BDSML~07

Chapter 07

Bursting out with great momentum, I immediately got lost in a very undignified way.

“What kind of castle is this big?”

If everything had gone according to plan, I should’ve already been in the main building of the ducal castle, leisurely shopping by now…

Unfortunately, I hadn’t even managed to leave the annex and was still wandering around in circles.

That was when it happened.

“Elda, did you hear that news?”

Somewhere nearby, voices drifted over. Judging by the tone, they were young maids.

‘Oh? Is this that kind of development?’

Pressing myself flat against the wall, I slowly crept toward the source of the sound.

‘Eavesdropping is basically the law in situations like this.’

As I approached, a large kitchen came into view.

It was the annex’s cooking area, and inside were two maids.

“I heard from the ladies working in the main building—this morning, the head merchant arrived at the castle.”

“Ohh, you mean that long-standing trading partner of our northern domain?”

“That’s right. They say he brought a full year’s worth of supplies for the north. The caravan was so long you couldn’t even see the end of it.”

“Well, of course. It’s a massive trade that only happens once a year, all the way from the capital.”

“Ugh, what a pain. If only we worked in the main building instead of this dull annex, we could’ve seen all sorts of rare goods.”

At the complaint of her coworker, the maid named Elda chuckled.

“Don’t say that. The head merchant and his family are said to be extremely difficult guests. I heard last year and the year before were both exhausting.”

“Pfft, so what? A little hardship is nothing. If you just flatter them a bit and get some leftovers, it’s a win for us!”

“Still, I like the annex better. It’s quiet and peaceful.”

“You really are strange. What’s so good about serving that cast-off illegitimate prince in this gloomy annex?”

‘Excuse me??’

I raised my fist toward the back of the complaining maid’s head.

‘Should I go over and knock her out?’

“Mary, you shouldn’t talk about the young master we serve like that.”

“What does it matter? It’s not like anyone’s listening. Haa… The top floor of the main building with the guest chambers must be filled with all kinds of priceless treasures, barely any space to step. I bet the skilled hands there have already pocketed a few things. Ugh, I’m jealous!”

‘What did she just say.’

My eyes widened.

A place overflowing with rare treasures so much you couldn’t even walk?

And servants might already be stealing them?

Unacceptable.

“I haven’t even stolen anything yet—how dare anyone else!”

I blurted out without thinking.

The maid Elda immediately turned toward the corner where I was hiding, tilting her head.

“…Huh? What was that sound just now?”

Uh-oh.

Too late, I quickly lowered my head and pressed myself against the wall like a dead body.

‘I am a wall. I am air. I am unseen.’

“…Maybe I misheard. It sounded like a mosquito buzzing.”

“A mosquito? In this freezing weather? You probably misheard.”

“…I guess so.”

‘Phew. That was close.’

Still in a crawling posture, I slowly slipped out of the kitchen.

Whoooosh—

“A-choo!”

A razor-sharp gust of icy wind made me sneeze without mercy.

“Aah, it’s freezing! Sniffle…”

Shivering violently, I tightened the hood of my sleepwear. Then I peeked once again through the window of the main building’s upper floor.

“…It’s even more than I heard…”

“…But it’s definitely…”

“…I want to go homeee…”

Inside the guest chamber, there were three people who were easy to identify at a glance.

A man wearing a luxurious thick fur robe, hands adorned with colorful gemstone rings—Noel, the head merchant.

Next to him, a middle-aged woman pacing nervously in an extravagant fur coat—his wife.

And on the floor, rolling around like a spinning top and throwing a tantrum, a young child—presumably their daughter.

All three had shiny hair and skin, plump bodies, and looked entirely out of place in the harsh, bleak north.

“Hmm, let’s see.”

I pressed my forehead against the glass, scanning the room like a hawk.

In one corner of the ridiculously large and lavish guest chamber stood rows of expensive-looking clothes and accessories.

Clearly merchandise prepared to be sold to the duchess and northern nobles.

“Good. There’s bound to be at least one outfit that suits Sion.”

I clicked my tongue with a smirk and began mapping out a route into the room.

