Episode 7

"Are you truly our child? Why do you seem so different?"

Sara turned Caerina around, inspecting her. Neither she nor Kledson could believe the transformation their daughter had undergone. Her face was smoother, her skin fairer, and she had grown slightly taller. Unleashing her core aura had prompted an unexpected growth spurt in Caerina.

"Father, Mother, it's me. Who else did you think I was? Someone else's child?" Caerina sought to reassure her parents.

"She is indeed our daughter, but what's happened? Why did you return so quickly? Is her core aura development complete?" Kledson inquired.

This time, it was Nathan's turn to detail everything to Kledson.

"Caerina managed to unlock her core aura in roughly twelve hours. Father, you can see for yourself, her current form is a direct result of that core aura," Nathan summarized succinctly.

Kledson was astounded to hear Nathan's explanation.

"Twelve hours? Normally, others need twenty-four hours, but Caerina was quicker than that. Is my daughter a genius?"

Sara and Kledson's eyes sparkled as they gazed at Caerina. Even though Caerina had been married and was a lady of the house, in their eyes, she was still just an ordinary young girl.

"How did I fail to see my daughter's abilities all this time?" Sara hugged Caerina tightly, squeezing her until it was almost too much.

"M-Mother, p-please let go. I can't breathe," Caerina gasped quietly.

Sara came to her senses and quickly released her embrace. Both were overjoyed to witness Caerina's progress.

'As long as they are happy, that's more than enough,' Caerina thought to herself.

Afterwards, Caerina joined her parents for lunch. Along the way to the dining room, servants and knights gazed in awe at Caerina. Seeing her now, they grew more certain that Caerina truly mirrored Sara, albeit with a subtle difference; the Caerina before them now wasn't as gentle as Sara.

Once lunch was over, Caerina retreated to her room where her personal maid—Letta—waited to greet her.

"Wow, Miss. You've become so beautiful. Are you really our Miss? I barely recognized you with the changes," Letta remarked, clearly thrilled. Honestly, Caerina felt incredibly grateful to have shifted to this world. Here at least, she had a loving family. Everyone in this household respected Caerina. She didn't need to fight tooth and nail for affection, unlike in other typical novel narratives.

"Letta, do you also wish to be beautiful?" Caerina asked, quite unexpectedly.

"Beautiful? Can I really become beautiful too?"

Letta stared at her reflection in the vanity mirror. Her forehead was dotted with pimples and her skin tone dull. In this world, not everyone could utilize aura, so facials and skin care were essential.

"Of course. Just wait a moment, later I will make you a beautiful woman. Right now, I have something else I must do first. Can you help me?"

Without hesitation, Letta nodded enthusiastically.

"I'll help you, Miss."

"Great! Now, please help me discard all the dresses in my wardrobe."

Caerina's request left Letta shocked. She knew how much Caerina cherished those dresses. To suddenly order them thrown out was mind-boggling.

"Discard the dresses? Why do you want to throw them out?" Letta asked, confused.

"Why do you ask? I want new dresses, of course. Can't you see? I've grown taller, and my chest has filled out. I can't possibly wear my old ones," Caerina explained.

Scanning Caerina's body, Letta could indeed see the significant changes. The old dresses were unfit for Caerina's current form.

"Alright then, Miss. I will dispose of all your dresses."

Letta worked quickly to empty the wardrobe of Caerina's dresses. The old garments were sorely outdated. Therefore, she wanted to create new dresses to suit her taste.

"I will make several modern clothing designs. Everyone in this world must see how amazing modern design is. Then, I could turn this into a business opportunity."

After drafting a few modern apparel designs, Caerina led Letta to the capital's shopping center. She was on the lookout for a clothing store that could tailor outfits to her specifications.

"So this is what a shopping center looks like in this world," Caerina mused quietly.

"Miss, exactly where do you want to go? It's not like you to visit the shopping center."

It was only natural for Letta to be puzzled. The old Caerina never set foot in the capital's shopping center, afraid of mingling with crowds.

"I'm heading to a clothing store. Don't keep asking, just come with me," Caerina said sharply.

"Of course, Miss."

Together, they began to explore the shopping center, ultimately finding a bustling dress shop. Caerina entered and inside she found many nobles shopping for garments.

"Welcome—oh? Are you commoners? This place is not for commoners. Please leave; don't disturb my customers."

Stepping foot inside, Caerina and Letta received a chilly reception. Caerina had deliberately worn a cloak to cover her face, yet such treatment was unexpected.

"Hey, do you realize who—"

"Stop, Letta. I'll handle this," Caerina interjected.

Caerina advanced three steps and lifted the hood of her cloak. The entire store was captivated by her beauty.

"I came here to—"

"Which family do you come from?" The shop owner interrupted Caerina immediately. He was someone who prioritized the reputation and wealth of the nobility shopping in his store.

"I am Caerina Navre," she replied, her gaze icy.

"Navre? That fallen noble family? So, you are the woman recently divorced by Duke Wadson? Why come to my store? I'm certain you lack the funds to pay for my dresses."

The customers erupted into whispers as Caerina introduced herself. Some couldn't believe the transformation she had undergone; others quietly ridiculed her.

"You are truly insufferable," Caerina stated.

"What was that? I'm insufferable? Perhaps you should be more self-aware before entering this establishment. We do not cater to impoverished nobility like you. Please, don't embarrass yourself any further, Miss."

Caerina took a deep breath. She had thought she might enjoy a bit of relaxation today, but it was not to be. She had the urgent desire to lash out at everyone present.

"Do you have a death wish?" Caerina suddenly threatened the shopkeeper.

A frigid and dangerous atmosphere enveloped them as if Caerina's voice pierced straight to their hearts.

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