47 The Spy (1/2)

”How much for this?” Lucia showed the silk tunic to the Vanadian merchant.

The merchant looked at Lucia and then eyed the guards behind her ”Three gold coins. It's made of pure Abicut silk, fresh from Northern Tulosa. You're so lucky I still have one left. The others were already sold” The mechant said.

Lucia doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Abicut silk? Who was he kidding? It was not even close to abicut silk. Lucia knew how real abicut silk felt like. She grew up in the most extravagant palace in the world so things of luxury were not strange to her. The merchant must have thought that she was just some naïve and rich noble.

”Twenty silver coins. That's the best I can do. This is not Abicut silk, this is Coon silk. Abicut silk is soft and shiny. This is nothing compared to Abicut. Also Abicut silk comes from eastern Tulosa, not the north” Lucia smiled

The merchant frowned. He then put his hand on the tunic and caressed silk. ”You're right” he said with an unfriendly tone. ”I must have made a mistake. Twenty silvers then” he opened his palms and demanded the money.

Lucia handed the merchant twenty silver coins. She then took the tunic and gave it to Sylvie. Tulosan people are not violent, but they can be very greedy, she thought.

With her guards standing by her side, Lucia walked around the city. Nirvana was in a jovial mood. Tim's shocking victory was the topic of every discussion. Everywhere, people talked about Tim's exploits, in the pubs, in the market, in the streets and even in public restrooms. They all hailed Timothy as the savior of Castonia. Even the bards were already singing praises to Timothy just a week after the Battle of Knightsend.

Some people say that the Prince made an elaborate plan and tricked the Tulosans. Others say that the Prince himself led the cavalry and dismantled the Tulosans with one charge. There were even those who believed that Prince Timothy turned into a lion and bit General Sigurd's head off. The people only know that Prince Timothy utterly destroyed the Tulosans with mininal casualties. Clear details of the battle were yet to arrive.

But Lucia already knew. Tim sent her a letter a few days ago. It was several pages long and reading it took her nearly an hour. Half of the letter detailed the entire battle while the other half was a love letter.

Lucia blushed. She remembered what was written in the letter. Tim promised her courtship and he delivered masterfully. Lucia couldn't sleep that night after she read the letter. Timothy's sweet words reverberated through her mind and heart. Timothy doesn't really need to court her because she already likes him. But Tim seems to enjoy making her heart flutter. Lucia can't wait to see him again.

”Sylvie, go back to the palace first. I still need to do something” Lucia ordered her assistant.

”But your Highness, I need to accompany you at all times.” Sylvie protested. She confusedly looked at Lucia.

”Not at all times, Sylvie” She smiled. Unlike before they left Tulosa, Sylvie was now tailing her at all times. Even if she didn't call for Sylvie, her assistant would just pop out of nowhere.

Sylvie lowered her head ”Okay, but please hurry. It's my duty to serve you”

Lucia didn't reply and just nodded. She and Sylvie parted ways.

Lucia then went to Escanor. For the past month, Escanor and his brother had been building connections among the merchants in Nirvana and Solon and they were good at it. Nobody suspected them and their connections provided Lucia with fresh news from the Western Region.

”It's an honor to have you again Princess Lucia” Escanor knelt and bowed.

”Rise Escanor” she gestured for Escanor to stand up. ”It is I who should be honored. You and your brother have been of great help”

”It brings me joy that our efforts were recognized” Escanor smiled and stood up. He then went to his stash and rummaged for something. After a while he produced a jar filled with leaves ”First class Calgarian tea. I traded two horses for this” he said proudly and took two cups. He then prepared two cups of tea and offered one to Lucia.

”Thank you” Lucia said as she drank the tea. It was refreshing. It was her first time drinking Calgarian tea because Calgari and Tulosa still don't have a formal trade agreement. Also, Vanadis had its own tea products.

”So, what brings you to my humble abode Your Highness?” Escanor asked

”Same as always” Lucia put down the cup and looked at Escanor ”Information”

Escanor smiled ”Then you're in luck. I have just received a letter from my brother a few hours ago. Do you want to read it or I'll just tell you of its contents?”

Lucia knew that the letter also contains private details. Even if Escanor doesn't mind sharing his private conversation with his brother, Lucia doesn't want to intrude other people's private matters.

”Just tell about your brother's findings” she said.

Escanor refilled Lucia's cup before speaking ”The Tulosans have retreated and left Greenwater. With the defeat of General Sigurd, they don't have a choice. But you already know about that, don't you? You are more interested of news about Prince Timothy” he smiled meaningfully

Lucia nodded. She doesn't want to hide her affection towards Tim.