AMLA 32

Perringa Street, located between the Imperial Capital’s market district and the commoners’ residential area.

In front of an old inn.

A man with a hood over his head stood quietly.

He had been standing there, unmoving, for hours, silently staring at the inn’s door.

“Captain, that guy’s back again.”

Hux, who was bulkier than most bears, kept glancing out the window at the man, clearly bothered.

“Forget about him.”

Toby didn’t even lift his eyes from the thick magic book he was reading, replying bluntly.

Hux grumbled and shot Toby a glare before turning his attention to Abel, who was sitting on the sofa.

“Captain.”

“……”

“Captain… don’t you think he’s pitiful? It’s already been over a month.”

Unlike his usual gruff tone, Hux’s voice now held a tinge of sympathy. Abel turned his head toward the window.

Through it, he could see the man still standing silently in front of the inn.

“Hux, why do you suddenly get all sentimental only in times like this? Normally, you don’t care about stuff like that.”

“He’s been standing out there every day for a month, only taking two days off. Just because he wants to join the mercenary corps and train. Let’s just accept him.”

After a long silence, Abel looked out the window again, then stood up.

“Captain, I’m coming too.”

Hux followed Abel as he walked out of the room, and Toby, watching them, shook his head.

“Sigh… The Captain’s too soft-hearted.”

They headed straight for the inn’s front door.

When the door opened, the man was still standing in the same posture.

“Hey.”

At Abel’s voice, the man slowly lifted his gaze.

Under the hood was dazzling blond hair and striking blue eyes with a peculiar hue.

Abel knew right away this man was no ordinary person.

“Yes.”

“Are you stubborn, or just stupid?”

“……”

“From the looks of it, you’re someone of high status. Why are you trying to learn swordsmanship here? Just hire a personal sword instructor. I’m sure they’ll be way better than us.”

“……”

“Don’t say you want to learn swordsmanship here. This place is way too shabby for someone like you.”

Even at Abel’s words, the man remained still and silent.

“Or is there some specific reason why it has to be here?”

“……”

“If you’re not going to speak, then just leave. Standing there like that is making everyone uncomfortable.”

“…I don’t want to live like a scarecrow anymore.”

“A scarecrow?”

“I don’t want to keep living under the influence of others, unable to speak for myself, always losing the things I treasure. Not anymore.”

There was a dull emptiness in the man’s eyes as he spoke plainly.

“Heh… a scarecrow, huh…”

As if he knew who the blond man was, Abel looked at him silently, deep in thought.

“Fine. I’ll train you. But if you can’t keep up, I won’t hesitate to kick you out.”

Abel motioned with his head for the man to come in, and the man carefully stepped into the inn where Abel’s mercenary corps was based.

Four days after receiving the Imperial invitation.

Inside a carriage heading toward the central shopping district of the capital.

I leaned my head against the window, staring blankly outside.

‘I just want to go home and rest…’

Even though I had just left the house, I already wanted to return.

For the past three days, Lian had been unusually harsh during our lessons, apparently upset about something.

My mana was completely drained during every class, and I’d collapse from exhaustion as soon as I got back to my room.

On top of that, there were the countless letters from Troy arriving daily.

The past few days had been physically and mentally exhausting.

So much so that I couldn’t even go out to find the mercenary corps.

‘It’d be nice if I could find them while I’m out today…’

I blankly stared outside the window, but of course, there was no way the mercenary corps would just be conveniently standing out there.

“Sigh…”

‘Well, mercenary groups operate in secret. It’s not like I can find them easily.’

Just as my sigh deepened, the carriage stopped in front of a salon in the shopping district.

Knock knock.

“Young Lady, we’ve arrived.”

“Mm.”

When the door opened, the coachman and Bell were waiting.

“Bell… Let’s just grab a dress and go quickly.”

“Young Lady, you still need shoes and jewelry. Madam made me promise to make sure you got everything.”

“I’ll just buy whatever. Let’s go, Bell.”

I weakly waved my hand and started walking, while Bell pouted in protest.

“Welcome.”

The salon, which had recently gained popularity, was bustling with people as the social season approached.

Comfortable sofas and tea tables were placed throughout the salon so customers could enjoy their shopping.

Many young ladies were already seated, drinking tea and chatting while browsing dresses.

Some were too busy shopping to notice my entrance, but others immediately recognized me and stared with bright eyes.

“For your comfort, let me guide you to a table.”

A clerk led us to an empty table, and I could feel eyes following my every step.

“Please wait a moment while I fetch the tailor.”

As the clerk bowed and walked away, I leaned back on the sofa.

‘Ugh, I feel like my face is burning.’

Though most of the ladies had gone back to chatting, there were still a pair of eyes glaring intensely at me.

It was Lady Tallin and Lady Karen, seated in one corner of the salon.

They were fanning themselves furiously and shooting daggers at me with their eyes, as if just seeing me made them angry.

“Sigh…”

I let out a deep sigh, already feeling drained by what was sure to be another headache.

“Lady Luceronia!”

Just then, someone called out to me and came to sit beside me on the sofa.

“Baron… Young Lord?”

‘Why is he here again?’

This wasn’t even one of the shops run by the Bayron merchant group.

It was one of the only boutiques in the capital not operated by them—an up-and-coming place recently discovered by Lady Nezwin.

‘That’s exactly why I chose this place—because I knew those girls would be here and wanted to avoid the Bayrons.’

I stared at Troy in disbelief, and he just smiled cheerfully.

“What a coincidence to meet you here!”

‘Coincidence, my foot…’

It was 200% a lie.

There was absolutely no reason for Troy to be in a women’s boutique.

“Young Lord Bayron, why are you…?”

“Don’t call me that. Between us, just call me Roy.”

“Yeah, no thanks. But seriously, why are you here?”

I was genuinely curious. What was he doing here?

“Well, the Bayron merchant group acquired this boutique today.”

“The Bayron group? Why?”

‘Did anything like this happen in the game…?’

I quickly searched my memory, but no such event ever happened in the game.

Back then, I always went to the boutiques run by the Bayrons just to trigger story events with Troy, so I had no idea about this one.

“Well, with the Imperial tea party coming up, I figured you’d be shopping for a dress. Lady Felice.”

“And?”

“So I bought out all the noble boutiques in the district. I want to gift you your dress.”

‘He’s insane. Completely insane.’

Buying entire boutiques just to give me a dress?

My jaw dropped at the kind of logic only someone filthy rich could come up with.

“But Lady Felice… why haven’t you responded to my letters?”

“Ah… I’ve been too busy, sorry.”

I made up an excuse to dodge the question.

At that, Troy’s face fell and his lips drooped.

“So… when shall we go to the theater?”

“The theater…?”

He wasn’t giving up. Even now, he wanted to set a date.

I had no intention of going to the theater with him, so I forced a polite smile.

“You do remember you promised, right?”

“Well… I’ve been thinking…”

What could I say to get out of going to the theater with him?

I racked my brain.

“You’re not planning to take the information I gave you and pretend like nothing happened, right?”

‘Actually, yes, that was the plan…’

My conscience pricked a little at the look in Troy’s wounded eyes as he stared at me.