Adrien’s estate was perched at the top of one of the many hills that carved the landscape of Valford. At the edge of the gardens, it was easy to see the lively city shops below. Smaller homes were scattered among the adjacent hills, before spilling into the streets surrounding the center of town. The carriage bounced along the winding road leading down into the main streets. Adrien had debunked my idea of walking the path- he claimed we would need the carriage to fit my wardrobe alone- and I was not about to argue with him. Fall colors painted the many trees lining the roads and dotting the hills; oranges, yellows, reds. Time had escaped me; it felt as if I’d entirely discarded summer. A gentle breeze danced through the foliage and played with loose strands of my hair. From the corner of my eye, I caught Adrien watching me with fascination.

The carriage came to a halt just on the outskirts of the busiest street. Adrien exited and before I could make a move to leave, the driver opened the door and extended a gloved hand toward me.

“My lady,” he smiled.

“Thank you…Sam, was it?”

“Yes, my lady.” I took his hand and stepped down from my seat. Sam was a kind, cordial and well-spoken young man- very different from most men I met in my travels. His bright tousled hair and tanned skin told of a childhood lived outdoors and I liked him better for it.

“We’ll meet you back here in six hours, Sam.” Adrien handed him a small purse that clanked with the familiar sound of coin. “Do as you wish until then.”

“Thank you, Lord Markov.” He bowed and led his horse by hand to a nearby stable.

“Now, where to begin,” Adrien smiled and took my arm.

Already, passersby were risking glances in our direction, eyes widening at the sight of me. In Anastas, many of the townsfolk recognized me easily and didn’t give the thought of a Whisper with a prominent family a second thought. A majority of the people in Valford had likely never seen one of my race before- let alone accompanied by someone with such prestige.

“Don’t worry about them.” Noticing my worried glances, Adrien kissed my forehead. “No one will say anything while you’re with me.”

I nodded and we began to peruse the streets. The shop stalls I was accustomed to were replaced by well-kept buildings with beautiful storefronts covered in flowers and bright paints. Not one brick looked out of place in Valford’s shopping district, and the same could be said for its attendees. Men and women both walked the roads in their best clothing- fine satins and velvets intricately embroidered with floral patterns in gold thread. Compared to their wardrobes, I felt plain in Adrien’s servant dress.

“This way.” He guided me through a door and as I took in the store I gasped.

Expensive clothing filled the room from top to bottom; one side for gentlemen, the other for ladies. Anything from traveling leathers to ball gowns was carefully displayed throughout their business.

“Lord Markov, welcome.” A tall man older than Adrien approached us. Everything about him was heavy and thick- his stature, beard, and his glasses.

“Edmund, it’s good to see you.” Adrien clasped hands with the man. My manners were forgotten in the sea of luscious fabrics. I found myself brushing my fingertips over each item, needing to feel their caress against my skin.

“What can I help you with today?”

“I need assistance building a wardrobe for my Lady Josselyn.” My focus returned when I heard my name. Embarrassed, I curtsied clumsily.

“Well met, sir.”

“None of that, little one,” he laughed and clapped a giant hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be my pleasure to dress you.”

Without another word or question, he guided me into a smaller room at the back of the store. Fetching a small roll of tape from his pocket, he took my measurements in a midst of ‘hmm’s and ‘ahh’s. After scribbling a few hurried notes onto a small piece of paper, he disappeared and pulled a curtain over the entrance.

“Please undress while I’m out,” he said through the curtain.

I undid the messy knots of my bodice and easily stepped out of the skirt, standing only in my underthings. It wasn’t the first time I’d been measured and fit for clothing, Jeremi and Victoria had taken me enough that the clothier in Anastas had my sizing memorized. I didn’t wait long before Edmund returned with multiple options for me to try on, many of them for different occasions.

“This one I’ll pack in secret,” he winked and held up a white, lacy negligee that would leave little to the imagination. I blushed furiously at the thought. I had never worn a piece of clothing for someone else’s entertainment- Victoria had never seen the point.

I nodded, refusing to look into his eyes, and grabbed at the first outfit from the piles of clothing that lay before me.

