Chapter 69
Time flowed like water, and before I knew it, the day I would completely leave this house had finally arrived.
In my previous life, I could have never even dreamed of this—departing under the warm, enthusiastic send-off from Father and all the household staff. After a grueling five-day journey, the carriage finally came to a halt. But it stopped far from our intended destination.
Clatter—
The rubber wheels grated unpleasantly against the muddy ground, producing a cringe-worthy sound as they skidded over the wet earth.
I had been watching the unfamiliar cityscape through the rain-streaked window when that horrible noise jolted me awake, my eyes flying open in shock.
“Damn it, this rain’s coming down way too hard…”
The coachman muttered under his breath, sounding troubled.
The problem was… he didn’t mutter softly enough.
“What’s the matter?”
Now fully awake thanks to that racket, I gently stroked Sophie’s head where it rested against my shoulder and turned my gaze to him.
“I’d rather you kept your mouth shut if it’s nothing serious.”
My voice was as cold as the rain pelting against the window, making the coachman stammer nervously.
“I-It’s just… the rain’s too heavy, and the wheels keep sinking into the ground. The soil’s too soft and poorly maintained…”
Unlike Serkalana, where commerce and technology had advanced enough to create paved roads for carriages, Montana was a land steeped in magic and superstition, lagging behind in technological progress. The streets here were either dirt or gravel paths.
So it was no surprise that on a day when rain poured like this, the carriage would struggle to move forward.
“Just my luck.”
Letting out a quiet sigh, I reached for the parasol tossed carelessly in the corner—a deep crimson shade to match the bright red dress I wore.
Lastly, I draped a black robe over myself to hide my eye-catching appearance.
There were rumors lately… women with blonde hair and blue eyes have been disappearing.
Remembering that, I tied the ribbon beneath my chin and spoke.
“Let me out. I’ll walk from here.”
We’d been crawling along for more than three hours on what should have been a thirty-minute trip. At this pace, we wouldn’t reach the workshop until late at night.
I can unpack later.
It would be better to walk, even if it was tiring. To make my intention clear, I knocked lightly on the door.
The coachman, horrified, protested in a panic.
“What!? But—it’ll take you at least two hours on foot!”
“That’s better than this.”
I replied casually as I slipped on black lace gloves and rotated my wrist lightly.
There was a crisp snap, and the emerald bracelet around my wrist jingled cheerfully.
This bracelet, by the way, was my finest piece of craftsmanship.
When I brushed my fingers over it, a small square window appeared in the air.
[‘Emerald Bracelet of Fortune Lv. 13’ | Stat Boost: Luck +100]
Below it, a brief description:
[Random chance to prevent wearer’s misfortune and bring good luck.]
The maximum boost was +100, which only translated to a mere 10% chance in reality—a modest effect at best.
Still, one in ten wasn’t bad.
Of course, I wasn’t reckless enough to rely solely on that bracelet and walk out defenseless. I had my precautions.
“Sophie and Hans are coming too.”
At that, I shook Sophie’s shoulder to wake her. Blinking groggily, she lifted her head.
“L-Lady?”
“Let’s head out first.”
Seeing my unshakable resolve, the coachman finally threw up his hands in defeat, muttering under his breath.
“I never let you out early, got it? If the Duke finds out, I’m a dead man!”
I chuckled at his terrified face and nodded.
“Sure.”
In a way, it was my stubbornness that led to this. Even if something happened to me, I wouldn’t blame him.
So, after quite the ordeal, I stepped out of the carriage and poked Hans in the side—he’d been dragged out without warning and stood there stiffly.
“Hans.”
“…”
“Hans?”
Still half-asleep, he stared blankly.
It wasn’t until I closed the parasol and let the heavy raindrops hit my forehead that he finally looked up.
“Oh.”
“Oh? That’s all you’ve got?”
He rubbed his eyes with his hand, and when he finally took in the situation, the tips of his ears flushed red. His awkwardness made me smile.
“From here, we just keep walking straight until we see the spire buildings, then turn that way.”
I said confidently, recalling the map Father had given me of Montana’s landmarks.
“The spires…”
“That’s the Adriel district.”
And near Adriel, in a quiet part of the city, awaited the cozy little workshop Father had prepared for me.
Towering spires that pierced the sky without fear.
Stained-glass windows that shimmered in rainbow hues and grand marble Renaissance-style architecture—these were Montana’s pride and signature beauty.
“I can even see it from here.”
Pointing at the distant, needle-like rooftops, I took Sophie’s weary hand and tugged her along.
“…Looks like the carriage is gone.”
Glancing back at the shrinking dot of the carriage, I grabbed Hans’s hand as well and murmured softly.
“Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.”
[System: Hans Damon’s Affection +1. Current Affection: 43.]
Even in this situation, his affection goes up?
You really never change.
They followed my sudden instructions without a word, though their faces were a mix of reluctance and confusion.
“Yes.”
Hans closed his eyes last, and I whispered so softly no one could hear:
“Kim Sword.”
The spirit floating above us nodded and snapped his fingers.
“Transport to destination.”
A sharp friction sound rang out, a small whirlpool of energy swirled—and we vanished.
