The villain's way to tame the protagonist

In desperation, Marina could only give up the argument and pretend to be submissive, otherwise she was afraid that the maids in the mansion would touch their bedside with knives in the middle of the night.

Lord Hydra stayed in Earl Solidstone's manor for one night and has not returned yet.

Marina planned to send Shitana away and secretly go to beg Lord Hydra. Although it was a bit shameless to do so, Marina was willing to do anything for Shitana's future.

——She couldn't even imagine how rude Xitana was to Anther at the banquet, but Anther not only didn't punish her, he also gave her two hundred imperial gold coins. Even if Anther's kindness was just a mask, Marina would definitely let Xitana stay and work for Anther based on this magnanimity.

If they missed Ansher, they might never, no, they would definitely, never meet such a high-ranking and tolerant person again in their lives.

She didn't want her sister to be an unknown hunter in a remote village in the north all her life. Shitana's talent was so outstanding, how could she watch that willful child bury her?

"Oh, by the way, how should we spend those two hundred gold coins?" Hitana spread her toes with a smile. She always showed her mood on her face, and now she was so happy.

The girl raised her chin and fantasized: "We can ask Uncle Patton to build a house, the kind of warm thing in Hydra's car! In this way, Dad's legs won't hurt in the winter anymore - ah! Doctor, we can find a very good doctor to cure Dad's illness directly! He will be very happy if he can hunt again! We can also buy new clothes for Mom, and Lina... You will have a lot of dowry in the future, you can find someone better than Gad... No, uh, Lakala? No, that won't work either, someone who is good-looking and powerful... Yes, someone better than Hydra!"

Marina found it very heartwarming at first, but when she heard the latter part, she couldn't help but cover her face and sigh.

"Oh, I can't stand it anymore! Marina, let's go to the street!"

Fantasizing about a warm and solid new home, a healthy father again, a mother who no longer had to work long hours, and a bright future for Marina, Shitana could no longer contain her excitement and decided to go to the street and spend a lot of money right now.

"…Ah? Ah? Now?"

"What else?" Sitana jumped off the bed and took off her top. Her perfect body, which combined the innocence of a girl with her gorgeous temptation, showed her charm all the time - as long as she could shut her mouth honestly.

Marina, who wanted to wait for Anser to come back, was a little flustered, but she quickly calmed down and continued to pack her bags: "You go first, I'll catch up soon."

"?"

The girl with snow-white short hair tilted her head, with a question mark on her head: "Why?"

"Don't you want to go back? You can go back earlier if you pack your things earlier."

Marina replied with a sweet smile.

"Oh……"

Sitana hummed thoughtfully, slowly moving closer to her sister with light steps.

She touched her chin, slowly squatted down, and stared straight into Sitana's eyes.

Suddenly, a strange feeling burst out in the girl's mind without any warning, and she suddenly realized as if it was a flash of inspiration from heaven: "Are you waiting for Hydra to come back?"

"!"

Marina was shocked. When did her sister become so smart?

Her shocked expression was seen by Xitana, and the girl immediately shouted in dissatisfaction: "What? Why are you still thinking about being with that Hydra? Uh-huh-huh-"

Marina, who covered Xitana's mouth, could only smile bitterly and replied: "Okay, okay, I'll go with you, okay?"

"That's pretty much it."

Shitana pulled her sister's face with satisfaction, then ran off to change her clothes.

When the sisters changed their clothes and went out, they found that the maid Miss Mary, who had been in charge of taking care of them for the past two days, was standing at the door.

"Butler Savile conveyed the young master's words."

The beautiful maid lowered her eyes and said, "If you two need to buy something in the city, I will be your guide."

"Hmm?" Xitana was stunned. "Guide? Are you going to lead the way for us?"

"Red Frost City is very big. You two need a carriage driver and a guide. I can do that for you."

Xitana looked Meili up and down, rubbed her head, and suddenly said, "Is it such a good thing? Did he ask you to monitor us?"

"..." Meili was silent for a moment, then looked at Xitana expressionlessly, "To be honest, I don't want to work for a rude person like Miss Xitana, but since it is the order of the young master, no matter how barbaric and arrogant you are, I will definitely be able to endure it."

