~Chapter 29~
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
“Seducing who?”
“Me.”
When did I ever seduce you?
‘At this rate, I’ll be accused of seduction just for standing still.’
I calmly replied, “If you’re going to say ominous things like that, it’s better you just stay silent.”
“But aren’t you leaving room for interpretation, Elaine?”
“Then go tell His Grace to hurry back and keep me in line.”
Why else would I keep visiting the Duke’s estate every morning?
‘Just checking if he’s replied to my letters.’
But nothing ever comes — not a word — so I have to go in person.
“Sorry. His Grace must be terribly busy.”
Every time, the head maid delivers this line with elegant scorn, like she’s saying “hurry up and get lost.”
Though lately, Jeremy’s attitude seemed to shift a little.
“Have you eaten? It’s cold out.”
…A little too much.
He’s treating me like a fragile noble maiden now?
Last time he asked if I had indigestion. I tried explaining I wasn’t sick, and he just scolded me.
In the end, whether the Duke writes back or shows up, it’s his responsibility — not mine.
Karl didn’t respond much to my complaints.
“His Grace is busy hunting monsters, after all.”
“Yeah, yeah. Maybe one of those monsters ate all the adult pickpockets too.”
We’ve searched everywhere — and found nothing.
Right as I said that and hopped lightly down from a rock—
Clink.
Something solid underfoot.
“……”
A thick iron chain.
When I lifted it, I saw large shackles attached to the links.
I knew this kind of chain — the Holy Knights sometimes used them.
Chains for leading multiple prisoners at once.
And next to it—
“…I was just joking.”
Were massive beast footprints.
The next day.
I got up early, careful not to wake Bess.
“Nnngh…”
“Sleep, sleep.”
Lately, Bess had started hovering protectively, probably because Karl kept showing up every day.
‘If I told her I’m heading out to fight monsters, she’d definitely worry.’
Because those massive footprints might really belong to a monster.
“Could’ve been a bear or some other wild animal,” Karl had said calmly.
And he had a point — this place was dangerously close to Saint Portou.
‘Actually, we’re right on the outer rim.’
Too close for monsters, typically.
But still…
“How can you be sure? His Grace isn’t even here.”
“…”
“If he were, the monster would’ve sensed his dragon blood and fled.”
“…Unless it’s not a normal monster.”
Karl had gone serious at that.
“Are you really going to hunt it?”
“Of course.”
“Even if I try to stop you?”
“You know me well.”
After some thought, Karl said:
“Let’s stop the search for today.”
“But—”
“If it is a monster, we’ll need proper equipment. Let’s come prepared.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Even if I had boots and pants under my dress, this wasn’t exactly battle-ready gear.
‘…And I don’t have a weapon.’
That alone made me change my plans.
That evening, I called in the skewer shop owner.
“Know any weapons dealers?”
“I know a blacksmith. I can call him.”
But when he finally brought the guy…
“You’re friends with Harold? I can probably do one favor.”
“Can you get a gun?”
“What? A gun?”
“Yes. Ideally a musket, but a pistol or anything works.”
“Nothing like that left this season. No gunpowder, no steel — it’s winter.”
Not surprising.
I just nodded.
“Understood.”
“Sorry about that…”
The skewer seller looked embarrassed, but I hadn’t really expected much.
With monster activity rising during winter, Saint Portou’s soldiers likely needed every weapon available.
‘Maybe one day we can fix this too. But not today.’
As I stood there, arms crossed and pondering seriously, the shop owner offered—
“Uh, want to borrow my old axe?”
“Your… axe?”
“Yeah. This one’s named Peace, and this one’s Dialogue. Take care of th—”
“That’s okay. Please put those away.”
No wonder he had such bulky muscles for a skewer vendor.
Apparently he used to be a mercenary — those were huge twin axes.
I refused and returned home.
‘Something like that is better wielded by Karl.’
I recalled the first time I saw Karl slicing through monsters with a massive greatsword — effortlessly.
Even picked me up like I weighed nothing…
Thinking about his hand on my waist gave me the chills again.
That unsettling twinge in my gut resurfaced — like I was seasick.
I rubbed my neck and tried to focus on something else.
‘Should’ve brought at least one weapon from the capital.’
If I asked the Duke’s estate for a gun, they’d probably faint.
“Hmm.”
No matter how I thought about it, the answer was clear.
“I’ll just make Karl do everything.”
He is the expert, after all.
‘Seriously. What’s the point of a monster hunter if he doesn’t hunt monsters?’
I shook off my lingering frustrations and slipped out of the inn before Bess woke up.
“You’re up early.”
“So are you.”
As expected, Karl was waiting at the inn’s front door.
‘Same as always.’
He wore light armor over a shirt and a fur cloak. The only difference was the heavy pack in his hand.
‘Meanwhile, I’m all geared up for monster hunting.’
I wore tight riding pants and a practical jacket — far easier to move in than a dress.
Not as polished as my usual crossdressing outfits, but definitely better for this.
Only problem…
‘It’s cold.’
With all the layers under a dress, I hadn’t felt the cold much — but now?
Karl seemed to think the same thing. He studied my outfit and asked,
“Won’t you be cold?”
“…A little.”
“It’ll get colder once we enter the mountains.”
He had a point.
I debated going back inside to add more layers—
“Wear this.”
“Huh?”
Without hesitation, Karl unfastened his own cloak and handed it to me.
It was heavy — and immediately filled my nose with his scent.
Fresh, cool… the kind of cologne you’d expect a chilly, aloof male lead to wear.
‘Not surprising, I guess.’
He’s got the looks — of course he uses premium cologne.
A self-aware supporting character with fragrance? Not bad.
‘Wait— why am I admiring this?’
Why am I even thinking about his charm?
Still, I felt a faint tingle where the cloak brushed my skin.
I remembered him slicing monsters with this very cloak draped over him.
‘No doubt there’s monster blood on it somewhere.’
“…But aren’t you cold?”
Karl, now standing there in just his shirt, seemed equally exposed.
His shirt collar was open, and I could see the line of his chest muscles.
Sure, his body ran warm — but still.
“You’ll freeze like that.”
“You always take such good care of me.”
“……”
“His Grace will be jealous.”
“I told you to stop saying weird things.”
At this point, I didn’t even get mad. I was more scared I was getting used to it.
What if I started playing along someday?
As I worried, Karl just shrugged.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Hey. No need to act tough…”
I’d heard of noble brats catching colds after giving away their coats to women. Was Karl that type?
Just as I fought back a laugh—
Rustle.
Karl casually opened his bag and pulled out another thick cloak.
“I brought a spare.”
“……”
He wrapped himself in the extra cloak with total calm.
I felt… a little embarrassed.
