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"You really don’t have to worry about… giving a thank-you gift or anything!"
"I just wanted to do it."
It was an excuse to meet the informant, yes. But even without that reason, her desire to show gratitude was sincere.
After all, just looking at the snow globe brought such joy that it made her giggle to herself.
"While I’m at it, I’d also like to buy something for Father-in-law."
The moment she brought up her father-in-law, Serge's expression soured slightly.
Still, he gave a small nod, seemingly understanding her wish to go out alone.
"…Very well. Then I’ll wait for your return, Lady Railey."
"Okay! I’ll bring back some delicious snacks too."
"You really don’t need to bother with that…"
He spoke with a dignified tone, but the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips made it obvious he was pleased by his wife’s thoughtful words.
Railey, meanwhile, vowed to sweep through every famous bakery in the capital on her way back.
***
Railey chuckled as she looked at Parnel seated across from her in the carriage.
"So, you’re officially my bodyguard now, right?"
"That’s correct, my lady. The formal appointment will take place once we return to the estate, but I’ve already received provisional approval. I’m now permitted to carry a sword."
Though she wasn’t wearing an official knight’s uniform, Parnel tapped her sword hilt with a smile.
"Of course, to a Swordmaster, a weapon is just a conduit to channel aura."
The destructive power of a Swordmaster didn’t lie in the sharpness of their blade, but in the devastating magic channeled through it.
That she had gained the approval of the knight commander who protected the Duke himself said enough about her skills, it wasn’t hard to imagine how formidable she must be.
"I, Parnel, will become the sword and shield of Lady Railey Elestine, and protect you with my life."
With that vow, Parnel pressed her lips to the back of Railey’s hand.
A sworn bodyguard placed the utmost priority on the one they pledged to, protecting their secrets above all else.
It was an old tradition, but it filled Railey with an odd mix of bashfulness and delight.
Trying to play it off, she said.
"But we agreed you’d just call me by name when we’re alone."
"Understood, Railey."
"Mm, and since you’re my bodyguard now, that means you’ll keep my secrets, right?"
"Of course."
"Actually, after the shop today, I might stop by... somewhere else. Will you keep that secret too?"
"Naturally. I won’t reveal your whereabouts to anyone, not just today, but from now on as well."
"You really are on my side, Parnel!"
At those words, Parnel felt a faint ache in her chest, recalling something Serge had once told her.
The young master had already instructed her to always prioritize his wife above all else. With his permission, keeping a few secrets for the young madam was no problem at all.
Of course, she had no way of knowing just how serious, or dangerous, those secrets would become in the future.
***
Railey headed to the jewelry shop.
The first gift she ever received from Serge had been a core ruby, and now she had received a snow globe.
Thinking back to the core ruby, she wanted to give something more meaningful than a mere ornament, something with real value.
That’s why she decided to stop by a jewelry store to buy a brooch.
Cufflinks would be nice too, but considering his age, he probably doesn’t have many occasions to dress that formally anymore.
She thought the cufflinks would be perfect for her father-in-law, and the brooch would make a great gift for Serge.
After deciding what to get, Railey was browsing the store when she suddenly jumped in surprise.
[Railey, let’s play! Railey, I’m here!]
A fairy appeared in front of her, spinning in midair.
While the fairy did sometimes appear even when Railey hadn’t called, it was the first time it had shown up in such a crowded public place, so she was flustered.
If she responded to something that no one else could see, people would think she was out of her mind.
So Railey ignored the fairy and walked past it without replying.
[Railey, aren’t you going to play? Let’s play!]
The fairy followed her, whining.
It made her feel guilty, like she was ignoring a close friend.
Resolving to make time later to play with it properly, Railey turned to an employee and asked.
“Do you happen to have this brooch design with a different gemstone?”
“Yes, let me check…”
Just then, a loud commotion came from the opposite counter behind Railey.
“Why won’t you take it?!”
“I’m sorry, sir, but our shop requires verified identification for transactions.”
