RLPE Chapter 31

As soon as I opened the door to the reception room, the aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air, reminding me of my hunger. The others had waited for us and hadn’t started their tea yet.

I naturally took a seat next to Sasha, not forgetting to pinch his side discreetly.

“You really told him everything, huh?” I whispered.

Sasha, feeling guilty, just rubbed his side without defending himself. I couldn’t believe it. Until recently, Sasha and Armin had never even met, and now they were close enough to share stories about my childhood.

Armin followed me into the room and sat on the opposite sofa. The familiar scene of friends lounging together felt strange with Armin added to the mix, yet it also seemed surprisingly natural.

The focus of the gathering was undoubtedly Armin. He had mentioned not having many personal friends, so it made sense.

Lewin and Abyss asked Armin about recent rumors circulating in high society, and Armin provided answers. The conversation flowed smoothly.

“By the way, everyone’s been curious lately. About the cords decorating your sword, Young Master,” Lewin said.

The topic had shifted to Armin’s new accessory. I pretended not to know anything and casually reached for a cookie. One, two, three, four…

“Ah,” Armin acknowledged.

“I’ve searched all over the capital, but I can’t find anywhere selling those cords. Where did you get them?” Lewin asked eagerly.

Armin hesitated, wondering if he should reveal the source. I quickly swallowed the cookie I was eating. I had a feeling that if they found out I had made the cords and that they weren’t bought but handmade, it would cause trouble.

“The cords on your sword? What are those?” I asked innocently.

Armin looked at me, but Lewin, unaware of the situation, kindly explained.

“Oh, Vivian, you wouldn’t know. Sometimes people decorate their sword sheaths with cords. A few weeks ago, the Duke and the Young Master started wearing unique cords on their sheaths.”

“Really? The Duke too?”

Since the town wasn’t a place frequently visited by nobles, the outdoor terrace where we had openly made the cords hadn’t become a topic of gossip. I hadn’t seen Armin since giving him the cords, so I had no idea they had attracted so much attention.

“The person who gave them must be very thoughtful, considering even the Duke,” Abyss remarked.

I felt a bit embarrassed. I hadn’t intended to be so considerate; I had done it more as a filial duty. Receiving unexpected praise made me blush, and I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment.

However, Armin quickly dispelled Abyss’s admiration.

“It wasn’t intended as a gift. Father took them from me,” Armin said.

“Took them?” Abyss asked, surprised.

“I forgot to take the extras when I got home. She made three for me,” Armin explained.

“Oh?”

I stared at him, mouth agape, unable to form a coherent response. Armin, noticing my gaze, smiled and addressed me.

“Is there something you want to say, Lady Roha?”

In front of others, Armin referred to me politely as “Lady Roha.” His smile seemed more relaxed and gentle than before. Previously, I had found his smile intimidating, but now it seemed more cheeky.

‘Who was the one who wanted to make one for his father?’

“No, it’s nothing,”

Well, it was his property, so he could do whatever he wanted with it. It had already left my hands, so it wasn’t my place to say anything. Besides, it was amusing to think about it now.

Lewin, oblivious to the strange tension between Armin and me, brightened at the mention of three sword sheath cords.

“Three? Then there must be one left. Could you lend it to me? I just want to learn how to make it and will return it immediately,” Lewin asked eagerly.

Armin quickly shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but my mother took the last one.”

“The Duchess? Does she use a sword?” Lewin asked, puzzled.

“No.”

“Then why would the Duchess want a sword sheath cord…”

“She said it was a tax,” Armin replied with a shrug, indicating he didn’t understand it either. I was equally confused. A tax? What did that mean?

I had decided not to care since the item had left my hands, but hearing that the Duchess had taken the last cord made me regret it slightly. If I had known it would be an offering to the esteemed author, I would have made it more colorful and beautiful!

“I see. I really wanted to buy it, no matter the cost,” Lewin said, looking a bit disappointed.

I felt a bit sorry for Lewin, who was so eager to uncover the secret of the sword sheath cord.

“It’s just a sword sheath cord, after all,”

“Oh, Vivian, you might have plenty of earrings and necklaces, but we don’t,” Lewin retorted, slightly heated. He explained why he was so keen on getting Armin’s sword sheath cord.

“True fashion enthusiasts focus on the small details.”

“That’s right. Lewin is correct. And you haven’t seen it, but that sword sheath cord is made with a very intricate knot. It’s impossible to replicate just by looking at it,” Abyss added.

