"Is something wrong?" Cora asked, seeing the shocked expression on Lila's face. 

Lila immediately masked her reaction with a docile expression. She said, "N— no. I look forward to having dinner with you and with Ileus' guests. His guest is my guest too." A pale blush rose on her cheeks as she smiled charmingly. On the inside fury rose in her chest. What was the bitch doing in Silver Vales? Suddenly she remembered the conversation she had with Ileus and Anastasia a day back. Did she come here to buy jewelry items? Was she trying to prove her worth? If that was the case then she was in for some serious insults. She was going to turn it into a competition. Lila sneered inside. The girl would pack her bags before the end of the day and she would shame Anastasia so badly in front of Cora and Pierre that she would never return or… she may disappear from the face of the earth. 

Cora couldn't help feeling proud of her choice. On the inside she was happy that she chose her to be her Grandson's life partner. The fae princess would have been a disaster for him. Cora was extremely sure that the fae princess was a spoiled, arrogant girl who was waging useless wars on her people. If she ever confronted that girl, she was sure to give her a piece of mind or maybe even throw her in dungeons. She stepped closer to Lila and patted her back saying, "I was expecting this answer from you dear. You are truly a nobility." 

Lila lowered her head as her blush became deeper. "No Cora, I am blessed to have you in my life. You have been an inspiration to me," she said, her muscles feeling numb for the want of opium. Her body was heating up and all she wanted to do at that time was to rip her clothes off. "If you will excuse me, I really have to rush to the prison. There is a prisoner who has been acting up a little. I really have to talk to him and soothe him." 

"Sure, my dear," said Cora. Yet another one of Lila's talents that she loved was her way of calming the prisoners. They all heard her and then became very docile. She was a smooth woman. Even though she was so sweet to talk to, her powers of persuasion were very strong. "Please go. Hurry up!" 

Lila giggled and then hurried out. All the way to the garden outside, she was riled up. She created a portal and stepped in it. When she stepped out in the bedroom of the manor beside the prison, she took her clothes off. The guards opened the door for her and seeing her condition, they knew what kind of a mood she was in. As soon as she stepped in her bedroom, she rushed to her table where her opium was kept. When she saw that it wasn't there, she screamed and started finding it. In the process she drew out every drawer and threw the contents on the ground. Finally when she found it, she sagged on the ground and licked it hungrily. Five minutes later her breath became normal as she leaned against the cupboard, naked, with her legs sprawled. "I need that prisoner!" she shouted at the guards. "Get him here now!" 

Twenty minutes later, the werewolf was shoved inside the door with his shackles open. He looked at her and licked his chapped lips. 

"Come to me, werewolf," she whispered, staring at the erection that tented his pants. 

--- 

"Why the hell do you want to see jewelers of small repute?" Kaizan countered. Anastasia was getting ready to visit the market and Kaizan was extremely restless. He paced the room up and down with irritation mounting. The girl was always so fearless. Why didn't she understand that there was danger everywhere? If they noticed her pointy ears, she would be in deep trouble. 

From the bathroom she shouted, "I told you already and I don't want to argue!" When she had requested earlier that they should bring small jewelers too, Kaizan wasn't happy. He refused and only wanted the reputed ones to come. In order to insist on what she wanted, she decided to go to the market herself and research. 

Darla was watching him and her eyes hurt now. "Kaizan, I think with the usual protection around her, no one would dare to approach her." 

The bathroom door opened and when Anastasia came out, Darla had to stifle her laugh. She was wearing a full-length red cloak with a hood with a black shirt and black pants. 

"Even a bee from ten miles away is going to find you in that red cloak!" said Kaizan and walked to her to unbutton the cloak. "And change that black shirt!" 

The group was walking in the market with Anastasia in the middle. She was now wearing a white shirt and Darla helped her with the hair in a way that they hid her pointy ears. Kaizan and the royal guards were tense as hell. The two guards for whom she was like a goddess were just too hyper. Their hands would go to the hilt even if a fly buzzed around. 

The market was buzzing with activity. When they entered the cobbled strip they could hear shopkeepers and customers haggling the prices. Blue tarps strung above the rickety shops on the sides of which sun-faded fabric hung in rainbow colors. "This place caters to the lesser werewolves," Darla said in a low voice. They traversed the uneven dirt pathways between the rows of merchants. Several vendors called them to entice them to their stalls. The path led to a plush market square where the shops were more upscale. All around the market square were high pedestals of green granite on which exquisite shops were located. Anastasia could see shelves and hangers holding colorful fabric, lace, rugs and other clothing. In the center of the square was a small enclosure, which was surrounded by a golden hedge. A small eatery catered to the public. Some people were sitting at the tables sipping wine or tea. 

Along with Darla, she would go inside the shops and ask about the prices. Eventually she decided on calling two of the jewelers. She roamed around the market for a good two hours. In the end when she was done, she said, "Can we go and sit over there to have tea?" She pointed at the garden in the center? 

"No!" Kaizan and Darla and the two guards said in unison. Anastasia rolled her eyes. 

Satisfied, she returned. Kaizan couldn't be more thankful in his life to all the wolf spirits he had prayed for when Anastasia was out in the market. When they were returning, Darla chuckled, "How are you feeling Kaizan?"

"I will go and have one mug of beer," he replied. They exited the market square and were now walking towards the manor. 

"Can we have a portal?" a guard asked. 

"No, that would attract unwanted attention!" Darla refused. She halted in her tracks and looked to her left towards Anastasia. She stilled and her eyes narrowed. Her face turned feral and her hand reached her sword. 

"What the hell—" Kaizan said. All other guards took their hands to their swords. 

Before Darla could react, Anastasia took her dagger out.

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