"Hey, old man!" Jake said as he entered the tavern, he was wearing a hood to conceal his whereabouts.

"Ah, good to see you again," the man said smiling.

"Can I get a red lime?" Jake asked, the old man nodded.

"Same as usual, huh?" The man said, Jake nodded.

"Right this way," the man said leading Jake to the back.

In the back was another door leading to an underground room, this is where people get their sketchy information or hire people to assassinate their enemies. The code is ''. Say that to the bartender and he'll take you to the underground.

"Go ahead, the guy will be waiting," the bartender said opening the door. Jake went straight down without saying another word.

°

"Ah, your back...it's been a long time, hasn't it? I almost thought you quit being an investigator to your master" the man said as he saw Jake. Jake took off the hood of his cloak.

"I want you to find the ingredients of this medication, I want the information in 3 days," Jake said tossing the bottle to the man.

"No problem...come back here tomorrow," the man said smiling in delight.

"How much?" Jake asked as he tilted his head, crossing his arms and waiting for an answer.

"1000 gold coins" the man smiled.

"Here, it's 1500 gold, take everything," Jake said as he took out a pouch filled with gold coins.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Jake," the man said happily.

"I'll come back tomorrow," Jake said as he put his hood back on his head.

He left the room mumbling.

"I forgot to ask Caelias for the payment, I have to come back to him to get my money back, after all, I paid that with my own money," Jake said mumbling.

°

°

°

It was now morning, and while Aderi is getting ready with the help of the maids, a letter for her from the imperial palace came. In 2 days she will be an official adult. and if she doesn't play her cards right, in 2 years, the real Aderi's execution will occur.

'Dear Lady Callista,

I would like to have a list of people you personally would like to invite, I know you are skeptical about everything and about what others would say, but take this as my gratitude for helping the boys behave yesterday. I will be sending another letter addressed to your father shortly so we can talk everything out. Also, the royal family of the bisoplain will be at your celebration, hope you don't mind their presence. A team of professionals will be there to take your measurements and to sketch the dress you like, it might be short notice for someone to make a dress but worry not, I've paid them handsomely so their time will be all for your dress. If you have any concerns please feel free to write them in your letter along with the guest you want to invite.

Sincerely, His Majesty Keane'

"I don't even have that many people I know outside of the characters that got introduced in the novel," Aderi said to herself as she looked outside the window in front of her desk. Right now she was at her own study.

"I appreciate them doing the work since preparing for a party will be hectic, especially on short notice. But if it were the royal family it will be done in no time" Aderi mumbled.

"Alright time to write my response, first of course Lucas and his parents, and his older brother sir Luke. Next, my grandparents on my father's side, since my lacita grandparents are already of course included, after all... high-ranking nobles are always present at other noble's celebrations..." Aderi said as she started writing.

"Next, lady Ari and her parents...hmm who else?" Aderi thought to herself as she looked at the paper she was writing at.

"Only if I could invite ..." Aderi said with bitterness in her tone remembering her dear old friend.

"I guess I could invite the other ladies that I interacted with at lady Ari's tea party," Aderi said as she started writing down each name of the people that attended Ari's tea party.

"Anyway, isn't all nobles gonna come? Why do I have to write people I would personally like?" Aderi asked herself as realization struck her.

"Ah...whatever, delete this paper!" Aderi said as she grabbed another paper and began writing again.

'Dear, His Majesty Keane,

These are the people I would personally like to invite, firstly my grandparents on my father's side. Michael Callista, and Anna Callista. Secondly the family of marquess Stefan. Thirdly the family of baron Duncan. Thank you, your majesty, for your kindness in hosting my debutante. I don't mind the presence of the royal family of bisoplain, I look forward to meeting them. I don't have further questions, thank you, your majesty.

Sincerely, Aderi Nova Callista'

After Aderi was finished writing the letter she closed the envelope and sealed it with wax that has the crest of the Callista.

"I think that should do it!" Aderi said as she stood up and walked out of her personal study room.

°

"Please deliver this to the palace, thank you," Aderi said giving the letter that was inside the envelope to the Callista's letter delivery man.

"On it, m'lady," the delivery man said with a smile, Aderi nodded smiling.

