Just as Cassandra's wand hovered on the brink of unleashing a lethal spell, a sudden surge of awareness jolted her back to reality. The weight of the situation crashed upon her, and she instinctively yanked the wand to the side at the final instant. A dazzling burst of light erupted from its tip, but instead of finding its intended mark, it collided with the man's left shoulder. The impact sent him spiraling backward, his body lurching towards the storefront windows.

In the blink of an eye, King Leo sprang into action, his watchful gaze alert to the unfolding chaos. With impeccable timing, he propelled himself toward the man, amplifying the force of the impact. The man's back crashed into the multi-pane glass window, causing it to shatter into a symphony of shattered fragments. A chorus of women's screams erupted from the street, resonating with the pandemonium.

Cassandra gasped, her hand instinctively rising to cover her open mouth. She divided her attention between the wand, still gripped tightly in her grasp, and the injured man sprawled on the ground outside, his pained moans mingling with the clamor.

Meanwhile, King Leo deftly touched down, his gaze swiftly shifting to the two young men emerging from a side aisle adorned with rugs. Their widened eyes took in the scene, witnessing their fallen boss and an unassuming doll casually brushing off its hands. A silent understanding passed between them, and they raced towards the exit, each vying to be the first to escape the escalating turmoil.

Collecting herself, Cassandra hurried towards the prone woman, seizing a pair of iron scissors within reach. She deftly severed the rope binding the woman's hands, her gaze alternating between the injured man's movements and the room she had just left. In that decisive moment, she resolved to act, taking hold of the woman and urging her forward.

"Let's go! I know a safe place!" Cassandra urgently conveyed, feeling the woman's weight as they hastened their steps. Sensing an imminent threat, she cast a quick glance backward, catching sight of the man struggling to rise.

"Damn it! We need to hurry!" Cassandra exerted greater force, determined to propel the woman onward. Approaching a nearby door cautiously, she peered outside, her eyes confirming the presence of the unconscious young man still sprawled on the ground. Driven by purpose, she pulled the woman through the threshold and swiftly shut the door behind them. Retrieving the key from her pocket, she skillfully inserted it into the lock, focusing intently on completing the task at hand.

"Come on, hurry, hurry," she urged with an undertone of anxiety, eagerly anticipating the appearance of the Magic House door. Startled by a gasp of surprise, she briefly glanced at the girl before firmly grasping her hand and swiftly guiding her through the door into the welcoming embrace of the foyer. In one seamless motion, she slammed the door shut and turned the lock, sealing them safely inside.

Breathing heavily, she turned to face the young girl, whose age seemed to mirror her own. The girl possessed a mesmerizing ebony complexion that exuded an ethereal sheen. Standing at an impressive height of five feet and ten inches, she commanded attention with her black eyes and cascading black tresses. Her attire, a one-piece dress reminiscent of a bygone Victorian era, was a stark contrast to what one would expect from a typical merchant. It bore the marks of mistreatment, evident in the frayed edges and worn fabric. Cassandra's observant gaze revealed the true nature of the dress—the bell-like shape concealed the lower half of the girl's body, which unfurled into that of a giant spider.

Cassandra's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and disbelief, her face draining of color as a wave of unease washed over her. The world around her seemed to blur, and her vision gradually faded to black.

Rats, spiders, and snakes—those were Cassandra's deepest fears. The memory of the magician's stage incident haunted her with acute embarrassment. The moment she discovered she was unwittingly sharing a magician's box with a spider, panic consumed her. She tore the box apart, unleashing a terrified scream as she leaped off the stage, leaving the bewildered audience in astonishment. It stood as one of the most humiliating moments of her performing career.

The aftermath of that incident proved to be an enduring prank. For three long years, fake spiders were callously tossed onto the stage, a recurring joke that tested Cassandra's composure. The echoes of those disconcerting memories lingered as she awakened to the sound of voices, gradually opening her eyes to find Clare engaged in conversation with someone just out of her field of view.

"Are you alright, Cassandra, dear?" the elven girl inquired, rising from her seat and kneeling beside the couch.

Puzzlement etched across her features, Cassandra replied, "What happened?"

A woman cleared her throat with gentle concern, breaking the silence. "I believe my spider-like form startled you," she explained. From behind the couch, a girl's face peeked out, a faint smile playing on her lips, revealing small fangs that lent her a subtly vampiric air. Memories surged forth, tempting Cassandra to sit up in agitation. Yet, she opted to recline back onto the pillow, closing her eyes in a quest to gather her scattered thoughts.

