Taming the Protagonist

Chapter 12: Free as She

Marina, packing their belongings, looked at Hitana swinging her legs on the bed’s edge and sighed deeply.

Last night, she’d prayed in their room, hoping Hitana wouldn’t cause Lord Hydra too much trouble. Then she heard Hitana’s shouts from outside the manor.

“We’re free, Lina!”

The words stopped Marina’s heart.

Soon after, her troublesome sister burst in, laughing maniacally, babbling nonstop.

It boiled down to two points—“That Hydra’s inhuman” and “That Hydra’s kinda decent in some ways.”

It took great effort for Marina to piece together the night’s events from Hitana’s words, and she was furious.

She didn’t believe Hitana’s subjective scorn and criticism of Anselm, knowing her sister’s character too well.

The two girls had a huge fight.

Marina kept her voice restrained, but Hitana’s yells could’ve woken the whole mansion, broadcasting how much she hated Anselm.

Unable to continue the argument, Marina gave in, feigning compliance.

Otherwise, she feared the mansion’s maids might sneak to their bedside with knives in the night.

Meanwhile, Lord Hydra had spent the night at Count Ironstone’s manor and hadn’t yet returned.

Marina planned to send Hitana away so she could secretly plead with Lord Hydra again.

Though it was shameless, for Hitana’s future, Marina was willing to do anything.

—She couldn’t imagine how rudely Hitana had spoken to Anselm at the banquet. Yet not only did he spare her punishment, he gave her two hundred imperial gold coins. Even if his kindness was a mask, this magnanimity alone convinced Marina that Hitana must stay and serve him.

Missing Anselm, they might—no, they certainly would—never meet another high-ranking figure so tolerant and generous in their lifetime.

She didn’t want her sister to spend her life as an obscure hunter in a remote Northern village.

Hitana’s talent was so remarkable; how could Marina watch that willful child bury it?

“Oh, right, how should we spend those two hundred coins?” Hitana grinned, wiggling her toes, her joy written plainly on her face.

The girl tilted her chin, fantasizing, “We could have Uncle Barton add to the house, like that warm thing in Hydra’s carriage! Then Dad’s legs won’t hurt in winter—oh! Doctors! We can find a great doctor to fix Dad’s ailment for good! He’d be so happy to hunt again! And new clothes for Mom, and for you, Lina… you’ll have tons of dowry to find someone better than Ged… no, uh, Lakala? Nope, someone handsome and powerful… right, better than Hydra!”

Marina’s heart warmed at first, but by the end, she sighed, covering her face.

“Ugh, I can’t stand it! Marina, let’s hit the streets!”

Dreaming of a warm, sturdy new home, a healthy father, a mother free from endless toil, and a bright future for Marina, Hitana couldn’t contain her excitement and decided to splurge in the city now.

“…Huh? Now?”

“Why not?” Hitana hopped off the bed, peeling off her shirt, her body—a blend of youthful innocence and alluring charm—radiating appeal, if only she’d keep quiet.

Marina, wanting to wait for Anselm, panicked briefly but calmed herself, continuing to pack. “You go first. I’ll catch up soon.”

“?”

The snow-haired girl tilted her head, a question mark practically hovering above. “Why?”

“Don’t you want to get home? Packing up early means we can leave sooner.”

Marina smiled sweetly.

“Oh…”

Hitana hummed thoughtfully, her steps light as she sidled up to her sister.

Rubbing her chin, she crouched, staring into Marina’s eyes.

A sudden spark of insight flashed in the girl’s mind, like divine inspiration, and she exclaimed, “You’re waiting for Hydra to come back, aren’t you?!”

“!”

Marina was shocked.

Since when was her sister this sharp?!

Hitana caught her startled expression and shouted, indignant, “What?! You’re still thinking about that Hydra—mmph!”

Marina, covering Hitana’s mouth, gave a wry smile. “Alright, alright, I’ll go with you, okay?”

“That’s more like it.”

Hitana smugly tugged her sister’s cheek, then scampered off to change.

When the sisters stepped out, dressed, they found Merry, the maid who’d tended to them, waiting at the door.

“Butler Saville relayed the young master’s words.”

The lovely maid kept her eyes lowered. “If you wish to shop in the city, I’ll serve as your guide for now.”

