "Yes, my lady. Any helpful person would risk her life like this just to help someone."

She seemed to be teasing her, making Aisha flare up. But she was also laughing with her, "Of course, he's not just someone. He is the King!"

Though deep inside, she was already doubting herself. She knew it was just easy for her to fall in love even then.

But she didn't want that feeling right now. She didn't want the feeling of being betrayed again.

As she was contemplating her feelings for King Leandro, Rosalia asked her a favor.

"If you don't mind, my lady, I wish to buy something here, too," she grinned awkwardly. "I haven't been here in quite some time."

Aisha recalled how she looked downcast recently. She wanted to cheer her up somehow.

Aisha pulled Rosalia into a side hug, surprising her female assistant.

But this time Rosalia wasn't as uncomfortable with Aisha as the first time that they met.

"Sure! Take your time! Maybe let's just meet at that post over there after an hour?"

"You are very gracious, my lady," Rosalia bowed down with a smile of gratitude on her face. "I will be back in less than an hour."

Rosalia quickly turned around and sprinted away. She was in a hurry, so she could get back at once.

"Well, maybe I really am meant to find what I'm looking for. I just need to keep looking," Aisha resolved to herself as she skipped to another store.

As she was checking out the products, a Gaean woman appeared and approached her side.

"I know where to find what you're looking for," she whispered to Aisha, making Aisha glanced quickly at her.

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Winners are people who never fail,

But people who never quit.