75

 

For a moment, my eyes narrowed.

R. B.

An abbreviation common throughout the empire.

Given that the shop’s name is Baker, one would typically think it’s the initials of the shop owner’s name.

But if you flip those initials…

‘Benedict Luneburg.’

…If you’re going to send a bird out of the blue, could you at least give me a heads-up?

Grumbling inwardly, I maintained a calm exterior as I looked at the maid.

“That’s right. It’s the bird I ordered.”

“Oh, I see.”

The maid nodded without much suspicion.

After all, raising flowers, birds, cats, or small animals like puppies is a common hobby among ladies.

“Oh, and a pie was delivered from the Pamier Pie House.”

“Leave it and go.”

The maid bowed her head and placed the pie box on the table before leaving.

I immediately picked up a fork and knife.

As I cut into the cherry pie, a small, rolled-up note popped out.

<Dear Lady Lepherian,

We understand you may be surprised by the sudden gift.

This bird is a messenger pigeon used by our trading company, trained to return to our main branch no matter where it is released from.

You can send it when you need to urgently contact us.>

 

‘This pigeon is a messenger pigeon directly used by the Schmaikel Trading Company?’

I looked back at the pigeon, a bit surprised.

The pigeon blinked its gentle eyes at me.

“Coo, coo.”

Training a pigeon requires significant cost and time, so I knew they were highly valued by the trading company.

‘…Benedict has been quite generous this time.’

Admittedly, the current method of communication was somewhat inefficient.

Sending an uninformed servant to the pie shop, then delivering the pie with a hidden note.

It was rather unsuitable for urgent situations.

<The auction schedule has also been confirmed.

It will take place on August 13, at 7 PM.

Since there are preparations needed before entering the auction house, please come to the Baker Shop by 5 PM, and we will assist you.>

‘Good.’

I coldly narrowed my eyes.

* * *

So, on the day of the auction.

I headed to the Baker Shop.

The Baker Shop sold birds or bird-related items.

Catering mainly to noble ladies, the shop had an overall lovely atmosphere.

Colorful parakeets and bright yellow canaries chirped from their cages.

“Please come this way.”

The staff, who seemed to have been informed about me in advance, skillfully guided me inside the shop.

When I entered a room set up in the back,

“Welcome, Lady Lepherian.”

Benedict, dressed in a splendid suit, greeted me.

Unlike his usual emphasis on practicality, today’s Benedict was dressed in a manner that wouldn’t be out of place beside royalty.

I lightly greeted Benedict.

“Hello, Count. I received the gift you sent.”

“Did you like it?”

“Yes, it’s very cute. Thank you very much.”

I replied sincerely.

Aside from the fact that it was a messenger pigeon meticulously raised by the Schmaikel Trading Company.

The pigeon was also very endearing as a pet.

Its warm and soft texture was delightful, and whenever I fed it, it looked at me with its round, black eyes, which was incredibly charming.

“…”

Benedict gazed at me with a curious look.

‘Why is he looking at me like that?’

I wondered a bit.

At the same time, Benedict spoke up.

“Somehow, it feels like it’s the first time I’ve seen you smile so brightly, Lady Lepherian.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Quite…”

Benedict gave a faint smile.

“It’s a good sight.”

“…”

I felt a bit awkward.

The current Benedict was, how should I say it…

He seemed to be looking at me as a person, not as a commodity.

And at least from that man, I never even wished for such a gaze.

We were in a relationship where we only held hands when necessary and parted ways when it was over.

At that moment, Benedict spoke in a businesslike manner.

“I have prepared a dress, mask, and wig for you to change into. The staff will assist you with changing.”

Ah, right.

The dress I was wearing was the one I had worn since leaving the boarding school.

It would be safer to change into another dress before entering the auction house.

“Thank you for your consideration. Then, about the cost…”

“It’s fine. Consider it a gift from me.”

Benedict answered decisively.

“Well, if that’s the case.”

Shrugging, I followed the staff to the dressing room.

 

* * *

 

Elze hid herself behind the dressing room door.

Click.

The door closed.

Benedict pressed his forehead and let out a long sigh.

“Sigh…”

Why was it?

The reason why Elze smiled so brightly at a mere pigeon.

She had been indifferent to valuable jewels, luxurious dresses, and even the huge profits earned from the Palasso business.

But she smiled like that at just a pigeon.

She seemed truly alive, like a normal woman you could see anywhere, not the beautiful doll who blindly clung to the Marquis Offenheir…

And.

‘Why am I…’

Benedict frowned and closed his eyes.

He remembered how his heart sank the moment he witnessed that smile.

But.

‘That’s impossible.’

It couldn’t be.

Elze and he were merely business partners.

There was no reason for him to have special feelings for her.

She was just the Marquis’s toy…

Benedict desperately tried to convince himself.

Yet, he couldn’t stop his heart from fluttering.

…There was no way to control it.

* * *

After changing into the dress, adjusting the wig to look natural, and packing the butterfly mask that matched the dress into a handbag,

there was exactly one hour left until the auction started.

‘The dress fits perfectly.’

Feeling a bit bewildered, I looked down at the red dress that fit my body without a flaw.

‘How did he find out my exact measurements?’

But that question was easily answered.

“I ordered the dress under Lady Lepherian’s name from Madame Tilda.”

Benedict, who answered my question without blinking, extended his hand to me.

“Shall we go then?”

“Ah, yes.”

I placed my hand on top of Benedict’s.

A splendid carriage was waiting at the back of the shop.

As soon as I got into the carriage with Benedict’s escort, it started moving.

As expected of the personal carriage of the head of the Schmaikel Trading Company.

The ride was almost completely smooth.

‘Now that I think about it…’

I glanced at Benedict, who was sitting opposite me.

‘Hmm, this is a bit unsettling.’

Being alone with Benedict in the carriage felt different.

Previously, when we were alone, it was usually to conduct business.

But now, somehow…

The Benedict dressed as a shop employee, sitting casually on a chair, and the gentleman sitting in front of me now, felt entirely different…

Noticing my gaze, Benedict glanced up.

“Don’t worry too much. The insurance you mentioned has been well prepared.”

“Thank you.”

Yes, at least I could trust Benedict’s work.

I nodded, feeling reassured.

But then.

“Why did you become the lover of the Marquis Offenheir?”

Benedict suddenly asked.

‘…What is this about now?’

I looked at Benedict and shrugged.

“I thought the whole capital knew the story of how I became the Marquis’s lover.”

“Well, yes. Even as an informant, I know the details of how you became lovers better than most.”

Benedict shrugged lightly and looked at me seriously.

“But I want to hear it directly from you. Why did you genuinely fall in love with the Marquis?”

TL/N: Sorry but for now only 2 chaps are unlocked and other 5 are locked they will open again on next sundayy