The Poisonous Princess Who Successfully Infiltrated the Enemy as an Employee - Chapter 54

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

Episode 54.

***

A date. Fat chance.
I’d been a fool to harbor even the smallest hope.
Varcan and I had gone to the Merchant District in Delmar for lunch together.
Right up until then, I’ll admit I’d clung to a sliver of anticipation.
But the moment we finished eating, I found myself dragged through the very same gauntlet Varcan had put me through on the outskirts of the Capital before—only this time, all over again.
“Have you traced the distribution network for the Demonic Beast Byproducts I mentioned before?”
“Of course, Your Highness. I’ll have a summary prepared and bring it to the Grand Duke’s Residence shortly.”
“Yes, I’ll see you then.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Safe travels.”
Trading companies based in Delmar, mercenary guilds, various shops with ties to the Grand Duke’s family, even the banks—we visited them all.
Roan wasn’t with us today, so I ended up trailing after Varcan like some sort of assistant, with no one else to lean on.
Just as we were stepping out of the final trading company and moving toward the waiting carriage,
“Wait, please! Your Grace! Your Highness!”
A breathless voice cut through the air, and Varcan and I both stopped in our tracks, turning in unison.
From an alley beside the building, a middle-aged woman in a plain cloak came rushing toward us, breathing hard.
‘Who is she? Someone from the trading company?’
While I tilted my head in confusion, the knight escorting us moved to block her path—but Varcan raised a hand to stop him first.
The woman came to a halt before us, caught her breath for a moment, then thrust a small box into my hands.
“I… I’ve been wanting so badly to give this to you, Your Highness.”
“To me?”
A Territory Resident of Delmar was giving something to me, not to Varcan?
‘Is it a bomb?’
I glanced up at Varcan uncertainly.
He simply nodded without a word.
The look on his face said: decide for yourself whether to take it or not.
I turned back to the woman and asked.
“May I ask what this is?”
The woman smiled shyly.
“Gloves, Your Highness.”
“Gloves?”
“Yes. I heard that you’re fond of long gloves that reach to the elbow. My skill is humble, but I truly wanted to make these for you.”
……
I’d started wearing gloves to cover the toxic blood flowing through my veins and the scars unbecoming of a princess.
But it seemed the people here had spread word that I simply liked long gloves.
After a moment’s hesitation, I accepted the box.
When I opened the lid, a pair of pristine white gloves emerged.
‘Oh!’
I caught my breath internally.
Like sunlight lingering on fresh snow, the white silk gloves gleamed with subtle radiance.
Across the surface of the gloves, exquisite silver thread embroidery traced vine-like patterns in elegant waves from the back of the hand to the wrist.
It wasn’t excessive, nor could it ever be called gaudy.
Rather, the design carried a refinement rarely seen even in the famed ateliers of the Capital.
Like a work of art.
I looked between the gloves in the box and the woman’s face, asking.
“Your craftsmanship is truly exceptional. But why give such a precious thing to me? I feel certain we’ve never met before.”
The woman’s eyes softened with warmth.
“I heard about what happened in the Capital.”
“In the Capital?”
“Yes. I heard that you had a memorial monument erected for the soldiers who didn’t return from this war.”
The woman placed both hands on her chest and smiled at me with gentle affection.
“My son’s name will be engraved on that monument.”
Ah.
A short sigh escaped between my lips.
She was a bereaved family member who had lost her son in the war with Delmar.
Suddenly the box felt heavy in my hands.
I wasn’t truly Princess Evelina, but as long as I stood here wearing the shell of being Delmar’s princess, the sincere gratitude and gaze this woman offered me were anything but light.
I tightened my grip on the box and nodded slowly.
“I’ll treasure it.”
Then I answered her with a smile.
“I truly adore it.”
Relief and joy bloomed across the woman’s face.
“Thank you, Your Highness. May the days ahead bring blessings upon you both.”
The woman bowed deeply to me several times, then walked away with a lightness in her step.
I watched in silence as her figure disappeared between the alley walls.
Varcan, standing quietly beside me, followed my gaze without urging me to move.
Even after climbing into the carriage, I couldn’t set the box down.
I traced my fingertips across the lid.
Strangely, it seemed to retain warmth, though that was likely only my imagination.
‘It’s heavy.’
Just a name. All I’d done was let slip a careless word, and it left behind a name.
The body of the fallen never returned. Not a single keepsake made its way back.
