Jasmine woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed.
After her maids helped her bathe and dress into a simple lavender gown. she had breakfast and finally decided to leave the guest residence. With everything that had happened between Nathaniel and Maya, she hadn't had much time to explore Valtheris. She had spent most of her days either with Maya or inside the palace, and she was beginning to feel like a stranger in a kingdom she was supposed to be getting to know.
She decided to visit the palace library.
The library stole her breath the moment she entered. Tall mahogany shelves stretching almost to the ceiling and narrow wooden ladders placed along some of the walls.
Thousands of books filled the shelves-histories of ancient Valtherian rulers, records of past wars, books about noble families, maps of old territories, and even fictional stories for anyone who wanted to escape into another world.
Sunlight poured through stained-glass windows, painting colourful patterns across the room, while the scent of old parchment and cedar wood lingered in the air. It was peaceful.
Jasmine wandered between the shelves, running her fingers over the spines until one particular book caught her attention.
She pulled it out.
Wild Fantasy.
The title immediately caught her attention.
"Hmm."
She smiled to herself before finding a quiet chair near one of the tall windows. She opened the book and began reading.
She had barely gotten through a few pages when a familiar voice came from beside the shelf.
"I never knew you enjoyed reading."
Jasmine didn't look up.
"Now you know."
Duncan stepped away from the bookshelf, with a teasing smile on his face.
"Hmm. That's good to know."
He walked over and sat in the chair beside her. Before Jasmine could react, he gently took the book from her hands and examined the cover.
"Wild Fantasy," He looked at her. "You have good taste."
Jasmine finally looked at him. "Are you going to give me a review?"
"It's an interesting story. Mystery, suspense, secrets..."
He paused.
"I think you'll enjoy it."
Jasmine reached for the book.
"You do realize you're not supposed to interrupt someone who's reading, especially when you're about to spoil the story."
Duncan handed it back.
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Perhaps I wanted to give you another reason to keep reading."
Jasmine stared at him for a moment before shaking her head.
"You're impossible."
She rolled her eyes, hiding a smile.
"Now, let me read."
Duncan watched her for a few seconds before speaking again.
"You haven't been here very long. You probably haven't seen much of Valtheris."
Jasmine lowered the book slightly. "What about it?"
"I could show you around."
"Where?"
"Anywhere you want."
She thought for a moment. "Hmm... I want to see the commoners' district."
Duncan raised an eyebrow. "The commoners' district?"
"Yes. I'm tired of seeing nobles."
He chuckled, "Fair enough." He stood and offered his hand. "Your wish is my command, my lady."
Jasmine smiled, "You're very dramatic."
"Is that a yes?"
She looked at his hand, "Now?"
"Why not? Unless you're busy."
Jasmine glanced at the book in her hands before closing it.
"No. I'm not busy."
"Then let's go."
She placed her hand in his, and they left the library together.
The carriage took them away from the grand buildings surrounding the palace and toward the busier streets of Valtheris.
When they finally arrived at the commoners district, Jasmine stepped down from the carriage and looked around.
"Welcome to Stone Valley," Duncan said.
She had expected something completely different.
Despite being a district where commoners lived, Stone Valley was surprisingly clean and lively. Children ran through the streets, laughing and chasing one another while shopkeepers arranged their goods outside their stores. Elderly men sat outside small shops talking among themselves, while women carried baskets of vegetables, bread, and other goods.
There were modest restaurants, bakeries, clothing stalls, and small workshops scattered throughout the district.
"It feels... alive," she whispered.
Duncan smiled, "It is."
Jasmine looked around with genuine curiosity, and then she noticed something else.
People were staring at her.
A woman standing outside a shop quickly looked away when Jasmine met her eyes. Two children whispered to each other while watching her. Even a few men paused what they were doing to look in her direction.
Jasmine shifted uncomfortably.
"Do people here always stare this much, or is it just me?"
Duncan smiled.
"You're a noblewoman walking through Stone Valley. Nobles rarely come here."
"So they're staring because I'm different?"
"Mostly."