“L-look at this gem! It’s real, I swear…!”
“Yes, and if appraised, it probably is but we can’t take the risk if it’s possibly stolen.”
“……”
“If you brought it from home, could we at least have permission from your parents-?”
A boy, looking to be in his mid-teens, pulled his hood down low and trembled as he turned away and stormed out of the shop.
He was visibly humiliated, treated like a thief.
The store clerks whispered among themselves.
“Should we report this?”
“I don’t know… He didn’t look like a beggar. Maybe he just snuck it out of his mom’s jewelry box for pocket money? We had a kid like that last time too.”
“Still, just in case…”
Railey thought of it as an amusing little incident and went back to choosing and wrapping the brooch and cufflinks.
“A spoiled young noble, maybe…”
She mumbled it to herself but the fairy, who had still been floating nearby, suddenly perked up and answered excitedly.
[Not a young lord! A lady!]
“…What?”
[She’s a grand duke’s daughter!]
The moment she heard the fairy’s words, Railey quickly turned to glance again in the direction the hooded 'boy' had gone.
She was beginning to suspect that the girl, disguised as a boy, had sneaked out of the Grand Duke’s estate in secret.
If she’s the Grand Duke’s daughter of this nation…
There was only one person who fit that description.
Aidelica Colluima, daughter of Grand Duke Colluima, a member of the Rancels Empire’s royal bloodline.
Due to his prolonged illness, the Grand Duke had been bedridden for quite some time.
Normally, Aidelica would have taken over as his heir and governed the Grand Duchy herself.
But since she was still young, the Grand Duchess was acting as regent, and Aidelica hadn’t shown herself in public at all.
And now here she was-wandering around the shopping district?
And in the original story…
Aidelica was little more than a background character who got caught up in political turmoil and died later on.
Just like when she met Yuan, Railey felt a surge of complicated emotion.
It struck her once again how even minor side characters, those brushed off with a few sentences in a book, were each living out their own stories.
With a bitter expression, Railey stepped out of the jewelry store.
Then, suddenly, the hooded girl, Aidelica, approached her and started speaking.
“Hey, you!”
“…Yes?”
“You look like you’re from a decent family. Could you buy this gem from me? I mean, please buy it.”
“……”
“The price will be a steal. This is something you can’t buy even with money.”
Apparently, after getting rejected by the store, she’d decided to try a different route.
And honestly, if she approached a young girl with a convincing enough story, there was a chance she might actually give up her allowance to buy it.
The jewel in the box Aidelica held out certainly looked like the real deal, high-quality and luxurious.
What is she thinking, doing something so reckless?
What if someone tries to rob her…?
Railey hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Alright. But I don’t think we should do this out here. Would you come with me to my carriage?”
“F-fine.”
Aidelica eagerly climbed into the carriage after her and immediately got to the point.
“So, will you buy the gem now?”
At her question, Railey let out a sigh.
“You’re really fearless, aren’t you…? What if I were a bad person? You just climbed in here without a second thought.”
“Why would I be scared of a kid like y—you, I mean. Why would I be scared?”
“I even have a bodyguard with me, you know.”
Railey tilted her chin slightly toward Parnel, who stood beside the carriage.
At the gesture, Aidelica flinched, just a little, then lifted her head proudly.
“I-I checked the crest on the carriage! You’re from the Elestine Ducal House, right? I heard the Duke doesn’t have a daughter… Are you from a branch family?”
“I’m his daughter-in-law.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Anyway, that’s not the point…”
Railey gave a soft cough and looked up.
“You’re the Grand Duke’s daughter, aren’t you?”
“……!”
Aidelica’s eyes widened and trembled violently.
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2 Comments
SAVE HERR PLS
ReplyDeleteAlso, Translator-sama, how come there wasn't a little sneak-peak in todays update batch? Not trying to be pressuring or anything, just curious, since those are my favorite parts of the update.
I'm in my lazy phase, will put that on future updates 😂🤧
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