Chapter 10
Edin clearly wasn’t very good at catching hints.
Although I had lost my train of thought, I did my best to explain what I had discovered.
“Since no one was hurt, isn’t that fine? More importantly, I found something significant. I confirmed that there’s something like a door hidden under that tree. I brushed off the dirt, and the pattern on the handle seemed familiar.”
“Familiar, you say…?”
“I’m terribly sorry, but I’ve seen a similar pattern before, on the earlobe of the previous Duke. It looked almost identical. That’s why I thought it was absolutely necessary to tell you about this!”
A silence fell inside the carriage.
Since I had brought up such an unexpected topic, his quietness was only natural.
The possibility that the Leodid Marquess House could be connected to the sorcery cast on his parents…
“Well… I suppose it is a family with ambitions for power.”
It made sense once I thought of them that way.
Since Edin knew the political world better than I did, he might have already suspected the Leodid Marquess House.
“I hope I’ve been even a little bit helpful.”
Somehow, the approaching feeling of vacation lifted my spirits. I clenched and unclenched my hand, still remembering the sensation of breaking through the barrier. Then I made a modest request to Edin, one that wouldn’t be inconvenient for him.
“Um… could you drop me off in front of Tittize Magic Shop?”
“…Why?”
“I have something I’d like to ask. I think I can get an answer there.”
“Understood. I happen to have business in that direction, so you can accompany me.”
What the… That’s inconvenient.
But I couldn’t show that I disliked it when he was even offering me a ride in the carriage. Besides, he was being excessively kind to me right now. If my attitude changed, the one who would suffer would be me.
“The eldest daughter of the Algerf family could easily be eliminated. Yes, even if I knew a secret, the Richewarden House would deal with it before I even spoke.”
Thinking that made goosebumps rise on my back.
I had to show Edin as agreeable a side as possible.
After what felt like about another hour of travel, the carriage arrived in the capital.
The coachman wisely stopped in a less crowded area and opened the door.
“I’ll assist you.”
“That won’t be necessary…”
I lightly covered my face with a handkerchief as I stepped out of the carriage.
“Let me borrow a cape.”
“Pardon?”
Edin, apparently concerned, borrowed—or perhaps took—the blankets used by the coachmen. Thanks to that, I could conceal my appearance, so I wouldn’t make a fuss. Fortunately, the magic shop wasn’t in a busy area, so the alleyway had few people. Without needing to look around, I entered the shop with him.
“Welcome! Tittize Magic Shop.”
A cheerful clerk greeted Edin immediately.
Of course. Even if hidden, wealthy clients are recognized. The most successful shop in the capital indeed behaves differently. Not a competitor, but a good example to learn from.
“I’ll take care of you, miss!”
A young clerk with yellow hair, seemingly new, hurried over to greet me.
‘She’s really pretty. Must be new.’
Her voice trembled slightly while explaining the magic stones, suggesting she was still unfamiliar with the products sold in the store. I pointed to a barrier stone and asked her.
“I have a question about this barrier stone. If someone other than the owner touches it, is it true they will get hurt?”
“Uh… yes! That’s correct.”
“Are there any cases where someone wouldn’t get hurt?”
“All products go through tests before being sold, so it’s safe to say there aren’t. If it’s another stone pretending to be a barrier stone, maybe, but…”
“Hmm, I see.”
Then what I experienced earlier—was it a fake barrier stone, as the clerk said?
“Are you interested in barrier stones?”
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned slightly forward, ready to sell.
‘It’s not expensive. Having a barrier stone in a shop with only women won’t hurt sales.’
I nodded. She seemed excited that she might make a sale and added more explanations.
“This barrier stone is new, so up to three owners are allowed. And if existing barrier stones only cause minor damage, this one…”
In short, it’s better in performance.
I nodded halfheartedly and asked her to package it for me. Edin seemed to have finished his purchase and waited in the corner.
“You bought a barrier stone.”
“I wanted to check something.”
“Good choice. Considering the city’s security… it’s best to place it where Miss Daphne spends the most time.”
While talking with him, the clerk finished packaging the stone. She glanced at Edin, quickly turned her head, and smiled at me. I handed her 1 gold and received the stone. It was so heavy, I could almost consider it as a weapon.
Having accomplished my purpose, I stepped outside.
As soon as the door closed, Edin whispered softly.
“I have something for you.”
“Yes?”
He then handed me what he had purchased.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Now that I think about it, I never got to visit Daphne’s reopened shop, nor send a gift.”
Who sends a gift for a shop reopening?
I tried to push it away, but Edin insisted on giving it.
“What is this?”
“It’s a newly released magic stone. It’s supposed to emit positive energy and attract customers.”
What?
This stone is like Korea’s owl paintings, sunflower paintings, Daruma dolls, or the lucky cats you see at takoyaki trucks?
The idea of a duke buying such a thing as a gift made me purse my lips to suppress a smile.
‘How strange.’
Still, I appreciated it. It wasn’t an overly meaningful or burdensome gift, so I accepted it. But my goodwill toward Edin ended there. I knew how tiresome it was to be caught up in unnecessary rumors in the capital, so I insisted on taking the public carriage home.
He followed me until the end, handing the fare to the pleasant-looking coachman and said:
“I’ll look forward to our next meeting.”
“…Yes, I’ll write later.”
I greeted him stiffly to avoid arousing suspicion in the coachman.
‘Finally, home!’
I made sure not to look back at Edin and headed home.
As soon as I returned, I bathed and flopped onto my bed.
“Ah~ this is it!”
I breathed in the lavender scent of my room. Happiness filled me.
I rolled around for a while, then reached for the magic stones on my nightstand.
The barrier stone… I’d seen it enough earlier, so I skipped examining it closely.
“A magic stone that attracts customers!”
Shamanism clearly existed in this world too. Magic works here, so shamanistic ideas couldn’t be absent. A single stone designed to draw people carried mystical intention—it was fascinating.
I tapped it lightly.
‘Looks like an opal.’
Its colorful sparkle pleased me. I was the most successful wedding dress designer in the empire, and many women still wanted to entrust me with their dresses. I didn’t need a stone’s power. But still, just looking at it improved my mood.
A stone barely the size of a thumbnail possessed such a charming ability. In my previous life, I hadn’t noticed, but now, with memories restored, I could appreciate this world’s unique charms.
“Miss, will you have dinner in your room tonight?”
“Yes, I think I will.”
“And a letter arrived today. Shall we read it?”
“Yes! Give it here.”
Emma handed me a pale yellow envelope.
“Sent by Mrs. Salvier.”
“Shall I prepare paper for your reply?”
“Yes, that would be helpful.”
I was tired, but knowing the letter was important, I focused and opened it.
“I’ve been so busy that I can only contact you now. Have you been well?”
Of course. Somehow surviving through harsh days, I replied silently.
“Something wonderful and exciting has happened. First, I’ve finished selecting the appropriate attire for Daphne. This was enjoyable but exhausting. If Miss Daphne accepts it, she will surely feel immense happiness.”
I couldn’t help but read with a serious expression. I squeezed my eyes shut.
“And fortunately, perhaps thanks to the news of Duke Edin’s broken engagement, many have suddenly appeared in society. We have found young ladies suitable for Miss Daphne, who are otherwise difficult to meet.”
What could be more delightful than that? One of the top five most interesting things Mrs. Salvier said.
‘Things are falling into place so smoothly?’
I smiled. Perhaps it’s okay for me to plan an enjoyable vacation again.