Yet it stirred so many thoughts.
Then, after a brief journey, the carriage stopped again.
I’d naturally assumed we were heading to the Grand Duke’s Residence, but instead it halted before somewhere I hadn’t expected at all.
I took Varcan’s hand as he stepped down first, then descended myself.
“This place… why?”
It was the most luxurious atelier in the Merchant District, boasting the grandest scale and most resplendent appearance in the entire principality.
Bewildered, I asked the question, and Varcan gazed down at me with an impassive expression.
“The Betrothal Ceremony is in a few days, is it not.”
He added flatly.
“There may be no grand banquet, but a Prospective Grand Duchess must have a proper dress for the occasion.”
At those words, I narrowed my eyes and stared up at him pointedly.
“Lord Roan put you up to this, didn’t he?”
“…”
Varcan closed his mouth slowly.
“I knew it.”
I let out a small, surprised laugh.
“His Grace would never think of something so considerate on his own.”
“…”
Struck by my words, Varcan’s eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.
I suppressed my mounting laughter and stepped into the atelier with him.
Thanks to Varcan’s advance notice, the atelier staff stood in a line awaiting us.
A graceful woman who appeared to be the proprietor bowed respectfully.
“Welcome, Your Grace. Your Highness. I am Grace Gelang, proprietor of the Midraina Atelier. The Marquis Gelang is my husband.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marquise. I look forward to working with you.”
Grace replied with a warm smile.
“The honor is entirely mine, Your Highness.”
Shortly after, Grace showed me the dress I would wear at the Betrothal Ceremony, along with shoes and various fine accessories.
I’d expected that a northern atelier would focus solely on thickness and warmth, but I quickly realized how narrow my thinking had been.
‘The gloves that woman gave me earlier, and this atelier too—’
The designs were beautiful and elegant enough to hold their own in the finest ateliers of the Capital.
As I listened to her explanations with repeated exclamations of admiration, I carefully extended the wooden box I’d received earlier toward Grace.
“Marquise, I intend to wear these gloves at the Betrothal Ceremony.”
Grace examined the gloves inside the box.
Her eyes, which had been bright as she explained her own shop’s wares, sparkled once more.
“Goodness. Whose craftsmanship is this? Did you perhaps make them yourself, Your Highness?”
I shook my head.
“No, I’m afraid I lack such skill.”
Grace laughed with what seemed like regret and posed a playful question.
“What a shame. I’ve actually been thinking of offering you a position, as we’re rather short-handed at the shop.”
“Oh no! I should have learned earlier!”
I’d have loved to work in such a fine atelier! I replied to Grace’s jest, and she laughed softly.
Then I decided to drop a hint to Grace, who was clearly struggling with her limited staff.
“It was the work of Territory Resident, whom I met in the 23rd Street Alley five blocks from here. She was a dignified, gracious middle-aged woman.”
I casually added that the Territory Resident had opened the green door on the first floor and entered.
Grace Gelang, realizing my intention, widened her eyes and whispered something to another staff member standing behind her, issuing instructions.
As expected, I’ve always liked people with such quick perception.
I smiled and spoke.
“I’d love the Betrothal Ceremony gown to match the atmosphere of these gloves perfectly. These gloves hold very special meaning for me.”
Grace Gelang nodded with a determined, resolute gaze.
“Just give me two days, and I’ll prepare a dress that harmonizes so flawlessly it seems these gloves and it were always one.”
Grace Gelang guided me to the side and spoke.
“Your Highness, first I’ll need to take your precise measurements. Please come this way.”
I firmly shook my head.
“Could you lend me some paper and a pen?”
“Pardon?”
Grace Gelang looked puzzled but quickly brought paper and a pen.
I wrote down detailed measurements of each part of my body on the paper.
I had no intention of undressing outside and having my measurements taken.
Apart from the scars covering my body from my days as a Medicinal Herb gatherer, if a wound were to open and blood spill, it could cause serious trouble.
“Let’s use this instead. It will be accurate.”
Grace Gelang didn’t ask for reasons.
She simply bowed respectfully and accepted the paper.
“As you wish, Your Highness.”
Just as I thought it was settled, Varcan spoke to Grace Gelang.
“Keep exposure to a minimum.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If possible, I’d prefer a design that covers the neck and arms.”
“I shall do so.”
Hm?
I turned to Varcan without thinking.

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