IDTRAFTML 32

~Chapter 32~

“H-how did you know it was me?”

The maids had put special makeup on me and even gave me a wig. Unless someone looked very closely, it should’ve been hard to recognize me.

But Richard saw through it instantly, which surprised me.

“Of course I’d know. But why are you dressed like that?”

“Oh, I disguised myself because I needed to follow someone.”

“Follow? You mean that shady-looking knight?”

“Wha—! How do you know about that?”

He was clearly talking about Eric.

How strange. Richard had recognized me in disguise and even guessed who I was tailing.

If it wasn’t some kind of divine intuition, then…

“Wait, were you following me too?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I was just keeping an eye on this area and happened to see that knight.”

“Oh… I see.”

For a moment, I thought he might’ve been secretly watching me.

It was just a joke, but since Richard had seen Eric nearby, they couldn’t be far.

“You could’ve asked someone else to follow him for you.”

“Well, it’s more like watching over than spying. Today is going to be an important day for Eric.”

“So that’s why the knights are hiding their presence?”

Richard muttered while scanning the surroundings.

‘As expected of the male lead’s instincts.’

I couldn’t sense even a shadow, but he had already figured out where some of my hidden guards were.

“If you’re sneaking around, won’t it be obvious with guards nearby? Anyway, you’re not really alone, so it’s fine, right?”

“…I think it would be better if I stayed with you.”

“Suddenly?”

“This place is always crowded, and that means a lot of shady things happen. Recently, there have even been reports of missing people. Now that I think about it, you being in disguise might actually help my investigation.”

That made sense… but why did he have to be with me?

“If we move around like normal people, we might run into the culprits. That’s why I suggested it.”

So he wanted us to blend into the crowd, like an undercover investigation.

Now I understood why he was insisting on sticking together.

“If it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll find another way.”

“No, it’s not uncomfortable. If anything, following me around will annoy you.”

“That doesn’t matter. As long as you’re fine with it, I’ll stay with you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Well, in that case…”

It wasn’t a bad offer.

With Richard, I wouldn’t need to sneak around, and it would definitely be safer.

The only problem—his ridiculously handsome face would have to be hidden.

“You should change your clothes first. You stand out too much.”

“Alright. I’ll go change and meet you at the plaza in ten minutes.”

“Make sure to cover your face! That’s the most important part.”

Richard nodded and returned to his waiting knights.

Right after, the female knight who had been tracking Eric and Sophia reappeared.

“They’re at the jewelry shop on the west side right now.”

“Thank you. But…”

“I’ll keep watching and report their location again in ten minutes.”

“Oh—thank you so much!”

I felt bad for giving her more work, but she offered first. She must’ve overheard my whole conversation with Richard.

With nothing more to worry about, I headed toward the plaza to wait for Richard to come back in disguise.

Hmm.

I met Richard again, but when I saw his disguise, I couldn’t help but sigh through my nose.

He noticed my reaction and frowned, clearly displeased that I kept making noises without saying anything.

“Just say it if something’s wrong.”

“Tsk… it’s just kind of awkward.”

“What do you mean by awkward? Explain.”

“Well, the clothes are fine, the wig and the hat are fine too… but your face still stands out too much.”

He really had tried to disguise himself, but his dazzling looks couldn’t be hidden so easily.

Honestly, could beauty like that even be covered? Still, if we wanted to walk around in peace, we needed something stronger.

“Is there anywhere here that sells glasses?”

“There’s a shop down that alley.”

“Let’s go. We need to hide you more.”

Sure enough, when we went into the alley, there was a small glasses shop.

Unlike jewelers or clothing stores, this place wasn’t crowded, which was a relief.

“Welcome,” said an elderly gentleman, bowing politely.

We greeted him and began looking over the display.

“Let’s see… a monocle is useless.”

“Who will be wearing them?”

“Oh, this man here. His eyes are fine—it’s just for fashion.”

“Ah, so this handsome gentleman will be the one wearing them?”

The shopkeeper carefully looked through the shelves and laid out a few designs.

“All of these are so stylish. That’s a problem.”

Wouldn’t that just make his face stand out more?

Richard tried on one or two pairs, and of course, instead of hiding anything, the glasses made him shine even brighter.

“This won’t do. Don’t you have something that actually covers the eyes?”

“Well… only these party-style ones, but…”

“That’s exactly what I want!”

The shopkeeper awkwardly brought out a pair of glasses with spirals drawn on the lenses—straight out of a webtoon.

“Yes! This is perfect for you!”

“…It doesn’t feel very good.”

Even though his looks still leaked through, his face finally looked closer to normal. I clapped my hands in satisfaction.

Richard, however, frowned, clearly knowing this was not a compliment.

“Didn’t you say you wanted fashion glasses?”

“I said it wrong. Not for fashion—these are for hiding fashion.”

“Hahaha! I see, I see. I’m glad you found something you like.”

The shopkeeper laughed loudly at my joke.

I paid for the glasses, and Richard and I left the shop.

“Can you see well?”

“You sure took your time asking.”

Richard answered gruffly as he adjusted the strange glasses.

Well, no one told him to come along with me.

Still… watching the male lead wearing spiral glasses was hilarious.

“Haha, I was just focused on covering your face. What? Is your vision bad?”

“No, it’s fine. I can see well. Now that the disguise is done, let’s go.”

“Right, we should. So, Eric’s location is…”

I glanced around, looking for my secret GPS—my female knight.

Sure enough, she suddenly appeared from somewhere.

“Are you looking for Eric Gray and Sophia Nina?”

“Yes, where are they now?”

“They just went into a café on the west side called ‘Pin Brown.’”

“Thank you so much!”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

With a simple, quick report, she disappeared again at lightning speed.

Richard’s eyes gleamed as he watched her go.

“Impressive movements. She’d be a great help if she joined the knight order.”

“Hey, stop eyeing other people’s bodyguards.”

“Just tell her, if she ever quits being a guard, to join the order.”

“Alright, alright. Now let’s hurry before Eric and Sophia move again.”

I grabbed the overly enthusiastic scout and led him toward the west side.