Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

The market of the capital was lively and seemed to be drowned in the color of festivity. It was all because of the Saintess' arrival, which made the market look more lively than ever.

Naturally, as a Princess, Celestria was supposed to travel around in a carriage and with security—however, she didn't want to get disturbed during her date with Alex, so she chose not to tell anyone about it.

She was wearing a white blouse and a black skirt that reached her knees. Braiding her hair in a high ponytail, the girl possessed a very youthful charm. Her face was small and her eyes bright, which made it impossible for someone not to look at her twice.

Finding the necessity she even draped a hat over her head to not get noticed by the others.

While they were walking in the streets aimlessly, Alex muttered, "That dress looks good on you."

Celestria beautifully smiled, thanking Amanda in her mind who helped her choose the dress, before she answered, "Thank you. I will buy similar dresses in the future."

Alex raised his brows, "You don't need to change your preference because of me."

Celestria glanced at the silver head before smiling, as she said, "Your preference is my new taste. After all, there is no one else but you whom I want to look good for."

Alex was momentarily stunned as he stared at the girl with his lips parted but couldn't gather words to say anything.

In the end, he looked forward and continued to walk.

Celestria's smile widened, as she continued to follow him.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Suddenly there was a big crowd that Alex spotted—they all seemed to be moving in their way, muttering things about the Saintess.

Since the crowd was huge, Alex held her hand, making Celestria freeze at her spot for a moment, only to find herself getting dragged as Alex muttered,

"Many people are coming this way. Stay close."

Celestria obediently nodded and shifted close to him, her eyes drawn downward as she walked briskly behind him.

The crowd finally phased through them, nearly pushing Celestria away from Alex, however the hold of their hands was tight enough that it resisted any opposing forces.

Once they were out of the crowd, Alex glanced at Celestria and found her eyes turning teary and her little nose was red.

Pausing he asked her, "What happened? Did someone do something?"

Celestria shook her head, "It's the scent of shendon pod…it seems someone was carrying it in the crowd."

Alex knew she was allergic to many flowers, and shendon pod was one of them.

He brought her to the nearest resting benches and helped her sit down first.

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"Ah…" He wanted to get some wet wipes for her, however, she continued to hold his hand, resisting any attempt to let go.

"Where are you going?" Her eyes were already filled with tears and now that she was asking him pitifully, the damage was doubled.

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose; this was difficult. She was suffering and didn't want to let go but Alex had to bring something to relieve her pain…guh.

"Hey, you," He looked across the shop across from him, his eyes narrowed, and a bit of blood lust added to the mix.

The shopkeeper stiffened before he pointed at himself in the fret.

Alex nodded before he called him towards himself.

The young man gulped in anxiety before he glanced at Alex's uniform and the sword hanging by his side.

Looking back into Alex's eyes it was evident what might happen if the shopkeeper denied the command.

Slowly he made his way towards the soldier before he was told, "Bring a pack of wet wipes and a vial of perfume which smells mild and gentle."

The shopkeeper nodded and dashed back into his shop.

Celestria's smile never went down as she kept holding his hand with both of hers.

The shopkeeper returned with what was asked before he respectfully put it on the bench as directed.

Alex asked, "How much."

The shopkeeper wanted to say, 'You don't need to pay…' but then he looked at the soldier's expression, urging the shopkeeper to just tell the price.

"Three bronze."

Alex took out a silver before handing it to the shopkeeper, his expression softening a bit as he said, "Thank you for your services; keep the change."

The shopkeeper scratched his head at how the other one's personality shifted—however, he didn't stay there for long, in fear of displeasing the soldier.

Celestria wiped her eyes as she said, "It's not good to intimidate civilians, Alex."

Alex snarled, "And for whom do you think I did that?"

Celestria happily smiled and refused to comment on that. Seeing Alex grumbling but not retracting his hand made her even more elated.

Soon they began walking again, when Celestria asked, "Should we get a formal dress for you, as well? I know a good place."

