The Black Sun shop was the same as ever. Beautiful golden and black wallpaper covered walls, with lush black shelves filled with all kinds of things magic can find and make. On the left corner of the there was a long black desk which dominated that small section of the room, but what dominated more is the man sitting, himself. The owner of the shop. He goes by the name Egan, but it's obvious that it's a fake name. In every single one of my visits, this man Egan would have a different appearance. One day it would be long flaming red hair with golden eyes, other day it would be flowing short platinum hair with mesmerising blue eyes, which if he showed to the outside world aside from this shop would definitely rival mine.

Appearance created by magic is beautiful, but it can't be kept constantly, and using it constantly in the long run would ruin one's original appearance and make them unable to use appearance magic again.

Egan sat on the chair behind the desk with his legs crossed on top of the table. Lethia
looked at Egar with a calculated look as of course the way Egan set was rude but it's his shop to his rule. Today, Egan was wearing a black and green suit with silver chains and gems and embroidery silver designs. He was wearing a huge hat which covered his entire face. I smiled at Lethia and asked her to look around as I placed my order, as Lethia walked away, I walked to Egar's desk.

"Good day Egan," I smiled, which I believe he didn't return as he didn't look up at me. "I will take my usual order on magical ingredients and the last pre-order I placed on the books."

I heard him let out a laugh, which was oddly chilling or was this shop feeling eerily quiet. Egan looked up as my and my eyes widened as I took his appearance of choice today, long straight black hair, pale skin and gem like purple eyes shared back at me.

To be more exact, my eyes stared back at me.

Just to be clear, appearance and disguise magic are different. Disguise uses illusion to change one thing into another, while appearance just changes some key features of one and keeps their bone structure the same.

Hence, Egan here only managed to copy some key features of mine, my eye colour, my hair colour but doesn't look like.

"How may I help milady today." he said with a cheeky smile as he got up from his place behind the desk and walked out of me.

My lips pressed into a thin line as I stared at him, soaking him how he managed to make my look into his own as if he owned it.

"You can start by getting my order." I said with a bitter undertone as I walked away from Egan, but I didn't miss the ghostly smirk on his lips. I looked around for Lethia as I also looked around for anything interesting and anything that would be nice for Kaven. After the little mishap in the morning, I felt a little guilty and decided on the way here that I would get him something. I looked around as I found an old parchment, I looked at the small instruction box beside it. It said that the parchment could be used to create a map on any area and find anyone's location on coordinate just by stating enough information about the person and any information about the area to create the map.

This looked more like a fusion of Google map app and the find my kid app from the normal world and knowing how much Orion troubles Kaven, he is in great need of this. I took the parchment with me as I walked around to find Lethia looking at a set of embroidery kits. It is a very extraordinary set created with the silks from the elves and threads created by the golden fur of a faun. Not something you would find in the normal shops.

"Ah, Lady Evanora." Lethia turned towards me as I smiled at her.

"Are you done with your shopping?" She asked to which I nodded.

"Yeah, are you ready to leave?" I asked, Lethia took a quick glance at the kit before she turned around and smiled and nodded at me. She didn't pick up the kit or take it as she walked to the desk near the door.

I tap the kit lightly having it levitate behind me. I sneaked in the kit in between my other orders when Lethia didn't notice and allowed Egan to bill all of them together. I waited for Egan to finish billing and packing as I asked him to pack the book separately as I plan to take them with me and visit Asterin.

I finished the billing and levitated all my stuff and had them follow me out, Lethia was first to walk out the black wooden door. I walked out as I heard Egan call out to me. Lethia was standing by the carriage and my couch man was putting my stuff up in the carriage.

The ghostly smirk has turned into a full grim, and I didn't like how he stared back at me with eyes identical to mine.

"Remember milady." Egan spoke with a chill around his voice. "I know your routine, your every move, yet we've never met. I'm the one who observes, silently, every step. Who am I?"

My eyes widened at his words.

What on earth-

But before I could call out Egan or even counter reply or answer him. The door of his shop slammed shut. I rush forward and try the knob, again and again but the door won't budge or open.

I sighed and walked away from the door, I can't create a scene in front of Lethia or my couch man. I schooled my features and turned around and walked to where Lethia stood with a smile.

"Thank you so much for bringing me along your journey, Lady Evanora." Lethia smiled. "The shop was mesmerising and sparkling with magic."

I giggled a little as Lethia continued to gush over the shop and the magic.

"I am glad Lady Lethia enjoyed this impromptu journey." I replied. "Now hop on, I can only wonder how much the count and countess might be worried about you."

Lethia nodded as got onto the carriage as I asked my couch man to safely return her home.

"Give Lord Dusan my greeting and I hope you will manage to explain the situation properly, if not I can send a letter." I said to which Lethia shook her head.

