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When we arrived Mrs Zanst was there to greet us, her husband not yet returned fro, I hid a smile as some of the Guard tried not to stare at Mrs Zanst They had been deprived of feer than so, I dismounted with Chaeron’s aid and was i by Mrs Zanst

"It’s such a pleasure to see you again, Lady Rogan" She smiled widely at me as she stood back to take invery well for a young lady who’s been travelling And without a carriage no less" She frowned, looking over the Guard

I shrugged inelegantly, happy to be around soht a carriage would be more of a hindrance than a help"

Mrs Zanst didn’t seethe Guard to their organisation It would seeh room in the stables or the mansion for all of them so some would have to venture into the city for accoerly volunteered, knowing that the excite a bed partner than an actual bed

"Oh," I gasped as we stepped into the entrance hall "Your hohtened, a little flush of pride cresting her cheeks as we took it in together

"Thank you, Lady Rogan I do try"

In all of the homes of the wealthy I had ventured into, the floors of the entrance hall, hallways in general, were alhite and black marble; or, as at the palace, pure whiteunder foot But Mr and Mrs Zanst had forgone the cold marble aesthetic of the wealthy, and instead had beautiful, wide slatted, light wooden polished floors that reflected the light fro but si in one triinality It was like a piece of ht, airy quality they had created, there were no drab oil paintings to be found or heavy tapestries, only pale buttercream walls, one of which was adorned with artwork – an actual eous wood nyly rustic creatures A few silver mirrors were dotted here and there, wall sconces in the same vein as the chandelier, and flowers of the softest pastels

"It’s like a fairytale," I whispered "Haydyn would love this"

Mrs Zanst blushed even harder "Do you really think so?"

I nodded sincerely, giving her arift for interior design"

"Oh, I’m pleased you think so Many of the women here," her voice dropped to a murmur, "Think my taste unfashionable"

"To the contrary, your taste is a fashion setter Wait until we get you back at the palace to decorate Haydyn’s private parlour, Mrs Zanst, then all the ladies will be after you to design their homes for them"

Wide-eyed, she pulled me into her equally quaint and beautiful parlour "Do you really think so?"

Having inadvertently received a friend for life in the char Mrs Zanst I felt bad when I tricked her Desperate for some time alone, to be away fro with the news of our arrival, I knew I had toon Mrs Zanst to ue frouest suite onderful views of Ryl There I hastily wrote a note to Mrs Zanst telling her where I’d gone so she wouldn’t worry, and then threw on a dark cloak, creeping out of the room I had to hide twice - once in another bedroom and then in the music room on the second floor I halted at the sound of children squealing and realised the nurseryfound by an iht of stairs and then cursed under my breath when I came face to face with the butler

"May I help you, racefully, the tallest fe fast "I’ested I follow the Factory District out to the right to get to the city…"

She frowned, shaking her head "That can’t be right, ht and then a left once you reach the entrance to Factory District"

I sht into the city?"

"You can’t miss it, my Lady"

"Thank you"

And as easily as that I was out the door I heldas I shot out the driveway and through the gates As I hurried along, I peered towards the back of the house and saw so themselves at the stables Afraid to be spotted, I took off at a run, no longer caring which of the neighbours saw

As the wind rushed intoa hindrance around of rinned and pushed harder It felt wonderful, so freeing

Skidding to a stop at the end of the Factory District, I peered overfollowed I couldn’t see anyone I san walking sedately towards the city which called to me with its noise and sht fall, plenty of time to have a look around

Quite suddenly I foundaround as if they had soazed around at the rather drab appearance of the city, with its industrial towering factories in the distance and the squab little shops, I realised how different it was to Peza, considering the wares that were created here

Or so I thought

Like stepping into an oil painting I found h an arched alleyway I found myself lambasted by colour as I entered the market square Everywhere were people and stalls in a multitude of hues, where quiet sellers stood patiently offering help and information Never before had I seen such serious, hushed sellers But as I walked around the stalls,every now and then, I realised why Their products were beautiful, no matter if they were mass-produced – products that sold themselves I stopped suddenly, drawn to a stall with beaded jewellery The jewellery I oas of the finest precious ered a bracelet made with pleated leather; three beautifully painted beads in emerald, aquamarine and rose decorated the end near the clasp A little bird of silvera bracelet fro a soft kiss tome it wasn’t to be played with, but when I was older it would be mine It had been a leather rope bracelet, no beads, but a little bird had hung fro the bracelet up

The seller sently "Five coppers, miss"