Years have passed and so far, Francheska's progress has been consistent. Her sister Marinette still tries to contest Francheska to get unreasonable punishments but of course, Marinette would succeed at times but also Francheska never backs down on humiliating her in the worst way possible.
In the Hartpinjer house that kind of drama is just known to the people who serve them, and they see it as an enjoyable scandal of how two daughters fight over title-- or otherwise the crown prince, and it is usually the latter.
Aside from the drama, Francheska's status has been dependable in their area. It was probably of how Francheska would show with the duke and duchess seeing the events the people have made and giving generous amounts of enjoyment and rewards for the people.
At first, the duke and duchess opposed the rewards but Francheska soon persuaded them that even though their house give protection and security still it is not enough for the people to depend on them more, enjoyment and rewards are different things.
The event in town takes seven days and the boring days would soon start after that, and now that it was the sixth day-- Francheska wanted to enjoy the event without her relatives with her, and it is truthfully stifling around them with events like these.
Disguising herself like a typical civilian, she wore a straight black wig, putting freckles on her cheeks and nose, covering herself with a cloak and wearing earth-tone civilian clothing, Francheska heads her way out of the mansion only, of course, her maid Shelly knows her whereabouts. Francheska promised she would be home after the fireworks finished, and that Shelly should not worry about her being.
Making her way to their garden thankfully the sun had not fully risen yet, and Francheska slipped through a crack that Shelly told her where she could escape-- fortunately, her figure could easily go through-- she then proceeded to get her map out to guide her way out of the trees without any detection to the town.
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The road was rocky it was difficult to tell which road to turn but before an hour Francheska finally reached their town and proceeded to enjoy some of the stalls presented to her.
It was ironic really, how the dangerous streets and alleyways of the town made Francheska free. Everyone is judging her but the fact no one knows her identity is making her confident.
"hey you, you're new here are you?" one of the merchants asked her.
"Well, what do you think mister merchant?" Francheska gave him a shrug that made some of her civilian clothes show to him.
"it is the way you dress, I bet you bought them from an expensive tailor I can tell." the merchant smirked with confidence as he let those words out.
"Yep, and you probably sir should not take advantage of this young girl here. She probably does not have enough money to buy your merchandise here." a boy spoke out of the blue in defense of Francheska.
with a huff, the merchant was offended, "I am not young boy, I am simply trying to voice out my skills here."
The boy simply let out a hum asking if it was really real, "Whatever, young lady go buy in another stall."
"you were right mister, but I will buy two of your candies here." Francheska then takes two and throws her coins that the merchant successfully caught, tipping his hat for being thankful."
"you're generous, I take that this is not your first festival?" The boy from a while ago surprisingly followed Francheska.
"yeah not my first time," Francheska lied. "but he was right I am not from here." technically a fact.
"Are you traveling alone? I mean you're young and brought lots of money with you, you should be careful." the boy spoke out his worries to her.
"Are you genuinely worried about me? or are you just trying to take profit from me?" Francheska turned to him and asked the boy, he was wearing dirty clothing and his face was covered with dark soot and lived in a dirty environment.
scratching the back of his nape, "Well, it is obvious, isn't it? it's both."
"you're young"
"more dependable and fun to be around rather than an old fart."
"you're a stranger."
"Archie the farm boy, not a stranger anymore."
With a confused look Francheska raised a brow, with a sigh escaping from her lips, with an open palm Francheska stretched out her gloved hand to him.
"Shiela the wanderer, that's my name."
The boy was slightly taken aback by her name as he reached out and shook her hands in agreement.
"Well, Shiela you will be in my care and under my protection."
"I agree and you shall be paid by my satisfaction of your service."
the boy only nods and smiles in agreement.
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As they ventured through the streets, stalls, and stores they saw-- Francheska could not let the stares go unnoticed and questions being asked of her if her companion was her slave to be sold in the festival just because of how he looked by her side.
Francheska got so irritated she dragged Archie to a male clothing store. When the bell of the clothing chimed of their presence, the workers available then went to their presence as they asked what could be of their assistance.
Francheska then pointed at her companion, presenting him to them.
"make him look decent and give him a bath."
The head of the store looked offended, "Pardon me customer but we do not bath such disgusting--"
Francheska did not let the head finish his sentence as she pulled an insane amount of bag full of money to him.
