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Chapter 14
Just like the canal, the streets were also filled with wagons loaded with goods. Many mercenaries, armed with swords, were escorting them.
Selachia recalled the fortress walls she had seen upon first arriving at the Duchy of Seidon. The grand and solid walls she had glimpsed through the small glass window of the carriage boasted a grandeur comparable to that of the imperial capital.
This was the heart of the empire’s trade. The Duchy of Seidon, known for being able to procure anything in the world, seemed to put great effort into maintaining public order.
Buildings stood side by side with shared walls, and people of various appearances dressed in exotic attire caught the eye.
In the streets full of things to see, Selachia’s eyes darted here and there, busy taking everything in.
Just then, a shadow suddenly fell over her head. The sky didn’t seem like it would rain, so she looked up curiously and saw a parasol blocking the sun. Tenus, standing a suitable distance beside her, was tilting it for her.
“You… wh-what are you doing?”
“As you can see.”
Tenus calmly gestured toward the parasol. Selachia reached out, as if she’d just seen the sea split in two.
“Give it here. I’ll hold it.”
“The tailor’s shop is still a bit further. This way.”
“I said, give it to me.”
“I’m the one who said you shouldn’t do anything with those hands. I can’t go back on my word.”
Anyone overhearing might think the parasol was some heavy weapon.
Thanks to Tenus’s insistence and daily medicine, her hands had long since healed without a trace. The injury hadn’t even been serious to begin with.
“I mean, I can hold a knife, so a parasol should be—”
Selachia stopped mid-sentence.
The image of the brawny Tenus Seidon holding a white lace parasol turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant to the eye.
“D-Duke, this kind of task is my job… Oh dear, this really won’t do.”
A maid trailing behind them fretted nervously. Tenus seemed entirely unaware of what the problem was. His subordinates, exchanging bewildered glances from behind, looked worlds apart from his relaxed expression.
Eventually, even passing pedestrians began turning their heads to gawk at Tenus, making for an amusing scene. Just as Selachia was about to burst into laughter, a realization hit her.
Tenus wouldn’t do something like this out of mere kindness. He must have had an ulterior motive. Perhaps he wanted to make a spectacle of himself in front of everyone, creating a public rumor.
If news spread that the Duke of Seidon had walked down the street holding a parasol for his wife, no one would question their marriage.
Though he might get teased in high society as a doting husband, it could help solidify their previously broken engagement.
Silently impressed by Tenus’s foresight, Selachia walked quietly under the shade of the cool parasol. As her view narrowed slightly, she noticed a short tree lining the street.
Its smooth leaves and white bell-shaped flowers with hints of pink felt strangely familiar.
“That tree… is it a lingonberry tree? The one for lingonberry jam?”
“That’s right.”
Tenus nodded, and Selachia’s jewel-like eyes sparkled.
When she was young, her father had made lingonberry jam in the kitchen — it was her favorite treat in the world. Sweet and tangy jam spread on crispy buttered toast.
Though she hadn’t eaten it in over a decade, just thinking about it made her mouth water.
Gulp — the sound of her swallowing echoed under the parasol. Compared to the street noise, it was barely a drop of sound, but somehow, she felt Tenus’s gaze from beside her.
With a slightly flushed face, Selachia gestured awkwardly toward the opposite side of the tree. Then, pretending her interest wasn’t in the lingonberry tree specifically, she asked in a casual tone, as if interested in everything along the street.
“Those over there… they’re trade managers, right? They don’t look like customers.”
“Probably.”
“Are mercenaries always this numerous here? There are so many escorting the wagons.”
“There are a few mercenary groups that specialize in guarding trade caravans, so it’s not a small number.”
Though he wasn’t particularly warm, Tenus gave her straightforward answers.
“Hmm. I don’t see anyone here on vacation.”
“We’re not a vacation spot like the Barony of Rensh. Foreigners who arrive here settle down, but they don’t stay in the Duchy of Seidon to go sightseeing.”
Naturally, Selachia thought of her birthplace, the Barony of Rensh.
A beautiful land widely known as a resort spot with natural scenery. More artists than merchants, and more families and couples seeking leisure than workers seeking jobs.