"I should go shopping with Lady Ari today...I want to treat her to dress shopping that she can wear at the party" Aderi thought

"ah! Please wait a minute, I need to write another letter, if you don't mind can you wait?" Aderi asked the delivery man.

"Sure, no problem, m'lady," the delivery man said smiling.

"thank you!" Aderi said as she quickly ran back to her study room.

°

°

°

"Again Lady Ari, Sorry, for the short notice," Aderi said as they were walking in town.

"Not a problem at all, Lady Aderi!" Ari said smiling happily.

"I'm really happy you asked me to shop with you," Ari said smiling.

"I'm glad," Aderi said chuckling.

"How about we go dress shopping first?" Aderi asked pointing at the store that offers already-made clothes. But this store is for high-ranking nobles only since the dresses are very expensive.

"Since it will be my birthday, pick any dress you would like, my treat" Aderi said smiling as she held Ari's hands and dragged her into the shop.

"Lady aderi...isn't what you said supposed to be the opposite?" Ari asked lifting her eyebrows confused.

"I like the opposite way" Aderi chuckled.

°

"So far they are doing normal stuff...both girls are extremely beautiful...they seem, like good friends, although I shouldn't let my guard down, this is my mission after all" Jake said as he leaned in a wall opposite the store as he spies on the two ladies.

----

He was spying on Ari already before Aderi sent Ari a letter, and that's why Jake is also here.

----

"The baron's daughter is beautiful, it'd be a waste if she has a rotten inside," Jake thought to himself as he continued looking at the ladies that were from across the street shopping happily in the store.

"I should adjust my position, I should go beside the store so I can listen in to their conversation after going out," Jake said as he switched his hiding place.

Now he was in the alleyway next to the store where Aderi and Ari are shopping at.

°

°

°

"Thank you, Lady Aderi for buying me a dress that I'll use at your debutante celebration," Ari said holding the bag the dress was in. Ari was so moved that she was on the verge of crying.

"You're very welcome, Lady Ari, although I didn't think I would also shop for a dress myself...haha, I got carried away, I also wished you picked more dresses, you only picked one" Aderi said as she tried to carry the bags in her hands.

"Oooo! They are selling street food there! Shall we go try?!" Aderi asked excitedly as she spotted a food stall across the street.

"Our hands are full...perhaps we should bring this to the carriage first," Ari asked, Aderi looked at her hands and chuckled.

"I forgot, haha...I got carried away with the food" Aderi said chuckling.

"My treat again! Let's eat to our fullest once we put this in the carriage" Aderi said, Ari took the bags from Aderi.

"Go ahead and go to the food stall, I'll bring them back, you look so excited to try them so go for it," Ari said smiling.

"No no, how could I bother you with such a task," Aderi said worriedly. Ari shook her head chuckling.

"It's your treat today after all...so please let me do this little thing," Ari said smiling, Aderi was hesitant but nodded.

"Sure...but come back shortly, alright?" Aderi said. Ari nodded.

"I'll go then, I'll buy you five sticks," Aderi said as she ran to the other side.

"Isn't five sticks a little too much?" Ari asked, but Aderi didn't hear her.

"The fishy, she wanted to take this task, I have to see where she goes!" Jake thought as he moved so he can see where Ari is.

But he bumped into someone instead.

Jake looked on the floor to look who bumped into him and fell, he stopped in his tracks...it was Ari.

"Ouch...uh-- my apologies!" Ari said as he looked at Jake apologizing. Jake's eyes widen, this was the first time he looked at Ari so close.

"Are you okay?" Ari asked as she tried getting up.

"Y-yes I am," Jake said as he offered his hand.

"I'm sorry I bumped into you," Ari said apologizing.

"No, it's my fault...and who even asked the person they bumped into 'are you okay?' when you are the one who fell?" Jake asked worriedly. Ari chuckled.

"My apology," Ari said smiling. Jake's heart couldn't help but beat fastly. The beauty of this maiden was extremely beautiful.

"L-let me help you carry these as my token of apology," Jake said as he picked up the bags that contains the dresses. Luckily the bag was very sealed and the dress was in a box so no dirt can get in.

