The Northern Mad Dog Is Wagging Its Tail

 

  In yesterday’s tumultuous events, Britia had finally managed to drive out Harty Slanford. Yet, she couldn’t fathom why she had to face an unwelcome guest again today.

 

  “Weren’t we clear about this yesterday?”

 

  Britia’s head still throbbed at the mere recollection of yesterday’s events.

 

  Harty Slanford ranted, covering his face with his hair, claiming that the bump on his forehead would be invisible to anyone. He even demanded her beloved scarf, vowing not to reveal his bump until he returned home.

 

  Ultimately, after a heated confrontation, he had firmly promised not to bother her at the Lockhart mansion again, and not even a day had passed since that.

 

  “But why are both of you here today?”

 

  With Harty Slanford frowning and even Kyra giving her a sidelong glance, Britia couldn’t believe her eyes.

 

  “Are you so lacking that you now need two of you to torment me? If that’s the case, please return my scarf.”

 

  As soon as Britia extended her hand towards them, Kyra, who had been staring at her palm, let out a smirk.

 

  “Why do you assume that we came here just to torment you?”

 

  “Considering everything you two have done to me until now, it’s only natural to think that way.”

 

  “Ahaha, that’s a fair point. But not today. We have some business to attend to.”

 

  Kyra lightly chuckled and sought agreement from Harty. Seated with Kyra’s arm draped over her shoulders, Harty leaned back, his chubby face contorting as if in pain, and he stroked his chin.

 

 “Alright, fine. If you won’t talk, I’ll have to. Britia, there’s a place we hope you’d accompany us to today.”

 

  “A place you hope I’d accompany you to?”

 

  Britia raised an eyebrow, curious about the destination. Kyra then got up from her seat.

 

  “Can’t we talk about it as we go?”

 

  Urging Britia to get up quickly, Kyra spoke. However, Britia shook her head.

 

  “I don’t want to follow you both without knowing what it’s about. I don’t even know what’s going on.”

 

  If they were trustworthy people, maybe. But what exactly could she believe and follow those two for? Britia firmly declined.

 

  “Don’t worry, it’s not some strange place we’re going to. We’re just going to the dressing room.”

 

  “Why suddenly clothing shop room?”

 

  As Britia furrowed her brow in puzzlement, Kyra exchanged a glance with Harty and moved her lips.

 

  “Because we’re watching a play tomorrow. With Duke Turas-nim.”

 

  “How did you know about the fact that we’re watching a play tomorrow?”

 

  Britia was surprised and asked. When she accepted Sig’s invitation, she could already anticipate that Harty might try to interfere, so she had asked him to communicate the detailed schedule through letters. Therefore, she hadn’t given them any information about when she was going to watch the play.

 

  “Because Harty Slanford is Duke Turas-nim’s stalker.”

 

  “Kyra, I’m not a stalker of Duke-nim. I’m just watching over him from behind to ensure he remains perfect. If you must refer to me as something related to Duke-nim, call me a guardian.”

 

  Harty, who had been steadfastly silent and hadn’t uttered a word of agreement, stared at Kyra menacingly and continued speaking without taking a breath.

 

  “People call that stalking.”

 

  Kyra said mockingly, causing Harty to glare at her and lightly bite his lower lip.

 

  “But I don’t understand. It’s true we’re going to watch the play tomorrow. But why are we going to the clothing shop?”

 

  “Are you really planning to go wearing the same shabby clothes as yesterday?”

 

  Harty raised his head and looked at Britia incredulously.

 

  “Shabby? Of course, if you were going to a party wearing that, I could somewhat understand Lord Marquis’s criticism, but for me to wear that and go to Duke-nim’s residence where a small gathering will take place…”

 

  Britia gazed at the two of them, her eyes full of a sense of injustice, and her voice trailed off in frustration. Sig had certainly mentioned in his letter that the play would be performed at home, and if they had time, he would come to pick her up at the Lockhart mansion.

 

  But why did she feel an uneasy premonition that she might have misunderstood something, looking at the expressions in the eyes of the two people?

 

  “Do not assume that your concept of ‘small’ is the same as his.”

 

  When Harty spoke bluntly, Britia grew even more perplexed.

 

  “Maybe you’ll roughly understand if I put it this way. If I were to line up all the dresses I’ve bought so far in order of the highest price, the dress tailored for me tomorrow would undoubtedly be the first.”

 

  “You were also invited?”

 

  Britia couldn’t believe it if Sig had invited him. He wasn’t that close to Sig personally. Could this mean something of the grand party level is happening?

 

  “Harty received the invitation, but thanks to you, the rules suddenly changed so that I finally got a chance.”

 

  “What?”

 

  “I’ve been watching Harty get invited every year, just sucking his thumb. But this year, the rules suddenly changed so that he can bring one partner. Right after you accepted his invitation.”

 

  Kyra grinned and put her hand on Britia’s shoulder.

 

  “I won’t say thank you. I’ve done it for myself, so that I can prevent you from wearing clothes that don’t match the atmosphere there and embarrass yourself.”

 

  Britia followed Kyra and Harty into the dressing room they often used. The familiar staff recognized their faces and guided the two silent individuals to the first and second floors.

 

  “Bring out everything we’ve prepared in advance. She’s going to wear them, so take her measurements.”

 

  “What? Are you telling me to wear something you’ve prepared?”

 

  “Then can you start tailoring the dress right now?”

 

  “I’m fine with something off-the-rack!”

 

  Britia clapped her hands and asked for ready-made items, prompting Kyra to push her into a more secluded area.

