IDTRAFTML 35

~Chapter 35~

“Did I… do something wrong?”

Richard tilted his head slightly and looked at me. I had no idea why.

“Since it wasn’t true, of course I had to deny it… right?”
“Yes, you had to deny it. Especially emphasize that we don’t suit each other.”

“What exactly did I do wrong?”

“I cleared up the misunderstanding very clearly—so what’s there to be upset about?”

Now he was even being sarcastic.

The more I talked to Richard, the less I understood why he was acting this way.

‘Is it that kind of thing?’
Like, “How dare you deny me?”

But that didn’t match with how he usually behaved.

“Here they are!”

While I was still wondering what to ask, the shop owner returned, arms full of dresses.

They were all pretty, but I didn’t feel like trying them on.
I was too distracted, dying of curiosity about why Richard was acting like that.

“I’ll take them all.”

I couldn’t just ignore the dresses she had brought with such effort, so I decided to buy everything.

After writing down my viscount’s residence address for delivery, we left the shop together. Richard didn’t say a single word the whole time—though he still dutifully carried the bag with my coffee-stained clothes.

“Where did those two go now?”

Looking around, I noticed that Eric and Sophia, who were supposed to be at the shop next door, had already disappeared.

“I’ll go inside and check.”
“Alright.”

I left Richard waiting outside and entered the luxury goods store.
It wasn’t very large, so I could see the whole place just by standing at the entrance.

“Welcome, miss. Are you looking for something?”

As I was about to leave, a middle-aged man, who seemed to be the owner, approached me.
Might as well ask.

“Did a young man and woman come in here together a few minutes ago?”
“Yes, they were just here. They looked at fountain pens and paper knives, then left. Is there a problem?”
“Oh, no. Nothing like that.”
“That’s good. Since you’re already here, why not take a look around, my lady?”

“Hmm…”

I really should have gone to find them, but the man was smiling so kindly that I couldn’t refuse.

Besides, I had a personal GPS—my excellent knight guarding outside. A little browsing wouldn’t hurt.

I nodded and looked around the display.

Handmade cufflinks, brooches, hand mirrors… as expected of a luxury shop, everything was expensive and carefully crafted.

“This fountain pen looks amazing.”

One item caught my eye: a handmade pen with a white wooden barrel and a gold nib.
What stood out most was the row of tiny blue sapphires set around the middle.

‘This looks perfect for Richard.’

White, gold, blue sapphire—the colors suited him so well that he instantly came to mind.

“You have a good eye, miss. I made that pen myself, and it’s the only one in the world. Usually I create multiple pens with the same design, but this one is unique.”

“So this is truly one of a kind?”

Hearing that made me want it even more.

Maybe I should buy it as a gift for that sulky man.

I glanced at Richard through the window. Even in disguise, his presence was striking.

‘Kind me should be the one to understand him.’

When I looked back at the pen, I knew I couldn’t leave without it.

But… hadn’t I just spent all my gold coins at the clothing shop?

Should I reveal my identity and have the bill sent to my family instead?
While debating, an idea popped into my head.

“Can I purchase this pen with a promissory note?”
“Yes, as long as it’s from a trustworthy merchant group.”
“I have one from the Garnet Trading Company.”
“That will do.”

A promissory note was basically like a blank check. I carried a few just in case, but never thought I’d actually use one.

I pulled out one of the notes along with my own fountain pen.

So today was the day I’d really write one.
Something I’d never even imagined back in the modern world.

“Your pen is very unusual too, miss.”
“Oh, this? It’s from a faraway country.”
“I see. I once saw something similar a long time ago. So it must’ve been imported.”
“You’ve seen one like this before?”
“Yes, though it was a very long time ago.”

My pen had a plastic barrel—something this world shouldn’t even have.

Maybe he mistook it for some other material, or maybe this romance-fantasy world did have plastic after all.

I was curious, but there was no way to check.

“Anyway, I’ll take this one.”

Richard’s eyes followed Amelie as she stepped out of the shop.

While she had been inside, he’d managed to calm down the strange irritation he felt.
But the moment their eyes met again, that childish sulk threatened to rise once more.

“Here.”

Amelie walked up and suddenly handed him a neatly wrapped package.

“What’s this?”
“It’s a gift. You’ve helped me in many ways, so I wanted to thank you.”

“You… are giving me a gift?”

Richard, bewildered, accepted the package.

“Can I open it?”
“Of course. It’s yours. Do whatever you like.”

With her permission, he quickly unwrapped it.
Inside the long box lay a fountain pen with a unique design.

“I thought it would suit you. Do you like it?”

“…There’s no way I wouldn’t.”

It was as if the pen reflected him—its colors, its air, everything was reminiscent of Richard himself.
That realization stirred something warm and overwhelming inside him.

“Thank you for saving me that day, and for helping me so much today as well.”

Amelie’s bright smile accompanied her words.

That smile alone was enough to make Richard feel ashamed of his earlier pettiness.

Why had he been so irritated when she denied being his lover?
Why had he responded so sharply, when it was only natural for her to deny it?

Her clear smile and generous heart made all those feelings seem small and foolish.

“No… I should be the one thanking you. And don’t worry about earlier. I think I just lost my head for a moment.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You make it sound like I gave you some priceless treasure. Anyway—do you know where Eric and Sophia went?”

“One of your knights told me they’re in that alley. Seems they got into some trouble.”

“Trouble? Then we can’t just stand here!”

Richard was about to explain that it was nothing serious—that such thugs were no match for a real knight—
but before he could, Amelie grabbed his arm and dashed toward the alley.

As expected, by the time they arrived, the men were already sprawled unconscious on the ground.

“Looks like Eric is a lot stronger than I thought.”

Amelie, hiding herself as she observed, whispered in admiration.
Knocking down half a dozen men at once was indeed impressive.

Richard, however, found her praise wasted—those thugs weren’t even worthy opponents for a knight.

“Ah! Their affection score went up again!”

Since she so quickly moved on to something else, it was clear her praise for Eric hadn’t meant much.

While Amelie watched Eric and Sophia intently, Richard studied her instead.

She was serious one moment, then beaming happily the next.
Her shifting expressions were strangely captivating.

“What makes you so happy?”

“Was it that obvious? I’m just really satisfied because today’s tailing was a complete success.”

Richard had only been muttering to himself, but Amelie readily admitted it with a smile.

“And honestly, going around in disguise with you was fun too.”

Amelie looked right at him as she spoke, her fresh, bright smile lighting up her face.

Richard suddenly realized—maybe it was this smile he wanted to keep seeing.
Even when her expressions changed, she always returned to this warmth in the end.
It was this brightness that caught and held his eyes.

Before he knew it, he was smiling along with her.

“Yes… I enjoyed it quite a lot too.”

He had no choice now but to admit it—
being with Amelie was genuinely fun.