The night sky acted as a perfect cover; the moon wasn't as bright, and the lights were scarce.
Perfect for a hooded woman to pass through the streets of Valar without being noticed or followed.
'I do hope Mom doesn't get mad at me for sneaking out...' Aurelia sighed.
While Ladios knew what she had planned, Raguel did not.
In retrospect, she really should have told her that she had placed an order for wooden sculptures.
Frankly, she was so excited to see what David had made that she couldn't even sleep and wait until the morning.
To answer why she wore a long brown hood was rather simple.
She was no longer unknown as she was before.
And another reason was...
"Well ain't that little princess of fools again~" A raspy voice caught her attention.
She stopped, ignoring the voice from behind.
Unlike when she was weak, she knew this man started observing her when she appeared in his so-called 'territory'.
Back when she was weak and dared step through these parts, he and his men would take all her possessions and basically leave her to walk back to the palace half-naked and in shame.
And the consequences of his actions?
None.
Father didn't care about anything that happened to her before.
She was terrified of him and his bandits before.
The only saving grace was that they did not defile her body, only protection her royal heritage gave her as even Avaros would have acted if someone had raped his daughter no matter how much he disliked her.
But robbing her every time she dared take a stroll through this part of Valar? Avaros did not care.
As long as she was not killed or raped she was at their mercy.
Aurelia's eyes closed as she took a deep breath, "Simon..."
"Ah so you do remember, you know the deal." His toothy grin used to scare her.
However, it was no longer so.
He was insignificant.
"I heard you are to be crowned tomorrow. I am thinking you should make me the king, I will treat you well." His cackle irritated her.
Aurelia's ears twitched.
She did not bring Zenith, and not that her beloved's gift should be used on scum like Simon.
It was a part of the reason she had decided to travel through dark alleys instead of a well-lit path.
"Is that so?" Aurelia spoke through her teeth.
She heard a step behind her before feeling the bandit's filthy presence right behind her.
"I heard Avaros has died, so I think we can do anything we want with his least favourite daughter before you make me a king~" He clapped, prompting the rest of his gang to surround her.
Even her mercy had limits.
She turned to him, her brows furrowed in anger.
"Do not look at me like that, I and my men will be gentle... will only make you bleed a little." Simon's lips curled into a wide smile.
Aurelia's eyes darted around, making sure to see every person who surrounded her. 'How fortunate, that is everyone...'
Simon placed his hand on Aurelia's shoulder.
"I am merciful, Simon. Leave before you hurt yourself." Aurelia grumbled.
She knew that people like him wouldn't just leave her alone without learning the meaning of fear and despair.
Simon's smile faded and his brows furrowed. "Really now? I guess you don't want us to be gentle."
How fortunate this man was that the Angels or Mom did not hear him.
How fortunate he was that her beloved did not land his eyes on him.
How fortunate he was that Aurelia was kind and did not end him in an instant.
Aurelia took a step back, however, his grip on her shoulder tightened.
"We will make you a real queen. Queen of whores that is, kukukuku~"
"You do not even realise how fortunate you are that you ran into me while I was alone. You will die without any pain as a result." Aurelia smirked as she crashed her elbow into Simon's hand.
Crunch
"AGHHHH! YOU BITCH! KILL HER!" Simon screamed, his voice echoing through the street.
With that command rest of the band jumped after her.
Splat
A single punch turned a man into red mist.
"I guess my control is not yet there..." Aurelia brought her fist before her eyes.
Simon's eyes widened in fear.
"Wha... What happened to you!" He fell backwards as Aurelia approached him.
"I am no longer a little girl you can rob and threaten as you wish, I am the First Star now. But not that it matters to you." Her lips parted, forming a toothy grin.
"Stay away!" Simon shouted frantically, his men equally as stunned as he was.
Aurelia dashed behind each one.
Her punches turned them into red paste. Soon after, only Simon remained.
"I am sorry! I will do better, I beg you!" Simon begged as Aurelia stepped forward to him.
"God is all forgiving, however, as my beloved says. Forgiveness is something only God himself can give in abundance." She raised her foot and...
Splat
Simon's head splattered on the ground.
"Wheh!" She let out a pleased exhale while rubbing her hands together.
'That is really good stress relief...'
She crossed her arms before turning to her original destination.
"I hope those sculptures are as good as people praise them to be."
Her eyes wandered to her cloak, the blood clung to it.
'I probably shouldn't come into the workshop looking like I just finished slaughtering cattle.' She chuckled before removing the hood.
Taking the right turn into a larger commercial district, she saw the workshop set right between a general store and a more specialized clothing store.
Aurelia nodded before approaching the workshop and gently pushing the door open.
"Ah, a customer!" Eager David's voice reached her ears.
"It's me, Aurelia!" Queen spoke with pride.
David grinned, "Your Majesty! You are just on time. Please follow me."
David waved her in, prompting her to follow him deeper inside the workshop.