Alex shook his head, "Too expensive. I will just wear the academy uniform."

Celestria told him, "Consider it a gift in advance from me. Your birthday isn't that far away after all."

Alex heaved a sigh, "Are you trying to spoil me here?"

Celestria giggled, "Who knows~"

They soon reached the shop where several formal dresses were hung inside. It was clearly a shop not meant for low-earning individuals.

Alex has seldom bought himself clothes—he usually took things from his target's house or received them from his lovers in his past life.

There were a few customers and several employees actively helping them choose the fabric and measuring their bodies.

"What can I do for you, pretty lady?" The store manager approached the duo and asked.

Celestria asked him, "How quickly can I get a three-piece suit prepared for him?"

The manager glanced at Alex before saying, "Minimum eight days?"

Celestria took out a pouch of silver coins before dropping it on the counter.

"Three days?"

Another pouch of silver,

"This evening?"

Celestria smiled, "Yeah, that would be great."

Alex watched the girl with his lips parted; the dominance she can show sometimes leaves him all flustered.

The manager put down the pouches before he gestured towards the trial room, "There is the staff waiting to take the measurement."

Celestria nodded before she turned her head, and instantly froze.

It was a beautiful black-haired woman smiling at them with measurement tape ready in her hand.

"Are there not any male staff available?" Celestria asked, much to Alex's surprise.

Isn't it just the measurement?

The manager shook his head, "You will have to wait for them to be free."

Alex inched closer to her before saying, "What's the problem?"

The princess huffed, and after ignoring the ignorant Alex, she told the manager, "I will provide you with the measurement."

The manager was surprised, "Can you do it?"

Extending her hand in his direction she said, "Just hand me the tape."

Celestria learned knitting at the age of ten. It was common for noble families to teach their daughters some of the basic things like cooking and knitting.

The manager didn't have a problem so he handed the tape to the girl before Celestria told Alex, "Go inside and wait for me."

Alex shrugged before moving toward the changing room.

The room was not big making him wonder how the staff members took the measurement comfortably.

He was looking around the place when suddenly Celestria walked in and closed the door.

She lifted her hat and undid her hair, only to tie her golden mane in a tight bun.

"Remove your sword and shirt."

Alex was taken aback, "Can't it be done over the clothes?"

Celestria's cheeks were red, her breath coming out with faint steam as she shook her head, and said, "Need accurate measurement. Now remove your clothes."

It might be the first time Alex has felt threatened by the Princess and her intentions. However, he removed his sword and started unbuttoning the shirt, wanting to see what she could do.

Celestria gulped in anticipation as she saw him very slowly and sensually(?) unbuttoning his shirt right before her eyes.

She clenched the tape in her fist as she gazed at his slightly tanned skin under the shirt.

The last time she saw him half naked, he was still quite frail and thin…however, looking at his well-sculpted muscles and the battle scars he had received in these few weeks, Celestria felt her legs turning shaky.

She slowly inched closer to him, finding his domineering scent overwhelming her senses as she finally lifted the tape and tried to measure his chest with her shaky hands.

Alex narrowed his eyes and much to her surprise, he suddenly wrapped his hand around her slender waist and pulled her closer.

Celestria looked at him with an upturned gaze, seeming like a small rabbit caught by a wolf as she heard Alex asking,

"Were you looking forward to something by cornering me here in this room and asking me to strip?"

Celestria shook her head innocently, but after hearing his growl, she slowly nodded and lowered her head.

"Am I a bad girl to have naughty thoughts about the guy I like?" She softly asked, refusing to look up at him

Alex raised his left brow, "What exactly were you wanting?"

Celestria shook her head, refusing to tell him.

However, when she found his hand tightening around her waist, she yielded,

"I…wanted…you to…"

Alex was surprised to hear the wild thoughts that this prim and proper Princess possessed.

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A/N:- Damn…what could she be dreaming of? Guess, we will never know…