"Lady Faustina," a voice called upon her, making her turn her head back to the source. It was the waiter, holding a cup of coffee in a silver platter. "I hope this will suit to your liking."

And as he placed the coffee on the table, his blank gaze met Faustina's observing one, and then left.

Faustina's gaze was fixated on the black coffee and then decided to drink it rather than sigh in exasperation. Where would she find the 'lead'? At this rate, Maddie will find her and she won't be able to complete the task.

She chose to drink the bittersweet fluid, her hand touching the bottom of the cup. She blinked as her palms brushed an ostensibly distinctive texture.

A paper.

Faustina looked around, tentatively pulling the taped paper into the bottom of the cup.

A closed letter.

She slowly opened the folded paper.

'In the alleyways. Hooded cloak. Make haste. I shall go at midnight forthwith.'

And with that, Faustina crumpled the paper and stood up. She wanted to cheer. She is close to completing the task

"M'lady!" Maddie says before Faustina could even go. "There you are! I've been looking out for you everywhere."

"M-Maddie," Faustina mumbles in an almost discouraged tone, as Maddie stood in front of her, half-running. "Thank goodness I found you. You shouldn't wander around, M'lady!"

"W-well, I was just searching for Lucas,"

"But he's in a business affair, isn't he? Didn't he tell us that?"

"Exploring!" Exclaims Faustina. "I mean—I'm exploring. Y-you know, I'm quite curious. Hha."

"But M'lady... you know your health is..."

"Maddie, come on," Faustina forced a smile, putting on a facade. "I need to be independent too,"

"You're just sixteen, M'lady." Says Maddie. "n.o.blewomen are required to be solemn and tame at such age. You haven't had your debutante just yet!"

"And I desire to break the norm," Faustina reasoned out. Like that certain Lilliane.

"M'lady..."

And with that, Faustina lifted her dress, its hem moving upward as she ran away.

**

Faustina did not count how many times she b.u.mped to the backs of different n.o.blemen and women—some reacted with a gasp, those with a squeal, and some with violent remarks with their brows furrowing into a deep scowl. Many stared with their eyes rolling from her head to her toe as if they were judging her worth.

The restaurant had two floors; a mezzanine and one ground floor. Earlier she was at the top floor, and climbing downstairs made her look like a running Cinderella. Except her shoes were still intact.

She ran to the open gates with Maddie calling out to her still, but she made haste. Eventually, she arrived and blended with the crowd, her clothes standing out still. Realizing this, Faustina rushed to the alleyways.