[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-city-of-desire-kingdom-building":3,"chapter-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-497":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","City of Desire [Kingdom Building]",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1846513,2449,"Chapter 499: A Day Before II","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-497",497,"\u003Cp>Magda\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go, you have an appointment, and you won't want to be late for it,\" said Lorle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>El nodded before following the half-elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon we are in the elevator, and it begins to move up. Showing us each floor, covered in beautiful mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are beautiful, that I wish. I could go out and explore every one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope I will be able to tomorrow. We have an invitation, which came with access to the entire legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First floor to the fourth floor are the store floors. They sell nearly everything, from kitchen tools to ivory art,\" informed the half-elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is the requirement to get space on these floors?\" asked George and half-elf smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no requirement; it is up to Master Silver, who wants to give it but if I were to say, then it would be loyalty,\" she replied, wiping the expectation out of his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouldn't have asked for it. We already knew that over 75% of the stores here are owned by the locals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among the remaining 25%. Half of them have become local.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the elevator crossed the four floors and reached the fifth one. The theater looked incredible, making my heartbeat wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to become an actress. I have wanted to be since I was a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am leaving the academy this year and already started applying to the theater companies. My focus is on the Eckels, a theater company based in Namdar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is one of the best ones in the empire and the oldest. It had sent many of its people to the spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is difficult to get into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I applied to the other theater companies as well. Including the few in the merchant states, who are accepting applicants from the empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard quite a lot of praise about the velvet theater and its director. He was quite famous before his fall from grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he has started to get famous again. His plays are wonderful; one of the best, that even my teacher had given an example of it openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which they didn't dare to do before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator moved up, and the store appeared. Not a normal store, but Eva Cain, that everybody is talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wish the elevator could move slower, but it didn't. It passed through it, before finally stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the energy screen disappeared. Another type of fragrance hit us. They seemed more powerful but also had heavy calming effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stepped out of the elevator, and immediately, the effect amplified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked around and felt tears in my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not a spa in front of me, but a freaking forest. I could see trees everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the flower trees to trunks of trees to greens and shrubs; there was greenery everywhere. So much so that they masked the walls of the spa itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to have spared no expense in making it seem like a forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They even created mini-streams. One of them is passing beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's so beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked around and saw my parents and even El had tears in their eyes. One can't help it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to the velvet spa,\" greeted the teen of the same age as El and I.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please follow me,\" she said and led us to the changing room. Where robes are neatly placed on stone racks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chose one of my sizes and changed into it. The robe is a cream color and light as a feather. It feels amazing against my skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at myself in the mirror one more time and came out and the same teen was waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Pearson, would you like me to lead you to the waiting room directly or through the memory sanatorium?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sanatorium,\" I replied, and she nodded and moved with me following behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is a huge article about the memory sanatorium of a velvet garden in the papers. The author expounded in great detail about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to experience it. Just like the author it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped and opened the door. Leading me to the beautiful cove filled with heavy greenery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are stone circles in between. Which are the straw mats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lot of people are sitting there. I could only see a silhouette as they were covered in a light mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at them, before focusing on the massive vortex waterfall. Thousands of droplets filled with colorful mist are swirling, making a beautiful sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard it earlier. It was faint, barely audible, but here it was louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the sound, smelling a wonderful smell, and seeing beautiful scenery, a quake rang through my soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook, before gently sitting on the round mat, beside the small stream, while tears flowed down my body uncontrollably as the memories flashed in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am experiencing memories. Good and bad, some I had forgotten a long time ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them are flashing in front of my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no control over it and I have not tried to control it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memories are beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I do not like all of them, but it is a blessing to enjoy them. I am relieved once again as I felt the same emotions near the same intensity as I felt in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't know how long it had lasted, but soon the memories started to disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, I gained control over my emotions and felt so light and free, like I had never felt before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, the teen appeared in front of me through the mist. She didn't say anything, nor did she need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I got up, and she led me out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gently opened the door, and I walked out of it. On the other side, Eryna is waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are you feeling?