Unaware that I was the one who made the cord, my brother’s friends praised its craftsmanship endlessly.

“It’s the talk of the town among those who are skilled with swords these days. You probably didn’t know because you’re not interested in such things,” Lewin said.

“That’s right. Even young ladies are trying hard to make those sword sheath cords,” Abyss added.

Young ladies? What are they talking about?

“Why would they want to make them? Do they have nothing better to do?”

“It’s a romantic gesture. Their fiancés want them, but they can’t find them anywhere to buy, so they’re trying to make them themselves,” Lewin explained.

I couldn’t relate at all.

“Is it that desirable?” I asked.

I had known Lewin and Abyss for a long time. If the son of counts were so eager to have one, I thought I could make one for them.

“Of course!” Lewin exclaimed.

Abyss nodded in agreement. “Whoever made them, they could make a good profit just by taking orders from the young nobles who want them.”

“That’s right. If they could be obtained, there are many who would pay even 10 gold coins for one,” Lewin added.

‘That much?’ I thought.

The mention of money piqued my interest. Lately, my financial situation hadn’t been great, so the idea of a side job sounded appealing.

‘If I keep the source a secret and have someone take orders for me, I could do it without revealing my identity,’ I thought.

“I think I might know someone who can make them,” I said casually, trying to gauge their reaction.

Lewin and Abyss’s eyes widened with excitement. “Really? Who is it?” Lewin asked eagerly.

“I can’t reveal the source, but I can arrange for you to get one. Of course, it won’t be free,” I said, trying to sound mysterious.

“How much?” Lewin asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Let’s say… 10 gold coins each,” I suggested, remembering their earlier comment.

“Deal! I’ll take one. No, make it two!” Lewin exclaimed.

Abyss also nodded eagerly. “I’ll take one as well. And I’ll spread the word among my friends.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. This could be a lucrative side business.

“Great. I’ll need some time to prepare. I’ll let you know when they’re ready,” I said, already planning how to manage the orders secretly.

Armin watched the exchange with a amused smile, but he didn’t say anything. I wondered if he had guessed that I was the one making the cords, but his expression gave nothing away.

As the conversation continued, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This could be a fun and profitable venture, but I had to be careful not to reveal my identity. The last thing I wanted was for everyone to know that I was the one making the highly sought-after sword sheath cords.

Don’t you think I can tell him not to say I made it and send it through Sasha?

I was about to suggest that I could arrange for the sword sheath cords to be made and delivered through Sasha, keeping my identity a secret. But suddenly, Armin spoke up with a displeased expression.

“I’m sorry,” he said, looking directly at me with a hint of annoyance in his eyes. “The person who made these for me did so as a personal favor. I don’t think they would make the same for someone else.”

In other words, he was saying he would never give away the sword sheath cords.

“I see. Then there’s nothing we can do…”

Lewin looked disappointed, but I couldn’t say anything more. I had just been reminded that Armin Grey was not as gentle and kind as he seemed. He hadn’t said a word to me, but his silent pressure was clear: ‘These are mine. Don’t make them for anyone else.’

‘Well, it’s just a simple cord. It wasn’t even worth a single silver coin when I made it,’ I thought.

But since I had already agreed to pay him three bags of gold coins, the rights to the sword sheath cords belonged to Armin Grey. Even if the profit was high, I couldn’t make enough cords to equal three bags of gold coins. It would be a tremendous amount of work to make around 300 cords. I quietly picked up another cookie, not wanting to risk angering Armin and having him demand the ring as compensation.

“Oh, by the way, Lord Armin, are you participating in the swordsmanship tournament this year?” Lewin asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

The swordsmanship tournament was one of the biggest events in the capital after the harvest, but since neither Sasha nor I had any interest in swordsmanship, we never attended. Lewin, however, had been practicing swordsmanship since he was young, so he always talked about the tournament this time of year.

“You’re always mentioned as a top contender, but you’ve never participated before. Are you not participating this year either?” Lewin asked.

Armin nodded, and Lewin looked even more disappointed.

“That’s too bad. I was hoping to see your swordsmanship in action,” Lewin said.

“Is the Young Master that strong?” I asked curiously, forgetting that I had a mouth full of cookie. It came out sounding more like a challenge than a genuine question.

Before I could clarify, Armin’s eyebrow twitched, and Sasha burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha!”

Sasha laughed manically, filling the reception room with his laughter.