I couldn’t help but admire Michelle’s keen eye for fashion as she confidently presented the indigo dress and ballet flats, which were clearly a better choice than the beige dress. Just as I was about to tie a ribbon in my hair, the butler entered the room, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Oh.”
The old butler’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Seeing his reaction, Michelle’s nose seemed to rise a bit higher, feeling proud of her choice.
“How does it look, butler?”
“This is really… I did hear from the Young Master, though.”
“Even you, Butler?”
“Well, just the fact that it’s not the beige dress is enough to make this old man satisfied.”
The butler shook his head disapprovingly. I felt a bit annoyed. It was comfortable and the color was nice, so why did everyone dislike it?
“Everyone just doesn’t understand. I have to wear something comfortable when going out to the city.”
“That’s the problem, my Lady. No one knows that you are the young lady of the Roha family.”
“Judging me just by looking at my clothes? Would no one believe me if I said I was the young lady of the Roha family?”
“That’s the issue, my Lady. Please, just wait a moment.”
I hurriedly turned around. Michelle looked at me in bewilderment as I rushed to the desk.
“Are you seriously taking a book with you today?”
“No, just wait a moment.”
I took out the red jeweled ring from the drawer. Michelle gasped in surprise.
“Young lady! Is that…?”
“No, it’s not what you think! I’m just returning something I borrowed.”
“Oh.”
Michelle’s eyes widened in shock, but she didn’t say more. I grabbed my small handbag, which only contained the ring and some remaining coins, and headed downstairs.
“That was an interesting perspective. I look forward to hearing more next time.”
In the hallway, as usual, were Sasha and Armin Grey. However, Sasha’s expression was different from yesterday. The way Sasha looked at Armin Grey was full of curiosity.
“Yes, I look forward to it as well.”
Sasha did not take his eyes off Armin Grey. It was the reaction of someone who had met an interesting person. What had they talked about? I was curious, but there was no time to ask. The front door opened.
“Young lady, please travel safely.”
With the butler’s farewell, I boarded the light grey carriage of the Grey family once again.
It had been less than 24 hours since we last met, and yet we were meeting again. Unlike me, who was still unfamiliar with him, Armin Grey’s expression was calm.
“Destination.”
“Huh?”
Lost in thought, I was startled by Armin Grey’s question.
“We need to know the destination to depart.”
“Oh! Then towards the city…”
“The city?”
His expression darkened. Oh, was this not right? His negative reaction to the city made me flustered.
These days, it’s a trend for nobles to experience the culture of the common people, so even famous shops have many nobles visiting, but there’s no need for someone as prestigious as the Grey Duke to be so interested in it.
But what should I do? I couldn’t think of any other place he might like.
I quickly blurted out to Armin Grey.
“We’re going to the weapon shop.”
“Why?”
“Uh… well? Because it seems… like it would be good?”
When asked why, there was no specific reason. Maybe, just maybe, Armin Grey would have some connection to swords?
“…I see.”
Armin Grey opened the small window towards the coachman to give the destination. The rhythmic sound of the horse’s hooves hitting the ground became more pronounced as the scenery outside sped by.
“Here, take this.”
I took the ring out of my bag. However, Armin Grey did not take the ring. It seemed like he was going to, but he didn’t.
“Give it back when we return.”
“I… feel uncomfortable carrying such a valuable item.”
“If a Grey wears that ring, the surroundings will naturally record the sound. Do you want to be blackmailed again?”
That wasn’t the case. I thought I should be careful, but you never know with people.
If Armin Grey’s words were correct, giving it back when we part would be the best choice. I nodded and put the ring back in my bag.
* * *
People were staring at us.
I never cared much for the stares of commoners, but being the center of attention just by being accompanied by someone was a new experience. We had gotten off the carriage a bit earlier, as going all the way to the city center would be too crowded. We were walking along the cobblestone streets.
“Are you perhaps uncomfortable?” I cautiously asked Armin Grey. I was nervous to speak to him, as he had been wearing a stern expression since we got off the carriage.
“What do you mean by uncomfortable?”
“Being out like this with me.”
The Duchess had said that all the rumors about Armin Grey were false. So, this situation might be new to him as well.
“I’m not uncomfortable.”
“But people are staring at us.”
“That happens anywhere.”
“Oh.”
Oh, right. He was a celebrity among celebrities, a noble among nobles, the creme de la creme. Whether it was a ball or a banquet attended only by nobles, people would always talk about Armin Grey. So, the gazes of these people shouldn’t bother him.
“No, it’s just… You seem to be in a bad mood.”
“I have a question.”
“Yes?”
“Have you perhaps experienced something that made you feel threatened recently?”
The sudden question made me furrow my brows as I looked up at Armin Grey.
“What do you mean?”
“Aren’t you here to buy a weapon for self-defense?”
“What?”
“For women, a dagger would be good. It’s small enough to fit in a handbag. But its lethality is not great. Unless you’re very close, it’s practically useless.”
Huh? I had no idea what he was talking about, but Armin Grey continued with a serious expression.
“Rather than a weapon, I recommend a magical tool. I—”
“Wait, what do you mean by weapon? And what’s a magical tool?”
“Crimes usually happen in dark and remote places. A magical tool with light and sound magic would be very effective. Criminals usually flee when they encounter such a thing.”
“Do you… think I’m buying a weapon for self-defense?”
“Aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not!”
I stomped my foot in frustration. The way he looked at me, as if I were some strange creature, made my blood boil. His calm expression only fueled my anger more.
“No matter how foolish I am, I wouldn’t do something so terrible again just to benefit myself.”
“Then why are we going to the weapon shop?”
I couldn’t understand his confusion. “Because… I heard you like swords.”
“Swords?”
We were clearly speaking the same language, but communication seemed impossible. After a moment of thought, Armin Grey spoke with a hint of uncertainty.
“Were you going there for me?”
“Why else would I go to a place like that dressed like this?”
Armin Grey didn’t respond. He turned his head away, but I could see his reddened ears. Was he angry that I thought so little of him?
“Of course, compared to the things you use, it might seem shabby. But even if you eat fine meat every day, you need to try other things too, right?”
I tried to explain with a metaphor, but it seemed to go over his head.
“Meat…”
“If you’ve had good meat, you should also try fish and corn. Right?”
I adapted the original saying ‘Do people live on rice alone? Sometimes they need to eat noodles too!’ to fit the current era. People need to experience less pleasant things to appreciate what they have.
Did my metaphor make sense? Armin Grey nodded slowly. When he turned back to face me, his ears, which had been red, had returned to their normal color.
I felt a bit guilty, but Armin Grey was truly a strange person. One moment he was angry, the next he was smiling. He was very unpredictable.
“It’s just for fun. Just for fun. Experiencing things can be enjoyable too, right? You’ve never done it before?”
Armin Grey nodded. Of course, nobles wouldn’t know the joy of window shopping. They would just say, ‘I want everything from here to there!’
“If you see something you like, just let me know. I brought all my money with me today.”
I had some money left from buying the author’s book, so I should be able to afford something decent.
I heard Armin Grey’s laughter in my ear.
‘Huh?’
The pleasant, low sound made me turn my head towards him. Unlike his usual cold and sharp laughter, this time it was softer and warmer. I found myself staring at him, captivated.
“Lead the way.”
Of course, that laugh disappeared quickly, but still.
