Contrary to my bold exit, I ended up amusingly lost.
“Seriously, why is this castle so enormous?”
According to my plan, I should have already crossed over to the main building of the grand duke’s castle and been leisurely shopping by now.
But unfortunately, I was still wandering around, unable to even leave the annex.
Just then—
“Elda, did you hear the news?”
I heard voices from somewhere. They seemed to belong to young maids.
‘Hmm? This setup is…’
I pressed myself tightly against the wall and crept closer to the source of the sound.
‘At times like this, eavesdropping is a must.’
As I approached the voices, I saw a large kitchen.
It was where meals for the annex were prepared, and inside were two maids.
“They say the merchant guild head arrived at the castle this morning.”
“Oh, you mean the long-time trading partner of our grand duchy?”
“That’s right. They brought a year’s worth of supplies for the North, and the procession seemed endless.”
“Well, of course. It’s a massive trade that only happens once a year, coming all the way from the distant capital.”
“Sigh, what a shame. If only we worked in the main building instead of this shabby annex, we could’ve seen all sorts of rare treasures.”
At her companion’s grumbling, the maid named Elda chuckled.
“Don’t say that. The merchant guild head and his entourage are famously difficult guests. Everyone suffered greatly last year and the year before.”
“Ugh, so what if it’s hard? If we flatter them a bit and get some rewards, it’s totally worth it!”
“Well, I still like the annex. It’s quiet and peaceful here.”
“Good grief, you’re such a weirdo. What’s so good about serving the outcast, illegitimate young lord in this gloomy annex?”
‘What did she just say?’
I clenched my fist, glaring at the back of the maid who was complaining.
‘Should I just go smack her?’
“Marie, you shouldn’t talk about the young lord we serve like that.”
“Oh, come on. Who’s going to hear me? Sigh. The top floor of the main building, where the guests are staying, must already be overflowing with rare treasures. The skilled maids and butlers probably already pocketed a few items. Ugh, I’m so jealous!”
‘What did she just say?’
I opened my eyes wide.
Overflowing with rare treasures, she said?
And the maids and butlers might have already stolen a few items?
Unacceptable.
“I haven’t even stolen anything yet! Who dares?”
Without realizing it, I shouted angrily.
Startled, Elda turned her head toward the corner where I was hiding, tilting her head in curiosity.
“…Hmm? Did you hear something just now?”
Oops.
Realizing my mistake, I quickly bowed my head low and pressed myself tightly against the wall as if trying to disappear.
‘I am the wall. I am the air. I won’t be caught.’
“…I must have misheard. I thought I heard a mosquito buzzing.”
“A mosquito? In this freezing cold? You must’ve imagined it.”
“…Seems like it.”
‘Phew. That was close.’
Staying low, I crawled out of the kitchen as stealthily as I could.
***
The wind howled.
“Ah… Ah-choo!”
The biting, blade-like wind made me sneeze uncontrollably.
“Ugh, it’s freezing!”
I shivered, pulling the hood of my sleepwear tightly around me. I peeked again through the window into the guest room on the top floor of the main building.
“…Even more impressive than I expected…”
“…But certainly extravagant…”
“…I want to go hoooome!”
Inside the guest room, there were three individuals who were unmistakably recognizable at a glance.
The man clad in a luxurious and thick fur robe adorned with colorful jeweled rings was Noel, the merchant guild head.
Next to him, a middle-aged woman nervously pacing the room in a lavish fur coat was presumably his wife.
And the child sprawled on the floor, spinning like a top and throwing a tantrum, seemed to be their daughter.
All three were radiantly groomed, with glowing skin and well-fed bodies, a stark contrast to the harsh and barren atmosphere of the North.
“Hmm, let’s see.”
I pressed my forehead against the window and scrutinized the room like a hawk.
In one corner of the immensely spacious and lavish guest room, there was an array of what were unmistakably high-quality, expensive garments and accessories.
It seemed they were the seasonal goods meant to be sold to the duchess and the northern nobility.
“Alright, there should be at least one or two items in there that suit Sion’s taste.”
Clicking my tongue in satisfaction, I began devising a route to sneak into the room.
Out of curiosity, I tried pushing the window, but, as expected, it didn’t budge.
“Hmm. Should I break the window?”
But causing that much noise would surely get me caught.
“What to do…”
While I was pondering—
Knock, knock.
A loud knock came from the door of the guest room.
The merchant guild head and his wife hastily adjusted their attire and spoke up.