How could Xitana, who was proud of her "achievements", tolerate such ridicule? She retorted: "Then don't come. I'm not asking you to help me."

"Master's orders are absolute."

"You're crazy! If he told you to die, would you go?"

The maid was silent for a moment, then looked at Sitana with pity.

"It seems that Miss Sitana is unqualified."

"…What is it, you—"

"You haven't experienced that... the joy of being able to sincerely sacrifice everything for something, it turns out -"

Meili paused, and a smile reappeared on her face: "Anyway, I feel much better after learning about this. Please go in, both of you."

She bowed slightly and spread her hands to the side to indicate the direction. Shitana wanted to say something but was stopped by Marina.

The poor elder sister couldn't control her younger sister's mouth. The most she could do was to make amends as much as possible after she got into trouble. Marina had become accustomed to this, but she couldn't help feeling tired.

only……

The clever girl looked at Mary's face and couldn't help but daydream.

What did Miss Meili mean by what she said just now?

*

Sitana, who was sitting in the heated car, sighed and curled up in Marina's arms like a cat and a bug.

"Hey, maid, where's the best clothing store here?"

She spoke lazily.

"Clothing store." Meili's voice came from outside the car, with a mysterious tone, "...the best one?"

"Of course!" Xitana said matter-of-factly, "I have 200 gold coins in my hand, so of course I have to go to the best clothing store!"

The maid's chuckle came: "As you wish."

After an unknown amount of time, Sitana, who was half asleep and half awake, was suddenly startled by a gust of cold wind. She jumped up from Marina's legs like a cat with its fur standing on end, and turned angrily to look at Mary who opened the car door.

"Ladies, we are here."

The carriage stopped at a store with very ordinary decoration. After getting off, Xitana looked around and found that the people around her were all dressed gorgeously, and many people were looking at her with awe. No, it wasn't her, it was... the carriage?

Somewhat confused, Xitana walked into the shop under the guidance of Meili. Like the decoration outside, the furnishings inside were also very ordinary. To Xitana, the walls were made of wood that were no different from those in her own house, and clothes were hung everywhere.

No matter how you look at it, it looks like ordinary clothes.

"Are you sure this is the best clothing store?" Xitana looked at Meili suspiciously, "Isn't this just an ordinary fur coat?"

She casually took a picture of the long dress hanging on the wall: "There's not even a price tag."

"The Bernal family's clothing store has been passed down for 126 years. It is recognized as the best clothing store in the entire Red Frost Territory and is also well-known throughout the North."

Meili explained calmly, "All the clothes here are custom-made, and Mr. Bernard's appointment has been scheduled for two years later."

"Mr. Bernard!" she called from the middle of the shop toward the back room. "Excuse me for disturbing you."

"Oh... that voice is Miss Meili."

An old but powerful voice came from the back room, and an old man who was short and had a head full of white hair but looked energetic walked out.

He stood behind the counter and greeted Meili: "Does Lord Hydra need new clothes?"

"No, there are two young ladies who want to order clothes from you."

Marina had already sensed something was wrong when she heard Meili mention "custom-made" and "appointment". Just as she was about to speak, Xitana spoke up casually, "Old man, are you the best tailor in the Red Frost Territory?"

The old man shrugged: "Maybe."

"Then help us make a dress."

"Hmm..." Bernard looked at Sitana and Marina, and stroked his beard with a smile.

The look of a craftsman appreciating a work of art did not disgust Xitana. Instead, the girl puffed out her chest with great pride and said, "I'll give you enough money!"

"Since Miss Meili introduced us," Bernard said with a smile, "it's not impossible to start now."

"Great!" Sitana patted Mary's shoulder, "You are still useful!"

Meili distanced herself from Sitana without leaving any trace, while Marina was extremely nervous and asked cautiously:

"Well, may I ask...how much is your fee..."

"You two are friends of Miss Meili, so we can give you a 20% discount, 800 Imperial gold coins each."

Sitana, who was taking off the water bottle from her waist and drinking it, sprayed it onto the clothes beside her. She screamed in a distorted voice: "How much?!"

