...No. Rumor is just a rumor. Who knows when will the magical creature appear? You would rather rely on yourself. You cannot afford to buy beautiful clothes and shoes, but possibly you can find other ways to dress properly and go to the ball.

        Gowns. You think of the clothes your mother left for you. Among them, there is an old gown of blue azure, with a cloak of kingfisher feathers draped around the shoulders. She told you that she wore that dress and a pair of golden shoes at a festival and her wedding, but in order to travel a long distance to escape from the East, she had to sell her golden shoes for money. However, she kept her gown and left it to you.

        It is slightly worn-out, but you can buy needles and threads to sew and mend that dress. However, how can you manage to get shoes...