Black Pearl✔️ [rewriting offline]

𝟕| 𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞

•••••••

"This way," I crossed the pathway to where Lienna was opening the same door Zian entered with the older man. "My husband and I own this shop together. I come from a long family line of stylist talents and didn't want to waste them once I was married. So my father, such a soft heart for his girls, gifted me this place as a wedding gift. Since then, business has always been up and my name has been in everyone's mouths. I'm even thinking about opening another shop south of Guangzou."

I was taken aback by the beautiful gowns and stylish hanfu's and tunics that were dressed on wooden bodies. My fingers couldn't be helped, reaching for the rich colored fabrics folded across the table to my right, anxious to feel it's softness between my fingertips. The store was spacious compared to any place I had ever seen before — which wasn't many — and the interior designs were just as beautiful and bright and filled with colors my eyes never laid on. It was a woman's dream for a beautiful place above their heads.

"Beautiful is it not?" Lienna came to inspect what I had got myself into. "This fabric was imported from India. So rich and soft, even half of the noblewomen here find it a struggle to come up with enough money to buy it from me."

"Is that so?"

Lienna nodded. "If you like, I can make you a dress out of this fabric on the house."

I yanked my hand from the fabric, stunned at her offer. "You are too generous to someone you just met, but I can't accept your offer. This fabric is simply too...much for me, and I don't hold any proper titles or rights to wear something as expensive as this. Especially if the women here can't afford it." Lienna didn't intervene so I continued. "And where is your home?"

"Right," she pulled away and continued to lead the way. "Well, where we are standing is my home, this whole building is, but where your husband is at is upstairs."

There were soft voices coming from a closed room as we were walking up the wooden stairs. The closer we came to the distinct voices, the more I was able to recognize Zian's voice. His tone was low and soft-spoken compared to the other voices that were straight-forward and demanding.

"Do you think that is a smart move?" Said an older voice within the room. "I have always respected your choices as your loyal subject — " Lienna turned her head slightly in my direction, a sense of alarm colored her eyes, and kept straight. " — but I will not sit here and let you expose yourself over some foolish mess as the — " Out of nowhere, Lienna picked up her speed with grace. She reached for the door before the person who was speaking could finish and slid open the door, a smile edging her lips.

There was movement within the room, startled by Lienna's sudden appearance.

"Lienna?" It was Zian's voice, recognizing the woman at the door. "What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here. Why are you not with — "