MLHRGD 47

#47. Rest (2)

“I think this outfit is fine,” Sasha said as she checked herself in the mirror.

She wore a long, thick white coat over a green velvet dress.

It wasn’t a puffy winter coat, but for this era, it was as warm as she could get.

But Pavel didn’t look satisfied.

“We’ll be outside for a while. Wear something else.”

After he made Sasha put on a thicker fur coat, Pavel finally looked pleased.

“Let’s go,” he said, hands in his pockets.

The two walked out together, side by side.

In front of the mansion, a large carriage and a familiar knight were waiting.

“Sir Andrei is our escort today?”

“Yes. I’m honored to accompany you both.”

“I see. I’ll be in your care, then.”

While Sasha and Andrei exchanged friendly greetings, Pavel stood by with his arms crossed, glaring.

“Why him of all people… tch.”

Ever since the Count Tula incident, Pavel hadn’t been allowed to go anywhere alone.

The Grand Duke, after finding out how Pavel had been treated, insisted that Pavel always be guarded by knights.

Even though Pavel complained, safety came first—so guards stayed.

Andrei was the one who accompanied Pavel the most.

The Grand Duke had chosen him on purpose—better a familiar face than a stranger.

Pavel didn’t exactly hate Andrei.

Andrei was quiet and didn’t talk unnecessarily, which suited Pavel just fine.

Compared to loud knights like Nikolai, Andrei was easier to be around.

But that was only when Pavel was alone.

When he was with Sasha, it was a different story.

“Are we troubling you by taking you along today?” Sasha asked.

“Not at all.”

“That’s good.”

Sasha smiled at Andrei—beautiful as ever.

Andrei looked slightly embarrassed under her gaze, and Pavel couldn’t stand it.

He jumped between them with a scowl.

“Can we stop wasting time and just go?”

“Huh? …Pavel, are you upset?”

“No. I just don’t want to waste time.”

Sasha tilted her head.

‘We only talked for a few minutes…’

Still, she just nodded.

“Okay.”

She followed Pavel into the carriage as he tightly held her hand.

‘Pavel must have really been looking forward to today.’

She assumed sweetly.

Pavel didn’t correct her.

Better she think that than find out the truth—that he was just jealous of Andrei.

Before the carriage door closed, Sasha gave Andrei an apologetic glance.

Pavel, annoyed by that too, slammed the door shut.

Thud!

The horses pulled the carriage into motion.

Eventually, they arrived at a shopping district.

“Where should we go first?”

“Don’t know. Do you have a place in mind?”

“Not really.”

They entered the closest shop—a jewelry store selling fine crafted pieces.

Sasha looked around slowly.

The jewels were stunning, but nothing caught her eye.

She had lived a past life as a wealthy merchant surrounded by gold and gems, so she didn’t crave luxury.

‘Besides, I don’t even have a place to wear these.’

Her life was all work and sleep. Where would she wear pretty jewelry?

So Sasha wandered toward the men’s jewelry section.

‘That would suit Pavel well.’

She glanced at Pavel, who was browsing the women’s pieces, and quietly selected a few items.

“I’d like to see that one, that one, and that one, please.”

After the store clerk laid them out, she called out,

“Pavel, come here a moment?”

When Pavel came, she put the accessories on him one by one.

‘Is it because I have good taste, or is it just that Pavel looks good in everything? Probably both.’

Everything looked perfect on him.

“Please wrap all of these up.”

As expected of someone who once lived as the richest person in a country—her generosity was impressive.

“Sasha?” Pavel said nervously.

She smiled.

“It’s okay. I have lots of money.”

Since becoming acting head, Sasha got a personal allowance from the Grand Duke on top of the household funds.

She thought about refusing it at first, but accepted it as fair pay.

‘Good thing I saved up. Now I have a reason to spend it.’

Sasha had saved and saved—now she decided to spend it all today.

And she followed through.

She brought in so much revenue that the store owner beamed with joy.

Finally turning to Pavel, she asked,

“Is there anything you want to buy?”

She remembered him looking curiously at something earlier—was it from the women’s section?

“Well…”

Pavel looked at a display.

The excited store owner, who had sharpened senses for customers like them, immediately pulled it out.

“Ah, you were looking at this, weren’t you?”

He brought over a pair of locket necklaces.

“These are very popular with couples. When you press here—”

Click.

The oval locket opened.

“You can put your lover’s portrait inside.”

“It’s a symbol of love—showing your affection openly and keeping your lover close.”

Pavel then pointed at another rectangular locket, decorated with rubies and emeralds.

“That one can hold a lock of hair, so your beloved is always close to your heart.”

…Wait, what?

Sasha froze.

“Hair? In there?”

Who would want to do that?

She turned to Pavel for agreement—

But he was sparkling.

“How much is this one?”

“…Pavel?”

Why are your eyes shining like that?

“Why don’t we look at something else instead?” Sasha suggested.

She tried again and again to steer him away, but Pavel’s eyes said it all—he had decided.

“…Do what you want.”

Sasha had bought Pavel so many gifts it could fill a carriage.

It felt silly to argue over something he could hold in one hand.

So she let him buy the locket.

‘It’s good he’s developing personal taste and attachment to things… but hair? Really?’

She shook her head, baffled by modern romantic trends.

After leaving the jewelry store, they continued shopping.

They got formal wear fitted and bought matching hats and gloves.

Sasha picked things for Pavel. And Pavel, in turn, did the same for her.

“Sasha, try this on.”

“Me? I’m fine.”

“Come on.”

The two were eager to gift each other and looked adorable doing it.

“You two look amazing together!”

“People will know you’re a couple just by looking at you!”

The shop owner and staff kept complimenting them, mistaking them for lovers.

The only one not smiling was Andrei.

‘The Little Madam looks very happy. The young master too.’

Andrei watched them with complicated eyes.

It was good that they were getting along.

He should be happy.

But he wasn’t.

“Andrei?”

“Y-Yes!”

He snapped out of it to find Sasha and Pavel in front of him.

Sasha looked a bit guilty.

“You must be bored?”

“N-No, not at all!”

“You must be tired from following us around. You can take a break.”

Pavel added,

“Yeah. There’s no danger here. Just rest nearby.”

Sasha genuinely cared about Andrei’s comfort.

Pavel, though, had a different reason—he wanted to be alone with Sasha.

But serious Andrei shook his head.

“No thank you. I’m fine.”

He stood straight, clearly showing he wouldn’t neglect his duty.

There was no way someone as upright as Andrei would slack off during work.

“Still, if you ever need a break, just say so.”

“Thank you for the consideration.”

Pavel clicked his tongue quietly and stared at Andrei—more specifically, at Andrei talking to Sasha.

He really should’ve brought a different knight today.
He deeply regretted it.