Her Highness's Second Life

Chapter 9 - The Important Folder

Raena’s grip tightened around the folder she was holding, her forefinger playing with the cord that kept it closed. Two days had already passed since her last visit to the restaurant, despite her promise to fulfill her part, and time was running short. On top of that, Elene seemed to be in a strange hypersensitive mood, scanning their surroundings as if expecting people to drop from the sky and attack them.

Now Elene sat across from her, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the road. When the carriage stopped, Elene slipped outside and surveyed the area for a full minute before giving Raena a sign to get off. Raena followed suit, joining the stream of people who were either selling goods or avoiding unwanted purchases to pay any attention to the two of them.

Raena had opted for a simple green dress devoid of embellishments or embroidery, with her hair fashioned into a straight braid, mirroring the style Kara often wore when she served as a maid.

As Raena looked up at the sky, the soft, fluffy clouds moved out of the sun’s way, and its rays spread over the street, briefly blinding her. She raised the folder to shield her eyes, blinking the temporary blindness away, when suddenly someone pushed against her shoulder, snatching the folder out of her hands.

“Huh?” she exclaimed, staring at her empty fingers before looking after the thief. He was already pushing his way through the crowd, squeezing the folder in his hand. Raena glanced at Elene, ready to tell her to go after him, when a man with a big cart carrying a bunch of barrels moved between them, forcing Elene against the wall of the nearest building.

Desperation rushed into Raena’s head as she looked back at the thief, who was quickly slipping further and further away. She couldn’t let him disappear with that folder, not after how much work and thought she had put into it in the last two months…

Raena grabbed her skirt and sprinted after the man, ignoring Elene’s shout. She knew it was stupid to go alone, but if she knew her husband well, more people were watching over her anyway, so if she found herself in real danger, they’d interfere. She doubted they’d reveal their presence for a petty thief, though, so she had to catch him herself.

A tall, bulky guy blocked her way, and she ran into his back, almost falling to the ground as she staggered back. Someone caught her arm and steadied her.

“Are you alright, Miss?”

“No! I have to catch that thief!” she shouted, trying to go around the big man, who finally noticed he was in the way and moved, mumbling an apology. Her eyes scanned the crowd until she spotted the guy with the folder. He was the only one running and pushing others, so he was hard to miss. She was just about to dash after him, even though she doubted she could catch him at this point when the guy that had saved her from a fall put a hand on her shoulder. She was just turning to glare at him when he spoke.

“Allow me, Miss,” he said and ran off, zigzagging between the people with surprising flexibility. A few seconds later, he disappeared behind the corner and Raena was about to follow, afraid she’d lose them both, when someone grabbed her shoulder, squeezing it painfully.

“Are you out of your mind?” Elene’s enraged voice made Raena jump before slowly turning around. “Did you forget your brain at home when we left? You can’t just ditch me and run away! Your husband will have my head for this!”

“I need that folder back!” she snapped, knowing deep inside that Elene had a full right to be angry. Raena had to stop Kassian from punishing her if he ever found out about this. “I’m sorry, I know it was reckless, but…”

“Raena, forget about reckless!” Elene hissed, grabbing her shoulders and shaking them. “You’re pregnant, or have you forgotten? What if somebody hit you in the stomach or pushed you to the ground? Is that folder more important than your child?”

Raena’s eyes widened as she stared at the other woman.

Pregnant. She was pregnant. Right. She was almost four months pregnant.

Her hand moved to her stomach, and she cursed under her breath. How could she forget that? Ever since she had that dream, she kept touching her stomach where she was stabbed, but she had forgotten that it was not a knife that was there now, but a child. Her child.

Elene’s fingers relaxed on her shoulders, and she sighed.

“Let’s go to the restaurant. It’s not safe here. We’ll talk about this later.”

Raena nodded obediently, glancing back to where the thief had disappeared. She was just about to let Elene pull her along when she noticed the guy who went after him jogging back. He was holding her wrinkled folder with one hand and his face with the other.

“Elene, wait,” Raena said, pulling her hand. “Just wait a second.”

Elene froze on her spot, her hands tightening around the hilt of the sword. The guy finally reached them and stopped, leaning on his knees to catch his breath. His tanned skin, tall, lean body, and dark hair looked oddly familiar, but it wasn’t until he met her eyes that she recognized him.

She had forgotten about him with everything going on, but those striking gray eyes and the numerous earrings were too strange an occurrence around here not to stand out. He offered her the folder with a smile.

“Here you go, Miss. I’m sorry for not catching the bastard to give him to the guards, but he got the best of me,” he said, wincing as he pointed to his swollen cheek. “He was stronger than he looked. But at least I got your item back for you.”

Elene grabbed the folder, giving the man a suspicious look while he covered his swollen eye again

“I’m glad you are safe, Miss,” he said, glancing back at Raena. “But maybe you shouldn’t try to run after a thief by yourself next time. Now, if you’d excuse me…”

He turned to leave when Raena called for him to stop.

“Please allow us to treat your wound. This is the least we can do,” she said, glancing at Elene, who pursed her lips in disapproval but said nothing. “My workplace is just a few streets away. We actually met there.”

