Chapter 3. Market

Margaret Luton was having breakfast in the spacious main dining room, a space adorned with luxurious tapestries and antique furniture that highlighted the family's wealth. With an imperious gesture, she called Lisel to join her. Despite having had no sleep due to her nighttime escapade, Lisel felt strangely energetic.

—Sit down, let's have breakfast together —Margaret proposed with a casualness that failed to disguise her inherent authority.

Since her childhood, Lisel had dreaded these breakfasts.

Her father, then lucid, used to think they were moments to strengthen the bond between mother and daughter. But in reality, they were torturous for Lisel.

Any mistake, real or invented, was severely punished, and the constant criticisms of her appearance left her without appetite.

This morning was no different, but Lisel consoled herself by thinking about her recent audacity. An ace up her sleeve that the Marquise would never suspect.

—Tomorrow is the annual Royal Ball —Margaret commented, savoring her bread with blackberry and pear jam.

Lisel opted not to eat, aware of the consequences if she did. The Marquise, noticing her silence, stood up and placed her hands on Lisel's shoulders.

—I hope you meet the expectations. It has been difficult to achieve such a grand opportunity.

Lisel clenched her fists, containing her frustration.

—Yes —she replied barely audibly, and then felt Marquise's nails digging into her shoulders. She knew why.

— ...mother —Lisel whispered, and the grip loosened.

Lisel spent the rest of the day attending to the mansion's administrative matters, without the help of the maids. Then, Deysi burst into the room.

—Miss! Oh, God, I was so worried —exclaimed Deysi, closing the door behind her.

—I'm sorry I didn't come sooner.

Lisel smiled.

—Calm down, Deysi —she responded, grateful for her friend's concern.

Deysi had been the only one to support her nighttime escape plan, though she had been reluctant at first.

—You have no idea, miss, I couldn't sleep —confessed Deysi, visibly exhausted.

—The head maid assigned me countless tasks at dawn.

Deysi, two years older than Lisel, had become her principal maid and only friend within the mansion. She had started working for the Lutons at the age of eleven, shortly after losing her parents to a terrible flu epidemic that had devastated the territory.

The painful loss, similar to what Lisel had suffered years earlier, had quickly united them in a deep and sincere friendship.

Always kind and genuinely concerned for Lisel, Deysi had become much more than just a maid. She was a true friend and ally in a home where warmth and affection were nonexistent.

When the Marquise Margaret, in an act of control and disdain, ordered all the servants to stop attending to Lisel except one to maintain appearances, Deysi did not hesitate to volunteer.

Her unwavering loyalty and desire to stand by Lisel in difficult times demonstrated the strength and depth of their bond. In a world full of intrigues and loneliness, Deysi was a beacon of support and understanding for Lisel, something she treasured above all.

—Thank you for understanding me and helping me escape unnoticed, Deysi —she said warmly, her eyes reflecting gratitude.

—I know you've been worried about me. But everything has turned out well.

There was a tone of relief in her voice, mixed with a touch of excitement. The Royal Ball was just around the corner, an event that would mark a turning point in her plans.

—The Royal Ball is tomorrow —Lisel continued, her mind already tracing the details of what she had to do.

—We must go to the central market to pick up my order.

Castelar was the cradle of nobility, the residence of royalty, and the capital of the Kingdom of Castella. Castella was a peninsular country with centuries of history. Its vast territory stretched from the cold north, in the heights of snowy mountains, to the southern coasts.

The north, the only land passage to other territories, was protected by brave and loyal warriors, preventing barbarian invasions. Far from bellicose territories, Castelar's wealth as the capital of the Kingdom was not only due to its strategic position but also to its trade in fabrics and precious diamonds, highly prized in other lands.

Throughout its history, Castella had been ruled from Castelar by powerful and strategic kings. But the current monarch, Leopold Lanverd, had led the country into an economic crisis. And his son, the Crown Prince, Teodor Lanverd, threatened to be even worse.

His ascent to the throne could mean the total ruin of the entire country.

Lisel and Deysi strolled through the bustling center of Castelar's market, a mosaic of street vendors and elegant shops. As the voices of merchants and the sounds of the capital filled the air, Lisel felt overwhelmed by the effervescence of life around her.

—I'll be right back, miss —Deysi announced resolutely, receiving a heavy bag of gold coins from Lisel's hands.

—Be careful —Lisel urged with a slight note of concern in her voice.

It was impossible for her to pick up her order at the armory. If any curious onlookers saw her enter, inconvenient rumors would start.

Watching Deysi disappear into the crowd, Lisel wrapped herself in her thoughts, feeling a subtle unease. The plaza, a tapestry of colors and bustle, seemed to spin around her. As she waited, she reflected on the risks of her actions, aware of the possible repercussions.

Suddenly, a blow on her shoulder startled her, making her stagger.

—My apologies, beautiful lady —a young knight hurried to say.

His black uniform embroidered with gold threads reflected his position as a Golden Guard of Castelar. It was the highest rank among the knights responsible for maintaining order throughout the capital.

