Chapter 68: Festival with Vivienne (XIV).

"Of course she's not mine!"

I yelled over not meaning to- even Madam Prisha was surprised. I guess I got too tired hearing everyone tell me the same thing- but it was no excuse for me to yell.

"Moma..."

"Ah-"

Vivienne looked up at me and sniffed, some snots were already forming along the tip of her nose. "U...Ung... Ungh..." she tries her best not to cry but oh no- I'm such a dumbass!

"No- no- Vivienne I didn't mean it that way- I just meant that you weren't stuck in my tummy or something like that for nine months straight." I took out a small hanky and let her blow over it with her nose.

"Sorry for yelling... I think I'm just tired." I tell her with my most honest thoughts, with things moving so fast with others it feels like I'm running out of time.

I felt guilty.

"Dear- I was just joking. If I had known it was such a sensitive topic to have I wouldn't have touched it." (Madam Prisha) crosses their arms and looks at Vivienne raising one of their brow. "In all seriousness then, if she's not yours are you perhaps distant relatives? The resemblance is uncanny."

"I'm not sure if she is a distant relative." I leaned down to look at the blonde girl most closely who sniffs her snot. "I just found her in an almost abandoned village when my troops and I were coming back from a mission to escort the crown princess back home."

The mission where I just knew that it's been rigged by Cecilia to have me- a newly ranked newbie into that mission. I'm still afraid of the powers she possess just by the position of a princess.

Imagine what she could do if she was Queen.

And I won't forget what she owes to Lord Vincent... Family relationships being breached by secrets and then changing.

I wonder how they are doing since I know he got home at the same time I did.

"Oh yes, I have heard of that. The mission of escorting the crown princess- that's all been the talk of the town really! Hah! I can't believe you were in it." (Madam Prisha)

"I wasn't supposed to but here I am..."

"Anything interesting happened while you were there? Two weeks could feel rather long; there's nothing much to do in [Winshern]." (Madam Prisha)

Anything interesting happened?

Is making out with the crown princess in the list of interesting things I've done-?

Suddenly knowing that the fiancé of the said crown princess that I kissed and almost made love with was actually my cousin dressing up as a man because if she's revealed to be a woman she'll be killed?

And on the cherry on top, they're going to invade us soon right after the wedding where Cecilia's death should be expected.

How's that for exciting-

I laughed nervously feeling like the soul was leaving out of my body. I am so tired... man. "Definitely a lot of things happened, mostly trouble but I got a daughter out of it."

Madam Prisha smiles nodding approvingly at my choice. "Ah I see you're adopting the little one now. Hmm... Aren't you curious, sugar?"

"Curious about what?" I tilt my head, wondering what I would even be curious about.

"My grandma is in the house, she's preparing for the usual future readings with her long line of regulars but I can get you in. You would be able to know a thing or two about this little one with it." (Madam Prisha) suggested and I can't believe I forgot about it!

Madam Prisha's card readings! I haven't done that since forever! Mostly because it left a bad taste in my mouth after telling me that I'll be a player when I grow up.

Who's laughing now?!

But still- it really did happen. Three people fought for me and that was Natasha, Cecilia and Rose.

I'm sure there were more but really those were not serious in my opinion. If I could have Grandma Chio's card readings maybe I could dig a little bit more into Vivienne's past!

Besides, she's really popular these years... I couldn't visit often.

"Really? That would really appreciate Madam Prisha..." I saluted gratefully at them to show my utmost respect for helping me out.

"Why of course, you're a friend and my grand has been missing you too. I could say the same to all my customers in my hidden bar~ The regular customers all missed you so much. Why not visit?"

"Having you there would certainly be good for business..." (Madam Prisha) held my arm and suggested on vising the homosexual bar they have underground.

Back then I was really popular.. mostly because after Rose left that's all where I went when I have time for vacation.

But now- I'm not sure a visit would be appropriate at the moment.

"Maybe next time, I have Vivienne with me so I can't go there. I'll just be consulting with your Grandma for card readings today." I scratched the back of my neck, flattered at the invitation but I just don't have the time. After this I still have to go back home but at least we got what we needed.

Some casual clothes and shoes for Vivienne.

"You're so lucky I'm in the festival mood. Come now, she's inside."

.-.-.-.-.

Vanilla had to wait outside once more but she was feeling happy being left out with all the apples she was munching on her face. Madam Prisha escorted us inside with Vivienne holding my hand as we went inside the familiar shop full of lotions, oils, lipstick and so many things displayed.

The first time I was here... all I could ever only buy was either bandages or burnt ointments.