“Hm?” Hitana blinked. “Guide? You’re showing us around?”

“Chishuang City is vast. You’ll need a carriage driver and guide. I can assist.”

Hitana eyed Merry up and down, scratching her head, then blurted, “This good a deal? He didn’t tell you to spy on us, did he?”

“…” Merry paused, then looked at Hitana expressionlessly. “Honestly, I’d rather not serve someone as rude as you, Miss Hitana, but since it’s the young master’s order, no matter how barbaric or arrogant you are, I’ll endure it.”

Hitana, proud of her “achievements,” couldn’t tolerate such mockery and snapped back, “Then don’t come. I didn’t beg for your help.”

“The young master’s orders are absolute.”

“Insane! If he told you to die, would you?”

The maid paused, then gazed at Hitana with pity.

“It seems you’re unfit, Miss Hitana.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean, you—”

“You’ve never felt… the joy of sacrificing everything for something from the heart, have you—”

Merry stopped, her smile returning.“In any case, learning this has improved my mood. Please, ladies.”

She bowed slightly, gesturing the way.

Hitana wanted to retort, but Marina held her back.

The poor sister couldn’t control her sister’s mouth, only mitigating the damage after her outbursts.

Marina was used to it, but it never stopped exhausting her.

Yet…

The clever girl studied Merry’s face, wondering.

What did Miss Merry mean by those words?

***

In the heated carriage, Hitana sighed, curling into Marina’s lap like a lazy cat.

“Hey, maid, where’s the best clothing shop?”

She called out languidly.

“Clothing shop.” Merry’s voice came from outside, tinged with something odd. “…The best?”

“Of course!” Hitana said, as if it were obvious. “I’ve got two hundred gold coins. Gotta hit the best shop!”

The maid’s soft chuckle drifted in. “As you wish.”

After some time, a gust of cold wind jolted Hitana awake.

She sprang up like a startled cat, glaring at Merry, who’d opened the carriage door.

“Ladies, we’ve arrived.”

The carriage stopped before a plainly decorated storefront.

Hitana, stepping out, noticed the richly dressed passersby, many gazing with awe—not at her, but… the carriage?

Confused, Hitana followed Merry into the shop.

Like its exterior, the interior was unremarkable, with wooden walls not unlike her home, clothes hanging everywhere.

Plain clothes, by all appearances.

“You sure this is the best clothing shop?” Hitana eyed Merry skeptically. “These are just normal fur coats, right?”

She slapped a hanging garment. “No price tags either.”

“The Bernahl family’s shop has been renowned for one hundred twenty-six years, acknowledged as Chishuang Territory’s finest, with fame across the Northlands,” Merry explained calmly. “All clothes here are custom-made, and Master Bernahl’s bookings are scheduled two years out.”

“Master Bernahl!” she called toward the back, standing in the shop’s center. “Pardon the intrusion.”

“Oh… that voice, Miss Merry?”

An aged but vigorous voice replied.

A short, white-haired but sprightly old man emerged.

From behind the counter, he greeted Merry, “Does Lord Hydra need new clothes?”

“No, two ladies wish to commission garments here.”

Marina, alarmed by Merry’s talk of “custom-made” and “bookings,” was about to speak when Hitana brashly said, “Old man, you’re the best tailor in Chishuang Territory?”

The man shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“Then make us some clothes.”

“Hm…” Bernahl studied Hitana and Marina, stroking his beard with a smile.

His craftsman’s gaze, appraising them like art, didn’t annoy Hitana.

She puffed out her chest proudly “Plenty of coin!”

“Since Miss Merry recommended you,” Bernahl said, smiling, “I could start now.”

“Sweet!” Hitana slapped Merry’s shoulder. “You’re useful after all!”

Merry subtly stepped away, while Marina, uneasy, asked cautiously, “Um, may I ask… how much is the cost?”

“As Miss Merry’s friends, I’ll offer an eight-fold discount. One piece for eight hundred royal gold coins.”

Hitana, mid-sip from her waist flask, sprayed water onto a nearby garment, shrieking, “How much?!”

Marina froze.

She’d expected a steep price, but this… it was just a dress!

Merry’s lips twitched upward briefly before settling.

Seeing Bernahl’s puzzled frown at the flustered girls, she explained, “Master Bernahl is a skilled enchanter. His tailored clothes can bear multiple permanent spells. Eight hundred is his labor fee. Materials are extra, or you can pay him additional costs.”

