I woke up early that morning, and prepared myself to leave for town.

I wore my grey dress, one of the only two dresses I owned; with the other being my uniform.

Years had dulled it, but it was still wearable; plus, it was a first gift from Marie.

Every time I had grown, she had painstakingly sewed it to fit me.

A simple dress such as that was expensive in this world.

I tied a simple knot at the back, and I was done.

I took my money. In addition to the 30 Trucs I received yesterday, I had some money left over; Teresa had been paying me 10, sometimes 5, every other month since I woke up in this world, so I had a good sum.

I could only hope it was enough.

I made a mental note to buy whatever was necessary, and at the cheapest price. I had gone to Marie the previous evening for help, and she had drawn me a rough sketch of roads leading to a place she usually frequented, along with some words at the end. She had instructed that I simply ask any random person who isn't from the Duchy for the directions to the place she wrote. Since she had come back, it was impossible for her to leave again, given she was a scullery maid just like me.

I could bet it was Teresa who prevented her from leaving; that woman had some sort of vendetta against anyone who wouldn't kiss her feet. Some high class maids, like those of Annie, and pretty much anyone who sucked up to the bun-haired bitch could leave for days on end, come back and leave again, waltzing in and out like it was no problem.

It seems connections do really pave the way, even in this world setting.

But I had disturbed Marie enough; I would not make her life miserable just because of me.

I made some sandwiches from the stuff leftover for Alcestè to eat when he was hungry.

When I came back, he would no longer eat simple, but healthy meals.

I went to his room and placed it on the table. The sandwiches from the previous day were still there, untouched, and the milk still full inside the glass.

I looked towards the scrunched frame underneath the sheets. He had not moved since I came in. He must be too deep asleep, I thought, to not throw a tantrum. I frowned, thinking he must have slept in an empty stomach.

I had not yet gained his trust.

'I should see if there's a quilt on sale. This room is cold, and he's sleeping underneath a sheet.'

"Young master," I whispered, "I am leaving for the market. Don't worry; I will make sure to get everything you need."

There was no response.

I sighed, walking towards the door. I took a last look at the figure on the bed, and turned to leave his room, closing the door as I went.

"Okay," I clasped my hands together after I had everything I needed, " Time to leave."

 ***

The ride to town was uncomfortable

I was cramped in the small carriage with the other lower workers of the mansion; the gardener, some scullery maids, sweepers… all of us who aren't worthy enough to leave this estate in style, in a much larger carriage.

The power difference in this duchy is confusing indeed.

The coachman perhaps was in on the discomfort as well; failing to avoid any rocks or at least ensure smooth ride to town.

The air in there held an uncomfortable stench, along with a rotten egg smell coming from a brown clothed man who was constantly belching. Everyone seemed either uncomfortable with the smell or simply found it a common occurrence. I was forced to sit at the edge of the carriage due to my small stature, and with every bump I was one step closer to falling off. And strangely, the people in the carriage seemed particularly ticked off at my presence. Either it was real or they were Teresa's goons, I did not know.

Not that it mattered anyway.

Nothing could ruin this day.

I was about to make a huge step in caring for the male lead, and hopefully change him, even by a tiny bit, into a better person.

'If I buy some meat, I can make him some good meat stew. Ooh, some egg bread if I find eggs, ooh some sweet chicken…'

The idea of finally getting a good meal for my favorite was what helped me keep my sanity in that awful smelling carriage.

I saw the duchy disappear as we went down the hill, with only it's rooftop and its high tower poking out in the distance.

Ahead, was what I assumed was the town.

People were bustling around, and the constant calls from shop owners, trying to get potential buyers to purchase their products.

"All right," the carriage driver yelled, "Off."

I was pushed out with such brute force I fell flat on the ground. I could hear snickers and small laughs from them as they got off, passing me without care. One dared to even step on my foot in the process, not even bothering to apologize.

"Tsk. What a bunch of walking shit," I mumbled, attempting to stand as the carriage was driven away.

I shook off the murk from my dress, praying it's not someone's disgust from their bodies, lamenting silently how I would have to wash it when I get back.

Washing a dress that was quick to tear was a hassle, and stressful at that.

"Now; where should I- Oh!Right: paper," I said, fishing out the paper from my pocket.

My ticket to a good meal haven.

All I had to do was to find someone, especially one who is not connected to the duchy, to point me in this direction.

That wouldn't be so hard, right?

I mean, even though it's the Delacroix territory, no one her has extreme loyalty to someone who can't even keep the street clean.

I looked around the bustling part of town, realizing it was going to be harder than I thought; approaching a random person wouldn't automatically result in getting the correct directions.

Some would send you the wrong way, while others could be potential traffickers, who would send you directly into the hands of kidnappers, or worse…

'What a bad day to be illiterate…' I thought, sighing.

I looked at the people around me; a group of men, hanging around the edge of a shop, smoking heavily and eyeing the people walking around; there was a shopkeeper in his stall, trying to bring in customers with his yells of discounts and other offers.

Approaching either would result in being sent in a lion's mouth, or being forced to buy something unwanted in exchange for directions.

Not a good idea.

The only option was the woman with a child, walking around with a basket, looking to buy something.

After all, mothers are the kindest when it comes to assistance, and honest, I thought to myself as I approached her, Surely she can help a cute girl in need.

"Excuse me ma'am," I began, tugging at her skirt. She turned around with a confused expression. "Could you please help me?"

She looked at me, and her expression soured. She let out a loud Tsk. Even a blind man would notice a displeased look, or an angry one, or both, on someone's face.

Was my judgment wrong?

