TRAPPED BY THE SECOND MALE LEAD
CHAPTRE 3

Meridia's forehead was wrinkled when she found out this time who called out to her directly turned out to be the head chef of the Emerald mansion. "I never feel calm." It was with a heavy heart that Meridia left her favorite job in order to fulfill the call.

Meridia alone had not yet reached the front, but the head chef immediately thrust out a paper full of food ingredients. Without even being told Meridia knew her order.The girl received a paper roll containing groceries, "But this week is not my turn to go outside."

"Don't protest too much! Don't you see everyone here is busy?! Quick left. We don't have much time!"

Meridia was not happy with the chef's tone of voice that kept jerking, but what the man said was true. All the maids seemed busy pacing around taking care of things. Surprisingly, why did it all happen all of a sudden?

"Are there any guests coming?" ask Meridia curious.

"Marchioness' birthday celebration will be held tonight. You go quickly and buy all those necessities. Don't be late or our jobs will all be hampered."

After receiving the shopping money, Meridia immediately went to the market which was a considerable distance away and he traveled on foot. Meridia was not allowed to borrow any of her own family's chariots. So he had to pay himself a public horse carriage to drive him, of course it had to be private money.

Since the money she had now was a little, Meridia decided to walk away. His tiredness changed when he reached the traditional market area. Many ordinary people who passed by there, Meridia was also happy to feel how free they lived, not living to be restrained like her.

To please herself, Meridia bought some snacks that seemed tempting to her flirtatious eyes, "I used to want to use this money to rent a train home, but yeah, I've been walking around a lot."

His head never stopped moving, his eyes continued to comb the market area, "It seems that the market today is also more crowded than usual."

First of all Meridia looking for vegetables in the place of friendly women who have been subscribed. Fortunately today he was selling so Meridia did not have to bother looking elsewhere. "Hello aunty," said the girl kindly.

The saleswoman named Ella also returned a warm greeting of friendly Meridia, "At last this girl appeared as well. You haven't been seen in a long time, where have you been? I miss you," she lamented as she wrapped up some of the vegetables that Meridia showed me on the note, "I just got another shopping turn, aunt."

"Oh yeah, I forgot that you work for a noble. Then, you bought so many vegetables, for stock? Or will there be a show?" asked Ella curiously.

Meridia glanced to the right and to the left as if about to cross then advance the body and whispered "Tonight at the residence of the Marquess Emerald will be held a birthday party for the Marchioness." Not to forget Meridia had a very seductive expression.

"Oh that's it," Ella gave Meridia a large bag of vegetables that she ordered "There are so many things you want to buy but you're going alone? You'll have trouble later."

"Just calm down, aunt. I'm no ordinary girl" Meridia smiled broadly as she showed off her thin, muscular arms. Ella laughed at Meridia's behavior "Hahaha, you're so funny. Your mother would be proud to have a hard-working child like you."

You wrong. If I die out there, my mother will never care or shed her tears.

Meridia put the bag in the basket and realized something "Loh? Looks like this vegetable is more than I ordered."

"I added a bonus for you. You're my favorite customer," Ella twitched her eyes at Meridia.

"Hahaha this aunt could have."

Meridia had not been out of the Emerald mansion for a long time. The opportunity came at the right time, so the girl really enjoyed her time of freedom of expression. He was too engrossed in enjoying his time outside the mansion to realize that there was currently someone watching him from afar.

Meridia's mood was very good, talking to a stranger, "Thank you very much, aunt. I'm sure your trade will sell hard because your service is very good," he said sincerely while walking away from Ella's lap.

When Meridia was just three meters away from there, Ella's merchandise was already covered by eight people. Two minutes later, three more buyers came to meet the stand where he was selling.

Ella sumringah serves a group of shoppers, thinking she can finally buy the new clothes her son wants since two months ago. "She is truly extraordinary," the woman's inner self imagined Meridia's radiant face.

"Thank God, "Meridia is back facing the front.

Inadvertently Meridia's eyes pointed towards a long-robed person with a hood that almost covered her entire face. Strangely, the man looked at him.

The two eyebrows of the girl linked when consciously saw a knot smile engraved on the thin lips of the mysterious person when it dawned on Meridia too was staring at him. "The freak" muttered Meridia choosing to ignore the incident.

One by one the list of groceries has been crossed out. The less he had not bought, the heavier the basket hung on his arm. He walked slowly, taking care that no items were damaged as there were many glass bottles filled with cake decorations and kitchen spices.

It is not strange that he passed by so many people that sometimes we can see again for the umpteenth time. For the second time Meridia came into contact with a cloaked person but this time was different.

The two of them had already passed each other but a drunken man accidentally collapsed onto the cloaked figure and made his body goosebump until it ended up hitting Meridia's back which caused the three of them to fall in a row.

