Chapter 7
When they left the residential area and entered the busy district, the number of people began to increase.
By the time they reached the marketplace, the crowd was so dense that one could easily lose sight of their companion.
“Alright! Let’s get shopping! I’ll get you everything at a very reasonable price!”
“No, I just need to buy a few supplies…”
“Trust me!”
“Haa…”
Selina felt exhausted already, just from watching her overly excited friend before they’d even started.
“So, what do you need to buy?”
“Hmm… Paper and writing tools?”
She needed to purchase stationery for the academy and some everyday essentials — like clothes to wear in the dormitory or on weekends.
When Selina said she would just bring what she had at home, Mie had protested furiously.
‘Hey! This is a good chance to buy new clothes! All your clothes are your aunt’s! How can you wear clothes for women in their 30s and 40s when you’re in the prime of your youth?’
Since Mie wasn’t exactly wrong, Selina had nothing to say in return.
After Selina’s build had started resembling Stella’s, she stopped buying her own clothes and simply wore her mother’s.
She wasn’t much interested in fashion — but the real reason was that she had to play the role of the Madame.
No one could know that the identity of the Madame had changed, and to keep that illusion, she had to wear Stella’s clothes.
“All right! We’ve got most of the supplies, so now let’s go buy clothes!”
Mie, who’d managed to buy everything quickly and cheaply, led the way into a fashionable street, eyes sparkling.
“Hmm… What do you need? Let’s see — two dresses, a skirt, a blouse… Oh! And comfortable shoes too!”
“I have plenty at home…”
“No way! Do you want to be looked down on at the academy? You have no idea how sensitive people are about trends these days! If you dress like you usually do, you’ll be the target of teasing for sure.”
“Mie, you don’t get it. People don’t really pay that much attention to me.”
“Hmph! That’s only adults. It’s different with kids our age! You don’t know how sharp they can be — not everyone’s as nice as I am, you know.”
“Yes, yes.”
Mie dragged the reluctant Selina into a boutique.
It wasn’t a high-class shop for nobles, but it was still considered expensive among commoners — a well-known boutique.
“Welcome! Whose clothing are you looking for today?”
“We’re here to look for clothes for me and my friend.”
“I see. Please follow me.”
Following the clerk’s guidance, they entered a section filled with clothes for girls in their teens.
“Do you have a particular style in mind?”
“No, we’ll just look around.”
“All right. Please let me know if you need any help.”
Once the clerk stepped aside, Mie squealed softly.
“Kyaa! Aren’t these clothes so pretty?”
“…Too bright.”
“That’s just because you always wear dull colors. You’d actually look great in something lighter.”
Mie scanned the racks like a hawk, picking out outfits for both herself and Selina. One after another, she held them up to Selina’s body.
“Hmm… Take off your hat for a second. I can’t tell without seeing your face properly.”
“…It’s better if I don’t.”
“Because of that, right? If anyone here acts rude, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry and just take it off.”
Selina couldn’t help but chuckle at Mie’s confident words. Feeling oddly reassured, she carefully removed her hat.
As expected, the atmosphere around them shifted instantly.
“Hmm… Everything looks good on you. It’s hard to choose.”
“Just pick something simple.”
“Then… how about this one and this one?”
Mie picked out a pale yellow dress, perfect for the upcoming spring, and a soft lavender one that matched Selina’s violet eyes.
They weren’t flashy but looked elegantly understated.
“Excuse me!”
Mie waved to call the clerk, who approached with a stiff smile that barely hid her nervousness.
“Y-yes, miss?”
“We’ll take these two dresses. Hmm… Selina, since you’re tall, I think they’ll need some alterations.”
“Really? I can’t tell.”
“Excuse me, will these fit my friend?”
“W-well, since she’s quite tall, I think it’d be best to lengthen the hem a little.”
“I see…”
Even while trembling, the clerk did her best to answer politely. Mie narrowed her eyes.
“All right, then we’ll need exact measurements.”
“Y-yes, of course.”
“Please take her measurements. I’ll look around some more.”
“Eek!”
Startled by Mie’s tone, the clerk trembled as she led Selina away.
Selina sighed inwardly at how terrified the woman looked.