Though both coastal, the Duchy of Seidon and the Barony of Rensh had vastly different atmospheres.
“But still, it’s the Duchy of Seidon. You’d expect some tourists.”
“Unless it’s during the festival, there’s no noticeable increase in tourists.”
“Festival?”
Selachia’s voice rose with excitement.
“You mean the ‘Day the Mermaid Grants Wishes’ festival where they float lanterns on the sea?”
“…Of course. Once the succession is formalized, we need to change the name of that festival.”
Tenus’s brows furrowed as if just hearing the name caused him pain. Seeing such an uncharacteristic reaction, Selachia let out a small laugh.
“Why? I like it. The name might be a bit too direct, but it’s a romantic legend. A mermaid that grants wishes. I begged my mother to take me when I was little—”
Her bright face suddenly darkened. A wave of aching nostalgia washed over her.
The sudden, heavy downpour of longing often left Selachia helpless.
That was when Tenus came to a stop.
“We’re here.”
Without glancing at her, Tenus looked up at the tall building in front of them. Thankfully, she didn’t have to show him her awkward expression.
Selachia quickly composed herself and followed his gaze to the elegant building, then looked back at the street they’d walked.
Several carriages were busy coming and going.
“Why did we start walking from the beginning of the shopping district? We took the carriage all the way here.”
“I figured you’d never been to the shopping district before.”
Was that a subtle jab at her for neglecting the territory? His blunt tone was vague, but she didn’t bother asking. Whatever his intent, she had enjoyed the walk.
* * *
Leaving the guards outside, they entered the tailor shop with only a single maid. Despite its old-fashioned exterior, the interior sparkled like new.
“Welcome, young master! It’s truly moving to see you all grown up and back again. Hoho.”
Beneath a dazzling chandelier stood a woman dressed even more extravagantly, who warmly greeted them. She was a middle-aged lady, and Tenus received her greeting with familiarity.
“Has it been ten years, Laura?”
“Exactly eleven, in fact. Plenty of time for the cute young master to grow into such a fine man.”
“And you haven’t changed a bit. This tailor shop either.”
“Of course. I still believe in offering only the best to our clients.”
Though she attended to Tenus smoothly, Laura couldn’t hide her curiosity toward Selachia. Her bright eyes were fixed on the woman beside Tenus.
Overwhelmed by the eager gaze, Selachia forced a small smile.
“It’s nice to meet you, Laura.”
As if she’d been waiting for that, Laura beamed.
“It’s an honor to welcome the new Duchess of Seidon. We promise to give our all for you, my lady. You will not be disappointed.”
“Ah… okay…”
Startled by Laura’s dramatic sincerity, Selachia instinctively stepped back. The tailor shop felt unfamiliar — the last time she had visited one was as a child with her mother.
Laura led them to a private fitting room deep inside. Though cozy in size, every piece of furniture showed clear attention to detail.
“Wow…”
The maid following behind gasped in awe. Selachia might have too, had she not tried to maintain her dignity.
“We received notice and prepared dresses for you in advance. Please wait a moment.”
After bringing out tea and biscuits, Laura briefly left the room. As Selachia sat on a plush sofa and admired the bejeweled mirror across from her, Laura soon returned.
“Thank you for waiting. I’ve selected just a few to start with, for you to browse lightly.”
Lightly…? Selachia’s eyes trembled.
Behind Laura came a long line of staff carrying hangers and mannequins. The small room was quickly filled with dresses. It was far from a light selection.
“Um…”
She turned to Tenus as if pleading, but he was leisurely flipping through a catalog he’d gotten from who knows where, legs crossed like some decadent nobleman. The scene oddly suited him.
Selachia, flustered, looked like the only out-of-place one.
Though she lacked diverse experience, Selachia was still a noble. She didn’t want to appear ridiculous in front of others.
Closing her mouth, she quickly glanced at Tenus. There was much to learn from his composed demeanor — the very image of a socialite.
She erased her flustered expression and mimicked his relaxed gestures.
Straightening her back and lifting her chin with pride, Selachia looked at Laura.
“Well then, shall we have a look?”
