EPISODE 4

EPISODE 4

ANGELICCA SEVERIA

The moment they heard my response, I noticed all of them briefly exchange glances with one another. Their eyes flickered toward each other for a split second before they redirected their full attention back to me.

As I observed them, I noticed Jace's eyebrows draw together ever so slightly, a subtle crease forming between them as though he was trying to process what I had just said.

“We're going to accompany you while you buy food supplies?” Jace asked politely. “Exactly how much are you planning to purchase, Miss Angelicca, that you need our help?”

His tone was respectful, but I could tell he was genuinely curious.

I remained calm as I answered, “Like... a lot.”

Jace merely nodded slowly, seemingly accepting my answer without pressing for further details.

“Since Sunday is our free day anyway, we'll definitely be able to help you,” he said cheerfully.

A bright smile appeared on his face before he turned his head toward his comrades.

His expression immediately shifted into that of someone issuing instructions, “We should all be present on Sunday. Is that clear?”

His gaze swept across the group, making sure every single one of them heard him properly.

“We will,” the other warriors replied.

I gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before dismissing them.

“You may leave now." Sooner had the words left my mouth than they bowed respectfully before me. After straightening themselves, they turned and departed, gradually disappearing from view as they headed back toward their respective destinations.

Once they were gone, I shifted my attention back to my stallion.

He had already finished drinking from the stream. Droplets of water trickled from his muzzle as he lifted his head, his dark mane swaying lightly with the evening breeze. The gentle murmur of the flowing water echoed through the surroundings, creating a peaceful atmosphere now that the warriors had left.

I walked over to him and gently patted his neck before taking hold of the reins.

I mounted my stallion and settled comfortably in the saddle. After one last glance at the now-empty clearing, I guided him forward, and together we left the area behind.

The sun had already begun its descent, painting the horizon in fading shades of gold and crimson. As we traveled along the familiar path, the cool evening air brushed against my skin, carrying with it the scent of earth, grass, and distant trees. 

By the time I finally reached my house, darkness had already settled over the surroundings.

The silhouette of my home stood quietly beneath the sky, barely visible against the dim landscape. After taking care of my stallion, I made my way inside.

The interior was cloaked in darkness.

Without delay, I began lighting the candles and oil lamps placed throughout the house. Small flames flickered to life, casting a warm golden glow across the rooms and driving away the shadows that had gathered in every corner. Soon, the house felt far more welcoming.

I had no desire to spend time preparing an elaborate meal, so I decided to make a quick and simple dinner instead. 

Once I finished eating, I cleaned up and put everything away.

With little reason to stay awake any longer, I headed to my room.

I slipped beneath the covers, allowing myself to relax against the familiar comfort of my bed. The faint glow of the remaining lamps illuminated the room softly as silence settled around me.

Before long, my eyes drifted shut, and sleep claimed me, bringing an end to the day. 

This had been my simple routine ever since I moved here and started living on my own.

Some people might have found such a lifestyle lonely, but I never saw it that way.

In fact, I treasured these moments of solitude.

Living alone gave me a sense of independence that I had grown to appreciate deeply. I could organize my days however I wished, enjoy the silence whenever I pleased, and spend my free time without worrying about anyone else's expectations. 

As usual, when I woke up the next day and stepped outside, I found Mr. Max waiting in front of my house.

He was, standing patiently with a warm smile and a freshly prepared breakfast in hand again.

Because of Mr. Max's generosity, I never had to start my day hungry. His breakfasts were always filling and satisfying, ensuring that I was completely full before heading to work. 

The days passed after that.

Before I knew it, Saturday had finally arrived.

As promised, my salary was given to me early that day.

The moment I received the payment, I returned home and carefully counted the money. Sitting at my table, I began organizing my finances, mentally listing all the expenses I needed to cover.

I separated the amount needed for my regular expenditures and then calculated how much I would need for tomorrow.

After all, tomorrow was important.

I would be traveling to the market together with the recruits I had assigned to assist me.

Considering the large amount of supplies I intended to purchase, I knew the trip would require careful planning. 

