New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 136: FAT CHICKEN

Chapter 136: FAT CHICKEN

Randall led them to a side room where there was an office. "Please, sit down," he pointed to the chair behind the desk. She was the owner of the art store now and more than deserved to sit there.

Aristia sat down on the desk like the boss that she was and placed the drafted agreement on top of the table. There were some quills and parchments on the table.

Randall watched her as she sat down patiently. His gaze moved to her hair.

’It’s definitely magic,’ he thought.

When she had first come to his store, he hadn’t known her identity because of her hair and eyes. They were the normal features possessed by most commoners and aristocrats, except for pure nobility.

When he discovered her identity and saw her in the Viscount Estate, she had the same hair color as those of the royal family.

It was only magic that could cause her to conceal her features.

His thoughts were pulled back when she signed the paper and pushed the agreement toward him.

Randall focused and signed the paper. He kept staring at the paper in his hands as if he couldn’t believe it was real.

He had been happy when he was told that he’d be given five percent of the shares. But now he had received written assurance, he was even happier.

After the both of them had signed the agreements, they returned to the main area of the store.

"This place needs some redecorating." Aristia stated, looking around the store. "I will arrange for the materials and you can arrange the builders. Can you do that?"

"Yes, your Highness. I can." Randall nodded his head. He was just surprised. The store was going to be redecorated already and it wasn’t even a week since he had transferred the ownership to her. It was so fast.

[I plan to renovate this place.] Aristia thought, looking around the place.

It was quite old. The walls were peeling in some places and most of the paint had worn off. The place looked dull. It was important for a business to look good in order to attract customers. Just like The Vanilla Courtyard.

She turned back to Randall, "The materials will arrive in two days. Start searching for builders immediately."

Looking at Randall’s surprised face, a smirk appeared on her face, "Don’t you worry, Mister Randall," she started, her voice brimming with confidence. "I’m telling you that you won’t be able to recognize the store in a few months."

Randall subconsciously nodded, too stunned to reply. The little princess gave off an air of superiority and confidence that made him subconsciously believe. And the materials would arrive in two days? And he thought her talking about arranging for materials to renovate the place was fast.

But that meant she had already planned this beforehand. That was the first time he had ever seen a child act so focused. The princess was definitely a genius among geniuses.

After pointing out some other things that needed to be taken care of in the store, Aristia prepared to leave.

"I will soon return to the capital. Keep me updated about the situation through letters."

Aristia couldn’t be at the art store frequently because it was in the Hemsworth Fief. After a week, they would soon return to the capital.

"I will, your highness."

"You can read and write, can’t you?" Aristia asked. She knew the answer— of course he could read. How else would he read the agreement and sign it?

"Ah? Oh, yes! I can." Randall replied. He then added, "My ancestors were wealthy men. My father inherited wealth too. He had me educated as he could afford it. Even though I wasn’t as wealthy as my father or ancestors, I used to be well-off, until... well, you know." He spread his hands. "This store has belonged to my family for generations. We would never have imagined it would have fallen this low."

Aristia nodded.

Randall seemed to have a lot of emotional attachment to this place.

She could still see it though now she observed clearly; even with the store’s condition, she could tell that it was once an esteemed place.

"Well, we’ll be leaving, Mister Randall." She said.

Randall nodded. "I hope to see you again, your highness."

Aristia and Adeline left the store.

Aristia turned to look up at Adeline. "Let’s walk around, shall we?"

"As you wish, princess."

The snow crunched beneath their feet as they stepped on it. The ground was coated white. A lot of stores were open and people were moving about normally, entering and exiting the stores. Everybody was dressed warmly.

"How about we go to the square?" Aristia suggested.

"If that’s what you want, young miss." Adeline said.

They went towards the square.

From what they learnt from people after asking around, the square wasn’t too far from where they were currently.

They finally arrived at the square after passing through a few streets. Just as they reached the square, soft snowflakes began lightly falling from the sky.

"Wow."

Cobblestone paths wound through the square, their surfaces dusted with a fresh layer of powdery snow, each of Aristia and Adeline’s footsteps left behind imprints that slowly filled with the softly falling flakes.

The square was surrounded by timber-framed cottages with thatched roofs, their steeply pitched roofs weighted with heavy slate tiles to withstand the relentless snowfalls, and small, narrow windows.

At the center of the square stood an old stone fountain. It was now adorned with delicate icicles that hung like crystal chandeliers from its carved edges.

The fountain’s basin was frozen over and reflected the pale afternoon sunlight while beneath its icy surface, bubbles of clear water continued to flow.

Around the square, rough-hewn wooden market stalls were set up in neat rows, displaying vibrant fruits and vegetables, and local goods. There were also thick woolen cloaks and fur-lined boots, sturdy iron tools, smoked meats, and cheeses.

Villagers were trading freshly cured meats, smoked fish, and preserves from the autumn harvest. Aristia could see their breaths visible in the crisp air as they haggled over prices.

She watched as Merchants sold bundles of freshly harvested vegetables, stacks of rough-spun cloth, pottery vessels, and wooden tools. The air was rich with the aromas of freshly baked bread mingling with the aroma of roasted nuts and herbs like spiced cidar and flowers.

The villagers bartered animatedly, their voices echoing off the surrounding buildings, while children darted through the crowd, playing games and... chasing after stray chickens.

"Woah!" Aristia stepped back quickly as a chicken ran past, followed by a group of children hot on its trail.

"Such a fat chicken," she muttered watching their backs. "I wonder how they haven’t caught it yet..."

It was a funny sight seeing a fat chicken running. As it ran, it’s two legs moved in a funny way like it was waddling, but it still could outrun a group of children of different ages. The oldest was probably around ten.

"But how are they running so quickly on the snow?!" She murmured in disbelief.

By now, the children and chicken were nowhere in sight.

The clang of metal rang out in the distance over the market noise.

"That sounds like a blacksmith hammering iron into shape." Aristia said to Adeline, shifting her eyes away from the direction the children had run towards.

"Yes, princess. There is a blacksmith’s forge nearby from what I hear." Adeline replied.

"Mm," Aristia mumbled.

She leaned over the fountain, taking a glance at her reflection on the fragile glassy surface ice, using it as a mirrow.

Even with brown hair and eyes, her beauty was not hidden. She received stares and smiles from adults and children alike.

She away from her reflection and turned to Adeline, "The Hemsworth Fief is really lively."

Adeline nodded in agreement with her words, looking around the square. "The square is a very busy place, no matter what fief." A chill breath left her mouth as she spoke before dissipating in the air.

Aristia snorted. "I don’t see children chasing chickens in the capital." She smiled and turned towards the stalls and carts, "Come, let’s go taste some of those roasted meat and fish."

Adeline shook her head and laughed, following along with her. The princess was always excited about food, but she really liked her as she was now.

"Young miss, don’t eat too much." Adeline said.

Aristia pouted. "But it’s so delicious~ And it’s food.." she whined.

Adeline sighed but gave in. It was the only thing she could do. She was so powerless against Aristia.

So they bought a lot of food. Aristia just had to try everything.

After walking around for some time and observing the residents of the Hemsworth Fief, they returned to the carriage and headed back to the Hemsworth Estate.

"Gosh, I’m tired." Aristia sighed tiredly and rubbed her bulging belly.

Adeline laughed, "Princess, I told you not to eat too much."

"Ughhh..." Aristia groaned.

[Alright, I really should listen to Adeline from now on.] She was regretting her actions now.

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