"That should be more than enough, now go do your miracles on this guy," Francheska demanded to them, which they could only nod, and took Archie in their care.
Francheska could only massage the wrinkling forehead appearing, trying to calm herself from the discrimination of this world. Although it is not far off from the previous lifetime, Francheska is thankful to be at least a villainess in this world.
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Although growing up Francheska and Marinette have been taught that it was normal to hate the peasants and slaves like breathing. Francheska could not contain her anger at how unfair that treatment was. Her past life was basically from ragged to riches, and Francheska has a hard time making the life of the civilians insignificant to 'her' but even so, putting the wellbeing of the empire before her can be her excuse for helping them. All could she think was after her head got cut by the guillotine, the female lead-- Josephine would help the poor people out of their misery, it was her character after all.
One worker guides Francheska to a seat where she can wait for her companion Archie. It was then here that Francheska noticed how Archie surprisingly looked familiar-- Francheska only saw the icy handsomeness of the duke, the hard-like-stone of the knights, the stern look of her uncle, and the unreadable face of the butlers where she could base the beauty of men of this world.
Closing her eyes, Francheska sighed as she tried to gather her thoughts. It was almost an hour Francheska waited on her seat as she finally gave up at how ridiculous her thoughts were getting her.
"our dear customer, your companion is here."
Francheska stretched her muscles as she stood up from her chair, yawning like she just woke up from slumber-- her mouth stayed open as she saw Archie come out in decent clothing before her. He now looked like a typical guard to her, but what made Francheska speechless was just right now she finally realized who Archie oddly resembled-- his eye shape, his dimples, nose, and even his height-- he looked just like her past life boyfriend, Edward.
It was as if he was right here in this new world with her-- back to her life.
"Shiela, are you okay?" Archie asked.
"h-how did you know my name?" the stunned Francheska asked Archie.
"uhh you said that to me... are you okay?"
The head of the store laughed proudly beside them, "I guess my miracle works well on you young boy, your lass is mesmerized by your beauty."
Those words made Francheska snap out of her state as she cleared her throat. "thank you for your service, it was truly worth giving you the money."
Turning her direction to the door, Francheska swiftly made her way out of the store.
"uh hey Shiela thanks for the clothes, this is not your reward for my service right?"
"yeah, it is not, just getting irritated how they think you are my slave rather than a guard." Francheska turned to him.
"You were not intimidating enough alright." Francheska pushed a finger to his chest.
"I don't think I am right now," Archie said letting out a nervous laugh.
Glancing at the expressions of the crowd, Francheska can see ladies gushing and being flustered about Archie.
'well, this attention is not that bad as long as I'm not part of the picture.' Francheska told herself.
"hey Shiela," Francheska got jumpy hearing her old name. "that restaurant serves really good food," Archie told her as he grabbed her wrist to guide their way to the place.
Archie was right, the food in that place was really good although Francheska has grown up eating fancy food and they are delicious, nothing compares to outside food which serves big portions. They ate till they had their fill and went watching comedic plays of the festival. Archie and Francheska had so much fun they did not realize how much time had already passed.
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Silently walking their way to a quiet hill where they could see the night sky, Francheska was excited about the next event of the festival.
"The day goes fast when you're having fun," Francheska said as she took a bite from her candy.
"Shiela, you're not a wanderer are you?" Francheska stopped in her tracks as she slowly faced Archie.
"You are one of the Hartpinjer daughters." Archie confidently said to her.
With a sigh, Francheska could only feel relief at the obvious fact that was revealed to her.
"You are correct Archie, What gave away?"
"Your looks-- I have seen the duke and duchess closer than I can get, and to be honest their icy looks somehow show when you are too focused in the play or when playing some of the stalls," Archie says to her, trying to imitate her icy look from a while ago.
"so may I know the name of the lady I'm escorting with?" Archie teasingly asked.
Running to the top of the hill, Archie silently followed her. Francheska then took her wig off revealing her pink hair to him, she also wiped the freckles off her face.
"My name is not Shiela, my real name is Francheska Del Von Hartpinjer."
Archie moved closer to Francheska and made a curtsy, "My lady Francheska, I'm Archie just a farm boy of this town."
"That sounds so cheesy." Francheska laughed.
with one brow raised, Archie gave Francheska a confused look.
"uhh, it means that it sounds weird, or cringe."
"I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable my lady."