There would be numerous items to buy, payments to make, and arrangements to handle. 

Once I finished budgeting everything, I reviewed my plans for the following day.

Fortunately, I had already given the recruits their final instructions.

They were to arrive at my house before five o'clock in the morning.

“Should we knock now, or should we just wait for Miss Angelicca to come outside?”

“If you want to knock, then go ahead. We were told to be here at five in the morning. I think it's only around four-thirty right now.”

“Yes, Marti is right. We should simply follow the time Miss Angelicca gave us. She might still be asleep at this hour.”

That was Jace's formal response.

From my vantage point on the second floor, I could clearly see the group gathered outside my house.

I stood near the sliding window, keeping myself partially hidden as I observed them from above. Since the glass panels were open, the cool air of the early morning drifted freely into my room, carrying with it the faint sounds of their conversations and the occasional rustling of movement from the yard below.

My gaze lingered on the recruits.

They were gathered around the carriage that would accompany us to the market, waiting patiently for my appearance. Some stood with their arms crossed while others remained beside the horses, occasionally checking the harnesses or adjusting their positions. Now and then, one of them would glance toward my house, as though wondering when I would finally emerge.

The sight before me was illuminated by flickering torchlight.

Several of the recruits carried burning torches in their hands, their flames dancing restlessly in the predawn breeze. The orange glow cast shifting shadows across the ground and painted their faces in warm hues of gold and amber.

The sky itself remained dark.

Although dawn was approaching, the heavens were still cloaked in deep shades of blue and black. Only a faint silver glow could be seen stretching along the distant horizon, hinting at the sunrise that would soon follow.

After observing them for a little longer, I finally finished dressing.

I slipped on my formal jacket and carefully adjusted it over my shoulders. Running my hands down the sleeves, I straightened the fabric and made sure everything was properly arranged. Since we would be spending the day conducting business and purchasing supplies, I preferred to present myself neatly and respectably.

Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I stepped away from the window.

The soft creak of the wooden floor accompanied my footsteps as I crossed the room.

Leaving the cool morning air behind, I made my way toward the staircase and descended to the first floor at an unhurried pace. 

As I approached the entrance, the sounds from outside became slightly clearer.

My hand slowly rose and settled around the cool metal doorknob.

Then I tightened my grip.

Without making any sudden movements, I carefully turned the knob and slowly pulled the door open.

The hinges released a soft creak as the door gradually swung inward.

Immediately, the crisp morning air flowed into the house.

At the same time, the recruits outside noticed the movement.

One after another, their heads turned toward the entrance.

Conversations abruptly ceased.

The small bits of chatter that had filled the yard moments earlier vanished almost instantly.

Every pair of eyes shifted toward me.

The moment Jace caught sight of me, his posture straightened even further. “There is Miss Angelicca.”

His voice carried a serious, formal tone as he announced my presence to the others.

At once, the attention of every recruit settled completely upon me.

The men who had been waiting patiently around the carriage immediately became alert, their expressions turning respectful and attentive.

Among them, Jace stepped forward.

Seeing him approach, I stepped fully out from the doorway.

I turned just enough to pull the door closed behind me, the soft click of the latch sealing the house. Without pausing, I continued forward as well, choosing to meet him halfway rather than stand and wait.

Soon, Jace stopped directly in front of me.

He lowered his head in a brief but respectful bow before speaking. 

When he raised his head again. “Good morning, Miss Angelicca. We are here as you instructed.”

For a moment, I did not respond.

Instead, my gaze moved past him.

My eyes shifted beyond his shoulder, toward the rest of the recruits standing near the carriage.

The moment they realized I was looking at them, their gazes dropped. Some lowered their heads completely, while others simply averted their eyes downward.

But I turned my full attention to the carriage waiting nearby and studied it carefully. My gaze swept over its wooden frame, measuring its size and storage space.

“That carriage won't be able to hold everything we're planning to buy,” I said, shaking my head slightly. “Get a larger one.”

“As you wish, Miss Angelicca,” Jace replied at once.

“Camden, Linox, go and retrieve a larger carriage from the nearest hideout,” he ordered formally.

