Back at the General's Manor
Zora left the estate early. Ever since her marriage was broken and she was bedridden, no one cared to even check on her.
As a result, no one checked where she went or when she returned, saving her endless trouble.
Her first stop was the largest pawnshop in the city. She sold her jewelry, carefully reminding the shopkeeper to keep them safe so she could redeem them later. After all, these were her mother's belongings. She would never let them be lost.
Even after selling them all, her mood remained complicated. She had gained thousands of gold coins, but to upgrade her rank, she needed far more.
Medical clinics needed supplies, tools, staff, and even space. Still, money in hand was a start.
"The most important thing is location…" she murmured as she walked. "And I have no idea which area is best in the capital."
Suddenly, she remembered someone.
"The treasurer of Apollo Apothecary, perfect..."
A medicinal shop always worked closely with medical halls. Eric Welsh knew the city well and was known to have a sincere heart, not the greed of a cutthroat merchant. She thought she could trust him.
Sure enough, when she visited the Apothecary and explained her plan, Eric agreed at once.
"Young Miss, do you intend to run the clinic alone?" he asked in worry.
While being a lady is not at all a problem, still, to him, she looked too young, barely sixteen. He was worried whether she could handle this by herself or not…
But Zora was confident. She replied "Yes" without hesitation. Her calm confidence made her beauty shine brighter now as she further added. "But, I know little about the imperial city, whether it is the businesses or the locations. So, all the medicine I need will be purchased from the Apothecary. How's that for cooperation?"
Eric's eyes lit up at the offer. He immediately said, "A deal I actually know of a medical hall being sold right now. If you buy it directly, you'll save the trouble of renovations."
Her smile brightened, relief washing through her. "That's perfect."
"If you're free," Eric then said with enthusiasm, "I can take you to see it now."
"Then I'll trouble the treasurer," Zora replied, bowing slightly.
Together, they set out toward her first step in creating Origin Medical Hall.
*
Under Eric's guidance, Zora arrived at the small medical hall that was up for sale. The moment the old doctor learned she intended to buy and reopen it, his attitude warmed immediately, and he welcomed her with great politeness like a gentleman.
The clinic itself wasn't large, but it had good lighting and was kept neat.
"My location is also excellent," the old doctor further announced proudly as Zora was inspecting the place. "If the young lady takes over, many of the regulars will still come. People are used to this place."
Zora nodded with satisfaction. A clinic that had run for over a decade already had a reputation. Even if the old doctor retired, the building alone carries some credibility.
And with her medical skill? She wasn't worried in the slightest about patients. It is only a matter of time. But this place would give her a jump start. That was enough for Zora.
With Eric negotiating beside her, the process went smoothly. He clearly had a good relationship with the old doctor. After a short conversation, she purchased the entire clinic for three hundred gold coins at a bargain, using the money she gained from selling her mother's jewelry.
Once arrangements for simple renovations were made, she returned to the General's estate. If everything went well, her new medical hall, Origin Hall, could open in as little as seven days.
Back in her courtyard, she didn't waste anything and threw herself into meditation.
She had a goal in three months: the royal family would host the grand hunting competition. It happens only once every two years. She wanted to shine there, to use it as the first step to overturn her fate. So, in three months, she had to upgrade her rank as fast as possible, stunning everyone.
But she hadn't meditated long when Black burst into the room like a rolling cannonball.
"Master, Luna, and Philip are coming."
"Hmm?" Zora's eyes sharpened instantly. After all, those two never brought anything good.
She rose quickly and, with practiced ease, altered her appearance. She dimmed her bright complexion and hollowed her cheeks, bringing back the sickly, "old" Zora. Within seconds, she looked weak, thin, and pitiful again.
She had just sat down whe...n
BANG
The door flew open with a violent kick, almost popping off its hinges.
"Wh-who is it?" she cried weakly, pretending to tremble.
Philip strode in first, scanning her face. The moment he saw her thin frame and washed-out complexion, his eyes widened in surprise.
This was clearly the useless blind girl he despised.
How could she possibly be the woman from the street that day?
And then… that girl also told that she is Zora of House Phoenix. How is that possible?
Was someone impersonating this girl? Philip wondered, furrowing his brows.
Luna also frowned slightly. She had expected Philip to want to see her, not her sister. Did His Highness still care about this waste? Impossible.
"It's nothing," Philip said dismissively. And then, without warning, he grabbed a cup from her table and hurled it straight at Zora's forehead for no reason.
A hot flash of anger jolted through Zora's chest.
This dog actually dared to test her like this?
CRACK
The cup smashed brutally against her head. "Argh..." Zora screamed in pain and deliberately collapsed backward.
She had no choice but to make such an act.
If she didn't act like this, he'd never leave. At the same time, she regretted introducing herself with her true name, back then… What was she thinking… Perhaps, she merely wanted to show off, or perhaps she was attracted to Prince Kael… She didn't know...
Meanwhile, back to the present, Philip smirked with satisfaction as he saw Zora injured by his cup throw. So, it was still a waste, and not the one he suspected. After all, a sudden throw would usually bring out one's instinct to dodge, especially if they know how to fight.
"Your Highness…" Luna finally relaxed. If he treated Zora like this, then he clearly felt nothing for her.
"Let's go, I've confirmed it."," Philip said with obvious disdain before he turned, sneering at the broken cup and the trembling girl, then walked out proudly. He didn't want to see this pitiful sight again.
Luna followed, though her eyes flickered with confusion.
As the two walked away, a brief killing intent flashed in Zora's eyes.
The moment their footsteps crossed the threshold:
Whoosh Whoosh
Black and White shot out like tiny furry cannonballs.
The two balls of fluff smacked right into Philip's and Luna's bodies before bouncing away.
They turned back as they felt something hit them, but saw nothing. Exchanging glances, they hurriedly left, wondering if it was the ghost that Zora had once told them before.
A few seconds later, after the pair left in a hurry, the furballs rolled back inside.
Zora looked at them, "Did you do the job?"
"Done," Black announced proudly, puffing its fluff.
"Of course, we succeeded," White added smugly. "Who can stop us?"
Black attempted to lift its nonexistent eyebrows in triumph, but only succeeded in making its eyes twitch comically.
Zora laughed softly, stroking them in affection, "Good. Today isn't the day for real revenge… but taking interest? That much, I can do."
Her eyes then changed and looked at the distant sky as she muttered, "The powder should have penetrated their skin by now... Let's see what they will do now..."