Francheska made a low grunt from the sudden politeness from Archie.
"This is why I do not like revealing my name, you just suddenly change your behavior."
"Sorry, again I did not mean any harm. I mean just like you said 'cheesy' means weird or cringe--"
"It's fine, I get it now let's move on about it."
"I'm curious my lady-- uh Francheska. How did you get here... no offense but your family is known for protection and security so how--"
"I won't tell any secrets, just know that I can get out of my abode anytime I want," Francheska smirked and gave him a wink. "I thought I was recognizable because you have seen me before-- I join the duke and duchess most of the time."
"you were?!" Archie almost screamed.
"well surrounded by knights and maids, so... that's probably it."
"Now that you mentioned it, I remember someone being unusually surrounded by knights rather than the duke and duchess-- so that was you!"
Francheska could only laugh in response to how Archie reacted to his realizations.
"Archie you resembled someone I dearly know."
"I hope that is a compliment."
"Don't worry it is, I have known him the majority of my past life, I missed him so badly." Francheska smiled to herself.
"that's weird you're young and I am young. --! I'm sorry, I apologize deeply."
"What? don't apologize."
Archie then grabs something from his pocket and gives it to Francheska.
"Here Francheska take this."
Francheska's eyes widen seeing the object up close, it was a ring.
"Archie this is a ring..."
Archie becomes flustered from the situation, "I'm not proposing how dare a farm boy like me-- I'm just giving this to you because the guy you were mentioning sounded important to you.."
Francheska could only give a stare.
"Not because he resembles me or anything--! I'm giving this because we might not see each other again and you might start... missing me..." Archie silently mumbled the two words.
"What?"
"IT'S A TOKEN! A token of my appreciation of this day from me to you." Archie awkwardly laughs.
"I appreciate it, Archie, thanks a lot."
There was a short silence, and then a loud boom went out as sparks went out to brighten the night-- the firework event had now started, and the two young lass and lad on the quiet hill were mesmerized by how the fireworks brightly painted the night.
"What a day, tomorrow will be the last day," Francheska said as she got up.
"Are you gonna visit the town tomorrow?" Archie also got up to escort Francheska to where they were heading next.
"yes, I am with my family of course but it will be boring-- we will just be sitting on the podium overseeing the event." Francheska then took her map out to him and pointed the direction where he could guide her.
"wait-- can I ask you something?"
"yeah, sure," Francheska said as she positioned the black wig back to her head, not bothering to put the freckles on her face.
"did you finally debut?" As they began walking to their path.
"next year, I'll be fifteen and debut in the socialites."
Archie could only nod, "makes sense why you're doing this, I'm fifteen so I have to find a job and be an individual in society."
"you know I'll be getting a knight when I debut... I'll apologize in advance."
"it's alright I'm not the right candidate, I'm an amateur. I'm not a genius or a prodigy that a year could make me a suitable knight."
"too bad, I would choose you."
"that would be out of bias, you should choose someone with skills not someone like me-- a farm boy."
Right there and then Francheska hoped she could answer Archie by saying how she would choose him over everything, but she cannot let Archie suffer the same way she did-- like the same suffering her past boyfriend did.
Francheska then changed the sappy atmosphere of their conversation and started recalling the day and how they both started the day, how silly they met, and the ridiculous games and plays.
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They finally reached the destination where they would part ways. Francheska realized it was almost two hours and that they walked slowly on their way.
"Thank you so much, Archie, for becoming my guard and safely escorting me back." Francheska smiled.
with a hand hovering over his chest, Archie bowed as if they just had danced together.
"my pleasure, my lady."
Francheska only giggled at his silly sight and turned her way.
Archie seeing the back of Francheska walking away, decided to return to the path they walked from.
"ARCHIE!" Francheska shouted. Archie was startled by the sudden call of his name.
hearing Francheska's footsteps crunching the leaves beneath her, as the sound grew closer to Archie that indicated her running towards him-- was not enough to make Archie fully face Francheska's direction. Archie could only turn his head with his back still facing her-- a soft lip came in contact with his cheeks, and Francheska kissed his cheek.
"Thanks for everything," Francheska whispered, loud enough for Archie to hear.
Francheska could only run back to where she was, not showing her expression to Archie.
Archie could only stand still in the darkness, stunned by the courage of the young lady of the Hartpinjer's mark of a kiss on his cheek.