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Chapter 101
The next day, Lucy immediately sent a letter to Baron D’allo, suggesting that their families gather for a meal soon and proposing a date.
“Nils, as soon as we get a reply from Baron D’allo through the trade guild, let me know immediately.”
After giving instructions to her aide, she used the excuse of market research to head out to the Navid Guild.
The Navid Guild operated discreetly from a shabby building without even a signboard.
“Welcome,” greeted the managers of the Navid Guild with smiles as Lucy entered. They were all long-time executives of the Pablo Guild, recommended by Count Raeford.
“Nothing unusual has happened, I hope?”
“Deliveries are proceeding without any issues.”
After checking on the guild’s operations, Lucy reviewed pending documents and handled several important matters. Once done, she went back into the city for market research, as planned.
Although most tasks could be delegated to her aide, market research and keeping up with industry trends were always done personally by Lucy, and the staff were accustomed to seeing her take the lead.
‘Then today, perhaps I should make my face known in the capital under the name Lucy Raeford.’
People who recognized her still called her “Lucy D’allo.” It was time to gradually make her name as Lucy Raeford known.
She first visited a famous dress shop in the bustling district.
As soon as she entered, young noblewomen who recognized her began whispering among themselves.
Ignoring their whispers, she called for the shop owner.
“What can I do for you?”
The shop owner, hearing the whispers of the young nobles, approached with a slightly curt expression, assuming she was Lucy D’allo, and asked her business.
“I came to see clothes, of course. Do you really think I came just for a haircut?”
Lucy covered her mouth and chuckled at the owner’s question, finding it amusing.
The owner’s face immediately flushed red. Clearing her throat, she said,
“Sorry, but only those with reservations may view our clothing. Could you make a reservation and visit another time?”
“I see. Then may I make a reservation now?”
“Sure… The earliest available date would probably be about a month from now. May I have your name?”
Looking at Lucy with a haughty expression, the shop owner spoke.
“Oh my, a whole month? It’s an honor that our products will be delivered to such a prestigious shop! I am Lucy Raeford, head of the Pablo Guild. Please make the reservation under that name.”
Lucy introduced herself with an exaggerated look of surprise.
“Pablo… the guild?”
At her words, the shop owner momentarily faltered, clearly surprised.
“I understand your guild’s new material fabrics have recently become popular in the capital. One of the important clients isn’t this shop, by any chance?”
Lucy tilted her head, as if recalling something.
“The new material fabrics… yes, yes! That’s right! Why didn’t you mention earlier that you were the head of the Pablo Guild?”
The owner’s demeanor suddenly shifted, bowing repeatedly to Lucy.
“In any case, since a reservation is required, please make it under the name of the Raeford family. We will see you on the scheduled date. Sir Shan, let’s go!”
Lucy intentionally spoke loudly, as if for others to hear, while leaving the shop.
She visited several more dress shops afterward, with similar reactions each time. At every place, she made sure to announce loudly, “Lucy Raeford,” before departing.
“Are you sure this is okay? I worry that now, under the name Lucy Raeford, rumors might spread.”
For some reason, Shan asked, concerned.
“That might happen. People will be curious about the connection between Lucy D’allo and the Raeford family, and how I became head of the Pablo Guild.”
The rumors would grow and spread. And the bigger they grew, the greater the impact when the truth came out.
That was precisely what Lucy intended.
After visiting surrounding shops, general stores, and jewelry stores, Lucy decided to check out eateries selling foods made with “Ops.”
First, she went to a dessert shop popular among nobles. She ordered a cake made from Ops, currently favored by young noblewomen, and tasted it with Shan.
“Shan, what do you think of the taste?”
“It’s good,” Shan replied blandly. Finding his response not very helpful, Lucy packaged the cake to give to Anna and left the shop.
Just as she was stepping out, someone blocked her path.
“Lucas?”
Lucas, out of breath, stood in front of the dessert shop as if he had run to catch up.
“Lucy, what a surprise to see you here.”
“What brings you here, Lucas?”
“I was passing by and saw you, so I stopped the carriage.”
Smiling brightly at her, Lucas prompted Lucy to lead him to a more secluded area to avoid recognition by people inside the dessert shop.
“I’m here for market research. This dessert is part of that research,” she explained.
“I see. I was on my way back after finishing some errands. If this is market research, where are you headed next?”
“I’m planning to visit the market. You mentioned the Ops crop before, right? Recently, foods made from it have become widely available.”
Lucy brought up Ops casually, pretending she knew nothing.
“That’s interesting! I’ve been curious about foods made from Ops too. I won’t be in your way—may I come along?”
“That’s fine, but…”
Lucy hesitated briefly.
“The thing is, Lucas, you’re such a famous figure…”
Lucas looked at her, puzzled.
“Don’t you know? Once we enter the market, your portrait will be sold everywhere. In short, everyone knows your face!”
His stunned expression showed he had no idea.
“Hm… then how about this? I have a fun idea…”
Lucas smiled playfully, looking at Shan.
Soon after, Shan returned with some plain clothes typically worn by commoners.
“So, you mean we change into these and do the market research?”
“Wouldn’t that be fun? That way, no one will recognize us—well… sorry, my lady, I might be overstepping. I’ve never roamed the market this freely, so I’m probably too excited…”
Lucas, who had seemed excited, let his shoulders slump mid-sentence.
“No, no! This will be really fun. Right, Shan?”
Lucy quickly waved her hand, signaling Shan to respond.
Shan, however, said nothing, only frowning slightly.
“Where shall we change our clothes?”
“There’s an abandoned building behind this one.”
Lucy asked worriedly, and Shan casually pointed to a building behind them.
They went inside and changed clothes.
As soon as they came out, Lucy couldn’t help but laugh at Lucas.
The clothes Shan had found were too small, exposing a good portion of Lucas’s limbs, and the robe’s ornate pattern made him look comical.
Lucas stared at his wrist, looking embarrassed. Lucy, suppressing her laughter, approached him.
“Sorry, Shan didn’t have a good eye for sizes… How about rolling up the sleeves like this?”
She rolled up Lucas’s sleeves. Shan frowned slightly at the sight.
Lucas quietly observed Lucy and slightly lowered his head.
“There’s no mirror, so I can’t tell if the hood properly covers my face. Could you check, my lady?”
Lucy instinctively held her breath as Lucas’s face came close.
No matter how often she saw him, his face was dangerously handsome.
Blushing, she adjusted his hood and collar to fully conceal his face.
“There, safe now!”
She spoke as if to her own heart. Being so close to his handsome face was too dangerous for her heartbeat.
Lucas, unaware of anything, simply smiled, letting his eyes peek out subtly from the hood.
