The Spider Queen

(Alpha Star System- Planet Gaia)

(Vermillion City- St. Rosa Shopping Plaza)

I feel sick.

Sophie had been getting a nauseating feeling ever since she returned home, and it was only getting worse with every passing day.

It was hard to describe this feeling in words.

She just knew that something bad was going to happen.

Every few hours she would get a dull aching tinge in her chest right on the exact same spot where the pink mark was branded on Cleo's body.

Sophie had contacted Cleo to see if she was also experiencing this pain, but the princess said that everything was normal on her end.

Cleo had to attend a last-minute workshop on mech building so she would be returning to the Imperial Palace later than expected.

Sophie had once again offered to have her father take a look at the symbiote, but Cleo insisted that her mother would be able to give her the care she needed.

The royal family did employ the finest medical specialists in all of the Earth Federation.

Cleo had never spoke about her mother daughter relationship in great detail but from the small pieces of information she had let slip…

Sophie knew that the pair had been close when Cleo was a little girl but drifted apart in later years.

Still this aching feeling definitely kept Sophie a tad wary about any unexpected events.

It may seem paranoid, but her instincts had never let her down before.

"Are you okay young miss?" Katarina asked politely as she saw Sophie absentmindedly walking pass the clothing store.

"Oh! Sorry Kat… I was just a bit distracted," Sophie blushed and apologised.

Anyways for now she would try to focus on the trip at hand.

Sophie was currently shopping with Katarina as her bodyguard and she needed to pick out an outfit for the upcoming meeting.

Duke Peterlor was busy with various administrative matters and he did not have the best fashion sense, so he wisely left the decision making to his very capable death guard.

Katarina may be a vicious poison cultivator, but her fashion sense and style was second to none.

Vermillion city was a tiny metropolitan area that was only been developed five years ago so the local population was quite small.

Despite its tiny size, the housing prices were simply astronomical as the city had been built to only cater to the wealthy and powerful.

Quality goods that only the noble class could afford were displayed in shops everywhere and robotic guides would gladly help out any customers seeking a certain product.

Duke Peterlor had used his connections to book an appointment with a notable fashion designer named Adam Denver.

Adam was perhaps one of the most well-known fashion designers within the noble circles and those who wore his pieces were viewed with equal parts admiration and jealousy.

To wear his signature dresses was more than a display of wealth…

It was a status symbol.

Sophie was not naive enough to think that the upcoming meeting between the emperor and the heirs of the high noble families would be a peaceful one.

No one knew why the emperor who had never shown even the slightest interest in politics was suddenly hosting a meeting with the future leaders of the Federation.

Sophie was not ignorant to her unique position of being the only heir to a dukedom who was also a hybrid.

Numerous eyes would be watching her every move.

From her posture to her manners to even the way she walked and talked.

It was inevitable that she would be the main subject of gossip both from curious onlookers and those with more malicious intentions.

Sophie was not ashamed of her alien heritage and had no intention of concealing her inhuman appendages.

Any sign of hiding her hybrid features would be taken as a sign of weakness.

It would tell the world that she was afraid of judgement.

Sophie planned on choosing an outfit that made these features stand out.

Her looks would turn from a hindrance to a sharpened blade.

Besides as long as she maintained at least the outward appearance of a cold calculating heiress then her job would be complete.

It was just a shame that she didn't know anyone who was going….

Wait….

Leona Braveheart was also from a duke family.

Sophie bit her lip and contemplated if she should send her old childhood friend a message but chose to put off the decision in the end.

She didn't hate her former bully but there was definitely some tension between them….

It was best to just let sleeping dogs lie.

Her friend Luna would probably be a better option.

Sophie made a mental note to send a message to her tomorrow.

"Okay let's go inside," Sophie smiled and entered the clothing shop confidently.

The name of the shop was 'Rising Phoenix' and upon entering the store, one would immediately be blown away by its luxurious interior.

Precious metals and gems covered the floor, walls, and ceiling. These rare and expensive jewels shone hypnotically under the soft gentle light.

Beautiful women and charming men dressed in orange-red uniforms expertly weaved through the numerous displays of gorgeous outfits to attend to a customer's every need.

There was no distinction in the quality of service.

Whether one would dressed in the rags of a beggar or adorned like a king, they were all treated with dignity and respect.

Sophie saw a pretty blue dress that was the colour of the ocean. Somehow the designer had managed to create waves that constantly rippled as the dress moved.

"How may I help you today miss?" a fair pretty girl with a lovely smile approached Sophie respectfully and offered her service.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Denver," Sophie replied and nodded back with a grin.

She held out a platinum card engraved with strange markings that proved her identity as a V.I.P member of the store.

"Ahh right this way please," a small trace of shock flashed across the eyes of the salesgirl, but it was quickly concealed.

The employee was surprised to find out that the special V.I.P customer that Mr. Denver had warned them not to offend was a hybrid girl.

But her good training and professional attitude prevented her from offering Sophie anything less than the best possible treatment.

Katarina eyed the salesgirl darkly and a small vial of poison danced around the corner of her palm.

She had noted the sudden change in emotions that the salesgirl thought she had concealed.

Katarina knew that it was just shock and surprise but years of seeing unpleasant stares directed at her precious miss had left her on guard.

The liquid inside the glass vial glowed with an eerie red colour that hinted at the dangerous nature of the concoction.

If the salesgirl had dared to insult her young miss…. there would be some rather unpleasant consequences.

Luckily, it seems that the guide had some intelligence.