Princess Thief [✔]

37. Lost Treasures

I was never able to go to a bustling town in daylight since five years ago. The first and last time I did, my whole world turned upside down. I could only go out during my missions in the evening. That time at Deliora with Blaze didn't even count since we used a furtive route to the forest which did not pass any towns.

It was pretty lively around me, especially here at the marketplace as people come and go. I tailed behind Reichen as we strolled around. We were out to buy my clothes since I had nothing with me. Even if I used the key to the basement, it was not that I could use it to go back to my chamber since I would still end up at where I entered. Besides, I didn't even have it with me.

I had learned that the cottage was located at the foot of Mt. Ymore, the tallest mountain on the continent that served as a border between the kingdom of Areska and Carrion. The cottage was also the main headquarters of the Crusaders but no one was there except for me and the guys earlier.

Blaze left first and Night had something to do but he was reluctant and breathed a string of threats to Reichen before he was gone and that was how I ended up with him.

I was walking mindlessly, enjoying the scenery comparable to a lost child when I was knocked over by someone.

"Thief!" A woman screeched almost right beside me in these crowded streets.

I immediately got up and the man that bumped me did not even apologize but he was running away like crazy. I followed him without thinking. He was definitely young on how fast he was or maybe I was just slow because of my dress.

Still, in just a minute, I was able to catch him. We were in the plaza so he was not able to flee that easily. I grabbed the end of his hood and kicked him off the bat. I promptly straddled him from behind and put his hand on his back. I searched for his body and found the bag of coins as he struggled beneath me.

He must be desperate to do this without further planning. I thought as I took the bag from him.

Someone briskly pulled me upright when I was about to get up myself. The young man quickly busted off while Reichen dragged me away right after we returned it to the woman who was also chasing behind us all the while.

"This is not the time for your chivalrous act, Carline," Reichen reprimanded when we were far from the uproar.

"Excuse me, why are you referring to me in my first name? I thought we were only allowed to call our second names," I shot back as the other two men flashed in my mind who was as brazen as him to address me by my given name without consent.

These guys were very overfamiliar to me for unknown reasons.

"It's not like I can address you as Ace seeing how infamous you were."

"Ace can be everyone's name. No one will think about connecting us. I am a princess while the other person is a thief."

"You never know. I was even able to find out easily as soon as I was aware of your existence."

"You're not an ordinary person so, of course, it was easy."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he said with such a smug expression.

"You better not, it was a simple statement."

"You never ran out of retorts, do you? Anyway, we're here. This boutique is well-known all over Areska that even the royalty here buys from them."

"I think we should try a cheaper place than this."

"Why are you being frugal? You said you're a princess yourself so you must be used to fine dresses. Besides, Night gave you money, if it was not enough, I can pay for you."