IWTGHFW CHAPTER 12

Episode 12

Mishi let out a sigh of relief after receiving a letter from the Crown Prince’s palace.
It said that Count Poison had taken Ail with him last night, so there was no need to worry too much.

“Honestly, the Count…”

Smiling faintly, Mishi tucked the letter into a drawer and looked across from her.
There sat a kindly-looking middle-aged nobleman—Count Poison himself.

“If you take her like that, you might startle Ail.”

“My apologies. I was just so happy to hear that His Highness had made a friend that I…”

“You know you can’t get caught yet.”

“Of course I know. How could I not? But this old man worries constantly that His Highness might be lonely. Even assigning him an attendant is tricky because of the gossip it might cause.”

Clicking his tongue, the Count furrowed his brow. Mishi spoke in a soothing tone.

“When your brother ascends the throne, this will all be over. Don’t trouble yourself too much.”

At her warm words, the Count’s expression softened.

How could anyone be so kind? So considerate?

When the Count loudly declared that the whole world ought to know the Crown Prince’s character, Mishi chuckled gently.
Looking at Mishi, the Count’s eyes reflected a complicated mix of pity, warmth, sympathy, and affection.

A high-born prince, who should have grown up lacking nothing, now forced to live this way because of the Emperor’s and the nobles’ scrutiny—

His whiskers trembled with renewed indignation. Suddenly, as if remembering something, the Count spoke.

“So, when will the marriage with Lady Ail take place? As soon as His Highness ascends the throne?”

“…I told you, it’s not like that.”

“It’s a goldmine!”

“As expected of you, Uwain! Amazing!”

“No, no! Lady Ail’s the amazing one. To think she was wasting this face looking like a beggar!”

“That’s true. If I had this face, I’d have milked it for all it’s worth!”

Standing among the chatter of the shop staff, I awkwardly endured their not-quite-compliments. I had no idea what they were going on about until a staff member called Mary brought me a large mirror.

My reflection stared back from the smooth glass.

“Oh…”

The bangs that had been annoyingly covering my eyes were swept to the side, and my shoulder-length hair had been given waves. My dull grayish-silver hair now looked more like glossy silver, thanks to all the treatments they had used.

Personally, I felt nothing—after all, it was just Ail, the same face I saw every time I washed up. Maybe just… a neater Ail.

But the shop staff—especially Uwain—handled my hair with the pride of an artist admiring their masterpiece.

“A little makeup would be perfect. You don’t like makeup, right?”

“Yes. It’s too much.”

“Che. One day I’ll put makeup on your face, mark my words. Oh, and your uniform’s back from alterations—try it on, Mary!”

“Yes! Here it is!”

The staff uniform I’d given for adjustments while Uwain worked on my hair was returned to me. Reading the hint in their eyes, I obediently went into the fitting room.

Inside was another big full-length mirror, so I stood there and studied my face.

“…Pretty?”

I honestly wasn’t sure. Maybe I’d been too conditioned by modern beauty standards, but Ail’s delicate features didn’t seem especially beautiful to me. Just… decent if tidied up.

I took off the shop’s gown and put on the altered uniform.

A crisp white shirt, black slacks, and a checkered necktie. Clean, comfortable—honestly the only part I’d liked about this job when I first landed here.

In colder weather, there was a navy cloak with the imperial crest embroidered in gold thread—quite fancy. But now, in early summer, it was just the shirt with the imperial badge pinned to the pocket.

I wasn’t sure if Ail had ordered the wrong size or thought I was still growing, or if she figured I’d never actually wear it and didn’t care. But when I first tried it on, the shirt hung a hand’s length too long and the trouser hems dragged on the floor.

Rose had said I could just take it to the tailoring room, but I’d been too lazy and simply rolled it up instead. It was wearable enough that way. Thanks to Uwain, though, it now fit me perfectly.

I should’ve had this done sooner. I’d thought baggy clothes were more comfortable, but having something fit right made it much easier to move.

“My goodness, Ail, who would believe you’re the same person from earlier?”

“I can’t tell what’s changed.”

“Of course you can’t! You’ve got those dead-fish eyes and didn’t know how to make use of that face!”

I still couldn’t tell if this was a compliment or an insult.

Either way, I managed to settle the bill within my monthly budget, pinky-promised Uwain I’d visit once a month, and finally escaped the shop.

How much time had passed? I felt I’d been gone too long for work hours.

Ron wouldn’t scold me, but my conscience pricked me, so I quickened my pace.

Thud—

Rounding a corner too quickly, I collided with someone coming the other way. I would have fallen if the other person hadn’t grabbed my arm.