\" she asked gently. \"Better than ever,\" I replied. To which she smiled and walked ahead into the large waiting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are people everywhere, sitting in the mini forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am referring to it as a forest rather than a garden because it bears more similarities with the forest than the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People looked at me as I looked at them. I recognize some and those recognized are all the important people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, she stopped, and I sat down beside my brother. He is drinking tea with a colorful mist enveloping it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was something else, wasn't it?\" he asked with a sigh, and I couldn't help, but nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to pick up the treatment catalog in front of me. When a woman wearing a spa uniform came and placed a steaming tea in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tea that had mist inside and outside of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" I said to the woman. She smiled and walked away, while I picked up the cup and breathed an amazing aroma, before taking a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked hot but didn't feel hot when I took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had a light, refreshing taste. When I swallowed the tea it seemed to transform into energy and spread that refreshing energy into my body and mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was enjoying the tea when El came in; she sat beside me silently and a few seconds later, her own tea came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, we talk when we are sitting in one place, but now I am fine with silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly everybody is silent here. Even those that are talking are talking in whispers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a little over two minutes after El, my parents came, and they looked calm with their bodies relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, I couldn't help, but smile. They needed this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you seen the people?\" asked father softly as he sat down beside us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A lot of important people from Inam are sitting here,\" replied George. \"Not just Inam, but also Namdar and merchant states. There are even a few from the empire,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around before his eyes focused on a beautiful woman with silvery gray eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See that woman? She is lord Silver's sister, Lady Leila. The elf beside her is Lady Blackwell of Amberhold,\" he informed, before identifying the other people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to recognize nearly everyone here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, their tea arrived, and they began to drink it while looking at the treatments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every treatment is free. Thanks to El's mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me feel a little guilty seeing how expensive these treatments are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which package are you choosing?\" I asked her after I looked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They all are very expensive,\" she replied. Hearing that, I couldn't help but shake my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl should understand by now how powerful her mother is and, while the treatment is expensive, I am sure her mother could afford it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might not even need to pay for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top executive has many privileges, and her mother is one of the most powerful women here. I am sure, she has privileges too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't think about it too hard. Your mother wants to spoil you; you should let her do it,\" I advised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated for a moment before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled and turned to the book. There were many packages, and all seemed enticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to call the staff when I saw a man appear in front of us. A familiar man, seeing him, and father got up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pearson, I didn't expect to see you here,\" said the man and looked at us. \"And with the whole family,\" he added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is a clear curiosity in the man's eyes. He is a bastard, her father does not like him, and not many people do, but he is a relative of the lord of Inam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, nobody could do anything to him, despite hating his guts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raven-haired man is Jules Benil. A vice-guild master of the merchant guild of Inam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's all because of Miss Swan. She is a friend of my daughter, and her mother is kind enough to give us the invitation,\" replied father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression is neutral, but mirth in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man followed Father's gaze and looked at El. There was confusion in his eyes for a second, before a spark of realization lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Madam Swan's daughter,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A contempt appeared in his eyes for a moment, before it disappeared, and a smile took its place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded at her and talked to Father for a few minutes before walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shared a look with my family before moving to the catalog. It's really hard to choose. There are all sorts of treatments for every type of skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything looks great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was looking at it in indecision when I saw a raven-haired woman appear in front of us, or rather, in front of El.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What struck me was how respectfully Eryna was standing behind her. I also found people are looking at us, or rather, the women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's clear, she is important and feels familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Ella, I hope you have been having a good time,\" said the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" replied El after a hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you chosen the treatments?