The two warriors immediately obeyed. I watched as they stepped away from their assigned posts and strode briskly across the courtyard. 

A few moments later, I spotted them emerging atop their powerful stallions. The magnificent horses pawed at the ground impatiently before surging forward at their riders' command. The sharp rhythm of hooves striking the earth echoed throughout the yard.

"Miss Angelicca."

Jace's voice drew my attention away from my thoughts. I turned my head and looked at him, finding him standing nearby with his usual respectful demeanor. 

"If you don't mind me asking," he began politely. "What are you planning to do with all those food supplies? Based on what I've observed, it seems that you're the only one living in your house..."

His question was reasonable. After all, the amount of provisions I intended to purchase was enough to feed several families for quite some time. Anyone would find it strange for a person living alone to buy such a large quantity of food.

I met his gaze.

"You'll find out later where all of it is going," I replied.

Rather than pressing the matter, he simply nodded in acknowledgment. "As you wish, Miss Angelicca," he said.

The conversation ended there.

While waiting for Camden and Linox to return with the larger carriage, I decided not to remain idle. Turning away from the courtyard, I made my way toward the horse stable.

After opening the stall, I gently guided him outside. He followed obediently, his powerful hooves striking the ground with quiet confidence as we made our way back toward the yard.

When we arrived, the warriors glanced in our direction, though none dared to interrupt.

I mounted my stallion and settled comfortably in the saddle.

Only then did I notice that my hair was still loose.

My long curly locks cascaded freely down my back and over my shoulders. 

I gathered my hair behind me and carefully divided it into sections. My fingers moved skillfully as I braided the thick curls into a neat plait. Once I reached the end, I secured it with an elastic hair tie.

Not wanting it to swing around while riding, I twisted the braid into a bun and fastened it once more with another tie.

With my hair no longer in the way, I waited patiently in the courtyard. 

Several more minutes passed before I finally caught sight of a carriage approaching from a distance. The silhouette gradually emerged from the dim light of dawn, growing larger with every passing second. Even from afar, I recognized it as the larger carriage I had requested.

Once it reached the courtyard and everything was prepared, I gave a simple nod, signaling that it was time for us to depart.

Without further delay, our small group began our journey.

Birds hidden among the trees greeted the approaching morning with their songs. Insects chirped from the undergrowth, their calls blending harmoniously with the rustling leaves stirred by the cool breeze. 

As the journey continued, the darkness of night slowly began to retreat.

The sky above us gradually brightened, changing from deep shades of navy and black into softer hues of blue. 

With each passing minute, more of the surrounding landscape became visible.

The towering trees lining our path emerged from the shadows, while distant hills and valleys revealed themselves beneath the growing light. 

Before long, the sun finally broke over the horizon.

Golden rays spread across the land, illuminating everything they touched. 

Our trail gradually sloped downward, leading us toward the valley below. From my elevated position, I could already see our destination coming into view.

The market.

Nestled beneath the mountains and partially hidden beneath a blanket of morning fog, the marketplace was slowly awakening. Through the lingering mist, I could make out countless tents scattered across the area, along with the rooftops of permanent stores and merchant stalls.

As we continued our descent toward the marketplace, I began noticing more people in the distance.

Small groups of early shoppers moved between the rows of tents and merchant stalls, their figures partially obscured by the lingering veil of morning mist. 

Although there was already activity throughout the market, the crowds were still relatively sparse. The day had only just begun, and most travelers and merchants were likely still preparing for business.

From my position atop my stallion, I could see merchants arranging their goods on wooden displays, sweeping the areas in front of their stalls, and preparing for the influx of customers that would inevitably arrive later in the day.

I could hear them loudly advertising their wares to passing customers.

Fresh produce sellers proudly announced the quality of their harvest.

Blacksmiths called attention to newly forged tools and weapons.

Livestock traders negotiated prices with potential buyers.

As our group finally approached the outskirts of the market, I turned my attention to the warriors accompanying me.

"We'll leave the horses at the horse stable first," I instructed.

