(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 3

A ring with a yellow gem that sparkled brilliantly.

Judging by its small size, it seemed to be a child’s ring. Setting that aside, it looked incredibly expensive.

‘It feels like I’ve seen this ring somewhere before…’

For reference, my memories from before age seven aren’t intact.

My earliest memory is fleeing from a burning house while holding Felix’s hand. All memories before that have long been completely erased.

It’s probably a side effect from nearly dying at Cromwell Castle.

After tilting my head in thought for a while, I answered honestly.

“I’m not sure. What I can say for certain is that no one in our village could afford such a precious gem. And our general store doesn’t handle lost item recovery services.”

“I see.”

The man’s eyebrows twitched in apparent disappointment as he put the ring away.

Maybe he confused us with a pawn shop.

Come to think of it, I heard many shops in other villages handle both types of business, so that could be it.

He put both hands in his pockets and carefully scanned the display shelves.

After making a full circle around the store, his gaze finally settled on me.

His expressionless eyes, which had shown no emotion at all, curved seductively.

The gentle smile completely transformed the man’s impression. I had no idea he could make such an expression.

I’d heard that men who act coquettish ruin their families for three generations, and he had exactly that kind of face.

“So then, what does this store sell.”

“Most people buy purified water. Some also purchase city goods that have been cleaned with purified water.”

“Who obtains the purified water.”

“My Felix does. There’s purified water in the nearby Monster’s Domain.”

“Is your brother a soldier.”

“No, he’s not.”

“He’s not a soldier, yet he enters the Monster’s Domain.”

“Yes.”

He says when he’s drunk, he becomes fearless enough to go there and back.

As the conversation continued, I strangely felt like I was being interrogated.

Well, it’s not common for someone to enter the Monster’s Domain alone, so I suppose it could be curious.

“Felix says the Monster’s Domain isn’t that dangerous. As long as you don’t go too deep.”

“Hmm…”

His crimson gaze returned to the display shelves.

Since he wasn’t leaving and was killing time, he must be planning to buy something. In that case, I should make a sale.

This is my chance to get rid of some problematic inventory.

“That item you’re looking at is the latest model calculator from the city. It’s charged with magic power, so it’ll work for 10 years. If you buy it today, I’ll give you a special discount.”

Of course, in a countryside village, there’s no need for anything more than an abacus.

I smiled brightly while wondering how high I could price it without it being a rip-off.

However, he wasn’t so easy.

“I see.”

An uninterested tone, a perfunctory response.

Sensing that the inventory sale was doomed, I immediately changed the subject.

“You seem to be from outside. What brings you to our village?”

The man readily shared his personal information.

“I’m Baron, the nephew of blacksmith Franz’s cousin.”

His personal details were much clearer than I had expected.

I thought he’d be a bit more mysterious. Thinking of him as Franz’s relative suddenly made him feel familiar.

‘Franz’s cousin lives in the capital. So is this man also from the capital?’

I couldn’t bring myself to ask if he came from the capital.

Capital Gretchen has long been devastated by civil war. I heard only the imperial palace remains intact like a sanctuary.

“I see. Welcome to Ruden Village. You’ll come to love our village soon, Baron.”

“I already like it.”

“That’s good to hear. Next time you need anything, please visit Golden Sundries Shop.”

I flashed a business smile and delivered my closing line.

It meant if you’re not buying anything, don’t waste other people’s time and leave.

However, he leaned his broad back against the wall and stared at me intently without a word. Making me uncomfortable.

Just when I was thinking I’d rather he at least say something, he tilted his chin at an angle and opened his mouth.

“What’s the store owner’s name.”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you my name, did I? It’s Hazel.”

“May I call you Miss Hazel.”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Very well, Miss Hazel. Please take care of me from now on.”

Baron spoke to me in the manner of a city gentleman, then finally took his heavy steps.

Once he left the store, the shop felt empty and hollow.

A refreshing scent reminiscent of pine lingered at the tip of my nose.

“What an interesting person.”

***

Baron apparently wasn’t just interesting to me alone.

The entire village was buzzing because of him.

My friends came running to me frantically as soon as they spotted him.

The married women especially were in an uproar.

“Breaking news, handsome man spotted!”

“…”

A handsome man isn’t a monster, so what’s with “spotted.”

Unlike me, who was tired of the fuss, Sara and Maribel were overflowing with energy.

Their eyes sparkled brightly at discovering a new handsome man.

Both of them had husbands and children, yet they were always like this.

Love for their husbands and love for handsome men are separate matters.

That’s their firm belief.

“Hazel, listen carefully. A handsome man is wandering around the village. He’s Franz’s relative.”

“I saw him too, and he’s better looking than the Lord’s Son and Count Cedric. They say men with black hair are something else, and I guess that’s true.”

The Lord’s Son and Count Cedric.

The top-tier handsome men the village women have seen in their lives.

However, their status is so high that commoners have no chance of getting involved with them. Usually, it’s difficult to even exchange a single word.

So the existence of a handsome man of the same social class is naturally welcome.

“I saw him too. Calm down, girls.”

Sara held her head at my composed response.

“Right, we should be the ones to calm down. You’re allowed to get a little excited.”

Maribel nodded and gripped my hand tightly.

“Hazel, you know you’re the only unmarried woman of marriageable age left, right? You’re the most beautiful in the village, yet you’re getting married last, which has been weighing on my mind.”

“You don’t need to flatter me. I’ll get married someday.”

As a rule, you shouldn’t believe it when friends and family say you’re pretty.

Friends’ evaluations are generous, and Felix’s words are completely unreliable.

I’m just grateful they call ordinary me pretty, even if it’s just empty words.

“She doesn’t believe us again. Anyway, do your best. We’ll support you.”

“First, let’s lock up your Felix at home. We need to handle this quickly before Felix notices Baron’s existence.”

“That’s a good plan. If you need the key to our watermill, just say the word.”

The married women’s risqué jokes made my head spin.

I waved my hands dismissively and chased them away.

“I’m not interested. You know my ideal type.”

A sturdy potato.

A diligent worker, far from the typical handsome man characteristics.

When I smiled silently, my friends immediately frowned.

Sara beat her chest in frustration.

Maribel clicked her tongue sharply.

“What, a potato? A man like some relief crop that would get chopped down one by one if your Felix came running with a hoe?”

“….”

That’s too harsh.

Why are you being mean to my potato.

Whack whack-!

I hit my friends’ bottoms with the broom handle and finally chased them out.

It was revenge for insulting my potato.

“Stop talking nonsense, and get out if you’re not buying anything.”

Even while being chased out, my friends wouldn’t stop talking, telling me to think it over.

“Looking at Baron’s back muscles, he wouldn’t lose to Felix.”

“Exactly. Just accept it already. That man is your destined one.”

“Please stop! Anyway, I’m not interested, so don’t do anything unnecessary.”

When I threatened them, my friends went back looking dejected.

If I left those girls alone, they’d obviously spread rumors throughout the village that Baron belongs to Hazel. By the way, this was the strategy Maribel used when marrying her husband.

Since I came out to the alley anyway, I was about to sweep the entrance and go back in-.

“Miss Hazel, have you been well?”

“….”

Someone called out to me from the end of the alley.

My brow furrowed automatically at the unpleasant voice.

I slowly raised my head to face the owner of the voice.

Axel Cromwell.

Lord Cromwell’s son and heir to Cromwell Castle.

He approached with his friends, smiling slyly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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