Chapter 29 。 Roman stayed put for a moment , reaching up to touch the top of his head , his cute little face etched with dejection . He sulked there briefly before stomping off to the courtyard , where he leaned S55 vouchers or the water bucket to check his reflection . The rippling surface showed a boy as sweet as fresh snow , with finely shaped brows and eyes , a pert nose , plush lips , and eyes so pale- just a hint of brown - they looked like fog - shrouded amber stones . Even at seven , you could already spot the budding signs of real handsomeness . If he weren't so scrawny , all skin and bones , his looks would've turned even more heads . Finally content with what he saw , Roman brightened up . He wasn't anything like Troy - he was miles cuter . Sure , he'd never seen Troy's whole face , but young Roman was bursting with self - assurance . Lorrayne tracked down Bella in the kitchen , mid - cook , and checked in on how Lilian and the others had liked their morning meal . Bella answered shyly , " Ms. Rossetti wasn't a big fan of my cooking , but the two gentlemen aren't fussy . " Lorrayne eyed the remnants of fish soup in the pot and the sliced bread on the shelf - yep , it was pretty rustic . She passed Bella three Silver Coins . " Head out this afternoon and pick up a bag of fine flour , some eggs , and a pail of milk . I'll teach you how to sift it properly for better bread . Grab a couple of iron pots and three clay jars too , and load up on beef and chicken . " Potioncraft Class was tomorrow , and her spice homework was still pending . With the afternoon open , she'd tackle it now . Perfume - making ? Not her thing . But whipping up a spice blend ? Piece of cake . " Oh , and sugar - get some almond sugar while you're at it . " Recalling sugar's steep price here , Lorrayne tossed in two more Silver Coins . Bella's fingers shook around the five Silver Coins - she'd never handled this much cash in her life . At her aunt's , a day's labor earned her just two Copper Coins , good for nothing but a coarse black loaf riddled with grit . She gazed at her new boss with concern . She thought , ' What if I blew through the household savings ? We'd be out on the curb . " Something on your mind ? " Lorrayne asked , catching Bella's anxious expression . " Nothing at all ! You get to your tasks - I'm heading out to shop ." Bella squared her shoulders with determination . For this family's sake , she'd drive a hard bargain with those vendors today . Lorrayne made her way to the main room just as Lilian descended the stairs in fresh clothes . " Lorrayne , back from class ? " Yep . Lilian - you stepping out ? " Lilian gathered her skirts and came over with a friendly smile . " I'm bound for Syrria Academy of Arcana . I should've checked in this morning , but it got pushed back " Lorrayne ulted her head , puzzled . " You're enrolled there too ? " 1alian sufled a laugh . " Not as a student - I'm on staff . Lorrayne's eyes bugged out " You're a teacher ?" Lilian only seemed three or four years her senior - and she was part of the faculty ! " Hard to believe ? Lahan flung her arms wide and spur in a circle , hand over her mouth as she giggled , eyes sparkling with mirth . " Im the academy's new potions professor Border inspections held me up a few days . " " Potions , Lorrayne echoed , still in a daze . " As in , Potioncraft ? 1/3 P Chapter 29 EL 35 vouches " It's the step up from Potioncraft - intermediate magical brewing . You'll cross paths with me once you're a Intermediate Apprentice Mage ." Lilian's tone was gentle and reassuring . Lorrayne was floored . Lilian wore so many hats - more than she ever could . First , she'd taken her for a Knight , only to learn she was a princess . Now , add teacher to the list . That explained the recommendation letter - faculty got referral privileges . It sparked another question for Lorrayne . " Lilian ... What made you endorse me for Syrria to begin with ? " " From the instant I laid eyes on you , I picked up on your magical aura . I sensed real potential , so I thought you'd thrive studying here . " As she'd guessed . Lorrayne thanked Lilian again for saving the original owner's life back then . Lilian brushed it off with a knowing smile . " What for ? I was really saving my own skin . Without you , I'd have been lunch for those monsters long ago . " She bid Lorrayne farewell and bustled out the door . Lorrayne groaned inwardly . She'd totally spaced on getting a carriage ready . Lorray She thought , ' How could a proper Highborn head out without one ? Is Lilian actually going to hoof it all the way to school ? " Lorrayne cursed herself silently . Her painstakingly built image as a wealthy socialite had just gone up in smoke . The minute Lilian reached the academy and started poking around , the suspicions would come flooding back . Just as despair started to sink in , the rumble of wheels suddenly drifted in from outside . Lorrayne froze , then glanced toward the courtyard entrance . There , pulling up at the gate , was a simple but elegant domed carriage , drawn by a white horse and driven by a short - haired boy who looked about ten . If she had it right , that rig had rolled out from the side door of her own little place . No other homes around , and she hadn't heard a peep from any wheels before now . She wondered , ' Did Lilian call for it earlier this morning ? ' Feeling a twinge of unease , Lorrayne beckoned Roman over from where he was pulling weeds in the yard . " Roman , did Ms. Rossetti set up that carriage on her own ? " " No , " Roman mumbled , twisting his fingers and peeking up at her with big watery eyes . " I got it . " " You got it ? " Lorrayne echoed , stunned . " Where on earth did you find the money for a whole carriage ? " Roman dropped his gaze . " From those two Gold Coins you gave me yesterday . I only used eighty Copper Coins on a wool tunic , and spent the rest on the carriage . " Lorrayne's pulse quickened . " But horses cost a fortune - not to mention the carriage . The leftovers couldn't have stretched that far ! " " They did , " Roman said firmly , ticking off points on his fingers . " I bought a three - year - old colt from a man I know . I explained it'd be pulling for you , and since you're at the academy most days , it wouldn't get worn out . If he gave me half off , I'd give it top - notch feed for three years straight . " Then , when you head out of Syrria in three years , I'd sell it back at full price - and I'd have pitched in on training it , too . Horses peak around five , so it'd basically be like he got a prime steed raised for nada . " He bit and only charged one gold . " Next , the horse guy hooked me up with a carriage dealer . I told him it was for a Highborn lady , and if he slashed the price , I'd hype his shop as the go - to spot for Highborns . " The dealer went for it and only asked for ninety Silver Coins . " Lorrayne's jaw dropped further with every word . " That left you with , what , twenty Copper Coins ? How'd you swing a driver ? " " Tom's no pro driver , he's an orphan like me . He loiters around the carriage lots scrounging and knows his way around reins . I tracked him down and offered : drive for you , and I'll split my meals with him daily . He jumped on it . 2/3 P Chapter 29 55 vouchers Then I handed over my old burlap rags , got him cleaned up with a bath and haircut , and had him test - drive . He nailed it . " By now , Roman's expression had soured into full - blown gloom . " I got it all for you to use , but that lady ended up needing wheels too . " Lorrayne was at a loss for words , completely blown away . She'd lucked into a pinenius . " Roman , you totally bailed me out today ! " she said quickly , eager to cheer him up . " You nailed it . Ms. Rossetti's my guest - if she'd stepped out without a carriage , it'd reflect badly on me ." Roman perked up right away . " For real , Ms. Lorrayne ? I actually came through ? " " You bet ! " Lorrayne nodded vigorously . " But what sparked the idea to snag a carriage in the first place ? " Roman turned pink . " At lunch yesterday , I noticed your hands were raw and blistered from the reins . I thought constant horseback riding had to be rough on you , so I figured a carriage would help . " A wave of tenderness mixed with sympathy washed over Lorrayne . Now she finally got what it felt like to have a caring little sidekick watching your back . 373 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.