I got out of the tub after ten minutes and wrapped a towel around myself.

I stared in to the mirror at my current form.

I looked young, maybe about 16 or 17.

Long black hair and soft brown eyes that were almost hazel.

I thought my face was decent enough and the other body sizes seemed good too.

All in all, I wasn’t going to be turning heads but I was above average.

Enough to surprise people with my hidden power and skills.

I walked over to the dresser and opened it.

Half of it was men’s clothes and the other half were dresses.

I frowned when I saw this.

It seemed like Arthur’s house wanted some control over how guests dressed.

Or perhaps this was a guest room for those who weren’t of the nobility.

A red dress caught my attention as I browsed through the clothes.

It was a simple dress that you would wear during the summer or something.

But it’s color was a little glaring to look at.

. . . How nostalgic, to see this dress again.

I ignored it since it was so flashy and decide to pick another simple white dress.

This one didn’t have an eye-catching color, multiple layers, or screamed nobility.

Though it did have a black ribbon that went around the torso.

I quickly changed and laid on the bed for a while.

Before I knew it, I was drifting off. 

----------------------------------------

 [Sis wait up]

My youngest brother was panting heavily trying to catch up with me.

I was in the lead and running at full speed.

[Hey don’t go too far you two]

My second youngest brother was running, trying to catch up with us.

I soon stopped, turned around and pounced on my youngest brother.

[HAH!]

[AHH!?]

We ended up as a pile of scales and wings.

Even though he was older, my youngest brother was timid and shy.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I liked to tease him because it was fun to do so.

My second youngest brother was more mature and responsible for his age.

We were the “second batch”, our parent’s second round of kids.

The first batch was another four elder brothers.

Yep, I was the only daughter my parents had.

Our enemies were few on this island, mostly just other elder dragons.

And usually things could be talked out before violence started. 

As a result, we were usually allowed to go whereever we wanted. 

[H. . .He’s back sis]

My youngest brother pointed his claw at the approaching figure with a worried look.

[Reeelaaaxxx, I’ve got this]

I reassured him as I went to meet the figure.

My older brother caught up with us and shook his head.

[Not again, don't you and him ever give up] 

[We can't, our pride won't us. He can't stand losing to girl and I want to prove that I am the strongest] 

I laughed as metal head and I charged at each other for the umpteenth time. 

----------------------------------------

There was a knock on the door and I was awake again.

“Miss Gia, dinner is ready”

I opened the door and Frederick was standing there.

I nodded and followed him to the dining room.

The dining room had a long rectangular table that was the same shape of the room.

Behind us the long side of the room were wooden frame windows that gave a nice view of the sunset.

I noticed that there were many seats but only two people were sitting and eating.

Arthur was sitting near the end of the table and next to him, at the head’s seat was an older man.

I could only assume that this was his father.

He was a man about 50 or so years old.

He had a stern face covered by a short beard.

His graying hair was a sign of his age but it didn’t take away from his domineering presence.

“Duke Corland I presume?”

I walked in and did a little curtsy to him.

He nodded and motioned for me to sit next to him, across from Arthur.

No words were spoken as we waited for the food to come.

Frederick came in along with some chefs and placed our food in front of us.

I thanked him and watched as he walked out and closed the door behind him.

Arthur and his father started to eat and I followed suit.

We were having some kind of meat soup and were provided with some bread as well.

It tasted good, but again it felt very far away.

After we were done eating, Duke Corland wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and spoke.

“Arthur tells me that you can help us”

He stared at me with an intense gaze.

“Hopefully I can”

I smiled and met his gaze as best as I could.

“Hmph. Well this is interesting indeed. I heard you killed a demon, but you might find these opponents trickier”

He scoffed and turned to Arthur.

“Yes. As my father stated, the job I have for you is going to be troublesome. So, first I need you to do a simple job,

collecting some debt”

“What?”

I was confused at how it seemed like I was being used to probably extort money.

“Our King established a royal bank and let out long term low interest loans to people.

But these people have not paid even the bare minimum and records show that similar amounts to the loans were used

foolishly by these people. Those loans were supposed to be used to help the capital through having the people better

themselves. So, don’t feel bad when you collect from them. We need you to help us clean up the city”

“Can’t someone else besides me do this?”

“Yes, but this seems like a good test”

“Seems easy enough”

“Oh, some of the debtors may include some very powerful criminals. I would do it myself but it would show that I would

waste my time to stop petty scum”

I was starting to think that Arthur was maybe a little stuck up.

“Got it. They must be strong since you consider this a test” 

Duke Corland got up and spoke once more before leaving.

“Show us that you can do something stranger and we will give you many benefits”

Arthur soon left as well after wishing me luck.

The servants soon came in and collect the plates when I noticed something.

“Excuse me that seat. The utensils are out but nobody came”

I pointed at the seat all the way at the end, opposite from Duke Corland’s seat.

“Oh that . . . the young master has returned but has skipped this meal”

The maid girl I asked was a little hesitant in giving an answer.

When she did, I felt like it wasn’t much.

Well I feel like it’s not my problem and left as well.

Frederick caught up to me and said that I should give him a list of what I needed tomorrow.

I told him all I needed were new clothes fit for battle and the best sword they could give me.

He led me to my room and bowed himself out.

I found a folded nightgown on my bed and changed in it.

Afterwards I climbed in to the bed and drifted off to sleep.