TVMS 44

CHAPTER 44….

An arts district about an hour away by carriage from the center of the imperial capital.

It’s a place where ateliers displaying paintings and sculptures, and workshops where artists work, gather. Shops line the streets in between.

Right in that arts district, the Imperial Department Store revealed its grandeur.

It’s not officially open yet. Signs saying “Preparing” were posted all around, and workers busily moved about.

Despite that, spectators flocked like clouds. Watching the scene, I nodded with satisfaction.

“The commotion at the luxury goods hall was excellent publicity after all.”

The Imperial Department Store intended not to disappoint those people’s expectations.

The building’s original look as an art museum was perfectly preserved, with its elegant, classical exterior. Majestic marble pillars stood in a row.

Once you stepped inside…

Employees in elegant, formal uniforms, wearing name tags that read Imperial Department Store, busily moved about.

Beyond them, countless products were displayed in a way that made everything clearly visible at a glance. This was the result of the best efforts by Lilybeth Oakley, the Marchioness, who decorated it beautifully.

But that wasn’t all. Special stained glass was fitted into the ceilings and windows, causing sparkling light to pour down like a waterfall.

That light brilliantly shone on dresses, men’s and women’s formalwear, jewelry, and shoes. Everything in this place glimmered fantastically, as if sprinkled with fairy dust.

Among all this, the highlight was the special exhibition room.

A circular space in the very center of the department store. It had now entered its final preparations before opening.

Aldensis, Zikren, and I watched as eager prospective customers gathered around. Workers were busily positioning things.

“Here?”

“No! More towards the center!”

They moved the pedestal covered with dark velvet fabric this way and that.

After a while,

The pedestal was placed precisely in the very center where the light from the high-grade phosphorescent stones donated by the royal family poured down like a spotlight.

“Done.”

I loudly spoke toward the outside.

“Now, please bring out the relic.”

Two paladins in white armor had been waiting at the entrance since earlier.

They came in holding our family’s reliquary box together.

“We will enshrine the relic.”

The two paladins lifted the golden box and placed it on the pedestal. The light pouring from the phosphorescent stones reflected off the reliquary, emitting a dazzling radiance.

The spectators started murmuring excitedly, their expectations swelling.

“Princess Aristina!”

Reporters invited for the press conference asked questions.

“Is it true that inside there is the ‘Ice Crown of Saint Agneta’?”

Aldensis and Zikren looked at me.

I raised the key to the reliquary high and answered,

“Yes, that’s correct.”

I recalled what had happened earlier.

“Everyone, please step aside!”

The sacred order’s carriage, decorated in black and gold, arrived in front of the department store.

Ruelian and the paladins got out.

“Is it all ready?”

I asked.

“Yes, Princess.”

Ruelian handed me the key to the reliquary he received from Duke Kanel.

At that moment, Zikren’s loud voice came from the other side.

“Ruelian! You actually brought it yourself even though you must be busy?”

“I promised, so naturally I had to.”

Ruelian started walking toward where the crown prince brothers were.

I looked at the paladins.

“May I check once?”

“Of course. It’s an item of the Rosen family.”

They stepped aside.

I entered the carriage. On the table lay the golden reliquary of the Rosen family.

I inserted the key and opened the lid, slipping one hand inside my coat. I pulled out the secret item carefully prepared with the maids…

Recalling that moment, I slightly smiled.

“I personally confirmed that the crown is safely inside earlier. As the Rosen family representative who requested purification of the relic by the sacred order.”

After saying this to the reporters, I looked at Ruelian.

“The relic has been thoroughly purified and restored to its original state. Thanks to Your Highness’s cooperation in even adjusting the silent prayer schedule, for which I sincerely thank you.”

“No need to mention it.”

Ruelian, standing behind the paladins, answered with a bored tone.

Reporters poured out questions again.

“So after 33 years, the Ice Crown is finally being revealed, but have you taken any special precautions?”

“Precautions?”

“The news that this famous treasure is being shown has already caused a stir, and crowds have gathered even before the opening. To be direct, what do you think about the possibility of theft…?”

“You mean the possibility that the phantom thief might steal it?”

My blunt answer caused the crowd to murmur again.

People loved to talk about it but hesitated to mention it officially out of fear.

But not me.

I lifted my chin and answered.

“Why should I prepare? That thief hasn’t shown himself yet anyway. I don’t know why he cowardly hides like that, but I’m not afraid of such a coward.”

The murmur grew louder.

Aldensis and Zikren looked at me with faces full of amusement and excitement.

Ruelian, on the other hand, seemed uninterested in the situation but was watching me all the same.

It seemed like he was silently saying, “Once the prayer period ends, a very long interview awaits you.”

Amid the busy glances, another reporter asked.

“But Princess, haven’t you thought about this?”

“What kind of thought?”

“Perhaps the phantom thief has been waiting specifically for this super-rare treasure. Though his disappearance was unusually long this time, he’s such an elusive figure. So it’s possible he might suddenly appear and declare his intention to steal this treasure.”

“That could be.”

I nodded arrogantly.

“Since it’s such a famous treasure, I think there’s a chance the thief would be interested. But he won’t dare steal this crown.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Look at his past behavior. He fears our Rosen family. The fact he has never touched our family’s treasures is proof.”

I said confidently.

“Let him come try to steal it. I’m not afraid at all. My father, Duke Kanel’s brave knights, will guard it without any gaps, and we’ll use our immense wealth to equip them well.”

Then I stomped my foot hard on the floor.

“What, you’re not writing this down? Everyone, make sure my words are front-page news! The phantom thief ‘Black Phantom’ will never lay a hand on our family’s treasures! If he ever covets our Rosen family’s treasures, that day will be the day the undefeated legend built so far is broken!”

An arrogant, fiery declaration.

It sounded like a typical extra’s line, doomed to be spectacularly broken by the main character soon.

“……”

With a look that said “Good luck then,” Ruelian prepared to leave.

“Anyway, I kept my promise, Princess. I’d like to stay longer, but I really have to enter a fifteen-day silent prayer now.”

At his words, the press conference paused. Everyone bowed briefly in respect.

“Let’s go.”

Ruelian turned with the paladins.

“Farewell, Your Highness.”

I greeted his retreating figure, then raised the reliquary key again.

“Then I will unveil the treasure appearing for the first time in 33 years, the ‘Ice Crown of Saint Agneta.’”

After saying this, I walked over and inserted the key into the reliquary on the display stand.

The golden lid opened wide. The object inside was revealed before everyone.

“No?”

“What, what is this!”

Aldensis and Zikren shouted simultaneously.

“This can’t be…!”

The reporters and spectators all gasped in shock. Their startled cries spread like a wave.

Ruelian, who was about to leave, looked back.

At the moment he saw the wide-open reliquary, he too was stunned.

“…?”

The pale, beautiful Ice Crown shone dazzlingly, reflecting the light pouring from the ceiling.

Attached to it was a single piece of paper.

The night of August 11th to 12th.

We have taken possession of your treasure.

It was a criminal notice from the undefeated phantom thief—a death sentence to treasure collectors.

“This is impossible!”

“It’s the phantom thief! The thief’s notice has appeared!”

Among everyone startled by the suddenly appearing notice, I was the most shocked.

My arrogant appearance from moments ago completely vanished, my eyes wide open and mouth agape.

“H-How…!”

My face reflected on the transparent surface of the crown was the textbook image of utter shock.

Even I was fooled by my own excellent acting. So who else would notice?

The person who posted that notice was none other than me!