Jasmine frowned, "It's strange."
They began walking down the stone-paved road.
"In Aerathia, commoners have their own districts too," Jasmine explained. "But people from different classes still live closer together. There's a clear difference between the rich and poor, but it's not as divided as this."
Duncan nodded.
"Valtheris is different. People generally stay within their social class. Nobles live among nobles and commoners among commoners."
Jasmine looked around again.
"That sounds lonely."
Duncan glanced at her.
"Sometimes it is."
They continued through the district.
Jasmine tried to ignore the curious looks, but they continued. Whenever she caught someone staring, they immediately looked away.
"Don't worry about them," Duncan said. "Just keep walking."
"I'm trying."
Soon, they reached the busier part of Stone Valley.
The streets became more crowded, filled with merchants calling out to customers and people moving from one shop to another. The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the air, mixing with the aroma of roasted meat and spices from nearby restaurants.
Duncan slowed.
Something about the area had caught his attention.
Then he saw it.
Mr. Benjamin's Bakery.
His expression softened, and memories suddenly rushed through his mind.
Benjamin's pastries and Alora are standing nearby.
Irene.
William.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Jasmine noticed.
"Why are you smiling?"
Duncan continued staring at the now abandoned bakery.
"Nothing."
"You don't look like it's nothing."
He chuckled softly.
"I met an angel here once."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow.
"An angel?"
"Yes."
He smiled again.
"The most stubborn angel in Valtheris, and if I'm being honest, I still want to see her."
Jasmine looked at him curiously.
"Then she must be very special."
Duncan's smile faded into something more thoughtful.
"Very special."
They continued walking, talking about the district and the differences between Valtheris and Aerathia.
Then Duncan suddenly stopped.
His eyes had fallen on a group of women working along the street.
They were dressed in simple work clothes and were sweeping the roads with long brooms.
One woman caught his attention immediately.
Irene.
She was sweeping alongside the others, her movements slow and tired. After a while, she stopped and pressed a hand against her chest.
She coughed.
Once, then again.
Eventually, she lowered herself onto a nearby step, looking exhausted.
William immediately noticed.
He walked over with a container of water and handed it to her before taking the broom from her, and then he began sweeping in her place.
Duncan's expression changed.
He recognized them. His chest tightened.
He had never imagined Irene worked as a public cleaner, guilt washed over him.
The mother of the girl who he had saved was sweeping streets to survive.
For a moment, he simply stood there watching.
He wanted to walk over and help her, but he couldn't. Not without questions.
Not without exposing things that were better left hidden.
His hands slowly curled into fists.
Jasmine noticed that he had stopped walking. She followed his gaze toward the workers.
"Lord Duncan?"
He didn't respond. She touched his shoulder gently.
"Lord Duncan?"
He finally looked at her.
"Yes?"
"What are you staring at?"
He looked away immediately.
"Nothing."
Jasmine frowned.
"You've been standing there for almost a minute."
Duncan looked away.
"I was just thinking."
"About what?"
He hesitated. "Just leave it."
Jasmine studied his expression but didn't push further.
She turned and looked toward the women sweeping once more before quietly following Duncan.
On the other side of the streets, William finished sweeping and turned around.
His eyes immediately landed on Duncan.
He froze.
Then he noticed the woman standing beside him.
William looked toward Irene, who had already noticed them.
Irene's expression changed slightly, before she quickly looked away.
William stared after Duncan for another second before lowering his head.
"Maybe he really did come here to have fun with Alora," he muttered bitterly.
He tightened his grip around the broom.
Neither Duncan nor Jasmine noticed the look that remained on Irene's face long after they had walked away.
******
Announcement!!
To everyone reading The Blonde Blunder, thank you so much for taking your time to read my story. It truly means a lot to me, and I'm grateful for every single reader.
I have one small request. Please don't just read and leave—vote and leave a comment. Your votes help support this book, and your comments encourage me to keep writing and let me know what you think about each chapter.
Every vote, comment, and review means more than you know.
Thank you for supporting me.
— Ani United