Jane immediately stopped walking.
Her expression sharpened.
"You didn't tell him yourself?"
"Of course not!"
Sophie shook her head so quickly that several strands of damp hair flew across her shoulders.
"I trusted people far too easily before... and I've suffered because of it more times than I can count. I finally learned to be careful." She frowned as she recalled the encounter. "I never told him a single thing... but the moment we met, he already knew my name."
Sophie never lied.
At least...
Jane had never once caught her doing so.
In Jane's eyes, Sophie had always been innocent, reckless, and dangerously lacking in caution. Falling into someone else's trap suited exactly the sort of person she had always been.
But if Sophie truly had learned to guard herself...
Then Charles could only have known her identity because someone else had informed him.
Someone...
Inside the Volturi.
A chill ran down Jane's spine.
Without another word, she quickened her pace.
"I'll report this to the leaders immediately after settling you in."
Her voice turned noticeably colder.
"Aro will find whoever it was."
Once they returned to Jane's territory, she was finally able to relax after an exhausting night.
Meanwhile, already familiar with the waterfall bath, Sophie skillfully undressed without needing directions. Leaving her rumpled clothes on the stone beside the pool, she slipped quietly beneath the warm water until only ripples remained on the surface.
By the time she surfaced again with her hair completely soaked, a fresh towel and an entire change of neatly arranged clothes had already been prepared for her.
Jane remained seated on the edge of the pool.
Removing her hood, she finally revealed just how thoroughly her hairstyle had fallen apart. One by one, she removed the crooked tiara, jeweled hairpins, ribbons, and every remaining ornament. The elegant golden hair Alec had personally arranged earlier that evening spilled freely down her back in a brilliant cascade, beautiful enough that even from behind it resembled a work of art.
Sophie climbed from the pool with one hand braced against the stone edge.
Wrapping the towel around herself, she rubbed it firmly over her hair until most of the moisture had disappeared. Once she was dry enough, she picked up the fresh clothes and began changing.
As expected...
The outfit was another of Jane's favorite elaborate dresses.
This time Sophie successfully identified the front from the back before putting it on. The sleeves fit perfectly. The skirt length was exactly right.
Only...
The corset lacing proved impossible.
Apparently, the tailor who had designed the gown centuries earlier had assumed every noblewoman possessed a personal maid. To preserve the beauty of the front, all the adjustable laces had been hidden behind the wearer's back.
Sophie only discovered the problem after she had already put it on.
If she wanted to dress herself completely...
She would probably have to remove the entire gown and start over.
"What's wrong?"
Jane noticed her predicament almost immediately.
Still wearing her golden hair loose over her shoulders, she walked over with a faint smile.
"Turn around."
Taking the dangling laces from Sophie's helpless hands, Jane threaded them expertly through the proper loops.
"You can't tie these beforehand," she explained while tightening them smoothly. "If they're left loose, the dress hangs awkwardly and looks bulky." She gave the final pull before tying the knot neatly. "Like this. It should fit close to your body. That's how it's meant to look."
Once Jane finished, Sophie turned back around.
Imitating the noble ladies she had seen in medieval films, she lifted the sides of her skirt and performed an exaggerated curtsy.
The sight amused even herself.
She burst into laughter.
Without the necklace decorating her neck, however, the gown's low neckline left her throat and collarbones almost completely exposed, making the entire outfit feel strangely empty.
Feeling a little self-conscious, Sophie hurriedly changed the subject.
"This dress feels very old-fashioned." She looked down at the black gown with its delicate silver chains.
"It reminds me of the heroine in one of those Gothic novel illustrations."
Jane nodded.
"It was made during the 15th century."
She glanced briefly at the dress.
"Back then I accumulated far too many gowns like this. They were beautiful... but completely impractical for carrying out missions." A faint smile crossed her lips. "Still, they're perfect for you to wear inside the palace."
Then she looked away almost casually.
"The modern styles you prefer have already been commissioned."
"They should arrive in Volterra sometime next month."
"Commissioned?"
The word sounded unfamiliar to Sophie.
She had always bought clothes the easy way, simply picking up a few inexpensive seasonal outfits from department stores and wearing them until they needed replacing.
Looking slightly embarrassed, she scratched her cheek.
"You've already given me so many things..." she admitted softly. "But I haven't given you anything in return. Honestly... I feel guilty accepting so much."
Jane laughed quietly.
"What are you feeling guilty about?" She tilted her head with amusement. "This isn't a business transaction."
After a thoughtful pause, she smiled again.
"Who decided that every time I give you one gift, you have to give me one back?"
Sophie was left speechless.
Refusing to accept gifts without reciprocating had somehow become the same as treating their friendship like a commercial exchange.
Still...
That wasn't how she wanted things to be.
She thought quietly for a while before finally arriving at a compromise.
"Then..."
She looked at Jane with a hopeful smile.
"When the number of gifts you've given me reaches one hundred..." She paused thoughtfully before continuing, "You'll let me give you one in return, won't you?" She couldn't help laughing a little. "A hundred gifts in exchange for one... no merchant in the world would make such terrible business."
Jane laughed.
"All right."
Her smile lingered as she answered.
"You can keep count yourself."
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