“Ahem, please, come in.”
The person who entered was a retainer who appeared to be a direct subordinate of the duchess.
He bowed politely.
“Greetings. I am Jerome, Her Grace the Grand Duchess’s direct aide. Tonight, a banquet has been prepared for Mr. Noel, the guild head, and your family. Her Grace hopes you will attend.”
“Oh, of course. We would be delighted to join.”
The merchant guild head and his wife replied, bowing with apparent gratitude.
As soon as the aide left and the door closed behind him, their attitudes changed completely.
“Tch, those Northerners are already starting to push their weight.”
“Exactly, dear. Judging by the atmosphere, it seems like they’re trying to force another ridiculous deal again this year!”
“That’s absolutely out of the question. We’ve already been losing out every time because of that trade agreement Grandfather was pressured into signing under the Imperial House’s influence.”
“According to the rumors from the Capital, the relationship between the Imperial family and the North has been strained since around two years ago. That means this year is our real chance!”
“You’re right, dear. We must strike a deal that benefits us this time. That’s why we prepared everything so thoroughly.”
“Of course! No doubt about that! …But, you don’t think the North suspects anything, do you?”
“Hey now, don’t jinx it with that kind of talk. Do you know how meticulously we prepared for this?”
“…Still, it’s a bit scary. The North has a pretty terrifying reputation, after all. Maybe I should go out and check the mood in the city. I’ll take Sonya with me for a stroll.”
“Go ahead.”
The merchant head’s wife adjusted her attire, put on a haughty expression, and left the room with her daughter.
Left alone, the merchant head paced for a moment before striding off somewhere with purpose.
“Hmm? What’s that?”
The merchant head approached the desk, where a birdcage was placed. Inside was a bird that looked rare and valuable, dozing off.
“Wake up, Perdicaius.”
At the heads call, the bird—whose plain appearance hardly suited its grand name—jerked its head up.
Piru-ruk, Piruk!
[You called for me, Master?]
“……?!”
I jumped in surprise.
Maybe it’s some kind of passive fairy ability I wasn’t aware of, but to my amazement—I could understand what the bird was saying.
The merchant head gently took Perdicaius out of the cage and tied a small scroll to the bird’s leg.
“All right, Perdicaius. Just like you were trained—fly swiftly and deliver this to my aide.”
Piru-ruk!
[Understood, Master.]
“Ha! Such a clever creature. It was worth spending the fortune I paid—enough to buy a country estate—just to get you. Your father believes in you, now off you go.”
Piruk, piruk, pirururuk.
[Master, give me food when I return.]
Grinning with satisfaction, the merchant head cradled the bird and walked toward the window where I was hiding.
“Yikes!”
I quickly pressed myself against the window frame to stay hidden.
A moment later, the window creaked open.
Screeech—
Flap flap—
With a rush of wings, Perdicaius took off into the snowy sky and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Whoooosh—
The bitter northern wind blew in through the open window, causing the merchant head to break into a coughing fit.
“Cough! Cough!!”
‘Now’s my chance!’
I zipped through the open window into the room as quickly as my eyebrows could fly.
“Cough! Cough! …Blast this wretched cold.”
Moments later, the merchant lord shut the window and collapsed into a leather sofa.
And then—
Snoooore— SNOOOORE—
He was snoring lightly, having dozed off.
“…….”
I scanned the room swiftly.
Then, with nimble moves, I shot straight toward the luxurious clothes hanging in the distance.
Inside the wardrobe and boxes were all sorts of garments and accessories in every color and style imaginable.
“Hehe, let’s see… I’m looking for something simple, yet glamorous. Classic with a trendy twist—where are you hiding?”
I darted between the clothes, eyes gleaming.
“The color should suit Sion’s ash-gray hair and blue-gray eyes… Something with enough weight to carry elegance, but not so dark it becomes gloomy…”
As I was completely immersed in my little fashion hunt—
Suddenly, the door burst open!
No knock. No warning. Just BAM!
Startled, I dove into the nearest piece of clothing for cover.
It turned out to be a flashy outfit with many frills and layered fabric.
The unannounced guest was the merchant head’s daughter.
The plump little girl ran straight up and clung to her father’s knees.
“Daddy! Daddyyy! I’m cold!”
Snore— Snore—
“Daddyyy! I need my coat!!”
Snore— Snore—
“Waaah! Seriously!”
The child, now on the verge of tears, looked around the room.
And then—she started sprinting in my direction.
I gasped and held my breath.
