Rudis spoke up quietly to Agnes.

  Agnes stroked her chin.

  She sounded used to violence.

  Rudis answered calmly.

  Max became more depressed. Even though she was the Lady of the land, it was embarrassing how little she knew about Anatol.

  Agnes suddenly pointed.

  Max looked up. In a narrow alleyway, more than a dozen village girls were squabbling. The princess grew excited and grabbed her arm, wanting to get into the pandemonium.

  Agnes said.

  The village women were in a catfight to retrieve the best fabrics piled on rows of shelves. Max had no idea about what was happening, she stayed silent like a silly noodle and looked at her maid, Rudis.

  Max asked her, referring to the fabrics.

  Agnes said.

  Rudis nodded and responded courteously to her.

  Agnes’ eyes brightened.

  Max said.

  Ignoring Max’s response, Agnes grabbed her arm again and pulled the two of them among the fighting maidens.

  Max’s scream died in her throat. Her hair was pulled by the girls shoving each other, shoulder to shoulder, who also mussed her clothes. However, she could not escape since Agnes’ grip on her arm was too strong and she felt like crying.

  Agnes said.

  The princess was in her element, she pushed women out of the way, got into the middle of the throng and grabbed a purple piece of cloth, then shook it in front of Max’s face, who nodded alarmed. She was still struggling in the crowd, her stomach was cramping, and it felt like Agnes was going to tear her arm out of her sleeve. She just wanted to leave, but the princess was not finished yet.

  Agnes frowned at the piece of cloth she held.

  Agnes said casually. “


  Max screamed when the crowd pushed her roughly. The village women were shouting, shoving, and pulling on one another’s hair and dresses. She had never had an experience like this, to be pushed back and forth, while she was in shock. Agnes finally decided on two fabrics she liked and threw three coins to the stall owner.

  Agnes shouted.

  Agnes shouted happily and drew back from the crowd. Max retreated with her, touching her tousled hair and loosened dress. Hebaron, who had fallen back to watch, sighed.

  Agnes laughed, still excited about her experience.

  Hebaron softened his voice and talked paternally.

  Agnes snorted at his sarcasm and turned to Max. She was half-listening and when noticed Agnes’ gaze, flinched. The princess gave her a red cloth with a genuine smile.

  Max hesitated before accepting the gift, and Agnes smiled satisfied.

  Max looked at the fabric she was given, that had a rough texture. She was confused. Why was Agnes being so nice to her? She watched the princess, who was holding a blue piece of cloth around her waist.

  she asked Rudis.

  , Agnes said.

  Max unraveled the fabric in her hands and made a nervous expression and Agnes shrugged her shoulders.

  Agnes batted her eyelashes and smiled softly, then began to walk quickly through the marketplace again. Max folded her gift and went after her slowly.

  ***

  The group continued to walk around for an hour and a half before returning to the carriage. During this time, Agnes had purchased on a whim five gemstones, dragon scales, Wyvern monster leather and a variety of medicinal herbs. Her enthusiasm over the herbs reminded Max of Ruth bargaining in the marketplace. Were all wizards obsessed with rare herbs and magical items?

  Agnes said.

  Hebaron said.

  The knight continued to pack Agnes’ purchases in the back of the carriage and she stared at him, confused.

  Agnes pointed and shouted.

  Max was confused.

  Agnes huffed.

  She took a seat inside the carriage. Max recalled the priest who had mentored her in her youth and could not imagine the man hostile to wizards. She asked, confused.

  Agnes said.

  The princess took out a red gemstone she had recently purchased and sighed.

  Max said.

  Max frowned.

  She had heard that mana stones and bones from monsters and dragons could be used for magic equipment, such as using scales and skin to make armor. But how could one use the blood or flesh? Agnes smiled, amused at her trepidation.

  Max exclaimed.

  Note –

  : Unpopular opinion, I really like Agnes, she doesn’t really care about anything and she’s so easygoing! I think she’ll be a good influence for Maxi.