“You—this—I—” Hitana stared at the soaked dress, then at the old man, incredulous. “You’re robbing us, aren’t you?”

“…Miss,” Bernahl’s expression soured, “I consider this price quite fair.”

“Fair? Only a brain-dead idiot would buy here,” Hitana muttered, tempted to spit on the floor.

Bernahl’s face changed, paling instantly.

Pointing at Hitana, his voice trembled, “You… do you know what you’re saying… wait.”

He stepped from behind the counter, hurrying to Hitana, studying her again.

“What? Want me to pay for it?” Hitana stepped back warily.

“You are…” Bernahl’s tone grew oddly respectful, his voice tinged with deference. “Forgive my presumption, but are you… Miss Hitana Lansmarlos?”

“…So what if I am?”

“It’s you!” Bernahl’s demeanor flipped entirely. “I’m too old to recognize you at first. My apologies.”

His ingratiating smile unnerved Hitana.

“For you, I’d craft a dress for free—oh, and your sister, two pieces, no issue.”

Merry narrowed her eyes, Marina grew thoughtful, but Hitana, after a brief stun, grinned widely, “That good a deal?”

“It’s my honor to serve you,” the old man said, bowing gallantly.

“Shall we measure you now?”

“Measure…” Hitana paused, then turned to Marina. “Lina, do you know Mom’s dress size?”

“Mother?” Marina, caught off guard, blinked. “I know her size, but… Hit!”

Realizing her intent, she raised her voice, “Don’t push your luck!”

“Push my luck? He’s offering to make one for me and you. What’s one more?”

Hitana crossed her arms casually. “Or skip mine. I don’t need fancy clothes. Yeah, that’s it!”

“Old man!” She turned to Bernahl. “Forget mine. Make one for my sister and my mom.”

Bernahl’s mouth twitched. “One more wouldn’t be an issue, Miss Hitana.”

“Nah, don’t want it to seem like I’m forcing you,” Hitana waved grandly. “Two’s enough. Lina, go talk to him.”

When the three girls left Bernahl’s shop over an hour later, Hitana was bored stiff.

Back in the carriage, Marina glanced at her gleeful sister, thought for a moment, then asked Merry, “Miss Merry… Do you know why Master Bernahl was suddenly so kind to Hit?”

The maid outside paused, then answered meaningfully, “Bernahl’s ancestors were vassals to the Ironstone clan, serving them greatly. His great-grandfather retired from their service and founded this storied shop.”

“To this day, the Ironstone family still cares for Bernahl, their ties close.”

Marina, sitting primly with hands on her lap, grasped Merry’s implication. “So… Master Bernahl heard about last night’s events from Count Ironstone?”

“Hm… huh?” Hitana, one foot propped on the seat, tilted her head. “What’s that mean? Oh… wait! I get it!”

Her expression shifted from confusion to joy, then pride, and finally to unabashed, exaggerated smugness.

“That old guy heard I beat those assassins to a pulp last night and knows how awesome I am, right?!”

“Pfft.” A soft laugh came from outside.

Marina hesitated, piecing together the reason for Bernahl’s sudden fawning from Merry’s hint and Hitana’s account, but…

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Miss Merry,” Marina said, as if seeking confirmation, “just one night, one morning… news spreads that fast?”

“Don’t underestimate the nobles’ sense of smell and sensitivity, Miss Marina.”

Merry’s tone softened when speaking to Marina. “Trust me, it’s not just shops connected to Chishuang Territory’s nobles. You might have already gained more unexpected benefits you’re unaware of. As for the reason…”

She chuckled lightly again. “Let’s just say it’s due to Miss Hitana’s ‘strength.’”

“What do you mean, ‘let’s just say’? I am amazing!” Hitana laughed, hugging Marina and swaying her, rubbing her cheek against her sister’s. “Everyone’s gonna look up to me now, Lina, you too! Things are only gonna get better!”

“Hit, calm down, I think…”

“Maid! To another shop! If that old guy’s giving me face, others will too, right? Lina, we might not even need to spend those two hundred coins!”

“…” Seeing Hitana’s glee, Marina, about to speak, fell silent.

She suddenly realized this was a perfect opportunity.