IDTRAFTML 31

~Chapter 31~

Three days later.

I was slowly carrying out my plan.

Last night, I begged Viscount Garnet to let me go out, saying I was suffocating from staying inside. He allowed it, but only on the condition that I be accompanied by five knights.

And of course—I kept this a secret from Eric and Sophia.

“Both of you, I have a favor to ask.”

After having a full lunch, I called Eric and Sophia into the study.

‘How cute… really cute.’

The two of them standing side by side looked perfect together. Even the height difference—just about one head—was ideal.

“Please tell us, My Lady.”

“Thank you, Sophia. As you know, my father has forbidden me to go out, right?”

“Yes.”

“Because of that, Lysa must be very worried about me. So I want to send her a gift, as a way of saying I’m doing fine.”

Ah…

Hearing my words, Sophia nodded as if she understood.

“Do you want me to buy a gift for Lady Lysa in your place?”

“That’s right.”

“I don’t think I’ll be much help… do you mean for me to act as a guard?”

Of course Eric would say that. He was my knight, so he wouldn’t easily accept the idea of Sophia going alone.

But I already had an excuse ready.

“Eric, you can just help choose a gift. Not for Lysa—for Richard.”

“…For His Highness the Prince?”

“Yes. Richard saved me, didn’t he? I should repay him.”

“This way, I can send you two out together on a date, and also show Richard my thanks. Two birds with one stone!”

“They say Philtaite Street in the capital is very popular these days. You’ll find plenty of nice gifts there, so I want the two of you to go.”

“Just… the two of us?”

Sophia glanced at Eric out of the corner of her eye.

The atmosphere already felt a little sweet, and I had to bite back a grin. I quickly coughed and looked down, pretending to act troubled.

“I’d love to go myself, but I don’t know when Father will lift my ban on leaving the house… You two are the only ones I can trust.”

“N-no! Of course we’ll go, My Lady! Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to pick something good!”

As expected, kind Sophia took the bait right away.

Then I turned to Eric, who could only nod reluctantly.

“You two make me feel so reassured! Since it’s an important gift, choose carefully, slowly, and meaningfully, alright?”

Clink.

I took out a pouch of gold coins I had prepared from the desk drawer.

“Philtaite Street is wide and long, so it may take until evening…”

“For just two gifts, you don’t need this much.”

Eric frowned, pointing out that the money inside could probably buy a small house on the outskirts of the capital.

“These gifts are for a dear friend and for my savior. It’s worth this much!”

“But if it’s too expensive, it might feel like a burden instead.”

“Fine, then take only half.”

Because of picky Eric, I had to split the pouch in two.

“Alright? And two gold coins are just for you both to spend! On dinner or anything you want. Think of it as my thanks for helping me. You must use them all! That’s an order!”

Before Eric could argue again, I shoved the pouch into his hands and practically pushed them out the door.

“Being Cupid is really hard…”

Eric was definitely not an easy one to deal with.
Still, somehow, step one of my plan was a success.

“Well then, time for me to get ready too.”

As I stood up, my eyes caught on the fountain pen sitting on the desk.

It was the only thing from the real world inside this novel. Ever since Omok-i gave it to me, I always kept it close during my confinement.

But… should I really take it out with me?

“Just in case, I’ll bring it.”

If I lost it, I’d never be able to return to reality.

So I packed the fountain pen and a small diary, then left the study.

“Can’t they at least talk a little while walking?”

I muttered, hiding behind a building.

On this busy street filled with young couples walking happily together, Eric and Sophia were the only ones who didn’t look close at all.

Honestly, I hadn’t expected much—but this was worse than I thought!
All the effort I put into planning this outing was starting to feel meaningless.

“Are you alone?”

While I was wondering if there was any way I could help them, someone suddenly spoke to me from behind.

‘What is this squid?’

I turned around. A man who barely looked human leaned against the wall with one hand. His eyes were glazed over, and even though it was broad daylight, he was clearly drunk.

“Yes?”

“If you’re alone, how about having a glass of champagne with me?”

“What? Sorry, you’re so ugly I can’t even hear your voice.”

“U-ugly? What did you say?”

“Oh? Don’t come closer, okay? My eyes are precious.”

“You woman—ugh!”

The moment the drunk squid tried to step closer in anger—

My hidden bodyguards appeared and dragged him away in an instant.

“See? I told you not to come closer.”

The knights Viscount Garnet sent this time were true professionals.

Normally, they stayed invisible, but the second someone threatened me, they appeared and took care of it quickly and quietly.

Honestly, they didn’t even feel like knights—they might be something more.

Anyway, once the situation was safe, I turned my eyes back to where Eric and Sophia had been.

“Eh? Where did they go?”

In the short moment I was distracted, they had disappeared.

‘Ugh, all because of that stupid squid!’

Not only did I have to look at something unpleasant, I even lost sight of my targets.

“Excuse me?”

As I looked around in panic, a woman suddenly jumped down from a rooftop.

“Yes, did you call for me?”

“Sorry, but could you find those two for me again?”

She was the knight who had helped me earlier by tracking them down when we first arrived.

With how fast and light she moved, it had taken her less than a few minutes back then.

“No need to apologize. I’ll find them immediately and report back. Please wait here a moment.”

“Yes, thank you!”

Before I even finished replying, she leapt up again and vanished between the rooftops.

“Wow… is she really human? More like a cat.”

Her movements were so fast and silent that I couldn’t help but doubt. But then again, this was a novel world, so I decided not to question it too much.

“All this trouble, just to play Cupid for one couple…”

Here I was, in the dazzling capital’s busiest street, only able to hide, follow, or wait. It made me laugh bitterly.

I even disguised myself so Eric and Sophia wouldn’t notice me.

‘Well, if I can’t enjoy it, at least I can watch.’

I sighed and looked around at the crowded street.

And then—I saw him.

‘Richard?’

There he was, surrounded by several knights.

Wow. My eyes felt cleansed.

After seeing that squid earlier, Richard’s face looked even more like it belonged to another species altogether.

‘Oh no… did I stare too much?’

Because suddenly—Richard’s eyes met mine.

“Hm?”

He began walking straight toward me, his long strides closing the distance quickly.

‘What? Did some new rule appear—like you’re not allowed to look directly at a prince?’

I panicked at how fast he was approaching.

And then—he stopped right in front of me.

“Why are you alone again, Amelie Garnet?”