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Chapter 8
It had been a long time since a customer came.
After Serena, business had completely dried up, and I was already half thinking of shutting everything down—so this was only the second customer.
“Welco—!”
I opened the door with a bright smile, ready to greet them warmly, but…
“Found you.”
The moment I saw the man standing there, I froze with my hand still on the doorknob.
“My toy shop owner.”
“……”
Dark violet hair. A distinct beauty mark beneath long eyes. A handsome man with sharp, bold features.
There was only one person I knew who looked like that.
The heroine’s older brother—Lucian Berto.
…Should I just close the door?
I forced my trembling hand to stop and somehow managed to greet him.
“Wel…come… What brings you here…?”
“To take it back. My toy.”
“Pardon?”
“You can make me a new one if you want. I actually prefer new things.”
What is he even talking about?
I already knew Lucian Berto wasn’t normal, but seeing him like this, he just seemed insane.
“Um… sir? Are you sure you’re at the right place? This isn’t a toy shop—it’s a guild.”
I gestured toward the sign hanging on the tree in front of the house: Red Thread Information Guild.
But Lucian didn’t even bother looking. He simply curved his eyes as he stared at me.
“You know, that’s not how you tail someone.”
“…!”
I blinked blankly when suddenly a large hand reached toward me.
I tried to step back, but it was already too late.
I was certain he was about to pull off my hood—so I froze.
“You thought just changing your robe and mask color would keep suspicion away?”
But instead of removing it, he merely tapped my hood lightly, like a knock.
I blinked in confusion.
So what does that mean?
It means… he knew I was following him?
And the “toy” he mentioned must be Serena. Calling me the toy shop owner means I’m the one who made that “toy”?
…Can someone please dig into this man’s brain?
My head spun for a moment, but if I stayed like this, I’d just get dragged along by him.
I quickly pulled myself together and spoke.
“Excuse me.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you drunk, by any chance?”
When in doubt, acting confidently is best.
You have proof? Do you have any proof I was following you?
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about, but we have a strict policy of not serving drunk customers. Please leave.”
I tried to shut the door, but Lucian immediately stopped it.
No matter how hard I pushed, it didn’t budge.
He stared at me for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
“Ahaha. You’re really interesting.”
If I didn’t know what kind of person Lucian Berto was, that refreshing laugh might have made my heart flutter.
But I knew him very, very well.
Especially after taking Serena’s request.
“Still, isn’t it a bit cold to treat someone like this when they finally came to see you?”
Lucian wiped the tears at the corner of his eyes and slowly stopped laughing.
“I finally found a toy I liked, and it broke in just a few days. Do you know how disappointed I was? The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.”
No, I don’t. How could I possibly understand the way you think?
Unbothered, he continued with a smile.
“So, will you make this next toy a bit sturdier?”
“Are you se—”
Is he actually crazy?
I almost let my thoughts slip out loud.
“Hmm?”
What should I do?
As I was desperately thinking of a way to send him away—
Grrrr…
Wit, who had transformed into a black dog, stepped beside me and bared his teeth at Lucian.
“Wit….”
Did you come to protect me?
Perfect timing.
Feeling briefly touched, I straightened my expression and spoke again.
“Our guild does not allow entry to anyone except customers. Please leave.”
“Hmm.”
Lucian remained completely calm, even with a ferocious dog growling at him.
“Guess you won’t accept me like this, huh?”
Muttering to himself as if speaking to someone else, he suddenly smiled at me.
“If I come as a customer, that works, right?”
“What?”
“Good. Then see you again.”
“Wait—!”
Before I could respond, he turned around and climbed into his carriage.
I stood there, staring blankly as it disappeared into the distance.
“What the….”
Do I seriously need to move?
“Master! Get a grip!”
Wit, now back in his blond fairy form, slapped my cheeks repeatedly.
I waved him away like I was swatting a mosquito and locked the door.
Lucian Berto.
The one person in this novel I wanted nothing to do with.
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“Master! Do you like Taro that much?!”
“Who? Oh… your rich friend?”
Why bring that up all of a sudden?
“…Wait. Don’t tell me Lucian Berto is Taro?”
“The watch in Berto’s pocket—that’s Taro, Master!”
He had a watch?
I hadn’t even noticed.
Leaving that aside—why is that wealthy fairy Taro with Lucian?
Are they contracted, like me and Wit?
What a strange combination.
“…So, Wit. Did you come out because you thought I got charmed by Taro?”
“Yeah! I thought you’d be drooling again!”
Give me back my emotional moment. You weren’t here to save me?
“Wit. I didn’t even know your friend was there.”
“Huh?”
“If you hadn’t told me, I would’ve never known.”
“Huh? Huh?!”
Only then did Wit realize what he’d done and grabbed his head in despair.
“I messed up! I told you myself!”
Idiot.
Shaking my head, I opened the door to Adriel’s room.
He slowly lifted his eyelids as I entered.
“That was Marquis Berto just now, wasn’t it?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
Can he recognize him just by voice?
Adriel answered calmly.
“Anyone affiliated with the temple would react just from hearing his voice.”
“Why? Did something happen between him and the temple?”
Adriel fell silent for a moment, as if recalling the past.
“Once, Marquis Berto visited the temple as if it were his own home. It would’ve been one thing if he behaved, but he caused trouble every single time.”
“What kind of trouble…?”
“One day he wrecked the prayer room. Another day he overturned the grand temple. And on the last day… he finally crossed the line.”
Adriel let out a heavy sigh.
“The Saintess’s possession disappeared right after he met her. He denies it, but who would believe him given his past behavior?”
So basically—no proof, but everyone’s convinced.
I looked down at Adriel, who frowned irritably.
Either way, getting involved with Lucian Berto brings nothing good.
After organizing my thoughts, I turned toward the door.
Wit was still wailing outside.
I checked under the bed.
My jewels… still safe, right?
Adriel glanced at me but, true to his upright nature, showed zero interest in my hidden wealth.
As expected, this place is the safest.
I stood up and dusted off my dress.
“He’s not someone with a good reputation.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
“He’s not someone you should keep close.”
“Obviously.”
“Avoid speaking to him if possible.”
“……”
I know that already.
Just as I was about to leave, I turned back.
“Sir Knight? You seem to have forgotten your situation. You’re currently being kidnapped and threatened by me.”
“…I’m just telling you to be careful.”
Wow. Is he naive or just dumb?
“Anyway, if you really care about me, just sign the contract. That would help me more.”
“I need time to think.”
“Yeah, of course you—”
…Wait?
That wasn’t the usual “No” or “I refuse.”
Surprised, I stared at him.
After a brief pause, he added,
“Until then, I’d like to get along with you.”
…He wants to get along with me?
I narrowed my eyes.
“Why the sudden change? That’s suspicious.”
“I owe you. You could’ve treated me poorly, yet you’ve provided me with a bed and meals.”
That’s all it took?
Is he seriously that simple?
“…Hmm.”
After thinking it over, I shrugged.
“Well, fine. As long as we can avoid trouble, that works for me.”
He hesitated, as if he had more to say.
What now?
“Do you have something else to say?”
Ah!
Is he going to say he wants to contribute to household chores?
“It seems it’s time.”
“…Time for what?”
“What’s for lunch today?”
…You freeloader.
* * *
That same Lucian Berto returned again later that day.
“I came as this child’s guardian. That means I can come in now, right?”
He brought along his younger sister—who had reddish-violet hair.
“Please make Mom and Dad love me….”
His illegitimate sister, no less.
