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Death’s Daughter Chapter 264

Author: FoodLovingPanda

CHAPTER 264: A DATE?

When I woke up, the sun was already high up in the sky. I felt like a new person after getting a good night’s sleep. I have been running around for the past few months and being able to sleep in like this was a nice change of pace.

At first I wanted to go out and deal with matters of Dragon’s Descent, but decided to take a holiday and go shopping. I looked around and saw that Mia was nowhere to be found, so I took this chance to escape and leave the castle unnoticed. The first place I visited was the farmers’ market. It has been way too long since I last was the aunties selling here.

“Naoko girl, I haven’t seen you in so long. I almost thought you forgot about me.”

“I heard you went on an adventure, how did it go?”

“Look at you, you lost weight again. You should take better care of yourself.”

Their affectionate greetings made me feel really happy. I gave each and every one of them a small jar of jam I made from fruits I got in Vilikis. I will be buying a lot in the coming months, so it will be nice if they give me a better price. It is easier to achieve that when you have a good relationship with them.

After greeting everyone, I simply went from shop to shop and bought everything that caught my eye. I didn’t have much need for all this stuff, but who knows when I might need it. At the very least, I can use such trinkets as gifts for others. When I visit my new duchy, it will help me make a better impression on the locals.

“Nao-chan, when did you get here?”

I turned around and saw Vitou walking down the street with some guards. Shoot, I didn’t think I would run into him while strolling the streets casually. Someone must be playing a joke against me.

“Not long ago, you should go and deal with whatever you need to do. I don’t want to delay your work. You don’t have to worry about me. I am only here to do some shopping. Really boring stuff if you ask me, but it needs to be done.”

He whispered something to the guard next to him and let them off. He then proceeded to stand next to me. I wanted to curse out loud, but held it in nonetheless. He is a Crown Prince after all, I can’t dismiss him in such a public place.

“I’ll accompany you. I can show you some fun places to visit, if you want to.”

Oh well, I’ll indulge him this time around. It is not like I have anything planned out. I am in a good mood today, so there is no need to let myself be bothered over such a small matter.

“Then, you should lead the way.”

He smiled and we walked towards the eastern part of the town, where more luxurious shops were located. I rarely visit these shops, because I can find a more affordable version elsewhere.

He didn’t bring me to any jewelry shops, nor clothing stores, instead he took me to a pastry shop. I looked at him skeptically, I had no plans on eating anything today.

“Don’t look at me like that. I know you like sweets. This shop has the largest selection of cookies, cakes and pies. It is also very popular. Come and try some. You might even come up with some new recipes upon tasting them. Besides, I am feeling a bit hungry.”

“Okay, but you’re paying. Just so you know, I am ordering every single kind of pastry they have.”

He only laughed at me and held the door open. The store was packed with guests. I could recognize some noble ladies among them. I may not mingle with them on a daily basis, but that doesn’t prevent me from knowing about them. I made sure to study well when I first got my noble title.

“Your Highness, welcome to our store. I am sorry, but there currently aren’t any free seats. If you are willing to wait, you will be led to the first free table.”

The shopkeeper was a young girl, not much older than me. I was surprised that she is able to run this shop all by herself. I couldn’t see anyone else in the store that helped out, there wasn’t even a waiter to take orders. She must be a very hardworking person.

“Do you run this shop alone? That is amazing.”

“Duchess, everything about pastries was taught to me by my grandmother. She found a book written in Hero language which let her create many of our desserts. It is no big secret. If the Duchess wants to, you can try our challenge. You must name all the ingredients of a secret sweet in order to win a prize.”

I laughed, looking at the pastries, I could conclude that the book was from the Earth. It must be something that heroes of the past left behind. Her grandmother was smart and she was able to make the best use of it.

“In that case, I’ll accept it. Vitou, we should wait a bit. I am interested in this prize.”

He smiled and nodded. I was merely happy that there was something interesting to do. However, I didn’t realize that to those watching us, it seemed like Vitou and I were on a romantic date. His actions of indulging me was evident through his every action and his gentlemanly way of acting made countless ladies present swoon over him.

Another thing that I failed to realize is how loving I seemed to be with him. Once I decided to think of him as a good friend, I naturally became more relaxed and unrestrained around him. Such an atmosphere around us only helped everyone spread the gossip about how great the relationship between Vitou and me is. When I heard those rumors later on, I couldn’t help but curse myself for being thoughtless. And yet, at the same time I really felt bad about Vitou since I was planning on hurting him later on.

In the evening, when I returned to the castle with Vitou, I was greeted by a servant that came to deliver the titles to prove my governing rights over the islands in the southwest.

“Duchess, since you have been put in charge of that area, it would be appropriate to name them. You can place the name on the title deeds now, or when you make an official visit. The name will be announced as soon as you make a decision.”

“No need to wait, I already know what to call them. They will be named Sunset Islands. And as for the names of each individual islands, they will be named as the locals have called them.”

This name didn’t come out of nowhere. I took the fact that they are located in the far west part of the Kingdom and also took into account ‘Descent’ from Dragon’s Descent, Sun descends in the west, therefore I decided on the name ‘Sunset Islands’.

“I will inform His Majesty about your decision. Tomorrow a formal declaration will be made. I shall excuse myself for now.”

“Congratulations Nao-chan, it is a really good name. I like it a lot.”

I smiled and thanked him. Today was a good day and I felt like I spent it well. Stuffing the documents into inventory, I went back to my room after bidding goodbye to Vitou.