\" the woman asked, to whom El shook her head. \"It's too hard. Everything is great,\" El replied in indecision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman smiled and raised her hand toward her, before stopping, seeing El, shaking a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>El didn't like people touching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I?\" the woman seemed to understand that as she asked. El hesitated for a moment, before nodding and the woman took her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, she let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have the same wonderful skin as your mother. The most suitable for you would be the ardent radiance package,\" she replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" replied El. \"There is no need to thank me,\" she replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss, can you help me too?\" I asked. Before I could stop myself, and felt the eyes of my parents on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must be Ella's friend?\" she asked, and I nodded. The woman smiled and took my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, I felt like I was naked. Different sort of naked, where I didn't feel shy or ashamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt like this woman could see every part of me, both inside and outside with those powerful skills. They are the most powerful skills I had felt used on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds passed, and a woman withdrew her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have drier skin. Aqua rejuvenation would be perfect for you,\" she replied, before turning to El.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry about anything and enjoy the spa,\" she advised El before walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know who that was?\" asked my father in a hissing voice. \"Someone important,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gathered as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's Maeve Hanson. Director of the spa,\" he informed me, and my eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned a moment later and saw her talking with important people. Including Lord Silver's sister and elf from the merchant states.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon my parents and brother chose their treatment as well, and the staff took us to the treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours passed, and I went through one treatment after another. It was a trip to heaven that I will never be able to forget in all my life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem happy,\" said El, as I entered a beautiful room. \"I am. I don't think I have ever been so happy and relaxed,\" I said as I sat down beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me, too,\" replied El.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will be sure to thank your mother for it,\" I said, and her cheeks reddened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was amazing. I wouldn't have been able to experience it so soon. The waiting line is years long and treatments are expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, my brother came, while my parents took more than an hour to return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they did, they looked kind of ashamed, with their cheeks red but their eyes were filled with joy and some other things I wasn't able to tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, we all changed back into our clothes before stepping into the elevator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ting!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator rang as its door opened, revealing the most beautiful store I had ever seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is also the most artful and opulent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had plants, but it didn't feel like a forest. Instead, these plants feel like they are here to make already beautiful stores even more beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to Eva Cain,\" greeted the attendant as we stepped into the store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes instantly got focused on the tree in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike all the surrounding plants, the tree isn't real. It seemed to be made of metal and had colorful mist dancing around it, making leaves on it chime beautifully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at these dresses. Jewelry, they are beautiful,\" breathed Mom, nearly gasping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything is beautiful. Dresses, shoes, jewelry. I wanted to buy them all, but when I looked at the prices, I couldn't help but get somber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are expensive, really expensive, but people are buying them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are a lot of people in the store despite it being a silent opening, and they are rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father is looking at them. Informing us about them with privacy. Hearing their names, it seemed like. We are the poorest people here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are actually compared to these people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were looking at things when I saw El beside me freeze and I turned to see where she was looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone is coming toward us. Someone beautiful, with the air of command, that the very mist seemed to part as she walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dear child,\" said Margaux and hugged El. \"Mom,\" said El, with tears appearing in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been missing her mom. She thought she wouldn't be able to meet her today, but she came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, Margaux let go and turned to me and smiled, before turning to my parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Pearson, Mrs. Pearson, thank you for taking care of my daughter, all these years,\" she thanked, bowing faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't have to thank us, Miss Swan. Elanor is family,\" replied father. Making Margaux smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ella is lucky to have you,\" she said, patting her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not her, but us, who are lucky to have her in our lives,\" replied father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words might be corny, but it is true. El is a friend that a few have a fortune to have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you have liked the spa?\" she asked. \"Yes, it was wonderful. Thank you for it, Miss Swan,\" replied Mom, with a big smile on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am glad,\" said Margaux and turned to the store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap onto read up to 20 Advanced Chapters. Become aFree Memberon Patreon for maps and other stuff.\u003C\u002Fp>",2777,"2026-06-09T06:54:39.600Z",1,"novelbin.me","888cb8ff6b0f8858db1e9b2e1949bc7efca4ac6b2413ca74784ae392e0660d21","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-141","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-323",917,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcity-of-desire-kingdom-building-cover.jpg"]