Episode 39

I walked along the street, looking for traces of the book in the scene before me. Sete Street was a place Sonia often visited when running errands for the head maid at Lunatia Mansion.

“Your Grace, you can purchase the items you’re looking for at the shop to your left. It’s the largest store for everyday necessities here.”

“Really?”

I nodded casually and entered the shop Creedman indicated.

It seemed this world didn’t have something like string, as the shopkeeper brought out a thin rope made from twisted straw. Though it didn’t look very sturdy, it held up well when I tugged on it, indicating its strength.

After paying for it, I left the shop.

“Now, let’s head back to the carriage.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

“We’ve come all this way. Can’t we look around a bit?”

I smiled brightly at Selena and Creedman. This had been my goal from the start.

I wasn’t ready to head back yet, my nose craving more fresh air.

“There’s no reason why not.”

Selena checked her pocket watch and looked up at Creedman, who nodded in agreement.

“Please, let us know where you’d like to go, and we’ll escort you.”

“Oh, there’s no specific destination. I just want to wander around.”

“In that case, I’ll take you to the most popular spots on Sete Street.”

“Great.”

I replied with a cheerful smile. Selena also seemed excited about the rare outing.

Despite his stern appearance, Creedman was perceptive and flexible. Remembering the drunken incident made me a bit embarrassed, but he seemed unfazed by it. That made it easy for me to interact with him.

He quickly identified and led us to places that women my age would enjoy. Thanks to Creedman, Selena and I could comfortably explore Sete Street.

We stopped in front of a shop selling quaint accessories. Judging by the quality and price of the items, it catered to the wealthier commoners.

“Creedman, you seem quite knowledgeable about Sete Street.”

I asked, examining a delicately crafted garnet brooch.

“I grew up in this area, so I know a bit more than others.”

Creedman responded in his characteristically monotone voice.

“Hmm? That’s not what I meant.”

“Pardon?”

Creedman looked at me blankly. I put down the brooch and looked at him.

“I mean, it’s impressive how you know just the right places to take us.”

“…”

“You seem to know exactly what places women would like, without hesitation.”

“…”

“Have you been on many dates?”

“…!”

Creedman’s eyes widened in shock.

It seemed everyone in this household was like their master. The way his pupils were trembling reminded me exactly of Apollion.

What’s the big deal about having been on many dates?

Seeing his face turn bright red, I felt a mischievous urge to whistle.

They say the most fun things to watch are fights and other people’s love affairs.

To be so shy about something like this. Creedman, contrary to appearances, seemed to be quite bashful.

“You’re still at that prime age, I suppose.”

“Your Grace…”

“Why are you so surprised? You’re making me feel awkward.”

“I apologize.”

“No need to apologize.”

From our interaction at the drunken luncheon, I had a sense that Creedman was the type who was fun to tease.

Despite his stern demeanor and large build, he seemed to be a softie like Apollion. In other words, he was tough on the outside but tender inside.

“Being attentive like this must be basic to get affection from a lover?”

“Your Grace…”

Seeing that he didn’t deny it, he must indeed have a lover.

“Oh, I wonder if your lover knows how attentive you are. I’m so envious!”

In truth, I was genuinely envious. I was so envious I could cry.

Here I was, unable to even hold hands with my husband. Yet this young fellow, who looked much younger than me (at least by my body’s standards), was enjoying a romantic relationship…!

Of course, Creedman didn’t exactly fit the description of a “youngster,” but to me, anyone younger than me was.

He was only three years younger than Apollion and, at 23, was at the prime age for romance. The whole world must look like a flower garden to him.

As I stared intently at Creedman, I shifted my gaze to the short knight next to him. This knight, named Dike, appeared to be four or five years older than Creedman.

“And you, Sir…”

“I have two daughters.”

“…”

Unlike Creedman, who was blushing and frozen, Dike responded with a warm smile. His drooping eyes gave him a friendly look.

“My youngest just turned two the other day.”

“They must be adorable.”

I nodded absentmindedly and exited the shop.

I had nothing to say to someone who had two children.