Marina was also stunned. She had a hunch that this must be a high cost that they could not afford, but this was too much... It was just a piece of clothing!

The corners of Meili's mouth rose slightly, but she quickly suppressed it. She looked at Bernard, who was looking at the two bewildered girls with a frown and confusion, and explained:

"Mr. Bernard is an excellent enchanter. The clothes he cuts and sews can be attached with a variety of permanent spells. Eight hundred is just his labor fee. You two will need to provide the rest of the materials yourself, or pay Mr. Bernard an additional fee."

"You, this, I——"

Xitana looked at the clothes that were mostly wet by her spray, and looked at the old man in disbelief: "Are you here to rob?"

"...Miss." The old man's eyes became very unhappy, "I think this price is very fair."

"This is fair. Who with a brain would come to you to buy clothes?" Xitana wanted to spit on the floor.

Bernal's expression changed drastically, and his face turned pale in an instant. He pointed at Xitana and said in a trembling voice: "You, do you know what you are saying...wait a minute."

The old man suddenly walked out of the counter, took a few steps to Sitana, and looked at her again.

"What? You want me to pay compensation?" Hitana took a step back with extreme caution.

"You are..." Bernard's voice became strange now. This famous craftsman in the Red Frost Territory suddenly became a little humble. "Excuse me, are you... Miss Xitana Lancemalos?"

"…What's wrong with me?"

“It’s you!” Bernard’s attitude changed drastically. “I’m too old. I didn’t recognize you the first time. I’m so sorry.”

The somewhat flattering smile on the old man's face made Xitana feel creepy.

"If it were you, I'd make you a dress for free - oh, and your sister, or two."

Meili half-closed her eyes, Marina seemed to be thinking about something, and compared to these two quick-witted ladies, our Miss Sitana changed her expression immediately after a brief moment of daze, and smiled happily:

"Is there such a good thing?"

"It's my pleasure to serve you." The old man bowed. "Would you like to measure it now?"

"Size..." Sitana was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Marina, "Lina, do you remember the size of your mother's clothes?"

"Mother?" Marina was also confused by Xitana's sudden question. "Of course I know the size, but... Xier!"

She reacted and raised her voice: "Don't push your luck!"

"What do you mean by asking for more? He's already willing to help you and me, so what's wrong with doing one more thing?"

Sitana crossed her arms carelessly and said, "Or I can just not do that. Anyway, I don't need any nice clothes. Yeah, that's it!"

"Old man!" She turned to look at Bernard, "I don't need you to make clothes for me. Just make one for my sister and my mother."

Bernard's mouth twitched. "It's really no problem to add one more thing, Miss Sitana."

"Forget it, it's as if I'm forcing you." Miss Sitana waved her hand generously, "Two are enough, Lina, go tell him."

By the time the three girls came out of Bernal's store, more than an hour had passed and Sitana was getting a little bored of waiting.

After getting on the carriage, Marina looked at her happy sister, thought for a while, and then asked the maid a question.

"Ms. Meili... do you know why Mr. Bernard is suddenly so friendly to Xi'er?"

The maid outside the carriage was silent for a moment, then answered meaningfully:

"Bernard's ancestors were retainers of the Stone Clan and made great contributions to the Stone Clan. After his great-grandfather retired from the Stone Clan, he established this long-standing clothing store."

"To this day, the Stone family still takes good care of Bernal, and the two have a close relationship."

Marina, who sat dignifiedly with her hands on her legs, immediately understood what Mary meant: "So... did Mr. Bernard learn about what happened last night from Count Hardstone?"

"Hmm...ah?" With one foot on the seat, Sitana tilted her head. "What does this mean? Oh...wait! I get it!"

The girl's expression gradually changed from confusion to joy, then from joy to pride, and then from pride to undisguised and exaggerated complacency.

"That old man must have known that I beat up those assassins at the banquet last night, and he knows how powerful I am!"

"Puchi." The maid's laughter was heard outside the carriage.

Marina hesitated to speak. Through Meili's reminder and Sitana's description, she roughly guessed why her sister was suddenly so flattered by such a powerful craftsman, but...

But she couldn't say it out loud.