“We found the child you mentioned. They said they found him yesterday and are bringing him back now.”
“Ah, that’s why you got the information.”
Nina nodded her head repeatedly. No matter how I look at her, she doesn’t look like an assassin.
“Does Milady need anything else?”
“Um… not yet. Looks like I will have to go out soon.”
I remembered what Sir Shubart had said over breakfast this morning.
* * *
It had been a long time since we had breakfast together.
“I decided to get rid of the old serpent first.”
The old serpent he was talking about refers to the empress’s mother. Sir Shubart said the empress was a serpent from time to time when he saw the empress.
The empress whom mother and Sir Shubart refer to is very different from the empress whom the people of the empire know. For them, she was a gracious empress who was praised as the mother of the empire itself.
“When?”
“They said she’s going to recuperate in Denta the day after tomorrow.”
“Denta…”
Sir Shubart placed another plate of food in front of me again as I muttered, putting the salad in my mouth.
“They move when the ground is muddy. It rained so much yesterday.”
“It’s the perfect weather for an accident.”
A few years ago, the emperor and the empress’s aides disappeared one by one, disguised as an accidental death. Sir Shubart was busy preparing for this and that, but it seems he’s about to cut off their people again. I didn’t know about that when I was young.
“I hope you don’t do anything dangerous.”
I tried not to say anything but ended up saying something.
Sir Shubart put down his glass and looked at me. At that moment, I thought I shouldn’t have said it.
“Yes, I will be careful. Bella told me to be careful, so of course, I must be careful.”
“I think the doctor will come again today from the imperial family. I don’t think he should come anymore, but he keeps sending him here.”
“Looks like he has fallen hard.”
I just shrugged at the joke.
“Eii, no way.”
“It’s quite possible. More than that, don’t you feel frustrated with your situation?”
“It’s frustrating.”
When I spoke without hesitation, Sir Shubart raised his glass again and burst into laughter.
“Yes, a month was too much.”
“Even in the North, it wasn’t like this.”
“But I was dangerous. I need to clean up the surroundings. I’m sorry.”
“Then can I go out today? Or tomorrow?”
Sir Shubart laughed again. I was worried for a moment that he wouldn’t laugh like that again and say no.
“Always keep Ian next to you. That rascal won’t betray you.”
“Sir Shubart, you didn’t tell me on purpose, didn’t you?”
Sir Shubart raised his eyebrows.
“Huh? You mean he’s the rascal that you saved?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I made a fuss about it, Sir Shubart burst into laughter again. He had already laughed three times, and he looked delighted today.
“I wanted to give him a chance to say hello in person. Still, that rascal is not as cool as I thought.”
“Still, he bought me a cake.”
“That’s a bit useful.”
Since Sir Shubart is constantly cutting meat and vegetables and then putting them on my plate without even taking a bite, my stomach bursts after finishing two plates in the morning.
“Don’t go around too late at night.”
“I’m not a kid.”
Sir Shubart looked at me again. I tilted my head and asked,
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“Let’s hang in there a little longer.”
“That’s unexpected.”
It was more goodbye than saying goodbye.
* * *
Back to the present.
“He said the day after tomorrow.”
Since my ban was lifted, there was nothing more to think about. Shouldn’t I reduce my sins a little bit?
It was a good time to use the excuse of feeling stuffy. Fortunately, it didn’t rain today, and the cold weather was also getting warmer as spring was coming soon.
The doctor also went pretty quickly. I wish I had a little more time, but I should have used it as I wished.
“I’m going out right away. Lisa and Nina, can both of you prepare?”
“Yes, of course, Milady!”
“I’ll be ready right away.”
I called Lisa as usual because I thought ordering anything for the new worker was suspicious. In addition, except for the information transactions under the guise of extra work or errands, Lisa was more likely to be called.
However, when Nina came in a few days ago, Lisa was a little wary. Then, the two of them exchanged opinions on something as if they had already become close and then left quickly.
Maybe it’s a coincidence, but since they’re the same, they might get along well. It was a relief that there was nothing to worry about.
“Go to the boutique I went to before.”
As soon as I got on the carriage after getting ready, I decided where we were going. It’s the boutique I stopped by when I first came to the capital. Ian nodded and closed the door. Soon the carriage set out.
Going back to the boutique I went to before is also a part of the plan, but because the boutique is a women’s space, I can solve quite a lot of things. I used to order only the clothes I needed, but I plan to actively use them today. Sometimes, if you pay someone for errands, they do a lot of work for me.
And the reason why I went to the boutique under Sir Shubart’s hands, not from what Iskar had prepared, was none other than the Madame. In fact, she has excellent skills, but she has been working closely with Bei for several years. To be exact, she had been helped by Sir Shubart, so she has been doing business steadily since then.
In addition, the information I hear in the boutique is quite good, so even if Sir Shubart buys that boutique, that boutique will be operated without difficulty. That’s why Sir Shubart recommended that place. The reason why I choose her is that I know she’s working hard to raise her far-fetched money.
Lisa and Nina whispered quite often, even in the carriage. They giggled and nodded their heads. I could see them lowering their voice so they wouldn’t bother me as much as possible, so instead of scolding them, I turned my face to the window.
Lisa doesn’t even talk to me unless it’s something unexpected. As soon as we arrived at the boutique, the Madame came out and greeted me. Guiding me to the sofa and serving tea, she asked,
“Thank you for coming again. What kind of design do you need today?”
“I wanted to order something light for a change of mood. Spring is coming soon, so I’m considering matching it with a dress. It’s not urgent, so you just have to finish it before spring comes.”
“Of course. Shall we proceed with the measurements we took before? I think you’re a little thinner than then, but if you don’t mind, I think it’ll be good to measure it again.”
With that being said, I put down my teacup and got up.
“I think that would be good. Can I go inside?”
“Yes. Please follow me.”
I followed the Madame inside. I turned the corner and went to the door. The door snapped shut.
“Since Lady ordered a strong color last time, how about a pastel tone this time?”
“Do as you please, Madam. You have good eyes to see.”
“I’m flattered. I will begin to measure, Lady.”
As soon as she approached with a tape measure and tried to take measurements, a child hurriedly jumped out of the curtain inside the dressing room. The child came from a place where the fabric was stacked and covered.
“Uaah! It’s a ghost!”
“Oh my!”
Madame, who was trying to measure my body gracefully with the tape measure, was surprised and missed the tape measure. Her eyes widened, and she hurriedly grabbed the child with a pale face.
I was surprised too, so I took a step back, lowered my hand, and asked,
“A child?”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t let him come here! Go ahead and apologize!”
The boy, who came out with a big smile, looked puzzled.
“…I’m sorry…”
The boy bent down, brought his hands near his belly button, and his waist was folded in half. Perhaps he was hiding in secret to play prank ghost.
I didn’t know she brought a child here, though.
“Is he Madame’s child?”
Madame hurriedly let the child out and locked the door again. The contemplated Madame bowed.
“No, I’m taking care of him. There is a single mother among the employees. I apologize once again. I’m so sorry.” It’s okay. It can happen. It’s quite amazing that he’s hiding his presence so well.”
Then Madame’s face became more relaxed. Until just now, her face was pale as if she had seen a ghost.
“Thank you for your understanding. I’ll be careful not to let this happen again.”
She sounded like she told me to rest assured, and suddenly she took off my coat and raised my arm to measure it. I already thought about it, but she’s really pretty good with her words. Even as an adult, I can’t help but be surprised about it.
“I’m okay. You don’t have to worry.”
“Thank you. I’ll begin to measure.”
I raised my arms again as if the situation had never happened before.