“My apologies.”

“No, it’s fine. Are you… okay?”

“I’m fine, but could you let go of my arm— Huh? Sir Heppy?”

Looking up at the one holding my arm, I recognized the face.

That pink-haired knight who had once begged me not to call him by a dog’s name. The one who always acted like a screw was loose, chatting with me like an old friend. I hadn’t seen him since the thanks-giving event and thought maybe he wouldn’t show up again—yet here he was.

Since I knew him, I figured I’d at least say hello. But something about his expression was… different.

“D-do you know me?!”

…What? Did his brain turn to mush to match his dog-like name? No—dogs are smart.

Thinking he was joking, I answered curtly.

“I’m Ail from the Administrative Support Team. I guess you forgot me. Not that I mind if you have.”

“Whaaat?! You’re Ail? You?”

“Yes. Well, I’m busy, so—”

“No, wait. Ail!”

What is it now, mutt?

I’d gone out of my way to acknowledge him, yet he’d acted like he’d never met me—and now he wouldn’t let go.

When I gave him a sideways glare, Heppy fidgeted nervously.

“Can I… speak informally?”

“You’ve always spoken informally to me.”

“That’s because back then I was comfortable with you.”

“And now you’re not? Well, I’ve no desire to get comfortable again, so it’s mutual.”

“No, that’s not it!”

He stammered, his cheeks going pink, then suddenly blurted out:

“I’ve never had immunity to beautiful women!”

His voice was so loud that even passersby turned to look. How embarrassing—saying that in the middle of the street.

And “beautiful woman”?

Could it be that in this world, this face was actually considered pretty? Still, people didn’t exactly double-take at me as I walked by. Wasn’t that supposed to happen if you were truly beautiful? Or was that just in movies?

Anyway, that wasn’t the point.

I tilted my head up at Heppy. He was so tall I had to crane my neck.

Ugh, my poor neck.

“For someone without immunity, you sure talk a lot.”

“No, I mean…”

“Regardless of whether I’m pretty or not, I’m still Ail. The same person you’ve been speaking to so casually.”

“That’s…”

“Anyway, I don’t care about your feelings. I’m busy, so I’ll be going.”

I bowed deeply and walked past him. I could feel his gaze lingering on my back, but—

Not my problem.

[Second Job: Babysitter]

After sparring with the knights, Ron gulped down the water his aide handed him. When he tried to give the bottle back, the aide grumbled that Ron could at least put the cap on himself.

“Keep nagging like that and I’ll fire you.”

“Sure, go ahead. I’ve got plenty of offers.”

“…I hate that I can’t argue with that.”

“Because it’s true.”

Sean, Ron’s deputy commander of the Imperial Knights, shrugged smugly. Annoying as it was, Ron couldn’t refute it, so he quietly screwed the cap back on.

“Hey, did you hear the news?”

“What news?”

“Well, you wouldn’t know—you’re the last person to hear gossip.”

The urge to sock him in the mouth was strong, but Ron restrained himself for the sake of a commander’s dignity.

Sean, adjusting glasses that didn’t suit him, continued:

“They say Ail has become an incredible beauty.”

“Rye! Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

Lionolf was busy sorting receipts for the month when a knight slung an arm over his shoulder. Without looking up, he shoved the arm away.

“You’ll like this,” the knight said, leaning in to whisper.

“They say Ail’s turned into a stunning beauty overnight.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Crazy, right? I’m going to her office to check for myself. Want to come? I’ve got a gold coin bet on it not being true.”

“You’re betting on that?”

“It’s fun.”

Lionolf paused, looking at the receipts in front of him, then shook his head.

“Ail’s always been plenty beautiful. Don’t mess around with people like that.”

“What, seriously? You think she’s pretty? Don’t tell me you like her? That’s your type?”

“Stop bothering me and get lost.”

Seeing Lionolf’s expression darken, the knight clicked his tongue and left, telling him not to ask to join the bet later. Watching him go, Lionolf tilted his head.

“Something happen to Ail?”

The Crown Prince’s pen froze mid-signature.

Across from him, Count Poison met his gaze with a grave look.

“What do you mean, Count?”

“Exactly what I said. Rumors are flying through the palace that Lady Ail has become an extraordinary beauty.”

“That’s impossible.”

The Crown Prince set his pen down and took a deep breath, his golden hair trembling slightly.

“This is bad. If someone hears that and tries to target her…”

“Then it might become difficult to make her the Second Prince’s consort.”

“That must never happen. She’s the first woman that boy has ever shown interest in.”

“I agree completely.”

“Summon the intelligence bureau—no, call in Marquis Orion himself.”