I licked my lips.

The dizzying smell of food was encroaching upon my delicate stomach. I wasn’t even halfway down the stairs when it hit me like heat on a saturday horse ride.

I touched my stomach, embarrassed that someone might have heard the growling. I took another step, slightly faster than before. I didn’t want to rush.

Mm, first night in a full length dress, there were plenty of moments in the past where I ruined hems.

I glanced back upon hearing someone rushing down the stairs. I saw the small bundle of hair that looked as if someone actually took a brush to it. I could only shake my head before walking smoothly into the dining hall.

My mother sat at the head of the table. A servant pulled back a chair for me. Smoothing down my dress, I sat down with care. Compared to me, the uncultured thief plops her ass into the chair. Staring with salivating mouths at the various dishes as if this was her first time at a table.

“It will just be us tonight. Your sister acquired a husband that is.. Let’s just say his standards are more in line with Miss Elena here.”

Ah, he was a merchant which in my mother's opinion was the same as a thief. They indeed did pocket more than their fair share of gold, but it wasn’t like my mother’s business did not steal the soul of the consumer base. I can’t imagine what major city that doesn’t have one of her trademark casinos run by an upright lass with a stick up her bottom.

Though, I guess it was something that she did provide charity work for those who were less unfortunate than the thieves that ate at our table. How quaint life could be from a clearer lens.

A servant walked to the side of us and loaded our plates from the suggestions we made with our eyes. Well the suggestions me and mother made with our eyes, the thief pointed openly. To the embarrassment of the servant who had turned red with shame. There was a hint of a smile on my mother's lips, guess she longed for a child to take up her day.

We ate in almost silence. Ignoring the praises that came from the thief or the sounds of her fork scraping the plate. When the dinner plates were taken away and the desert was brought out, I almost cried in embarrassment for her.

A pudding cake with a soft layer of creme coating.

She managed to get some on her nose, somehow. My mother thought it was absolutely amusing. Like raising a puppy and it runs into stuff or rolls over and expects a belly rub. Very cute while young but annoying while old.

I was of the belief that she was no longer cute, my mother supported the other half.

With a napkin covering my mother's lips, she laughed silently. Her eyes wrinkled in laughter and I wanted to bury myself. It was like bringing over a friend and they pissed in the bed on the first night of the sleepover. Pissed in the bed well passed the age for being able to control their motor reflexes.That same friend you never invited over again, ever.

I was more happy than the servant who had to serve the Thief, for the meal to be over with. I was just about to excuse myself when my mother raised her hand. I saddle back in and turn my full attention to her.

“Even though I would love to have you back in this big almost empty house. You are a grown woman yourself and you have your own secrets.”

She cupped her hand and leaned in slightly.

“I understand the desire burning in you and I don’t want to be the kind of mother who loses you twice.”

There were pregnant silences after that. Even the Thief knew to keep silent.

“I have picked out a house and security for you. Twenty female knights and all female staff. Tomorrow you can go and take a look. Do a little decorating, everything is on me. That being said, I hope you return every so often for a peaceful dinner like this. You can even bring your little friend. She is cute.”

My mouth twisted into one of those polite smiles that said I had no intention of every inviting her back. My mother dismissed us and I left with embarrassment plain on my face but my mind was already detailing my plans.

I was just about to open my door when I felt somebody staring at me. Looking down the hall, the thief was leaning against the doorframe of her bedroom. Giving one of the sailors’ type stare, assessing my assets.

“You look much better in a dress with a light bit of makeup. Who knew you could turn from deadly assassin to Princess in seconds.”

I clicked my tongue and stepped into the doorway but paused.

I heard her footsteps echo as she rushed over.

“Wait, can you train me to be a better fighter?”

“No.”

“Come on, you mother told me all about how awesome you were as a kid. Winning those males only tournaments. I don’t want all your skills, just enough to let me take revenge.”

