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Chapter 33
In the original story, Yulan—known as “Nox”—was astonishingly active.
He didn’t stand out much on the surface, but in almost every moment when the female lead needed help, he was there.
From small things like finding a dress for the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration, to major feats like uncovering evidence of the crimes committed by Yevgenia.
All of it—things that would have been impossible without knowing the entire capital of the Artrox Empire like the back of one’s hand—passed through him.
In a way, one might even think that the female lead discovering “Nox” first was itself a cheat-like ability granted to the protagonist.
“Well, not just something that seems that way—it might actually be true. Luck isn’t something you can earn through effort.”
But even more impressive than such coincidental fortune was Nox’s power—power so great that merely receiving his help felt like the luck of a lifetime.
Was that strength due to the prince’s authority, or was it something Yulan himself had built up?
There was no way to know.
Either way, it was certain that he could help me.
“This time, I should be able to hire him properly—with fair compensation.”
What Yulan valued, and what kind of compensation he wanted—
If I could find that out in advance, it would be a tremendous help in case the worst future came to pass.
To do that, I first had to meet him.
I gestured to Anna, who was quietly waiting by the door for my call, and asked,
“Anna. Did you say you had younger sisters?”
“Pardon? Yes, my lady. I have two younger twin sisters.”
I gently took hold of Anna’s fingertips as she stepped closer.
When I smiled slightly and met her eyes naturally, I could feel her tense up a little.
She might be acting composed now, but it wouldn’t be easy to forget how, just a month or two ago, she had torn dresses and thrown household items around because Raymond wouldn’t pay her any attention.
“Well, she’ll improve little by little. Honestly, it’s almost surprising how obediently she’s followed me so far.”
It was fortunate that the past Yevgenia had focused solely on Raymond.
She had been too busy chasing after him and guarding against the noble ladies around him to have time to torment Anna.
Whether that should be called thanks to it or because of it was a bit unclear, but…
Either way, good was good, wasn’t it?
“Anna.”
“Yes, my lady.”
So that my sincerity would reach her—or rather, so that it would look like it did—I clasped Anna’s hand tightly.
“I was thinking I’d like to give your sisters some clothes from the Magnolia Dress Shop as well. What do you think?”
“…Pardon?!”
Because it was completely unexpected, Anna jumped as if she had forgotten that I was holding her hand.
As a result, my hand bobbed awkwardly up and down for a moment.
So I laughed naturally, without needing to act, and said,
“I’ve never seen you look this happy, even though you’ve been by my side for quite a while. I just wanted to do something more for you.”
“M-my lady…”
Anna was a girl whose emotions changed quickly.
The tension from earlier vanished so fast it felt like an illusion, and her face crumpled as she grabbed my hand with even more strength than before.
Her slight trembling made it clear she was deeply moved by what I’d said.
For a moment, the act I’d been maintaining faltered.
Was it really okay to use such a pure, kind child as a tool to create my alibi?
“…This really weighs on my conscience.”
But it wasn’t for committing a crime—it was to protect my life.
After finishing that bit of self-justification, I continued gently,
“Summer’s just beginning, but don’t you think you need to prepare now if you want to stay warm through the winter?”
“My laaady…!”
Considering Anna’s age, her sisters were probably no more than fifteen at most.
At an age when they were still growing, no amount of alterations or purchases would ever feel like enough.
And winter clothes were far more expensive than those for other seasons, so this would be more than sufficient compensation for her loyalty.
“And if I keep her busy with this work until winter, it’ll be much easier to meet Yulan if something goes wrong.”
Having dresses made repeatedly wouldn’t burden me financially, but the issue was my reputation.
If rumors spread that I was having dresses made not in the noble shopping district but only at a shabby dress shop in a poor neighborhood…
“They could start with ‘she’s racked up debts even her father doesn’t know about,’ then move on to gambling, or pregnancy from an illicit affair—someone might even say Madam Magnolia is my father’s concubine.”
That wasn’t paranoia.
There were plenty of people who had actually been driven out of noble society by such absurd rumors.
“Even if it doesn’t hurt me, I can’t let my father’s reputation be tarnished.”
So keeping just this much distance from the Magnolia Dress Shop was perfect.
My own dresses, only once when it really mattered.
But for a trusted personal maid, many times.
“If I build up this image of a good employer, plenty of people will follow me when I leave to recuperate later.”
Completely unaware of the scheming behind my thoughts, Anna was on the verge of sobbing.
“I-I didn’t even know you had such deep consideration, my lady, sob… Our lady is truly kind, thoughtful, warm-hearted—hic—”
“Okay, that’s enough. I’ll be receiving your thanks for the rest of my life anyway.”
I waved my hand to stop her before she could start bawling again, then stood up and looked for some stationery.
To buy time for negotiations with Yulan, Madam Magnolia needed to contact him in advance.
Judging by how he had rushed over almost immediately the last time I sent a letter, sending one before visiting should let us meet at just the right time.
I completed a letter, carefully padding it with flowery language while roundaboutly asking her to “summon Yulan.”
Handing the neatly folded envelope to Anna, I said,
“Here. Deliver this letter to Madam Magnolia—and don’t forget to look after your sisters too!”
“My lady! You’re so beautiful!”
“…Am I? Thank you.”
“My lady, your voice is so pretty too!”
“Yours is pretty as well. Your name was… Sena, was it?”
“That’s right! I’m Sena, and this is Sona! You recognized us so quickly—just as expected of you, my lady…!”
You’re wearing different-colored clothes. If I couldn’t tell you apart, wouldn’t that mean there was something wrong with my eyes?
I swallowed the question that rose to the back of my throat.
Sena and Sona, Anna’s twin sisters, were far brighter—and far chattier—than I’d expected.
We’d been in the carriage heading to the dress shop for barely five minutes, and I was already exhausted.
At first, they had seemed intimidated by the fact that I was a high-ranking noble, watching my reactions nervously.
Thinking they were too tense, I handed them some candy to help them relax—
which promptly shattered the lock that had been holding their mouths shut.
“My lady, my lady! Where does this road lead?”
“My lady, my lady! Have you ever been inside that shop?”
“Girls! Stop it! How can you be so rude to my lady!”
My ears were about to burst, but I smiled and stopped Anna.
With children this talkative, the “ideal employer” image I was presenting would surely spread far and wide.
After several—no, dozens—of questions and answers, just as my throat was growing hoarse—
Thump.
“My lady, we’ve arrived at the Magnolia Dress Shop.”
“Finally!”
At my involuntary exclamation, Sena and Sona’s eyes widened.
“…Looks like I’ll be able to show you lots and lots of pretty clothes!”
It was the first time in my life I’d been grateful for my quick reaction speed.