For the next hour, I modeled clothing for Edmund and Adrien. With the ones I liked, Edmund would make adjustments with pins to the fit, and then take notes on his small pad of paper. He’d put the garment to the side to be tailored and delivered at a later time. Some of Edmund’s choices I’m sure had Adrien’s style in mind- one black dress was like nothing I had ever worn. It covered my shoulders and chest, but dipped in the back to a dangerous low, leaving my shoulder blades and lower back exposed. Both Adrien and Edmund’s eyes widened as I drew the curtain. I pulled my long hair over one shoulder and turned to the side, revealing the dress’s focal point.

“Perfect choice, Edmund. I knew I could trust your eye.”

“You’re a stunning girl, Josselyn,” Edmund nodded his approval. “Only a few items left, yes?”

By the time I finished the stack Edmund had imposed on me, I had traveling leathers, two elegant gowns for formal occasions, plenty of clothing to wear around Adrien’s estate, and the negligee that he’d tucked away.

After everything had been marked and placed aside for adjustments and I donned new, more fitting attire for shopping in Valford, Edmund gave Adrien the total. My heart skipped a beat- I was accustomed to having things purchased for me but this was an extravagance I wasn’t familiar with. Color rose to my cheeks as Adrien paid it without a second thought and shook Edmund’s hand again with another smile.

“Thank you for your help, as always, Edmund.”

“Of course, my Lord. Come again, Josselyn, I’ll be sure to put a few more things aside for you,” he winked at me and I blushed.

“Thank you, Edmund,” I said sheepishly. I took Adrien’s free arm, assisting him in carrying the few items Edmund was able to quickly tailor from the store. “Thank you, Adrien.”

“I told you, love, anything you desire.” He shifted the bags from my arms to his. “I’ll return these to the carriage, is there somewhere near here that interests you?”

I skimmed the shops surrounding us before my eyes fell onto a sign proudly displaying books. “Yes, that one.”

“Ah, a reader are you?”

“Jeremi taught me. He was incredibly patient with me and said I was a good student,” I smiled.

“I see,” he nodded. “Go on then, I’ll catch up with you.”

With newfound confidence, I crossed the threshold of the bookstore. Immediately, I was met with the scent of worn pages, leather bindings, and new ink. The Terryns kept a respectable library and the aroma reminded me of home. I breathed it in deeply.

The history of Rhoryn had always fascinated me; perhaps it was because that was what material I had learned to read with. But my true love of stories lay in fairy tales. Stories of dragons, kings, and sorcerers with untold powers. Victoria would tell me a fairy tale every night when they first brought me to their home and I absorbed myself in them when I could read on my own. Sifting through the shelves and shelves of books I finally found a tome filled with them. I pulled it free and carefully thumbed through pages enchanted with intricate drawings and beautifully penned words.

“Excuse me, can I help you?” A man that could have been my grandfather stepped around the corner, peering at me through squinted eyes. “Elwyn’s tits. A Whisper? Are you lost, girl?”

“N-no, I just—”

“You shouldn’t touch things you can’t afford.” He deftly plucked the book from my hands. Anger warmed my blood.

“You don’t understand—”

“Is there a problem here, Martin?”

“Ah, Lord Markov, just escorting this…lady to the door, you see.”

“So you’ve met Josselyn, then?” Adrien kept his calm and took the book from Martin’s hands. “Did you want to buy this, sweet? There may be another shop where we can find it with a more…congenial owner.”

“I-I’m sorry, m’lord, I didn’t realize she was yours—” Martin stammered.

“I am not anyone’s to own,” I snapped. Adrien laid a hand on my shoulder.

“Come, Josselyn, we’ll search somewhere else.”

“Just take the book, my lady,” Martin said, exasperated, “as an apology. It’s been years since I’ve run into one of you and times are tough.”

“That’s kind of you,” sarcasm dripped from Adrien’s words. He handed me the book. “Let’s be off, then.”

I hugged it to my chest, relishing in my small victory and trying to ignore Martin’s harsh words.

“We still have four hours, what should we do next?” Adrien linked his arm through mine and continued leading me down the extravagant streets of Valford. I prayed for more acceptance and respect from its citizens, and with Adrien by my side, I would have it.