"Business is still going great it seems." I held a shampoo bottle that I completed before that I traded money with. All that trouble seemed to have been worth it because I used some of its money for the school and even made a small factory outside the kingdom.

Near big sister Valentina's place where she helped me sell it and transport it to several other stores. A good professional merchant like her made me respect them more.

I haven't visited it due to my schedule but I have someone looking over it.

"Oh~ Business seems to never stop blooming when it comes to things women would want to look even more pretty and attractive, darlin!" (Madam Prisha) laughs a little too loudly as the other women in the shop stare at their back with a little offended stare.

"I put more pretty and attractive in my words, meaning you are already as such so don't look at me in that way sugar." They take out a small fan, fanning themselves softly, the breeze making Madam Prisha's hair move a little swaying.

"Glaring causes wrinkles, and we wouldn't want that now would we?" (Madam Prisha) tells them in a warning tone and they immediately remove the look they were having before.

Madam Prisha's words seemed to have made them panic and look over their forehead, their hands feeling over their skin to see if any unwanted lines had been formed.

"I-I... don't have wrinkles right? If I have it my husband told me that he'll leave me..." one lady turned to her other lady friend almost like she was about to burst into tears.

Her friend who came into the shop with her held her shoulder in reassurance. "No- I don't think you do-"

"Whew thank goodness." The one lady who panicked held her chest and let out a sigh of relief knowing that she doesn't have any wrinkles.

I covered Vivienne's ears for a bit feeling a certain case of Deja vu. Every time I come in here the ladies here would often say some dark and sad things about needing to be pretty just so their husbands won't leave them.

Though I'm glad that some people just come here just to buy things to feel confident being themselves and not gossip.

When we grow older things like wrinkles will be inevitable... including with the hair turning silver.

So I would just recommend just finding someone who'll like and stay with you for who you are and not just for the looks.

I wasn't too fond of makeup or anything like that because they would just get removed when I partake in my missions in my knight duties so I don't wear them.

If there was even someone wearing them, any Commander or General would shout at them- who would they even impress in the battle field? However one of my knight friends wore makeup while on battle and used it as a matter of seduction when interrogating for information.

"Don't mind them." (Madam Prisha) tells me while they waved their fan in my direction.

"It's still the same as ever... Jeez these girls needs to find a person to be with." I complained but the person in front of me just laughed.

"Oh how I wish they would indeed, but it's their lives not hours. Let them deal with the consequences themselves and have it figure it out on their own." (Madam Prisha) gave a good answer and I agreed.

At the back of the store. I could see that the ambiance had changed, there was a small corner where an elderly woman could barely sit straight. That woman was Grandma Chio, who was still strong and active enough to shuffle the card as fast as before.

Madam Prisha leans in before calling out, "Grandma I have a visitor for you."

Grandma Chio's ears perked up and looked up in our direction smiling a little while her eyes were squinted. "Oh dearie... I can't see properly..." I could hear her mutter weakly as she tried to give my figure a good look. "Who is it?"

"Hello, Grandma Chio. It's me." I walk a bit more forward with Vivienne in tow.

"That voice... is it you? The cards have foretold me of your visit..." (Grandma Chio) asks ,her wrinkled hands reaching out to hold mine, I graciously took it and treated it gently.

"Kein... is it really you?" She called me by my name and I felt my heart being soft for my elders.

"Yes, grandma. It's me... sorry if I haven't visited in a while. Things has been rather busy." I sat down on her table and put Vivienne in my lap.

"Grandma?" (Vivienne) asks with her head tilting slightly looking at the elderly woman.

"Is there someone there with you?" (Grandma Chio) sat back down in front of me taking her cards again and settling them into the table. "I wasn't foretold of the cards that you would be here with another..."

I looked down on Vivienne who curiously looked at Grandma Chio. "Ah, it's my daughter. I'm planning to adopt her soon. Her name is Vivienne, say hi to grandma."

"Hewwo, Grandma." (Vivienne) greets Grandma Chio with a little wave.

Grandma Chio's expression could be seen softened just by hearing Vivienne's voice. "My vision might not be as sharp as before but she must be really adorable."

Vivienne was a little flustered with a compliment and I patted her blonde hair. "Yes she is, just think of her if Rose and I had a daughter." I giggled a little because she really looked like what would happen if the both of us had been merged.

"A little blonde haired girl with gray eyes." I tell her and she turns serious that even it surprised me a bit.

"Oh... Gray eyes... Blessed with the heavens she is." (Grandma Chio) reaches out towards Vivienne and gives a whole line of cards to choose from.

"I have asked the heavens... they want you to pick, little one."historical