"Ugh. Another street rat," she grumbled, rolling her eyes in disgust, "I can't believe how many run around these days, expecting free stuff. Listen here, I don't have alms-"

"I'm just asking for directions," I stated as a matter-of-factly, showing her the paper.

Judgy.

Flustered, she took the paper, examining it.

"O-Oh," she stammered, turning pink, "Sorry. Um… This Ember Shop is just down there."

She said, pointing south. "Just go straight ahead to the town square and turn right. At the very end is this shop. You can't miss it. It's practically big and old looking."

"Thank you," I responded, before going to the direction pointed. I did not wait around for her to say anything else.

It took a while to reach it, and it made me realize how unfit I was. If I was to survive, I needed to at least walk miles without losing my breath, and my legs.

The shop was quite lively, with the interior similar to a produce market back home, minus the good interior lighting and cleanliness. What I assumed was the produce section had its floor littered with cut off stems from the vegetables and lots of peels; decaying and fresh alike. The meat sections were worse; dirty, with dogs and cats scrambling for the thrown flesh on the ground.

I didn't even want to enter. My flimsy shoes were not built for this.

'At least the meat looks fresh.'

I would have loved to buy some meat, but given my current situation, I did not think I had the tools to cure the meat, or at least make it long lasting.

Maybe I could buy for today; I could make some stew. Stew is good.

'Eh, let's just buy cereals.' I thought to myself, looking around.

Wasn't I supposed to look for someone?

"You Cäcilia?"

A gruff voice came from behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I feared turning around; was it Teresa's lackey? How else would they know my name? I rarely came out of the estate.

I turned around to see a tall, bulky man with a scruffy beard. He was dressed in a woolen grey coat, and loose black trousers, and boots that have seen better days, but still do the job, given he could stand atop the filth and not feel it.

"Who are you?" I asked cautiously, ready to run in case something goes wrong.

"I guess Marie doesn't speak of me in that grim estate," he said, shaking his head, "I'm her husband, Jacques."

"Recognized you from ya hair," he said, beaming, "Marie said 'tlooked like freshly churned butter."

Butter?…. That's one way to complement one's hair.

"Follow me," he said, already walking inside the shop, "She wrote to give you all the necessary essential things for a first time starter of 'e world."

I was still skeptical about it, but followed him regardless.

He led me to the other parts of the market, skillfully passing among the buzz of people buying all sorts of goods, tipping his hat to them as he greeted them warmly and encouraging them to buy more.

I tried hard to keep up, but I struggled. I desperately tried to maneuver through the buzz of people, the mess on the ground, all while trying to be at par with the man's fast steps

I refused to allow myself to be weak like this.

In my prime, I could dance for an hour straight!

"Must be hard passing through all that, given you lived all your life in the posh hill."

He noted, looking slightly concerned. I didn't want to be rude or make any crude remark, so I simply replied;

"Eh, it's nothing. I've seen worse up there."

I looked around before whispering, "The high masters up there, they like to poop a lot, and one time, for an entire year, the blasted head made me in charge of cleaning up after them! They even pooped with the horses! Ugh! A waste of manure I say!"

Well, it was not exactly true, but they deserved their reputation in shambles for what they're doing to my fave.

He looked taken aback, before throwing his head back in laughter so loud I saw a spoon shake.

"Oh, oh my, haha! So funny!" he said in between fits of laughter, "To think those high end people do that!"

"Ha..haha…."

I laughed alongside him, albeit awkwardly. To think he bought it.

He led me through a narrow alley that opened into a quieter section of the market, where the stalls were less flashy but better stocked.

"These are the shops that don't scream prices at you," Jacques explained, tipping his head at a vendor who gave a respectful nod. "Means the goods speak for themselves."

He moved with practiced ease, pointing out what to take and what to avoid. I followed closely, watching as he haggled with a butcher for a cut of meat, inspected sacks of grain with a pinch between his fingers, and nodded at a woman who handed him a basket already packed with dried lentils, barley, beans, two blocks of salt, three flasks of cooking oil, and wrapped cuts of smoked meat.

"These'll last you about a week or two," he said, handing it to me. "The rest, you pick however much you want. Marie said to let you choose some things on your own."

I blinked down at the basket. It was heavy, and kind. I had expected help, but not generosity.

"Do I… pay you for this?" I asked, confused, "I have the money, don't worry."

He scoffed. "Already paid. Marie's orders. Said something about how her favorite kid in there deserves a better first outing."

I bit my lip, heart tight. That woman. She always saw more in me than I showed.

"Thank you," I said, barely above a whisper.

"Now go on—buy what you like. But don't waste it on sweets and shiny paper," he said with a wink, "unless you want to bribe people with candy. I must warn you though; it's expensive."

"Thanks, " I said, looking around, asking for some sacks of long lasting cereals, flour, eggs, vegetables and any other type of food that can last a while; but what I really wanted was new pots, and pans.

The pots in the annex cannot even be considered anything other than rusted metal.

"And a nice cutting board, and a knife, with some spoons, the cheaper the better."

I want to buy more for less, so give me a sale, I wanted to say, but I couldn't.

Instead, I only told him what I needed. Everything I needed was brought out in an instant, with him telling me the price in case it was too much.

"I think we have that. We are the biggest market in this territory."

He said, beckoning me to follow him as we went to another section of this surprisingly large store.

If I didn't know any better, I would've sworn this place was a medieval supermarket; with the aisles of barrels, baskets, and sacks filled with everything imaginable, just like a supermarket itself.

I'm surprised Marie is still working at the Duke's estate; surely this business alone is making tons of money.

Then something caught my eye.

At the far corner sat an open sack of short, white grains, gleaming faintly under the afternoon light. A familiar scent drifted up, warm and faintly nutty.

My heart skipped a beat.

Rice.