"Yes, Miss Angelicca," Jace replied immediately.

The others silently nodded their agreement.

We directed our horses toward one of the largest stables within the market district.

Approaching the stable caretaker, I paid the required f*e before entrusting our horses to their care. The elderly man accepted the payment with a respectful nod and immediately summoned several workers to tend to the animals.

As such, only the riding horses were left behind in the stable.

The carriage itself accompanied us into the marketplace.

Four warriors climbed onto the front driver's bench, positioning themselves around the reins. Meanwhile, the four powerful carriage horses remained harnessed and ready.

The first place we visited was the grains and starches store.

"Angelicca! Good morning!"

I wasn't even that close to the large store yet when I spotted the elderly woman who owned it. The moment she saw me approaching, a warm smile spread across her face, and she greeted me enthusiastically as she made her way toward me.

"Are you here to pick up the items you reserved with us?" she asked the moment I stopped in front of her.

"Yes," I answered briefly.

As I spoke, I reached into the leather waist bag secured around my waist and pulled out the folded paper bills I had already prepared for this purchase. I carefully handed them to the elderly woman.

She accepted the money immediately, but before putting it away, she took a moment to count every bill. Her experienced fingers moved quickly through the stack as she verified the amount. Once she was satisfied, she lifted her gaze to me and smiled.

"Just a moment. I'll call the workers to retrieve your order from the storage room—"

“No need,” I replied quickly, glancing over my shoulder for a moment. “I brought my own.”

The merchant followed my gaze, curiosity flashing across his face. His eyes widened slightly when he spotted the group of muscular warriors standing a short distance away. 

“Wow!” she exclaimed “Well, that’s even better! This will make everything much faster!”

A light chuckle escaped her before she turned toward my men and enthusiastically gestured for them to follow.

“Follow me, gentlemen! You’ll be carrying fifty sacks of grains and fifty sacks of starches!”

I nodded at the warriors, permitting them to proceed.

Without hesitation, they immediately moved into action. Their heavy boots thudded against the ground as they followed the merchant into the massive storage building. I remained outside, watching as they disappeared through the wide entrance.

Only a few moments passed before they began emerging one after another.

Each warrior carried enormous sacks across his back. Some of them even had multiple sacks stacked on top of each other, balanced effortlessly on their broad shoulders. The loads were so large that an ordinary man would have struggled to carry even one, yet my warriors moved with steady, confident strides.

Not a single trace of strain could be seen on their faces.

There were no grunts of effort. Their expressions remained calm and composed as they continued transporting the goods. The sight drew curious glances from nearby merchants and customers, who paused their own activities to watch the impressive display of strength.

To be honest, this was the first time I had ever brought the warriors along to help me with my usual Sunday routine.

Normally, I handled these weekly errands either by myself or with the assistance of hired workers. 

However, after everything that had happened recently, I had a feeling that ordering the warriors around wouldn't give me the same frustrations that other people often did.

And thankfully, I was right.

Ever since that incident, they have proven to be the easiest people to work with. 

They didn't argue, make excuses, or force me to repeat myself. Whenever I gave an instruction, they simply carried it out without complaint.

Because of that, I was beginning to think that bringing them with me every Sunday might become a regular thing from now on.

"All done, Miss Angelicca. Where are we heading next?"

After the last of the supplies had been loaded into the carriage, Jace appeared in front of me.

He casually dusted off his fitted sleeveless brown shirt, sending a small cloud of flour into the air. White powder still clung to parts of the fabric, evidence of the grain sacks they had been hauling moments ago.

"We're going to the vegetable and fruit market next," I answered. "After that, I still need to purchase a few other important necessities. Then our final stop will be the tailor's shop. I commissioned several outfits there, and they should be finished by now."

Jace nodded immediately.

"Alright." 

Once everything had been properly arranged and secured inside the carriage, one of the warriors climbed onto the driver's seat at the front. He gathered the leather reins firmly in his hands before giving them a practiced snap.

The horses responded instantly.

With a series of rhythmic hoofbeats against the stone road, the carriage slowly lurched forward before settling into a steady pace.