The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 80

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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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A decent idea comes to mind, making my heart feel much lighter.

 

‘Well, that aside.’

 

The reason I met Ailren today isn’t over yet.

 

I took out the hourglass from my bag and held it out with a flourish.

 

“Look at this. I made it well, didn’t I?”

 

A look of amazement flashed in Ailren’s eyes as he carefully took the hourglass.

 

“So this is…”

 

“Yes, I made it by dyeing quartz sand. A painter I know helped with the color mixing. The color is exactly the same as the magic stone, right?”

 

“Yes, that’s right. It’s amazing.”

 

“Other people won’t even notice it’s been changed. Of course! You can also use it for its original function of measuring time, so please use it well.”

 

“I will. Thank you.”

 

I straightened my back with satisfaction.

 

Though it was quite difficult to make, seeing Ailren’s admiration made me feel fully rewarded.

 

‘By the way, when I disassembled the bottom of the hourglass, there was an imperial seal stamped on it. So it really seems like Crodil sent it while impersonating the Emperor, right?’

 

“Um, you said you couldn’t tell me before, but who gave you this hourglass? …Ah, I mean, an attendant or maid must have delivered it. Do you remember their appearance?”

 

Surely Crodil wouldn’t have handed it over directly.

 

Ailren narrowed his brow as if recalling the memory.

 

At least it seemed he could answer this question.

 

“All the attendants and maids wear the same clothing, so I couldn’t find anything unusual about their attire. However.”

 

“However?”

 

“He was a man with vivid green eyes, and the nail on his left ring finger was unusually small, which remains in my memory. His hair color was dark.”

 

“Oh, with those kinds of features, couldn’t you identify him? Did you try looking for him?”

 

“After hearing your words the other day, I realized something and investigated secretly. But… there was no attendant who met all those conditions.”

 

Ailren’s expression looked quite complicated.

 

It probably wasn’t simply because he couldn’t catch the culprit.

 

‘That means an outsider was wandering around the Imperial Palace pretending to be an attendant, right? And yet the Royal Knights couldn’t catch them.’

 

For Ailren, more than the hourglass or anything else, allowing an outsider to infiltrate would feel like a much greater failure.

 

And that was right in the middle of the Imperial Palace, no less.

 

‘But… an outsider wouldn’t have just wandered in alone. Crodil must have hidden them or brought them in with concealment magic. Then it’s not the Royal Knights’ fault.’

 

However, this wasn’t something I could readily comfort him about.

 

The more pride someone has in their profession, the more hasty comfort might only invoke self-loathing.

 

‘Maybe Ailren has also noticed who’s behind this. That’s probably why his mind is even more complicated.’

 

After maintaining silence for a while, I smiled slightly and said.

 

“Since such a person might come as a customer, I’ll also pay close attention to customers’ nails.”

 

“…Would you do that?”

 

Seeing Ailren’s expression relax a bit, it seems my choice to offer a suggestion instead of hasty comfort was right.

 

Ailren said he would escort me to the entrance of the street.

 

While looking at the scenery outside the moving carriage, Ailren spoke to me.

 

“I heard there will be a festival on the street tomorrow.”

 

“Oh, how did you know?”

 

“The officials at the Imperial Palace were talking about the festival.”

 

“Well, they were probably having conversations like ‘Why hold a festival in such a place, what would there be to see?’ right?”

 

Ailren hesitated and turned his gaze away.

 

Unable to affirm it but also unable to lie, he pretended not to hear, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at that sight.

 

“It’s okay, negative mentions are still mentions. It’s like free advertising.”

 

“…Are you saying you expected this?”

 

“Yes. It was intentional. Our street is in the Capital City Center, isn’t it? Whether they like it or not, when the festival is held, they’ll have no choice but to see it, and many people will peek around. Planning to use it as gossip material, saying ‘I went to see it and there really wasn’t much!’ But.”

 

“But?”

 

“I’m confident. I’m confident it won’t be gossip material to chew and spit out, but a masterpiece dish that will be talked about for a long time.”

 

You haven’t been there? You’ve lived your life in vain!

 

I mimicked the voices of people making a fuss and smiled broadly.

 

If it reaches even the Knight’s ears, wouldn’t that be tremendously successful marketing? You seem like you’d have no interest at all in rumors and gossip.”

 

“That’s… right. You have good business acumen.”

 

“Of course, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to know for sure.”

 

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

 

“Hmm… It might seem like I’m answering too eagerly, but there actually is something you can help with.”