—No reason for concern —Lisel replied with distant courtesy.

The young man introduced himself as Kevin and tried to start a conversation, but Lisel's disinterest was evident.

Just then, a commotion erupted at a nearby stall. A merchant was shouting angrily as his exotic fruits spilled onto the ground. The Golden Guard knight excused himself and headed toward the tumult.

In the distance, an individual in a dark cloak, who had caused the commotion, watched Lisel while nibbling on a green apple. His gray eyes sparkled with penetrating curiosity.

Then, he walked away swiftly, disappearing into the crowd of shoppers.

Lisel, distinguishing the silhouette of the cloak in the distance, felt a shiver run down her spine. It was identical to the one worn by that mysterious man the previous night.

"How ridiculous," she mentally scolded herself, "it's just a cloak, there must be many like it," trying to dismiss the idea that it could be more than a coincidence.

However, something in the way that figure walked away, with a firm and determined stride, stirred in her an unsettling feeling, a nervousness she couldn't shake off.

—Miss Lisel, I'm back —Deysi announced with a smile, approaching her.

Her face radiated the relief of having completed her task.

—Let's go home.

—There's still one place I want to go —Lisel replied, pointing to a nearby bookstore with an ancient facade.

Upon entering, the librarian with clear eyes and graying hair greeted them with a welcoming smile, his face lighting up as he recognized Lisel.

—Miss Luton, it's been a long time. How have you been? —his voice was warm, mixing familiarity and respect.

After exchanging courtesies and light anecdotes, the man brightened up:

—I think I have the perfect book for you. Although, to be honest, there isn't another. I believe you've read everything else.

—Treatment and Stitching of Deep Wounds —Lisel read aloud when she saw the title. Her eyes shone with genuine interest.

—It's perfect —she affirmed with a sincere smile.

—I'm really concerned about your interest in these medical tasks since you were little —the librarian commented, a mix of admiration and concern in his tone.

—It's simple curiosity —she responded, maintaining her smile.

Although the librarian didn't seem entirely convinced, he returned the smile affectionately.

—Ah, and I also want some books on medicinal herbs —Lisel added, her curiosity further piqued.

—Herbalism? —the man adjusted his glasses, clearly surprised.

—I never thought you'd be interested in phytotherapy tasks.

The librarian, still puzzled, selected four voluminous books and briefly described them: one on remedies for colds and other cold symptoms, another exploring the use of plants to relieve muscle ailments, a third volume focusing on skin rejuvenation through herbs, and the last, which particularly caught Lisel's attention, dealt with poisons and antidotes.

—I'll take all four —Lisel declared decisively.

Upon returning to Luton Mansion, Lisel handed the books to Deysi with a precise instruction.

—Send these books to Lucas, and tell him to pay special attention to the one on poisons and antidotes.

Lucas, Deysi's younger brother, was a promising talent in studying the properties and medicinal applications of plants and their extracts.

He was studying at a renowned academy on therapeutic resources on the southern outskirts of Castelar, a place where the warm south met the sea. Since their parents' death, Deysi had worked tirelessly to finance Lucas's studies, who had shown an innate talent for herbalism.

Lisel shared with Deysi the significance of the choice of the fourth book, explaining the importance it had for her and the specific request she wanted to make to her brother this time. Although she did not know Lucas personally, she was confident in his ability.

The sleeping pills Lucas sent her, a product of his studies, were extraordinarily effective, relieving her own insomnia caused by the pressures of her life.

Deysi maintained regular and affectionate communication with her brother through letters she sent to the academy.

The maid always eagerly awaited responses from her beloved brother, filled with news and anecdotes about his studies as an herbalist. Her admiration and love for him were evident in every word she wrote and every story she shared with Lisel.

For Lisel, it was heartwarming to see how Deysi and Lucas, despite the distance, maintained such a close and loving relationship. This fraternal bond made her reflect on her own family, which, despite living under the same roof, lacked that warmth and closeness.

While they were in the privacy of Lisel's bedroom, Deysi handed her a silver box. Upon opening it, it revealed a fine, shiny blade, thin as paper, no larger than Lisel's index finger.

—Although it doesn't seem like it, this side is extremely sharp —Deysi explained, referring to the blade.

With just a slight touch, Lisel cut her finger. A single drop of blood fell to the floor, and Deysi hurried to find a cloth, alarmed.

—Miss, please be careful! —she exclaimed with concern.

—Deysi, it's perfect —Lisel smiled, admiring the blade and contemplating the possibilities it represented.

Night fell quickly, and Lisel found herself in her bedroom, with the thin metal blade in her hands. There was much at stake, and every detail had to be carefully considered. The blade, though small, represented a powerful tool in her struggle for freedom and justice.

As she pondered her plans, the gravity of the upcoming Royal Ball loomed large in her mind. It would be a pivotal moment, one where every move counted.

Lisel knew she had to be prepared for anything, and with Deysi's unwavering support, she felt a surge of determination. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Lisel was ready to face whatever came her way, armed with both her wits and her blade.

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