Chapter 226

Chapter 226

CA SSANDRA

After we exchanged goodbyes with the kind shop owner, we left the store and began to roam along the streets. I spotted many clothing stores along our walk, but Helene didn’t seem all that interested. Every time we would go inside one. Helene would peruse the displays and try on a few items, but she didn’t seem impressed by any of them.

After we left the third shop. I got the feeling that Ronald’s fiancee didn’t actually want to buy anything. She appeared as if she was just acting like she was shopping, though I didn’t understand why. There was some sort of ulterior motive behind this visit, but what was it?

I had no idea what was going on, but I remained cautious regardless

We continued walking down the street, and when I glanced around. I realized we were quite far from where the car had dropped us off. I was admittedly exhausted. I hadn’t walked that much in quite some time. Since I’d been confined to my chambers in Vlokwell, the only exercise I’d gotten was the journey to Ronald’s tower. I wasn’t used to this kind of effort.

Thankfully, some reprieve came when Helene spoke up.

“Should we get a warm drink?” she suggested, and she gestured to the storefront beside us. It was a lovely-looking coffee shop, and the smells that emanated from it were delightful, I nodded at once, relieved to finally get a moment to rest.

We entered the shop and then sat down at a table near the window. A young man approached us with a smile and took our orders. I happily ordered a latte and a fresh pastry. I hadn’t indulged in something like that in a while, so I was quite thrilled to drink something other than bitter tea

Once the young man was gone, Helene turned her attention to me and flashed me a strange smile.

“Cas sandra, what do you think of the gemstone?” she asked me again, and then she leaned in closer. “Please, give me your honest opinion. I really want to know what you think.”

I was a little taken aback. Why was she so insistent about such a thing like that? Was the piece of jewelry weighing on her mind so heavily?

But I knew that sometimes, things weren’t that serious. Perhaps she simply wanted another woman’s opinion.

“It’s lovely.” I offered kindly. “But-”

“Something about it isn’t right, Helene finished my sentence when I began to trail off. When I nodded, her smile waned ever so slightly. The owner claimed the gem is from the South, but I have my doubts. I think something is amiss.”

“If you think something is wrong, why would you give the owner so much money?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Your maid gave him a bag of coins. Why bother if you suspect something is off about the gem?”

Much to my surprise, Helene shrugged. “I couldn’t find a better store in this town. The jewelry in his shop is alright, even though his taste is lacking. There are much better stores in the South, wouldn’t you say?”

I smiled and nodded. “Yes, you’re right.”

She smirked. “A ring with that large of a gemstone makes me feel like a vulgarian.”

Before I could say a word in response, Helene stretched her hand and finger. Suddenly, she gasped. I noticed the problem immediately.

Her engagement ring was gone.

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Chapter 226

“My engagement ring,” she uttered, and her rosy cheeks flushed scarlet and her breathing grew more rapid. “I must have forgotten it in the store when I tried on the other one.”

Nervousness painted her expression, and she turned to her maid quickly. “I need you to go to the store for me at once and fetch it, Alana

The young

young woman seemed hesitant and clenched her jaw. Helene didn’t pay her irritation any mind.

“Do you want to be punished?” she demanded, and she lifted her chin ever so slightly. “If the ring is lost due to your indifference, you will be punished in one way or another.”

The threat was enough to send the maid away. She nodded her head and smoothed her dark curls down. “Yes, My Lady. Will you please wait for me?“

Helene gave the slightest of nods, and then the maid left the shop. She continued to stare out the window and watched the maid go down the street.”

“Keep smiling.” Helene uttered in a low voice without looking at me. For a moment, I wasn’t sure if she was speaking to me, but I caught on quickly and did what she asked. I wanted to ask what was happening, but she spoke first.

“Keep smiling, Cas sandra,” she urged when she turned back to me. “Don’t look confused or worried, otherwise they’ll notice something is wrong”

They?

I was even more confused, but I did what Helene told me to. I smiled and behaved as normal. When the young man brought us our food and drinks, I gave him a polite message of gratitude, and when he left, Helene took a sip of her coffee and sat

forward.

“We finally have some time to speak,” she said quietly. “Maybe ten minutes, given Alana’s penchant for walking slow

“I don’t understand,” I whispered as I glanced around. “Helene, what’s going on?”

“Of course you don’t,” she replied. “No one would understand. Cas sandra, did you really think we could get the freedom to go anywhere we wanted? We’ve been followed and watched since we left the castle.”

My jaw threatened to drop at this revelation, but I managed to hold it together. “Followed? By whom?”

“It’s not important,” Helene said. “There are many parties in Vlokwell. Could be Kaleb, Ronald, or maybe some other high- born family seeking an opportunity to drag those two in the mud. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we can talk now.”

She took a sip of her coffee and I did the same to appear normal While my caramel latte was delicious, this odd situation somewhat spoiled the taste. This moment was tense, and I wasn’t sure what she was about to tell me, but I knew it was likely far heavier than anticipated.

I was a fool to think this outing was innocent.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” Helene said, and she ran her hand through her soft caramel brown hair. “I have no idea what deals you’ve made with Ronald, but I need you to bear in mind that he’s not better than Kaleb, All of these Northerners are the same. They’re all equally savage and insane.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. How could Helene say such things about her supposed fiance? How could anyone utter anything like that about their soon-to-be husband?

Unless it was a marriage for show?

Was that a Yurenan tradition?

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