It seemed like the whole world was rosy except for Apollion and me…

I lamented as I walked down the street. It felt like everyone but us was happily in love.

“How could you do this to me!”

At that moment, a young girl’s angry voice echoed through the street. Though her words were slurred, her voice was sharp and resolute.

My head naturally turned towards the source of the sound.

I saw a young girl with a sorrowful expression on the verge of tears, and a boy standing in front of her with his head hung low.

“Mi-mianhae, Ariana…”

The boy in front of the girl bowed his head even lower, apologizing.

“How could you! How could you leave me! Huh?”

“I don’t want to leave either…”

“You promised! You promised we’d get married and travel the world in a hundred days!”

“Oh my.”

Selena covered her mouth, astonished. Creedman’s expression was blank, his mouth slightly open, and Dike almost dropped his sword hilt.

“It’s not my choice to move… But I’ll write to you…”

“No! Absolutely not! I can’t let Sion leave! Our world trip, our hundred-day promise!”

The girl wailed and sat down on the ground, crying. The boy pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, but it was futile.

Just then, a woman with an apron emerged from a nearby bookstore.

The woman picked up the crying girl. She seemed to be the girl’s mother.

“Oh dear, you’re making a scene! Who cries lying on the ground like that!”

“S-Sion is moving away without me!”

“Do you think it makes sense for Sion to stay here while his family moves?”

“Mom, you take care of him! Sion and I can stay together! Waaaah!”

“…This won’t do. Sion, you should head home. Your parents are waiting.”

“No, I can’t leave Ariana alone while she’s crying…”

“She’s not alone. I’m right here. Don’t worry and go. You can see Ariana again tomorrow. You still have a week before you move.”

“But…”

The woman’s expression hardened. She said a few more words to the boy, then carried the crying girl inside the bookstore.

The cries of “Sion” gradually faded away. The boy lingered for a while before slowly walking home.

It was a melodramatic romance between preschoolers, tears and all.

“What did I just witness?”

“Indeed…”

“Kids these days are quite something…”

I mumbled, looking at the bookstore’s sign.

Judging by the girl’s voice and determination, she was destined for greatness. Whatever she would become, she would surely make a big impact.

“Oh, Your Grace! Where are you going?”

I began walking towards the bookstore where the girl had been taken. From my accumulated experience with romance novels, it was clear that this bookstore was not to be missed.

“Your Grace! Wait for us!”

Selena, Creedman, and Dike hurriedly followed me.

A strong instinct led me towards the bookstore.

 

＊＊＊

 

Upon entering the bookstore, I heard the muffled sounds of the girl’s continued sobbing. As her cries subsided, a woman who appeared to be the shop owner emerged from a room at the back.

“Oh, we have customers.”

The woman smiled awkwardly, then widened her eyes upon noticing my attire. She must have realized I was a noble.

“…It was quite noisy, wasn’t it? I apologize.”

“No need. Children grow up crying.”

I responded with a kindly expression, walking further into the bookstore. The woman, clasping her hands together, approached me.

“Are you looking for any particular book?”

“Not really. I just wanted to browse.”

“I see. Please, take your time.”

She smiled and discreetly stepped back.

Pretending to browse, I kept glancing at the room where the girl had been taken.

The room at the back seemed to be a typical living space, like those found in neighborhood stationery shops or small supermarkets.

I moved towards it naturally. As I got closer, I heard the girl occasionally sniffling.

Suppressing a laugh, I picked up a book. The cover depicted a happily smiling family of four.

 

<Effective Communication for a Happy Family>

 

The title was self-explanatory.

I appreciated the author’s intent, but in this world, where patriarchy and authoritarianism were deeply rooted, it seemed rather useless.

I put the book down and checked the category I was in: marriage and family.

“So, they have things like this here.”

I scanned the unevenly shelved books with my eyes.

But my real goal wasn’t the books. I aimed to meet the determined young girl who seemed destined to be the next romance novel heroine.

It wouldn’t do to scare her by calling her out directly, so I planned to wait for her to come out and then naturally start a conversation.

However, the girl seemed to still be crying and hadn’t emerged from the room. The occasional sounds of her blowing her nose confirmed it.