Chapter Text
"Cyrene... My beloved Cyrene... you must witness the world. No matter what hardships comes by, you must stay strong and wear a bright smile." the verbal affection of a gentle mother was expressed as she kissed her napping infant, the infant was unawareness of her mother's frailness. The scene faded with a...
Cyrene woke up as the sunlight hit her eyes, rubbing her eyes as she got up from a vague dream, "Oh Cyrene! It's unusual of you to wake up this late. Are you unwell?" her father chimed in and sat on the edge of her bed, checking her temperature. "Haha, I'm alright dad, I just had a warm dream...?" she said with skepticism but gone unnoticed by her father. "I see, due to our situation I had to make sure nothing happens to you." he muttered as he patted her head. Heliodor Hevin, the man who was once a Count for Amphorous before, who lost his wealth due to the damage caused by the war induced by Black Tide, he used all of his wealth to treat people fell victim to the war. Hence, he embraced his modest life within the commoners.
Heliodor is now working as a jewel appraiser, putting his hobby as his passion and Cyrene with her insights of fortune telling. She made her day, wearing one of her simple dresses and her favorite hair accessory that gently sways with the breeze along with her short hair. It is a daily routine for Cyrene for going around the city, having more freedom than before. Social skills wasn't an issue for her, she was able to get along with the people without any discrimination.
"Cyrene! How is my fortune today?" a fruit vendor requested in which she simply smiled in return, a silent gesture of good fortune falling upon him.
"Cyrene, have some of these buns! Fresh out of oven." in which she accepted gratefully. Each day, she receives free food for bringing them fortune.
"Big sis Cyrene!! You are late!" the voices of children were caught by her ears as they surrounded her, "I'm sorry, I overslept, as an apology, I will tell you the story till the end next time~" she reassured as she distributed the free buns she received, she would give it to the children every time she receives anything. Cyrene can be found spending her time mostly on orphanage, telling stories or anything she found interesting to the children. A fancy carriage emerged outside the orphanage, a carriage looked out of place.
Due to her lovely nature, she was able to captivate the hearts of the people and even some ....bugs.
A young man stepped out of the carriage evidently a noble, announcing his arrival at the orphanage at where she's situated at. Damian Aetos, the second son of the Baron Aetos in which the noble house is famous for their skilled archery and hunting skills. Unlike the first son, Evander who weren't able to inherit the archery skills of their bloodline, Damian is praised for his skills. One would say Damian has the right success the Aetos Barony if archery is enough for succession.
The children cowers due to their status difference, unable to shoo him off because it wasn't his first rodeo with Cyrene.
"Greetings, Lord Damian..." bowed Cyrene, masking her displeasure quite well, knowing the exact reason why he's here. "Spare me from the formalities. Be my woman, I won't take no this time." he firmly stood on his point. "My lord... I haven't changed my mind on my decision, my answer still the same." Cyrene is actually impressed by his stubbornness she thought he would give up after few rejections. Noble men are more prideful than she thought...
"Did you not hear me?? I said I won't take rejections!!"
"And I believe I said I haven't changed my mind!"
"You...!! Being my woman will give you luxury life, you think anyone will this chance?? You should be grateful!" he began to seethe, clenching his fists, trying not to do anything rash. Unable to tolerate the situation, all the children stood in front of her. "D-don't be mean to Big sis!" "Big sis is happy with us, right?" Cyrene bewildered at them, their tiny legs shaking in fear and yet they finally found the courage to stand for Cyrene. Damian was annoyed on how things aren't going his way, he internally planned to do something of this place, if this place holds back her then he should simply destroy this place.
"You will pay for keep humiliating me while not knowing your place!!" he raised his hand unable to control his anger, Cyrene closed her eyes in response waiting for the impact that has never made contact. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by a damsel who seem to be drowned in gold holding the hand raised by Damian. "It is not onto my knowledge that the second son of Lordship Aetos have a hobby of bashing women?"
"Who are you??" Damian sounded surprised, not because the woman is unknown to him but because he couldn't sense her when she held his hand as if she mastered stealth. "Just an ordinary seamstress passing by." she let go of his hand, her poise contradicting with her statement. "It's better to leave before you humiliate yourself more, young lord" she added as she looked around on how Damian had attracted attention from raising his voice earlier. Damian huffed at them before leaving the place.
"Thank you~"
"Please be at ease, it is natural to help each other. I'm actually here for your father, Cyrene." Cyrene surprised about how she knew about him, "You think Count Hevin's deeds will be forgotten when he gave up on his noble title?" she giggled at Cyrene's expression, slightly regretting she couldn't meet her before.
"No, I was merely surprised since no nobles have asked from him"
"How adorable, you think I'm a noble?"
"You are not??" she could tell Cyrene assumed from her outfit.
"I'm just a humble seamstress. A good seamstress should be wearing her works and be proud, no?"
"Then why do you need to meet my father?" "That's because the jewel appraiser I have collaborated with has passed away unfortunately, so I seek partnership with your father." Cyrene shared her condolence, "I'm not sure if father would agree..." she just smiled confidently in return. Cyrene took the golden lady to her father as waved goodbye to the children.
Her house isn't grand as it she used to live, it is now a small building enough for a family to live, "Cyrene? you are back already?" wondered Heliodor as he saw Cyrene opening the door. She opened the door wider, allowing the golden lady in in which doesn't seem to faze about the house.
"You?? what are you doing here??"
"You know her dad?"
"I do, I always tried to get dresses for you from her but she refuse to sell them." he explained, in which the golden lady feign offended "My... it would be good if you rephase that, I just happen to chose my customers, but indeed, I do regret for not seeing your daughter before..."
"Let me introduce myself, I'm Aglaea. Owner of the Mnestia boutique. I would be pleased to make your acquaintance." Cyrene had heard about the boutique before but not the owner herself, no wonder Cyrene couldn't recognize her at the beginning. Her father usually hires tailors to get her measurement at the manor and receive it without stepping outside.
"Why are you here?" he asked feeling suspicious about Aglaea's sudden appearance, "I'm just here to ask you for a collaboration. We lost our jewel appraiser due to old age and I would like to enter co-partner ship with you, Count Hevin."
"I'm not a Count anymore, just Hevin is fine... And I'm afraid I have to refuse you" Cyrene wore a doubtful expression, she believes this is a good opportunity for her father to be recognized as a best appraiser. "Then Mr. Hevin, care to explain your refusal?"
"Because I wanted to spend my time mostly with my daughter. Your boutique is far from here. What if I wasn't available when something happened to her?"
"Dad..."
"If this is your only concern, then it makes it easier. I did propose a partnership, I didn't tell you to come with me." Heliodor waited for her further explanation.
"Yes, I will simply send the jewels to your address and return it to my shop." "Sending it here? Are you not afraid I might take some?"
"If you are the Count Hevin I know, he won't do such thing and you are a man whom many people trust now" Aglaea hinting on his deeds on helping the post-war.
He pondered but Aglaea didn't make him rush his decisions but all she asked is one thing.
"Mr. Hevin, can I borrow your daughter for today?"