I didn’t want to witness another drama, so I quickened my pace. But thanks to my heightened senses and annoying curiosity, I still heard and ’saw’ what was happening.
The veiled woman ordered lunch first before turning toward the previously empty table.
"Lunch for three, be quick." I heard Carmine girl ordering the innkeeper in a bossy manner.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her staring at the veiled woman provocatively. She probably wanted to get back at yesterday’s ’failure’. What a petty person.
But what piqued my curiosity was the veiled woman. I wondered what she would do. She didn’t look the type to meddle in these kinds of dramas. But she didn’t look like an easygoing person either. You could easily tell it from her eyes.
And just like I expected, she didn’t even glance at Carmine, even though she was literally glaring at her. She just exhaled, as if expelling the nuisance from her awareness, before speaking in a voice like frost over glass.
"Excuse me?" Carmine scoffed as if it was directed at her, which was also true.
The veiled woman finally glanced at her. Her eyes flicked up and down in blatant appraisal before locking onto Carmine’s.
"I meant your predictable attempts at provocation. Honestly, for someone who claims to be a noble, you are acting like a beggar who is desperate for any scraps of attention. Wait, no, I apologize." She paused as if she had made a mistake. "Even beggars are better than you. At least they have something called dignity, which you seem completely devoid of."
She was really ruthless just now.
Look at Carmine, she was completely red already. I felt like she was barely holding herself from exploding.
"Tell me," But the woman continued, tilting her head in ’confusion’, "does your family know you are out here, making their disgrace even worse?"
Carmine’s lips parted, but no words came out. She was equally flabbergasted as the others in the room.
"Or maybe," the veiled woman mused, her voice colder and sharper than before, "that’s exactly why you are doing this. Because no one at home pays you real attention unless you are making a fool of yourself in public."
Carmine’s whole body trembled, her carefully maintained composure crackling away under pressure.
"If I were in your shoes, I’d spend less time picking fights with strangers and more time learning basic decorum. Though at this point, I am not sure even that would help."
"You could be using this energy to fix your mistakes, you know." The veiled woman cut in mercilessly. "Not on this. And, I advise you to grow up quickly. If you don’t want to ruin everything that is."
With that final blow, she turned away, as if Carmine ceased to exist for her. The entire inn held its breath as she took a few steps, her eyes scanning the room.
...Don’t look. Act normal...
I pretended to be engrossed in my meal, keeping my eyes firmly on the plate.
My posture remained relaxed. I also made sure to project an air of complete disinterest in the unfolding drama.
Yet I felt it - the precise moment her gaze landed on my table. Then myself. A prickling sensation crawled up from my neck as those eyes assessed me with the same ruthless clarity she’s just shown Carmine.
I cursed inwardly, hearing the approaching footsteps.
Her voice was much softer but still carried that sharp edge.
"Hmm?" I mumbled, feigning ignorance as I slowly lifted my head.
When I looked up, I saw her standing across the table, staring at me.
"Would you mind if I joined you?" She asked in a gentler tone, or at least tried to.
My mind raced, refusing would be rude and a bit... foolish, given what happened just now. But agreeing might drag me into unnecessary trouble...
Urgh, no time to think.
"Oh, no. Not at all." I could only reply politely, gesturing to the empty chair. "Please, take a seat."
"Thank you." She replied and took a seat.
I nodded and returned to appreciating how well-cooked my meal was. I carved another piece of the roasted duck, savoring its richness.
Thankfully, the veiled woman didn’t say anything else and waited for her order to arrive. As for Carmine, she stormed off to the upper floors, probably to her room. Her maids followed after her with even more hurried steps.
Honestly, I didn’t know whether what happened was right or wrong.
But I understood one thing. Women were indeed scary, as they say. Both of them were.
Still though... Sitting across from a woman who could dismantle someone with words alone piqued my insatiable curiosity. And that familiar feeling I got from her...
...It won’t hurt to take a look, right?
I mumbled inwardly before using the monocle, [Golden Opportunity Lens], on her.
What appeared nearly made me choke on my food.
Floating above her head were three S symbols written in golden colors. Her body was also radiating an ethereal golden aura.
My grip on the fork tightened.
This was the highest possible rating recognized by the system.
My mind reeled at the possibilities.
It was then that I noticed her looking at me, as if sensing my scrutiny.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
I swallowed inwardly, trying to appear as natural as possible. "No, nothing at all."
But behind my facade, my thoughts continued racing...
And there was only one way to put an end to them:
True Name: Cassandra von Virellia
Titles: Merchant Queen / The Golden Phoenix
- Founder of Knowledge Emporium
- Creator of Legacy Emporium
- Main Protagonist of "Merchant Queen System: From Ruins to Riches"
Rank: Tier 4 Resonator
Speciality: Business / Information / Trade Negotiation / Strategic Investment / etc...
- Visit The Lutharie Family (Primary)
- Check out the auction (Secondary)
- Procuring Hollowland medicinal herbs (Secondary)
Favorability: ★★★★ (*)