Episode 8

"Caerina, do not attempt to threaten me. I'm unfazed by bluffs—"

Caerina's fingers swiftly seized the shopkeeper's throat, her gaze cloaked in fury. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though a shadow struck the woman from within. Fear dominated her sanity.

"I mean every word. Just so you know, I despise people who carry themselves like trash, the way you do."

Her voice, as cold and sharp as a knife, sliced through the store owner's gathered courage.

"Don't resort to violence here, Miss. It could tarnish your reputation further. Let's discuss this calmly," the shopkeeper implored, lips quivering.

Caerina's sneer was telltale. "A calm discussion? I believe that moment has passed."

Smack!

Four slap echoes resonated in the store. The sharp blows left scratch marks at the corner of the woman's lips. Satisfied with the punishment, Caerina flung the woman against the wall, causing a neat row of clothes to tumble to the floor.

'What is this? Why does this hurt more than a normal slap? My body feels stiff and unmovable.'

Caerina infused her slap with a trace of her aura, ensuring her strikes left a deeper pain.

"Letta, hand over ten gold coins," commanded Caerina.

"Right away, Miss."

Letta handed over the gold coins, which Caerina then threw in the shopkeeper's face.

"Consider that for your medical expenses. Oh, and call it overcompensation for buying your dignity," Caerina said, turning to leave the store.

Pairs of eyes froze in place, watching her. They had never seen this dour girl rage and act brutally as she just did.

"What has gotten into her?"

"I don't know, she's been a madwoman since coming back from the dead."

"I've noticed she's also become stunningly beautiful. Her once plain figure is now remarkably attractive. What kind of transformation is that?"

"Could she have mastered some sort of aura?"

"That's absurd, such things don't just happen."

Caerina worked to temper the fervent emotion in her chest. Letta, silent in the background, was witnessing her mistress's fury for the first time.

"I should have broken her legs as well. I'd feel more satisfied," mused Caerina.

Letta was astounded. The gentle Caerina she knew had disappeared.

"Miss, where shall we head to next?" Letta tried to divert Caerina's mood.

"Where indeed?"

Caerina's eyes scanned the storefronts one by one until her gaze settled on a clothing store close to the one they had just left.

"Let's head over there."

Deciding on their destination, they approached the smaller establishment. Something told Caerina that inside she might find something extraordinary.

"Excuse me, is anyone here?"

A woman in her thirties hurried toward Caerina upon hearing the door open. Her face was warm and welcoming as she noticed Caerina.

"Can I assist you, Miss?" asked the woman, Paulina.

"Your work is immaculate. Did you do all this yourself?"

She admired a blue dress showcased on a mannequin. The stitching was meticulous, the work of an expert.

"Yes, Miss. Everything here is my work. But alas, it hasn't attracted many customers."

Caerina looked at Paulina with newfound respect.

'I could forge a business partnership with her. I’ve finally found someone skilled in tailoring.'

She then took Paulina's hand.

"Would you be interested in working with me? I’ll provide designs, and you would be responsible for sewing them. You can look at some of my designs first."

She offered several sheets of paper sketched with beautiful gown designs. Paulina was speechless at the sight of Caerina's clothing designs.

"Miss, are these your designs?" Paulina asked.

Caerina nodded. "That's right. This dress doesn’t need a corset."

"No corset? How could that be? Traditionally, gowns are more flattering with corsets."

Once again, Caerina smiled. Her business mind was never wrong. Her business acumen from the modern era, now transplanted into an unknown world, had even greater potential.

"So, create a dress for me. I will show you how beautiful a gown can look without a corset," Caerina stated.

"One dress? Very well. Where should I deliver it once finished?" inquired Paulina.

"To the Marquess Navre's residence."

Paulina was stunned by Caerina's answer.

"The Marquess Navre's residence? Are you perhaps..."

"Yes, I am Caerina Navre."

Paulina was shocked and quickly bowed in apology.

"Forgive me, Miss. I apologize for my rudeness. I had no idea you were Miss Navre."

Caerina was taken aback. 'What was considered rude? How different are the standards of politeness here?' she pondered.

With an awkward smile, she waved away the confusion.

"It's fine. Why apologize? There's nothing troublesome here."

Paulina straightened up to look at Caerina.

"I am just a commoner. I should not have been impolite towards nobility like yourself." The fear was evident on her face.

"What? Behave normally, please. For now, you are to make me a dress. I'll be waiting at Navre's residence."

Caerina extended her right hand to Letta, signaling her to give ten gold coins.

"Here, take these ten gold coins as a start. We can discuss any additional cost at the Marquess Navre's dwelling," Caerina said, passing the money to Paulina.

Paulina trembled at the amount.

"This is too much for one dress. It doesn't cost this much."

"Consider it a bonus. And your name?"

Paulina responded, her voice shaking, "P-Paulina."

"Alright, Paulina. I expect the dress to be finished promptly. I want you to witness firsthand the wonders of my design."

Paulina nodded. The repeated shocks of Caerina's actions left her in disbelief. Any commoner would react as she did, receiving such a sum.

Leaving Paulina's shop, Caerina carried with her a web of complicated thoughts.

"Letta, is ten gold coins a lot?" Caerina casually asked.

"Why only inquire now, Miss? Don't you know? With ten gold coins, a family could indulge in meat for half a year."

Caerina stopped dead. "Really? Then I miscalculated. No matter, let it be."

Letta observed Caerina impassively. Since her resurrection, understanding her mistress had become an increasingly opaque task.

"Miss, has your intellect suffered since your demise? How could you be unaware of the value of gold? Even silver coins could afford us a feast in a fancy restaurant," ranted Letta.

"Silver? Damn! I truly didn't know about silver coins. Such ignorance! I should have learned the currency of this world."

Caerina cursed herself in frustration. Letta remained silent, internally bracing herself to patiently manage Caerina for the foreseeable future.

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