"Oh, dear! Did I make her pass out again? I didn't mean to!" The young girl's voice filled with concern echoed through the room.

"I didn't pass out. I'm alright, just lost in thought," Cassandra reassured, opening her eyes and sitting back up. "Okay, I need to confront this head-on or I'll end up paralyzed and helpless."

Taking a stand and turning around, Cassandra's sudden movement startled Clare. She extended her hand towards Jill and introduced herself, a hint of apology in her voice. "Hello! I'm Cassandra, and welcome to my home. I'm sorry for causing you trouble at your shop." She peered at the girl with one eye open, gauging her reaction.

Jill's soft hand grasped Cassandra's, and she replied, "I'm Jill, the owner of the shop that you sent that piece of shit through my window!" Her stern expression gave way to a giggle. "Oh, I'm an Arachne. I'm half dark-elf and half spider race. My mother runs a chain store selling spider silk bolts of cloth that she makes, and all my sisters work for her, except me."

"I have a passion for making clothes, but my mother disagrees and only allows a select few of my older sisters to sell clothing. Only her favorite children are permitted to pursue it. So, what did you do to stir up such a commotion? It was intense! I've never had so much excitement. Oh, no! I forgot about my children! Well, they should be safe in hiding." Jill looked relieved, her words spilling forth without pause, leaving both Clare and Cassandra in awe. Cassandra shook her head at the girl's nonstop talking. Several minutes later, Clare leaned over and asked.

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"Is there a chamber pot I can use?" she inquired.

Grinning, Cassandra motioned for the elf to follow her as Jill continued to talk animatedly, munching on a cookie. Leading Clare to the bathroom, she demonstrated how to use the toilet and the toiletries. Clare wasn't accustomed to using paper and discarding it in the toilet, considering it a waste. She preferred to carry a cloth to clean up after herself, but she was relieved that she wouldn't have to clean the fabric this time.

Clare stared wide-eyed, nodding in response to Cassandra's explanation of the bathroom's uses. She appeared even more surprised by the presence of a sink and a shower with hot and cold running water. Leaving Clare to attend to her needs, Cassandra stepped back into the sitting room, where Jill's nonstop chatter continued. Grabbing a cup of coffee and a roll, she curled up in the chair, pondering how this woman managed to have children without worrying about their well-being.

Clare's POV

Clare's heart pounded in her chest as she stumbled upon Cassandra's limp figure, and the urgency in Arachne's cries for help only intensified her alarm. Without a second thought, she hastily exited the room and stepped into a breathtaking foyer, adorned with an exquisite staircase. Jill's desperate pleas echoed through the space, drawing Clare's attention to her valiant attempt to support the unconscious Cassandra. After ensuring Cassandra's well-being, they carefully settled her onto the couch where Clare had reclined earlier. Eager to understand the events that had unfolded, Clare shook her head in a mix of admiration and bewilderment at the woman now lying before them.

A mouthwatering scent of freshly baked pastries permeated the air, taking Clare by surprise. On the coffee table in front of the couch, she noticed two pitchers—one containing chilled tea, evoking memories of her grandmother's home, where cold tea was a familiar indulgence. The other pitcher emitted a tantalizing lemon fragrance. Intrigued, Clare poured a small amount of tea into a glass and took a sip. A look of pure joy illuminated her face as she savored the sweet, refreshing taste, surpassing even her grandmother's beloved brew. Intrigued by the yellow-hued drink, she poured herself a bit of the lemon concoction, relishing the bittersweet sensation that danced across her taste buds. Among the two beverages, the lemony flavor quickly claimed its place as Clare's favorite. This place was truly a realm of wonders.

Jill, bursting with excitement, could hardly contain herself as she noticed a stack of bound papers featuring women adorned in beautiful dresses. She eagerly fixated her attention on them, dancing in place with her spider leg seeming to tap out a jig as she let out squeals of delight. Each squeal grew higher in pitch as she turned the pages of the paper book, showcasing more women in colorful dresses and elegant gowns. The cover of the book proudly proclaimed "Bridal Shower," further fueling Jill's exhilaration.