Cocking his head to the side, he looked her over with narrowed eyes before he exclaimed, “Vanilla panna cotta!” The smile returned to his face. “You were eating that dessert back then. I barely recognized you.” Shifting from one leg to another, he glanced cautiously at Elene before adding, “I’ll accept your kind offer if your friend allows it. If it will only be trouble for you, then please don’t feel obligated to do so. It’s not that serious. A little ice and it will be all fine.”

“Ice?” Elene frowned. “It’s spring. Where are you going to find ice?”

“Oh,” the man replied, his eyebrows furrowing. “No matter then.”

Elene let out a heavy sigh.

“Follow us so we can treat you,” Elene said, and Raena beamed at her. Elene stepped closer to her and handed her the folder. “I’ll be the one treating him, though.”

“I appreciate your kindness,” he said with a slight bow of his head. “My name is Emer. May I know yours?”

Raena hesitated for a moment, but Elene didn’t give her a sign to lie.

“I’m Raena and this is Elene. Nice to meet you. Please follow us.”

He nodded, wincing as he removed his hand from his face again. The swelling had almost forced his entire eye to close and his face was turning a darker shade of brown and red.

They made their way through the crowd in silence, with Elene walking between them and standing so close to Raena that their shoulders brushed. Emer held a respectful distance the whole time.

Ruby Street seemed as busy as ever, with people waiting in a short line in front of Her Highness’s Secret Palace. Elene led them to the side street behind the restaurant, making sure the customers didn’t see them as they slipped between the buildings. Once they reached the side door, she knocked. Raena clung to her folder as she glanced back at the stranger—there was something peculiar about him, and it wasn’t just his appearance. He was a handsome man, definitely older than the two of them, but it was hard to tell his age just by looking at him. His friendly, cheerful aura probably won people over easily, and while his clothes seemed a bit wrinkled and dusty, they were obviously of good quality.

The door opened, and she turned away before he caught her staring, smiling at Jaehe as he stood frozen with a hand on the handle. He studied Emer from head to toe, but then just stepped aside to let them in.

“This way,” Elene said, leading them away from the kitchen. At first, Raena thought she was bringing them to the office and was going to stop her, but then Elene halted by one of the storage rooms that held all the dry ingredients they used for cooking. Several lamps were lit up inside since there were no windows in the narrow accommodation, so it was bright enough to see even though the air was heavy with the smell of spices.

“I’m sorry about the place, but the restaurant seems to be full and we’ll be in their way in the kitchen so…” Raena said, giving him an apologetic smile while covering her nose with her sleeve since the smells were making her stomach lurch.

“And I’m a stranger, so you can’t really let me roam about in your place of business. I’m a merchant too, so I understand. I am not offended. Don’t worry,” he smiled.

“I’ll be right back with some medicine,” Elene announced as she stepped toward the door. She left it wide open as if telling Raena not even to think about closing it. Not that she would.

“Please, sit down,” Raena said, waving toward a pile of crates lined by the wall. He did as he was told, his eyes now at the level of her own. “So… you said you’re a merchant? What’s your trade?”

“Tools and gadgets that can assist with all kinds of work—from farming and agriculture to crafts and arts,” he replied with a smile, scratching his neck as if embarrassed. “How about you, Raena? Are you a manager here?”

“Yeah, something like that,” she said, pushing away a string of hair that had escaped her braid. To her relief, Elene returned a few seconds later and pulled another crate in front of Emer, opening two small containers filled with some kind of mushy ointment.

“This one will help with the swelling and this one will numb the pain,” she explained, pointing at each of them in turn. He closed his eyes as she applied the first cream and they didn’t speak while her fingers worked on his swollen face.

“It already feels better, thank you,” Emer said after Elene stepped back. He rose to his feet, looking at each of them before bowing his head again. “I thank you for the medicine, but I can tell you are busy, so I will take my leave. Please take care and try not to get into trouble.”

“I still think I should repay you somehow for bringing this back. And for hurting your face in the process.” Raena winced, ignoring Elene’s glare.

“That’s alright, I don’t need anything.” Emer shrugged. “Can you escort me out? I don’t want to cause trouble if I run into someone.” Elene nodded and headed toward the door, and so did Emer. He stopped next to Raena and gave her another smile. “It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, even under the circumstances. Until we meet again. Goodbye.”

He didn’t wait for her answer, simply stepped out of the room. Raena followed them outside, staring after them until Elene closed the door.

“Raena!” Kara’s concerned voice made Raena turn around just as her friend appeared from the door connected to the staircase. Kara’s face was full of worry, her eyes studying Raena from head to toe as if searching for mortal wounds. “Elene told me what happened! How can you run after a thief by yourself? What were you thinking?”

“Yeah, that’s what I wanted to know too,” Elene said in a grim voice when she returned. “What was so bloody important that you would run after the thief yourself, knowing full well that even if you catch him, the chances of you taking that folder back from him are slim to none?”

“Uh, well.” Raena scratched her cheek, fanning herself with the folder. “This, girls, is how we are going to impress the important foreign guests and win a fortune in the span of just a few weeks. You can thank me later. Let’s get to work!”