"Ouch!" peeked Meridia in shock. All the bottles in his basket fell on the streets. Not in one piece anymore. "Gosh, how's this?" Meridia ignored the pain in her knee, a big problem would occur if she could not replace all the food damage that had fused with the soil.

The voice of the cloak-wearer rang out, "I'm sorry, I was completely unintentional. Sorry."

Turns out he was a man. From her tone she was like a very shady person, she felt really guilty, "You have to take responsibility. I don't have the money to buy a new one. I'll definitely be scolded all out if I go home like this."

The man was a little stunned to hear the voice of Meridia who seemed relaxed, not angry or snapping even though the situation was really not benefited. The young man looked at Meridia who was focused on quoting the broken glass bottle.

The robed young man immediately helped Meridia pick up all the items scattered on the public road "You're not mad at me?"

The man was stunned when Meridia raised her face and looked at him flatly. Her shady blue irises equipped with beautiful face carvings made her heart instantly almost pop out of her mouth.

"Anger will not make these things back intact. My energy will be more useful to force you to compensate for my loss."

The man then smiled happily— at least by replacing the item he would not feel guilty for the rest of his life. "Well, I'll change everything."

"Good."

"But you have to take me to the shop."

At once Meridia's relief disappeared. His feet are getting heavy. "I've been tired of running around since."

The unknown young man scratched his non-itchy temple. His heart was pounding even more if he did not occasionally avoid eye contact with Meridia. "Anu, I'm not actually from this town so I don't understand the places here." I'll show you a clumsy smile, "Sorry."

Rather than not getting a replacement, Meridia let herself expend more energy than she should, "Yes already. I'll drive you."

As a result, the two of them went around together to visit each store where Meridia bought cake decorations and kitchen spices. Occasionally his blue netra stole a glance at the person beside him "It seems like this person is different from the person I just saw."

Meridia was still reminded of the mysterious cloaked figure who smiled at her like a stalker. Judging from his aura alone it appeared that the young man was not a person with evil intentions.

Precisely during the trip the young man acted like he was being guided by a tour guide. He smiled along the way, seeing his people's lives look good and the atmosphere was very peaceful.

Along with other places, precisely in the famous Madam Hinelda boutique is one of the best tailors in the city, Marigold looks to be sifting through the entire supply of dresses with the latest models in the boutique.

Marigold was accompanied by one of his personal servants to choose which one would be the most suitable for him. Today there are not many visitors who come so Marigold is more free to try out many dresses.

Marigold tried a magnificent yellow royal princess dress with a brown ribbon on the waist as a sweetener "How about this?"

Blair (servant Marigold) and Madam Hinelda both shook their heads indicating that the dress did not match the aura that Marigold emitted, "It was like a combination of light with light. If combined, it will overlap. You're not fit to wear a bright shirt color that rivals your face, Your Majesty." Hinelda gave a response.

Marigold blushed in embarrassment, "Madam, is that a compliment? Madam embarrassed me."

"Let's try something else."

"What's? this is the eighth dress. Madam, don't you have an opinion on the color that suits me?" Marigold is good at attracting the attention of his interlocutors, he knows Hinelda likes to be asked for opinions about dresses that are suitable starting from the shape and color with the shape of the body and personality of its customers.

The graceful lady cleared her throat, "You know how else, I'll help you find the right color for you."

Marigold smiled broadly "Thank you, madam."

Hinelda quickly managed to select dozens of dresses into only three dresses with different models. The colors Hinelda chose were light blue, white, and pink. All three are soft colors so they match Marigolds.

Marigold was impressed by Hinelda's ability "You're so amazing" he was amazed.

"Hohoho it's just about choosing colors, Your Majesty. Please try."

Thirty minutes passed and finally the twin sister Meridia anchored her heart to an elegant light blue dress that was perfect for her.

"God, you're really very understanding."

"Hehe's just like this."

"alright. I'll wrap it up very safely and neatly."

While Hinelda was riding on the dresses she bought, Marigold toured the store. It feels like the view of the beautiful dresses there will not be boring even though it continues to circle the same room twenty times.

Curiosity prompted Marigold to reveal one of the room curtains that looked more like a separate room instead of a dressing room. When opened, there are many other dresses that tend to be darker in color hanging on the hangers of the clothes stand.

"Madam, why are the dresses there separated? Is that someone's order?" Hinelda looked at Marigold to find out what he was asking.

The woman shook her head "Dark color is not much in demand by noble women here, so I will only take it out if the customer asks for dark color. Maybe the dark color looks less attractive."

"It's a pity, even though the dresses look very attractive even though the color is not bright."

"What's wrong, I can put it on my branch store in another city. Looks like I have to make a lot of stock because lately a lot of people are throwing parties."