“P-please raise your arms so I can take the measurements.”
Obediently, Selina raised her arms. The clerk’s hands shook slightly as she worked carefully.
When she knelt to measure Selina’s waist, the top of her head was clearly visible — and suddenly, an image flashed across Selina’s mind.
It was late at night — so quiet it was eerie.
The moon was hidden behind clouds, making the already dark night even darker.
The same clerk walked down an empty alleyway, her steps weary.
Then, out of nowhere, an unknown man grabbed her and dragged her into a darker, narrower alley.
What followed was too horrific to watch.
In only five seconds, Selina had seen the clerk’s future — and she frowned deeply.
Her eyes were special, but they didn’t show her everyone’s fate all the time.
However, when someone’s future held danger, sometimes she would see it involuntarily.
This clerk… would soon be murdered.
“Tsk.”
Selina clicked her tongue unconsciously. The clerk flinched violently, going pale.
Selina knew why her attitude had changed the moment she removed her hat.
That made it even harder to tell her what she had seen.
“F-forgive me! I’ll finish quickly! Please spare me…!”
“You. You know who I am, don’t you?”
“Eek! N-no, I don’t know anything…”
“If you’re going to hide it, do it properly. With how much you’re shaking, anyone could tell.”
“M-milady Witch! Please forgive me!”
The clerk fell to her knees, begging tearfully.
Witch.
That was what the locals called Selina.
To be precise, Stella — her mother — had been called the Witch. Since Selina was her daughter, the name had simply passed to her.
People regarded the Madame of Silent Moonlight as a prophet, and Stella, who possessed the same gift of foresight, had been branded a witch.
When people heard the word witch, their reactions usually fell into three types:
Fear, like this clerk.
Indifference.
Hatred.
Because Selina never knew which type she might face, she always hid her hair and eyes whenever she went out — wearing large hats on purpose.
The nobles didn’t know much, but the locals were familiar with the Witch and her daughter’s appearance. It was necessary to stay cautious.
“You. What time do you usually finish work?”
“…Pardon?”
The clerk looked up, confused by the sudden question.
“I asked what time you get off.”
“U-usually between 10 and 11 at night.”
“That’s pretty late.”
“Why do you ask…?”
The clerk sneaked a glance at Selina, only to freeze at the sight of those cold violet eyes.
“I-I’m sorry…!”
“Don’t bother apologizing. Just be careful for a while.”
“…What?”
“I don’t know exactly when, but there’s misfortune hanging over you. Try to go home while it’s still bright outside, and don’t walk down empty alleys.”
“Misfortune… for me?”
“Yes. I know you’re scared of me, but you’d better take my advice seriously. Plenty of people regretted ignoring my warnings.”
Her firm, intimidating tone made the clerk nod frantically, face pale as chalk.
Satisfied that she understood, Selina lowered her arms and walked back to Mie.
“All done with measurements?”
“Yeah, but… you…”
As Selina approached, she noticed the mountain of clothes Mie had piled beside her.
“I picked both mine and yours! From here to here is mine, and the rest are yours.”
Selina looked them over — they weren’t bad.
“I’m done. You?”
“I’m good too. Let’s pay. Excuse me!”
The clerks hurried over, folding the clothes neatly.
“Please separate these two orders. And these will need some alteration — my friend’s quite tall.”
“There will be an extra fee, is that all right?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Then we’ll deliver them to your home after the alterations. Please write your name and address here.”
The same clerk, now a little calmer, handed her paper and a pen, still watching Selina nervously.
Selina scribbled her address and handed it back.
“Oh! Could you send mine together with hers? There are too many to carry.”
“Of course. To the same address?”
“Yes, please.”
Mie’s pile alone was five or six outfits — definitely too much to carry around.
“The total comes to three gold and forty silver. Would you like to pay separately?”
“Yes, please.”
The clerk recalculated with her abacus, announced each total, and both girls handed over their money.
“Here’s your change.”
Mie took hers, but Selina shook her head. Both the clerk and Mie blinked in confusion.
“It’s a tip. You can handle the rest yourselves.”
“What? That’s almost seventy silver!”
Selina had just tipped nearly 30% of the total purchase — leaving everyone around her stunned.
