NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Four
"My lady!" Lucienta exclaimed, green eyes bright and wide as she watch Jannah approach the shop.
The Duke's mansion wasn't far from the shopping centre of the capital so the countess took that chance to walk and gather her thoughts. The sound of heels clacking against the stones underneath her footwear can be heard as she walk past stores after stores.
"Have you emptied out the shop?" Jannah asked, looking over the maid's shoulder to look at the shop's displays.
"I did! Although, I haven't checked the other shops yet." Lucienta sounded a little defeated, "I didn't expect for you to be back so soon, my lady. I thought you'll take an hour or so because you're talking with the Duke."
"I won't take that long talking to someone, Lucienta." The countess reminded her maid with a small smile, "Especially not after today."
Her plans for today is to empty out most of the shops in the shopping district for food, tools, and other supplies. She'll spend her entire fortune on buying everything she could before leaving for Philipia. The shopping district she's on right now is famous for their trinkets and tools, perfect for emptying.
"Let's not waste any more time." Jannah said and walked past her maid, "I'll go to the rows of shop over there so make sure to go over there."
She pointed her finger at the opposite direction of the shops she'll walk into. "Empty them out."
"Yes, my lady!" Lucienta smiled and walked go the opposite way she's walking. Jannah let out a huff at that, finding her maid's enthusiasm adorable.
The first shop she walked into is similar to a children's stationary store, every aisle is full of candies, snacks, and other junk food. She smiled softly at the sight of her childhood candies, then, she turned her head to the store's owner.
The owner flinched when the Countess suddenly looked at him.
"I want to buy everything you have in this shop." Jannah pointed a finger at the aisles, "Send them to the Rafelon County. If you have stocks at the back, I would appreciate it very much if you're going to sell those to me as well."
"Pardon?" The owner managed to stutter out, but he couldn't say much because Jannah was quick to go out of the door as if she didn't just bought anything inside that shop.
Candies and snacks can satiate the hunger for a while. I might as well buy them as well. The Countess thought as she stepped inside of another shop— a seed shop.
"Welcome!" The owner cheerfully greeted her, "What can I do to help you, my lady?"
Jannah blinked, not expecting for him to greet her cheerfully. She's known for her feat in the battlefield, it is the sole reason why people avoids her because she's drenched in blood with the enemies' bloods.
Quite ironic if you ask me. Jannah mused to herself, nodding her head towards the owner to acknowledge his presence.
Her eyes lingered on him for a good while, taking note of his ragged and muscular appearance. It was obvious that he's doing heavy workload to have muscles, he's also running a shop that sells seeds, she could only guess that he has experience in regards of planting these things.
"Do you know how to grow these seeds yourself?" She asked, walking over to one of the sacks that is lined up in the middle, she scooped a handful and stared at the seed with wonder.
"Some of them. I'm not confident enough to say that I am, but I am knowledgeable enough to identify each seeds and plants, my lady." He smiled at her, beeming with enthusiasm even. He reminds her of Lucienta, his emerald eyes looked similar to her maid, but his dark brown locks and skin is a dead give away that they're not related.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Leonardo, my lady." He introduced himself quite cheerfully.
"Well, leonardo. How about working for me?" Jannah dropped the seeds back into the sack and looked at him, "Pack everything inside this store, contact your family, pack your things, and move to Philipia. Don't worry about your travelling fees, I'll send a carriage for you."
A person with expertise in growing seeds would be perfect for the base. He can work with my Gardener in terms of growing plants. He has muscles and I can tell that he's strong.
He'll be a perfect fit to carry weapons and stand in guard with others. Jannah thought, staring straight into the eyes of the shop owner in front of her.
"Philipia? But the weather conditions at north is always cold and quite unpredictable, my lady.. I don't know if I'll be able to grow these seeds in those conditions." Leonardo said with uncertainty in his voice, "With all due respect, my lady, as much as I want to accept your offer, I can't leave my younger siblings here in the capital."
The Countess hummed, looking around the shop to look for a certain seed of flower that she needs. The said flower will be one that stops the bite's infection from spreading if one of them gets bitten.
"Who said anything about leaving your family behind? Didn't I say to contact them, pack your things, and move to Philipia?" Jannah asked as she look at him again, raising an eyebrow at him, "Bring them with you. I don't care. I need you to work for me so you can add anything to your conditions, but for now, you need to go to Philipia as early as tomorrow."
Hearing her reassuring words, Leonardo's eyes widened in delight before he nodded his head frantically, "Yes, my lady!"
Who wouldn't want to work under a respectable and powerful noble? No one! Leonardo thought, grinning from ear to ear as he watched her turn around and walk towards the door.
"Before you leave for Philipia tomorrow, send your and your siblings' measurements to the Rafelon County." She told him before walking out of the store, not waiting for his reply.
"Yes, my lady?" Leonardo answered, blinking rapidly at her new employer's sudden order.
Why would the Countess need my measurements? And my siblings, too? The man thought in wonder, I'll worry about that tomorrow! For now, it's time to pack everything and go home to help my brothers and sisters pack their things!