Marigold grinned thinly. He entered the small room, his hands touching all the dark-colored dresses there "Your Majesty, would you like to buy one more dress?" asked Blair who was standing in front of the curtain "Yes. I have to buy it. I want to have a dark-colored dress collection."

Meridia has managed to get a replacement for all of her damaged goods. But bad luck doesn't get there enough. The young man was again troublesome, giving additional work that slowed his return "Please help me find this address. My dad said my inn was there."

"God. Young Master, you can ask others, right? I must return as soon as possible or I will be scolded by my superiors because these materials are needed as soon as possible."

"But while I'm with you, I think it shortens the time."

"Yes. It shortens your time but the opposite with mine."

"I beg you."

"Tlck."

Meridia felt hesitant about refusing her request for help as it was undeniable that she had just helped buy new items even though it was the fault of the young man as well.

Fifteen minutes passed and they finally arrived at a luxurious inn which was devoted to the rich. Meridia was not curious about the family status of the man she helped "I'll leave now. Don't ask me to help you find your room either." Cibir Meridia without hesitation.

The young man chuckled "Sorry, I won't trouble you anymore." He squatted for a while as if to confirm something before finally without approval he pulled Meridia's hand and gave her some money.

"What's this?" Meridia was confused to receive such large amounts of money.

"This is my token of gratitude to you."

"I don't need this."

"Thank you. Buy the ointment for your scuffed heels, take the horse-drawn carriage home. With this we are already breakeven. Sorry for wasting so much time."

The young man widened his footsteps into the inn building so that Meridia did not return the money.

Meridian stunned in front of there, he looked down at the three pieces of paper money whose value was large "I just realized that my heel was scuffed. Looks like my shoes are getting narrower."

He also accelerated his pace towards the intersection which was three meters from the inn, the place where the coachmen were staying. There Meridia could easily hire their services.

But when Meridia was about to pocket two pieces of money, suddenly there was an agile thief who snatched all the money in the hands of Meridia "Hey! A thief!" meridia shouted that managed to grab the attention of some passersby, but they chose indifferently.

The thief ran into a small alley. She smiled at Meridia who was unable to chase after her due to her heavy shopping items.

The buagh!

Meridia was aghast in shock as the thief who had disappeared from sight due to the closed boundary of the building suddenly bounced far enough away. "W-what happened?" muttered Meridia astonishment.

Not long after that the thief coughed up blood and then came the perpetrator who made him unable to rise. Again the cloaked man appeared, thought Meridia.

Is the robe now on trend? Oh, whoa. Wasn't he the guy I saw?

The mysterious figure stomped on the thief's stomach "I can make your stomach break with just one more fist."

The thief looked hard at the psychopathic smile on his face. His body automatically increased the hormone adrenaline to make the thief tremble great "Return the money or I gouge out your eyeballs?"

"A-a-ak-i'll give it back! Let me go!" said stammer. He gave Meridia the money "a-I won't do it again."

"The wise choice."

The thief ran away from the place while holding his stomach which felt excessive pain.

"What did he say? Why are thieves afraid?" muttered Meridia curiously.

From her stature Meridia knew that the cloaked figure was a man, yet different from the handsome young man she had helped just a moment ago. The person who now looked seemed taller than the one before.

"It's money. Next time you have to be careful."

"Thank you, sir."

Meridia raised a curious face as the young man's hand moved opening the hood of her own robe.

Deg

Meridia's heart stopped for a moment. Despite wearing a mask of blinders, it could not cover his very handsome face, no less handsome than the person who asked for his help to get to the inn. To be honest, the sense when Meridia saw the two men was very different.

The foreigner smiled "You're okay? You barely blinked. Is there something on my face?"

Meridia realized from her daydream, she shook her head "I'm fine. Sorry, I'm not polite."

"No problem."

Meridia doesn't really like to mince "Anu, excuse me. Are you the one who smiled at me this morning at the market?". Although briefly Meridia could see the young man's body jerking, "Ah yes right."

"Why are you smiling at me?"

"Yes? It's because you're looking at me so I'm trying to be friendly with a smile." Meridia still felt doubtful even though the young man had answered her question "Can we change his call? May I know what your name is?"

"..." - ".Meridia wasn't sure if she wanted to decide what "Meridia" she said.

"Meridie? What a beautiful name."

Not particularly. You didn't know my name wasn't as beautiful as my disgusting life.

"Thank you."

The handsome nineteen-year-old held out a hand "Introduce my name Lucien." They both shook hands "Ah, yes, greetings."

"Would I take you home?" his bargain however with lightning speed was rejected by Meridia "Not necessary. I just wanted to find a train for me to come home to."

"Yes already then. I'll see you again." One eyebrow the girl raised "Again?" parrots are confused.