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Chapter : 45
‘As expected, spending money and being pampered is the best.’
Besides, with the charm stat going up as a bonus, perhaps it was just self-justification, but all this spending felt like a gain.
Since I spent quite a lot of time picking out matching shoes, the sun had already set by the time I stepped out of the boutique.
“Please visit us again, My Lady!”
“Take care, My Lady!”
“We hope to see you again, My Lady!”
With the farewell of Madam Florence and all the attendants working at the boutique, I stepped outside.
I could go home like this… but the day’s tasks weren’t over yet!
“Next stop, the jewelry store!”
“W-What? M-My Lady! This might be too much! T-The Master will be furious…!”
[SYSTEM] The terrified ‘Maid Sophie’ believes you made a fortune through heinous crimes and fears the city guards might come arrest you at any moment! Notoriety +5
Ugh, I figured this would happen.
Still, at least no message popped up saying she was considering reporting me.
But if I dragged her around like this, misunderstandings would only pile up — she looked about ready to faint. I had to say something.
“Sophie.”
“Y-Yes, My Lady.”
“It’s money that won’t get me in trouble. There’s no need to worry.”
At my words, Sophie’s face went even paler.
She clearly didn’t believe me.
“…Sophie?”
“Y-Yes, My Lady…”
Her trembling voice still sounded terrified, but no additional system message appeared.
‘…Does that mean the misunderstanding is cleared up?’
Maybe the system didn’t notify me since her stats hadn’t changed, but I didn’t have time to worry about it — I had too much to do.
Eventually, I stopped by Rosso Jewelry, known for carrying the most expensive and rare jewels in the capital — and I even managed to make them close the store for me.
“We will not accept any more customers today. Please take your time, My Lady.”
I was spending more than the price of most mansions in the capital. I guess such treatment was expected?
Having spent all the funds I had set aside for jewelry, I was escorted out by the enthusiastic Rosso brothers.
“We’ll have the jewels you purchased delivered to the duke’s mansion by tomorrow, My Lady. Thank you.”
“It would be our greatest honor to serve you again!”
Hehehe, there’s nothing more thrilling than being treated like a VIP.
Feeling deeply satisfied, I finally boarded the carriage to return home.
“Whew, I’m exhausted.”
I’d tried on several dresses and draped jewels over every part of my body that could carry them — my whole body was sore.
Still, having received such fervent service that I never experienced in my real life, I was in a fantastic mood.
Ah, of course, this spending spree wasn’t just for fun.
Spring Ball in Q1, Fountain Festival in Q2, Harvest Festival in Q3, and Christmas in Q4.
In Ark’s world, every quarter had a themed sub-event.
The “Queen of Spring,” open to all unmarried noblewomen over 18, was one such sub-event held in May.
Originally, even though I accepted the quest, I had planned to gloss over it in favor of my mana stone deals…
‘Plans always change.’
With the unexpected appearance of the slave Randolph, I was able to devise a better plan.
Deciding that completely abandoning the social route was too risky without knowing what “goal achieved” actually meant, I chose to participate in high society.
And to do anything with my hopeless stats…
‘This game is all about gear.’
I needed to show off some serious gear.
The Next Day
I couldn’t help but grin like a fool at the parade of carriages arriving at the duke’s estate.
“Hehehehe…”
Five carriages from Florence Boutique.
Two carriages from Rosso Jewelry.
A total of seven luxurious carriages rolled in, startling even the estate’s staff.
“What on earth is going on?”
Even Duke Ulmer came rushing out, looking shocked — that said it all.
“These items belong to Lady Adelheid.”
“What did you say?”
As the extravagant goods began to pile up in my room, the duke stood there with his mouth agape.
Then, as if struck by a hammer, he rushed over and opened a jewelry case.
‘Tsk, so rude.’
Though I didn’t like how Duke Ulmer opened the box without my permission, I had to think of him as a warehouse manager checking inventory for the storage space he’d lend me.
“What the hell is this?!”
Even though the 20-carat diamond necklace practically screamed “I am a diamond,” Duke Ulmer still wanted to hear an explanation from me.
Ugh, how annoying.
“They’re items sent to me.”
“What? Sent to you?”
His expression twisted into something strange.
It was as if he’d witnessed something beyond his comprehension…
Fortunately, he seemed to remember his dignity and spoke in a more composed tone.
“Ahem, so that’s where you’ve been instead of attending the Spring Ball…”
He brushed his hand over a jewelry case marked “Rosso Jewelry” and smirked.
In the short silence that followed, my heart thumped — would he suspect where the money came from?
But all that tension was for nothing — what came out of his mouth was absolute nonsense.
“You must’ve snagged a decent man with that pretty face of yours.”
“….”
“Well, it figures. A dumb orphan girl like you can only seduce men with that face and body of yours. Well done. You’ve finally realized your true purpose.”
Every word out of his mouth made me want to punch him. If this was a talent, he was world-class.
Sigh.
All these jewels and dresses were the fruits of my intense mining and ruthless slave labor.
But saying I bought them myself would be dumb, so I let him believe whatever he wanted.
“Which family’s young master is it?”
Of course, Duke Ulmer wasn’t that easy to fool.
It was only natural that he’d be curious. A man who spent this much on me must be filthy rich.
But I wasn’t about to be pushed around.
“I’ll tell you when it’s confirmed.”
“What? How dare you…!”
“He doesn’t want it to be known. If I say something wrong, everything could fall apart.”
Hearing that, the duke’s face twisted like he’d swallowed something rotten.
But even a man like Ulmer, whose brain only held money and how to exploit his adopted daughter, knew this: the wealthier a noble, the more careful they were about rumors — even about casual relationships.
“I expect you to use your body and soul to ensure this turns into something solid. I won’t be checking your curfew for now.”
In short, he was telling me to sleep with him and secure the relationship.
Sigh… I may be legally an adult, but this guy is beyond help.
At least being freed from curfew gave me more freedom in my actions, but the intent behind it left a disgusting aftertaste.
Oblivious to my thoughts, the duke gave me a sleazy smile and said,
“Well done, Adelheid.”
Only Duke Ulmer could ruin a compliment so thoroughly.
With those words, he left.
“Sophie.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“Open the window. The air is foul.”
“I-It might be cold…”
“It’s fine.”
As Sophie quickly opened the window, the disgusting aura that Duke Ulmer left behind finally seemed to drift away.
“Phew… Huh?”
As I walked to the window to catch my breath, I happened to see Paula heading toward a carriage with an unfamiliar crest.
“That’s Paula.”
“Y-Yes, she has a… a meeting today…”
“A meeting? Yeah, she must be busy.”
She was probably scrambling to avoid marrying Marquis Vente.
Thinking that, I watched Paula — but something felt off, and I tilted my head.
“…What is it?”
Her appearance just now — I felt like I’d seen it somewhere before.
“M-My Lady, is something wrong?”
When I turned to Sophie, I saw from her face that she was jumping to another terrifying conclusion, so I quickly shook my head.
“No. It’s nothing. Just start putting away the dresses.”
“Yes, My Lady…”
Whatever Paula was up to, it had nothing to do with me.
With that thought, I shut the window with a snap.