Just in case, I tried pushing the window.

It didn’t budge at all.

“Hm. Should I just break it?”

But that would make too much noise. I’d definitely get caught.

“What to do…”

Just then—

Knock knock.

A heavy knocking sound echoed from beyond the guest room door.

The merchant couple quickly straightened their clothes and replied.

“Cough, come in.”

The door opened, and a retainer who looked like an aide stepped inside.

He bowed respectfully.

“Greetings. I am Jerome, direct aide to Her Grace the Duchess. Her Grace requests your attendance at a banquet this evening prepared especially for you and your family. She asks for your gracious acceptance.”

“Ah, of course. We will all attend.”

The merchant and his wife bowed repeatedly, acting very deferential.

But the moment the aide left and the door closed, their demeanor changed completely.

“Tch, these northerners are already being pushy.”

“Indeed, dear. It looks like they intend to force that absurdly low pricing on us again this year!”

“Absolutely not. We’ve been forced to accommodate northern demands every year because of that trade agreement our grandfather was pressured into by the imperial court.”

“Rumor has it the Empire and the North have been at odds since a couple of years ago. This is our chance!”

“Exactly. This year, we must make a profit. That’s why we prepared so thoroughly.”

“Of course! …But what if the North notices?”

“Don’t jinx it. We’ve prepared everything meticulously.”

“…Still, I’m a bit scared. The rumors about the North are terrifying. Maybe I should go check the castle atmosphere. I’ll take Sona with me.”

“Do so.”

The merchant’s wife straightened her attire and left the room with the child.

Left alone, the merchant paced briefly before striding toward something.

“Hm? What’s that?”

On the table was a birdcage. Inside, a bird that looked oddly valuable was dozing off.

“Wake up, Perdiceus.”

At the call, the bird—whose grand name did not match its rather plain appearance—lifted its head.

Preeeuk, preeuk.

[Did you call, master?]

“…?!”

I froze.

Strangely, I could understand the bird’s voice.

Some strange fairy-like passive ability of mine must have kicked in.

The merchant carefully lifted the bird and tied a small note to its leg.

“Now then, Perdiceus. As trained, fly quickly and deliver this to my assistant.”

Preeuk.

[Understood, master.]

“Heh heh, such a clever creature. Worth the price of an entire estate in the countryside. Daddy trusts you. Coochie coo.”

Preeuk, preeuk, preeeuk.

[Master, I would like food when I return.]

The merchant smiled warmly and walked toward the window with the bird.

“Eek!”

I quickly hid beside the window frame.

A moment later, the window opened.

Creeeak—

Whoooosh—

The messenger bird shot into the sky.

It quickly became a dot disappearing into the snowy distance.

As the freezing wind poured in through the open window, the merchant coughed violently.

“Cough! Cough! Damn this cursed cold!”

‘Now’s my chance!’

I shot into the room like a gust of wind.

“Cough… cough… Tch, what terrible weather.”

Soon after closing the window, the merchant collapsed onto the sofa.

And then—

Snore— snore—

He fell asleep, snoring.

“……”

I quickly scanned the room.

Then, with lightning-fast movement, I dashed toward the luxurious clothing displayed far away.

Racks and boxes were filled with countless outfits and accessories of all colors and styles.

“Hehehe… now then, let’s see. Where is something simple yet elegant, classic yet trendy…”

I darted through the clothes, eyes scanning rapidly.

“Colors that suit Sion’s ash-gray hair and steel-blue eyes… something weighty but not too heavy…”

Just as I was lost in shopping bliss—

Bang!

The door suddenly burst open without warning.

Startled, I dove into the nearest pile of clothes.

Unluckily, it was something overly frilly and extravagantly colorful.

The intruder was the merchant’s daughter.

The chubby little girl ran in and clung to her father’s knees.

“Daddy! Daddy! I’m cold!”

Snore… snore…

“Daddy! I need a coat!”

Snore… snore…

“Waaah, you idiot!”

The child sniffled and looked around the room.

Then she suddenly ran straight toward where I was hiding.

I swallowed a gasp.