 

I whispered my explanation even though no one else was listening.

 

Ailren, who had leaned down as well, listened to my story seriously and then nodded.

 

“Understood. I’ll provide maximum support.”

 

“You’re not overexerting yourself when you’re busy, are you? Isn’t the Knight busy too during the Foundation Day preparation period?”

 

“It’s not just for you but also for the Empire, so it’s not a problem. And as I mentioned before, I’ve resolved to serve you mentally and materially…”

 

“Cough, cough.”

 

Ailren’s words were cut off because I choked.

 

Whether this was fortunate or unfortunate, really.

 

Wiping my teary eyes with my sleeve, I cleared my throat.

 

“So, uh, how are the Foundation Day preparations going?”

 

“Yes. Princess is enthusiastically working on the preparations. Since you expressed your intention to visit, she seems to be working even harder.”

 

Thinking of Lina made my heart feel touched, and suddenly my gaze fell on my weakly fluttering sleeves.

 

Oh wait, come to think of it…

 

‘I don’t have any clothes to wear!’

 

All my clothes were just work clothes or casual wear.

 

My goodness, I had forgotten something so important!

 

But I was at a loss for what to choose.

 

‘I’d have to have been to a party before!’

 

Having good taste and actually wearing something are completely different matters.

 

Imagine if I went after being invited as Princess’s friend and looked shabby.

 

That would be behavior that brings down even Lina’s honor as the host, wouldn’t it?

 

Since I had stiffened up, Ailren looked puzzled.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

My contemplation wasn’t long.

 

“Knight.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Could I ask you for just one more favor…?”

 

“Please tell me.”

 

“Do you happen to know any boutiques or dress shops that specialize in women’s clothing…?”

 

Still, Ailren must have seen many nobles, so he’d know better than me, wouldn’t he?

 

I asked with the feeling of grasping at straws, but Ailren showed noticeably flustered signs.

 

“…Hmm. I don’t have deep knowledge about such clothing matters, so I’m not sure if you’d be satisfied even if I recommended something.”

 

Well, how would someone who has no interest even in rumors know about women’s dress shops?

 

It was quite a foolish question to ask a Knight who only wears uniforms in the first place.

 

I must be quite flustered too. I waved my hands dismissively.

 

“Oh, no. I just asked just in case, don’t worry about it.”

 

Then who should I ask?

 

‘Emma only wears bright primary-colored robes, and Lady Helena only wears formal wear. All the purchased items in the shop are vintage style. Should I ask Hanna? Or William…?’

 

I was about to end up asking a man nicknamed Hyena about dress shops.

 

Just as I was lamenting my narrow social circle, the carriage arrived.

 

It was when Ailren was about to open the door for me.

 

After looking around the carriage, I nodded.

 

“Um, Knight.”

 

‘The cushions are so soft, it should be okay to fly around in here, right?’

 

I discreetly applied holy water to my hand and extended it toward Ailren, who was looking back at me.

 

“Shall we shake hands?”

 

A way to make contact with Ailren without going to prison.

 

After racking my brain, what I came up with was ultimately a handshake.

 

‘Don’t look at me like that, I’m embarrassed too! But I couldn’t find a natural way to suggest shaking hands!’

 

“…What do you… mean by that?”

 

Ailren was looking at me with a face that genuinely couldn’t understand.

 

My ears grew hot, but the water was already spilled.

 

I continued speaking with a whatever-happens-happens attitude.

 

“Um, I recently had my fortune told. They said that for the shop to do well, I need to receive energy from people of high status…? And to do that, I need to shake hands with many people, ahem, so that’s why.”

 

‘What kind of nonsense is this!’

 

Since I couldn’t explain it logically anyway, my strategy was to give a completely illogical reason instead.

 

But this was going too far even for that. I shuddered at my own poor imagination.

 

“And among the people I know, you’re the highest-ranking person, Knight… Of course, Princess is here too, but I can’t just grab her hand like that, right? So, ahem, I wanted to ask you a favor.”

 

“…But don’t you remember as well? How you were thrown back when you touched me.”

 

“For the sake of the pawnshop, I suppose I can endure that much…? Haha.”

 

I was presenting superstition to the Captain of the Royal Knights, and he was seriously considering it.

 

‘How obsessed with the shop must I look right now.’

 

Though this was for Ailren’s sake, I was thinking I’d hide in a mouse hole if one existed, when it happened.

 

Firmly.

 

A warm hand gripped mine with strength.

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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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