 

  “We don’t have that here.”

 

  The composed dressing room staff lifted their heads and took Britia’s measurements without a hint of confusion.

 

  “No, red doesn’t suit her much.”

 

  As Britia spent time with the wordless staff and suffocating silence, she finally emerged from the area, only for Kyra to give her a stern look and declare while pointing at the dress she was wearing.

 

  “White would be better. Put this one on.”

 

  Before Britia could express her opinion, the dressing room staff members ushered her behind the partition.

 

  “Excuse me.”

 

  She called out in a hushed voice, making sure Kyra outside couldn’t hear her, to the busy staff gesturing with their hands.

 

  “Could you possibly tell me the price of this dress?”

 

  The texture against her skin, the embellishments, the lace – everything was of top quality. A dress like this would undoubtedly come with a price tag she couldn’t afford. Moreover, without planning for such an expense, her financial situation was another factor to consider.

 

  “As expected, white is better. But your expression isn’t great. Try to look a bit more pleased.”

 

  Kyra pointed out as Britia emerged from behind with a face as if she had seen a ghost.

 

  “I understand how important tomorrow’s event is. But it’s okay. This is a price I can’t afford.”

 

  Already, because of Robley, Britia was tightening her belt due to financial uncertainties in her future. She couldn’t suddenly make such an unreasonable expense.

 

  If it was about a good dress, she had already consulted a designer last time. She could just wear that one again.

 

  “Since it’s tailored for you, you should wear it.”

 

  Afraid that the dress might get damaged and she would ultimately have to buy it, Britia wanted to quickly escape from this money-eating monster. Kyra then signaled the staff to step away for a moment and approached Britia.

 

  “Britia, let’s make a deal.”

 

  Speaking in a hushed voice as if whispering the words of a devil, Kyra proposed to Britia.

 

  “I’ll gift you this dress. In return, you’ll grant my request.”

 

  “What kind of scheme are you planning to put me through?”

 

  The condition of exchanging for such an expensive dress was terrifying even before hearing it.

 

  “It’s not something difficult. Tomorrow, when I give you a signal, you introduce me to the people present at that event.”

 

  “Introduce you? You’re saying that you’ll buy me this dress just to make such a simple request?”

 

  How remarkable must these people be to make such a place? Britia was puzzled.

 

  “I’d like you to introduce me as your very kind friend.”

 

  Britia’s body trembled. After a moment of contemplation, she looked up at Kyra with a serious expression.

 

  “But you’re not kind.”

 

  “If you don’t want to, that’s fine. You don’t have to say it. Instead, just casually mention that I really enjoy drawing and, well, that I’m really good at it.”

 

  “You, draw?”

 

  As Britia stared at her in astonishment, one of Kyra’s eyebrows arched.

 

  “Why? Does it look like I wouldn’t?”

 

  Britia couldn’t come up with an immediate response. It wasn’t that she looked like she wouldn’t draw, but rather that she seemed disinterested in things like drawing. Imagining Kyra calmly sketching seemed odd, somehow.

 

  Was she saying that she could draw?

 

  “But you say you’re good at it. I’ve never seen anything like your drawings before. Are you lying about being good at it?”

 

  Perhaps it sounded suspicious, so Kyra shrugged when asked.

 

  “What do you gain from lying like that?”

 

  “Right now, you’re probably assuming that I can’t draw. I’ll tell you why I’m asking for your help if you agree to my request properly.”

 

  There was something dubious about her secretive pleading.

 

  “Why are you trying to ask me? What about Lord Slanford?”

 

  “I had a hunch. But more than that, I believe you would be much more effective than him.”

 

  Why would Kyra be engaging in such a covert deal for an event that was attended by the likes of Lord Slanford?

 

  “I was actually debating about whether white would suit me better than I thought, but it really suits you. It looks beautiful on you. Clearly, it’s yours to keep.”

 

 So, can we consider the deal as settled?

 

  Kyra’s deep red eyes seemed to say that.

 

  Britia felt a sense of trepidation about what might unfold the next day.

 

***

 

  The following day, as promised, Sig came to Lockhart Manor to escort Britia. She sat facing him in the carriage, pondering how to initiate the conversation.

 

  “You look beautiful today. Especially in that dress.”

 

  While she was deep in thought, Sig spoke as he looked at Britia. She thanked him in response, but receiving praise for the dress that she had obtained through a suspicious deal with Kyra left her feeling conflicted.

 

  “But your expression isn’t particularly bright today.”

 

  Sig remarked, as if he could sense her inner turmoil. Britia was about to come up with an excuse, but then she let out a sigh.

 

  “Actually, I met Lord Slanford yesterday. I heard that he’s also been invited to the play today, but the story I heard from him is slightly different from what I knew.”

 

  She decided to ask him directly about the matter.

 

  Summoning her resolve, Britia broached the topic.

 

  “…Is he also coming today?”

 

  However, in response to Sig’s question, she blinked rapidly.

 

  “Isn’t he invited by Duke-nim?”

 

  It was odd that she would inquire why someone invited by Duke-nim was coming to meet her.

 

  “It’s not that. The host of today’s play is my brother, so if Lord Slanford is coming, he must have received an invitation from my brother.”

 

  “Your brother?”

 

  Britia, who believed that Sig Turas had no siblings, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

 

  “The play is also being held at my brother’s residence.”

 

  And in just 30 seconds, Britia realized that the term “brother” referred to the crown prince of the country, and that his residence was actually the palace.

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