"I can handle father, don't worry Lady Evanora." She said to which I smiled.

"Very well, have a safe journey." I watched the carriage drive away as I teleported myself to the doorstep of the Adarlan duchy.

***

The guards of the duchy greeted me and opened the huge gates and one of them escorted me inside the property. The doors of the mansion opened and the Duchess Adarlan greets me.

I curtsy in front of her.

"I greet the Duchess of Adarlan." I smiled at her as she told me to lift my head and stand straight. "I am sorry for coming here unnoticed, I wanted to drop the books I got for Asterin."

"Your etiquette has turned flawless, you have improved well." The Duchess smiled as she called me in and made me follow her to the parlour. "You are always welcomed here at Adarlan, so don't worry about that."

The Duchess sent a maid to inform Asterin as another one poured us tea, while I thought about the words of the Duchess. It's true, with her guidance and practise, I have adapted to the etiquette of this world but not only that, even subconsciously I think and act like a born and raised noble of this world.

The human ability to adapt to any situation is remarkable.

"Well, the Nyxia session is in a few weeks. I believe it will start with your coming of age ceremony like always?" The Duchess sipped her tea as she asked.

Nyxia is the festival winter season, it lasts for three months, which in the modern world is September, October and November. Nyxia is a grand celebration for the nobility, at this time all nobles return to the capitol. There are balls, galas, tea parties and weddings. It's the ton's way to show off their wealth.

There is also a summer festival season, it's called Wyn. It's not as hyped as Nyxia, it's mostly a harvest festival in every estate with hunting competitions held by the royal family.

My birthday falls a week after the Nyxia starts, hence every year the Esmeray throw the first ball in the capitol. This year, instead of a normal ball, it would be my coming of age ceremony as I am turning 18.

"Ah yes," I smiled. "I believe father is making plans as we speak."

The Duchess nodded, "The aristocrats are bound to follow you since you are a social figure."

I looked at the Duchess a bit confused. It's true that aristocrats follow the one with the most influence and ever since Evanora's debutant they followed her, and now they follow me. But why mention this all of the sudden?

The Duchess smiled. "Toy with them like puppets on strings, don't let them take advantage of your missing memories."

I laughed a little at the advice, and thanked her for it because I would definitely use it, knowing it's coming for someone who led the aristocrats before me. The maid returned and bowed to the Duchess who turned to me.

"Get going, Evanora." She smiled. "Asterin waits for you."

I followed the maid silently. She led me outside to the glass house garden, the Adarlan's own. She opened the door and led me inside as I saw Asterin sitting on one of the white round tables, but before I could focus on who she had company, she rushed to me and embraced into a hug.

"Oh god-" I got the words out of me as I laughed and wrapped my arms around her too.

"You could literally just teleport here everyday, but you barely visit me!" Asterin glared at me to which I smiled.

"Which is why I brought a peace treaty, and the tower is being pretty chaotic." I handed Asterin her books. "I am barely making it home these days."

"Ah, that's rough." Asterin sighed, "But it's okay since you are here now."

Asterin dragged me to the round table as my eyes focused on her company. All the hair on my neck stood up as ruby red eyes bored into mine. Over the table, dressed in the finest silks and robes money can buy, the two princes of Alastaria

The Crown Prince Lucian de Conlaed Alastair and the second prince Derek de Conlaed Alastair.

I curtsy immediately.

"I greet the suns of the empire." I say. "May the blessing of the Gods be upon you."

"Raise up, Lady Esmeray." a smooth deep voice, that belonged to none other than the Crown Prince, the same person I healed up yesterday. The universe is playing a cruel joke on me!

He stared at me as if he was trying to decode everything going inside my head and unlock my darkest secrets. Almost like a predator waiting for the prey to make a mistake.

"Please take a seat, it's wonderful meeting Lady Esmeray like this." He offered me a smile that didn't reach his eyes. I stared at the empty seat, it was between Asterin and his highness the Crown Prince.

"It's my honour to be in the presence of the Princes of this empire." I said as I took the seat. More like being on my death row.

"It's nice meeting Lady Esmeray outside social events." The second Prince Derek Alastair spoke for the first time.

I smiled and gave him a polite reply before he resumed his conversation with Asterin. Seeing Derek Alastair here shouldn't be a surprise, he has by all right to visit his fiance, but what is Lucian Alastair doing there! Shouldn't he be in bed-? Did I heal him too well...?

Thoughts wind up and create a hurricane in my mind as I sat there silently with a smile as Lucian who sat beside me, with his elbow popped up on the table, his face leaning on it, with a smirk as his eyes peeling away layers of my invisible armour until he reached my frightened hammering heart which feared death that he might bring.