Clare, captivated by Jill's infectious enthusiasm, spent her time listening to her ramblings while keeping a watchful eye on Cassandra as she slept peacefully nearby. She couldn't help but reach up and feel the spot where the crossbow bolt had struck her shoulder, still questioning the authenticity of the entire incident. If not for the hole in her armor, she would have harbored doubts about the completeness of her healing. True healing from such a grave wound typically required the intervention of a holy healing potion or the skilled hands of a Temple Healer. While Clare carried a few healing potions capable of closing wounds, they often left scars and lingering pain that could persist for days. Although Healing Salve could accelerate the healing process, a week or more would still be needed for a full recovery. Glancing at the report she had read on Cassandra, Clare noted her classification as a light mage, known for possessing healing powers. However, the report indicated her weakness in casting light spells, with no mention of any restorative abilities. The revelation that Cassandra could wield healing magic could have severe consequences if the noble class or the temples were to discover her secret abilities, putting her freedom at great risk.

Praying that Cassandra would resort to using a healing potion seemed like the best option to Clare. However, her commitment to her family's oath, which dictated protecting or eliminating the reborn if they posed a threat to the world, outweighed her allegiance to the kingdom. As long as Cassandra brought goodness to the world, she would live, but she would be doomed if she caused harm.

As Cassandra regained consciousness and Jill continued her relentless rambling, Clare found herself in desperate need of using the bathroom. The thought of a heavenly room equipped with a self-emptying chamber pot and a rain-like shower, complete with hot and cold water, filled her mind. The enticing aroma of soap hung in the air, promising a gentle and pleasant experience, unlike anything she had encountered before. The anticipation to indulge in the rain room, or what was commonly known as a shower, and to use liquid soap for washing was overwhelming. Clare couldn't wait to share this extraordinary place with her mother and grandmother, for it truly was a marvel.

Furrowing her brow, Clare contemplated the necessity of keeping this place a secret, especially from Jill. Determined, she resolved to pull Jill aside and instill fear in her, warning of imprisonment should she reveal even a hint of this dimensional space to anyone. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Clare's mind—Cassandra's life would be in jeopardy if anyone were to discover this place. The temples, in particular, posed an even greater threat, as their knowledge of its existence could lead to its exploitation.

Returning to her seat across from Cassandra, who appeared captivated by Jill's animated discourse on the magazine's dresses, Clare took a moment to reflect. Cassandra explained the concept of a magazine, indicating there were likely many more within the house.

Lost in thought, Clare's senses were aroused by the aroma of freshly baked pastries. Glancing to her left, she noticed a steaming hot sweet roll accompanied by a glass of ice-cold lemonade, as Cassandra referred to it. Just as the tantalizing scent enveloped the room, a gong resonated three times, surprising everyone present.

Cassandra abruptly stood up and made her way to the door.

Pausing at the threshold, Cassandra turned back and said, "I'll be back in a few minutes. I need to check on something."

Jill's POV

Jill couldn't contain her excitement over Cassandra choosing her door. Internally squealing with joy, she fought the urge to break into a dance. The magazines, as Cassandra referred to them, were an absolute blessing. The dresses showcased within were simply divine, and Jill knew her sisters would be green with envy. However, the thought of her mother discovering this secret place sent shivers down her spine. It was imperative to keep Cassandra's connection to this realm hidden, as her life would be in grave danger otherwise. Lost in contemplation, Jill pondered how she could recreate those exquisite dresses. Perhaps she could make her own drawings, as she possessed artistic talent. But a wave of frustration washed over her as she remembered her sisters stealing credit for her designs and convincing their mother to sell them. They had even gone so far as to blame Jill for a botched carpet purchase from a deceitful merchant.

Determined to seize the opportunity, Jill knew she had to persuade Cassandra to venture into the dressmaking business. Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly caught a whiff of a delightful aroma coming from the rolls next to Clare.

"Did Cassandra leave?" Jill inquired, momentarily distracted by the mouthwatering scent.

Cassandra's POV

As she exited the room, her attention was drawn to the study as its door slowly swung open. Eagerly, she peered inside, only to witness the Magic House Grimoire flipping its pages. Racing towards the book, Cassandra's heart quickened as the pages came to a halt, revealing the completion of a Deed—one star earned.

With a turn of the page, a new Deed began to materialize. "Change the door's location because the current door no longer exists. The building that held the door has succumbed to a fire. Learn how to alter the door's location using the Globe. One star."

"Fire! Oh, horse puckey! Jill's children!" Cassandra exclaimed in dismay, realizing the potential danger her dear friend's little ones might be facing.