Only rain-soaked leaves remained where we had stood.
In an instant, the desolate plain gave way to a bustling medieval-style marketplace, leaving all three of us gaping like fools.
“So this is…”
“Montana’s market district.”
“No, I mean—how did we…”
“A teleport scroll, obviously.”
Sophie cut Hans off with a sharp tone, giving him a look.
She’d always gotten prickly whenever Hans tried talking to me.
Did those two fight or something?
Watching Sophie’s one-sided cold war, I let out a quiet sigh.
Damn it, Kim Sword.
Another teleportation mishap?!
You promised this time would be different.
I shot him a glare, and he hastily ducked behind Hans.
But since the two were about the same size, his lilac hair poking up over Hans’s head only made the scene more ridiculous.
[Sorry… but hey, at least we landed close this time, right?]
“What on earth are you…”
Hans ended up catching the full brunt of my glare, though he didn’t know why.
“Whatever it is, I’m sorry.”
“…”
“If you’re tired, should I carry you to the workshop?”
He crouched down and offered his back.
Staring blankly at the sturdy muscles in front of me, I shook my head firmly.
What am I, a kid?
Letting out a soft sigh of refusal, I pointed toward a crimson tent nearby.
“Forget that—how about we grab some lunch?”
“Do you have something specific in mind?”
Hans perked up immediately.
“It is about one o’clock…”
Sophie confirmed after checking the massive clock tower standing next to Adriel.
Yeah, everyone must be hungry by now.
Even if we reached the workshop right now, there’d be no food ready, no kitchen stocked. Eating out made sense.
And after today, I won’t have time for leisure anyway.
This would be my last peaceful day for a while.
As I was lost in thought, Kim Sword tapped my shoulder and grinned, pointing to a spot swarming with people.
[Hey, that place looks popular.]
I turned my head and frowned at the familiar sign hanging there.
“That’s…”
[What? Is it insanely good?]
He shook my shoulder excitedly, eyes gleaming like a child.
Hans, misreading the scene entirely, thought I was fainting from fatigue and quickly grabbed me in a protective embrace.
“My Lady! You need to rest—let’s head to the workshop right now—”
“No.”
I smirked, making his eyes widen in confusion.
“What?”
“Because we’re going there.”
Both Sophie and Hans followed my gaze slowly.
“…Of course. That explains the crowd.”
Sophie nodded knowingly.
“It’s that famous?”
Hans’s voice grew louder in disbelief.
“Apparently so.”
I gave a short reply and strode toward the massive seven-story building ahead.
Babilov.
If my eyes weren’t deceiving me, that was the name written in elegant script across the golden sign at the entrance.
The sign, the building—everything was gold, except the uniforms worn by the staff.
No wonder nobles go crazy for his perfume shop.
Everything about it screamed wealth and status.
But then…
Judging by all these rich folks, it must be before Noel passed on his secret formula.
“Please, everyone, maintain order!”
The line wrapped around the building like a snake. Most customers seemed to be wealthy women, though a fair number of men stood among them—ranging from young ladies my age to elderly gentlemen.
The game had mentioned many times how successful his business was, but it never showed this level of detail.
“I didn’t think it’d be this big…”
Sophie, seeing my awe, suggested,
“We have time before the carriage reaches the workshop. Should we take a quick look inside?”
“But I didn’t bring much money…”
Early-stage Shuaden perfumes were bound to cost a fortune. I only had 20 silvers—barely enough for lunch for three.
“It’s fine. I brought extra just in case.”
Sophie smiled sweetly as she pulled a heavy leather pouch from her cloak.
That smile was pure angel.
“Sophie!”
“Lady Yuria.”
I hugged her tight like a child, and she embraced me warmly in return.
“You’re the best.”
Thanks to you, I might get to meet Shuaden.
I smiled softly in her arms at the thought.
Meanwhile, Kim Sword let out a deep sigh as he watched from afar.
[Our master is too simple for her own good.]
“…”
[Give her a candy and she’d follow you to the ends of the earth.]
He shrugged and nudged Hans’s arm playfully.
[Hey, redhead. Maybe you should find someone else, huh? Someone not like her?]
“…”
[She seems to like that black-haired guy, anyway.]
“…”
[Though why she’s courting that pale brat she doesn’t even like, I’ll never get…]
Honestly, she’s fickle as hell.
But of course, Hans couldn’t hear the spirit’s voice.
[Hey. You listening?]
Kim Sword leaned closer to check his face.
Not that proximity would make his words audible.
“…Looks like I don’t belong anywhere after all.”
Hans’s expression was as bleak as the stormy sky above.
Kim Sword tilted his head at the unfamiliar sight.
Redhead?
In eleven years, he’d never once seen Hans wear such a distorted, sorrowful look.
No matter how badly he was beaten down, he always smiled like an idiot.
That’s why this was strange.
“…But that’s fine.”
Hans murmured bitterly, and above his head, a crimson-tinted affection gauge flickered.
[System: Hans Damon’s Affection +4. Current Affection: 47.]
“After all… I’m the only one left by her side now.”
With a shy smile, he whispered those words.
Unlike Yuria, who could see the gauge, Kim Sword only blinked slowly in silence.