"Ah! no need to bother, I can do it, besides I told Lady Aderi I'll be the one taking them back to the carriage," Ari said, Jake shook his head.

"So which way?" Jake asked as he carried all the bags.

"D-did you just ignore me?" Ari asked disappointed.

"Come now, the person Lady Aderi is waiting for you, isn't she? You don't want her to wait, right?" Jake asked, Ari, nodded instantly.

"Uh inside the alleyway, our carriage is parked there," Ari said, Jake nodded.

"So who is this Lady Aderi exactly?" Jake asked.

"She's the daughter of the former duchess Veronica Lacita Callista, and duke Callista, shouldn't you already know her?" Ari said as she followed up what she said with a question.

"I do know, but what I mean...what is she to you? And shouldn't you call her 'Lady Callista instead of 'Lady Aderi' since she's a high-ranking noble?" Jake asked. Ari nodded

"She is my dearest friend, and yes I know I should call her 'Lady Callista' but Lady Aderi granted me permission, she even insisted, we are great friends you see?" Ari said.

"What is she like?" Jake asked.

"Oh, Lady Aderi is amazing! She is extremely beautiful and smart, and not to mention, very kind! She has this strong aura, and she stands by her own belief even if others don't agree! I really admire that about her, and did you know? Lady Aderi doesn't treat those below her badly, if she thinks you are worthy of respect, even if you are a commoner she would call you 'Sir' or 'ma'am' not like any other nobles that will call you 'hey' y'know? And even if you are a noble-" Ari said rumbling excitedly telling everything that she likes about Aderi but Jake stopped her.

"Stop already...geez, do you like her that much?" Jake asked annoyed.

"Yes! Not romantically though" Ari said smiling.

"Oh! We're here already" Ari said as she looked at the carriage, she opened the door before the couch man could even. Jake passed the bags to Ari one by one as Ari put the bags in the carriage one by one.

"Thank you for your help, I'll be going back to Lady Aderi now, bye-bye!" Ari said smiling before running back.

"Geez...that girl is weird, she seems to like Aderi a lot, she doesn't romantically like Aderi but...seems like my dear friend Cael will have some competition besides marquess Stefan's son and his half-brother," Jake thought to himself as he chuckled. He then thought about Caelias being furious about having another enemy in line for Aderi's love and attention.

"Still...that girl is very cute, she looks so innocent," Jake said as he thought about Ari, He couldn't help but blush.

"geez, it's too early to judge that she's innocent when her personality could be a facade," Jake thought as he continued walking.

°

°

"Ah Lady Ari, you are back!" Aderi said as she passed a sticked beef to Ari.

"Sorry I took a while, I bumped into a guy," Ari said apologizing.

"Oh? What does he look like!?" Aderi asked intrigued.

"He seems to have Long pink hair and black eyes, he was wearing a cloak," Ari said describing the man.

"Seems like an interesting man, let's eat first, you should try it!" Aderi said, Ari, nodded with a smile as she bit the beef that was in a stick.

"Hmmm!!! It's delicious!" Ari said amazed.

"I know right!" Aderi said as she bit on her own sticked beef.

Aderi looked at Ari who was eating happily.

"She kinda looks like the female version of Cael...could she have any siblings? I know in the novel she is said to be an only child, but Luke who is lucas's half-brother wasn't mentioned in the original novel..." Aderi thought to herself.

"Lady Ari?" Aderi spoke, Ari looked at Aderi.

"Do you have any brothers? Or siblings in general?" Aderi asked.

"No...I'm an only child, why'd you ask?" Ari asked.

"I had a friend before, he was a boy and he looks like you, he has black hair and blue eyes" Aderi explained.

"Oh? Where is that friend now? I would love to meet him" Ari said happily.

"That's impossible...one day he told me goodbye and up until now he still hasn't appeared," Aderi said with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Ari said.

"Anyway! We still have a lot of sticks to finish!" Aderi said pointing at the sticks that has been reserved for them.

"Isn't that a little too much Lady Aderi?" Ari asked with a shocked face but her shocked face quickly turned into a smile as she saw Aderi eating happily.

"I guess I don't mind eating a lot if I get to see her eat happily," Ari thought to herself as she bit the last beef on her stick, before grabbing another stick.