I gave her a pity smile because there wasn’t any way I saw her beating the crimson guards. Nor the true masters of her guild, who might have trained since birth to wield swords. Even I would rather shoot them or run instead of facing off against opposition stronger, faster, and more ruthless.

This tinklebell who couldn’t even escape the grasp of three novices would take years to train into something half decent.

“We can see if you can pay for the tuition.”

Her eyes lit up with hope while I was already thinking about what to buy to make my new home feel more in line with a career woman.

“How much?”

“People paid me and my father fifty gold to teach their guards how to wield a blade. You will have to learn more than obviously. So hundred and fifty to be fair.”

Her smile of hope disappeared like the sun under rain clouds. She thought about it for a bit and nodded. A grim determination entered her eyes, I wondered how long it would take her to procure the funds.

I closed my door in her face but I heard the sound of hope in her footsteps as she left.

*****

The house was almost perfect, but it would need to be soundproof. Music could get to a point where it becomes more annoying than complimentary. The furniture was great, my mother had great taste. The clothes were more my mother style. I wanted something more huggable than loose. It was easier for me to walk in tighter around the waist clothes that didn’t go all the way down to my ankles

Thus my second day home began with shopping and the little Thief tag along. Despite leaving me part way, it was a semi pleasurable trip. The next day was explaining how to proper sound proof walls. It wasn’t just about the thickness of a wall, it was about the insulation that dampened those frequencies.

Which leads to much of the day being wasted on arguing than productivity. The next day was me primary ordering around a bunch of apes and the female apes knights to help soundproof the grand hall.

I had to admit that I had a measure of fun. Little Teacup Thief seems to be trying very hard to acquire the funds. I was more than happy to let her find herself in someone's basement, being cut to shreds.

The girl had no common sense but it was good. For I wanted to learn who really was the Thieves Guild representative here and how much they knew.

It wasn’t until the day that my classes were going to officially start, that I had some good news. My long term friend and lover, arrived to help me build up contacts. Plus it was great seeing the oaf once again.

I was standing in front of a mirror, holding a blue dress with white accents and black dress with blue accents. Both of them had the same frilly design and oh so tight corset lace at the front. The only difference was color.

I turned to my personal maid, who I vetted after great consideration. A lovely girl who had two brothers that fancy themselves squires.

“What do you think? Black or Blue?”

I glanced at her and she fidgeted.

“If I can be honest, lady. I think you would fit better in this dark green. It matches your eyes and these necklaces your mother bought for you.”

I leaned back and looked at the dark green dress that had a jacket with a beautiful swirl pattern.

“You are right, help me get into.”

***

I stood on the top step, watching the carriages pulled up. My lips pursed, the first girl out of the carriage was someone that didn’t look like she could play an instrument at all. Her hands were small, fingers chubby, and she had a hawk nose. I doubted she could look at the musical score without going cross-eyed.

That was ignoring the fact that she was dressed like a common girl but it looked clean. Which was presentable to an extent. There was a smudge upon her cheek that probably was dirt or some kind of charcoal.

I had hoped she was a singer and not trying to learn an instrument.

The second girl looks more believable. Long slender fingers, adequate arm length, eye to nose ratio not to extreme. Her style of clothing while more male-ish was at least fashionable. Red doublet, white tunic, and red breeches to meet her reddish hair.

I was expecting three girls but two were fine. They walked over to me with a nervous smile upon their lips. Just as they were about to introduce themselves another carriage came in. More luxurious, even more than what my mother rides around in.

The girl who stepped out was in horse riding gear. Though she had the standards of a pianist, sadly, I was already disliking her. She walked up, not even paying attention to the other girl, she bowed from the waist.

I curtised as response.

Her father station was most definitely higher than my mother who was only Countess. Probably a Marquess, no Duke would want to be stationed here on the border.

Her eyes roamed over me and there was a hint of approval in the uplifts of her lips. Her eyes glance sideways with contempt heavy enough to affect her nose, which scruffles up.

I kept a gentle smile upon my face, no signs of dislike or grieving undertones.