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~Chapter 13~
She didn’t know what else Dahlia had stolen or was trying to steal, but she didn’t want to be fooled again.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?”
A deep voice was heard. Etienne glared at the uninvited guest with sharp eyes.
“Simon. Have you forgotten how to knock now?”
“I kept knocking, but you didn’t answer for a long time, so I came in. Is something worrying you? Is it because of that document?”
Etienne’s face, which had been full of annoyance, turned serious.
For the past few days, his attention had been focused on Dahlia, and he had forgotten about the one thing he truly needed to recover.
Was this also part of her plan?
He didn’t care about the other stolen items. They were valuable, but money was never a problem for him.
There was only one thing he wanted back.
The document related to magical research.
He remembered that day from over ten years ago.
It visited his dreams countless times, as vivid as yesterday.
“Etienne. Leave the imperial palace. And never desire the throne. Promise me.”
The Empress Consort had forced those weak words out, then spat another mouthful of black blood. A dark pool formed on the floor.
Etienne could do nothing. She was not injured, nor was she sick.
It didn’t take long for her breathing to stop completely.
Her cold body looked pale, as if all the blood had drained out. Her once elegant face was now thin and lifeless.
It was black magic.
“I will never desire the throne.”
The young Etienne whispered as he held her dry hand.
“But I will take revenge. I will make them suffer many times more.”
“Yes. It’s because of that.”
His voice was flat.
Simon carefully studied his face. There was no change in expression, but his eyes were empty.
Simon felt bitter inside.
Since that day, Etienne had wandered outside the palace. Everywhere rumor spoke of black magicians, he went.
That was also why he bought that ridiculous Jodes Monastery. Many black magicians had been imprisoned there.
And that was where he found the document.
“After all this time, we finally found a clue, and she just had to steal it that very day. Lady Dahlia really is something… How exhausting. If she had to steal something, she could’ve just taken jewels, hahaha.”
Simon spoke cheerfully on purpose.
“Don’t worry. Lady Dahlia wouldn’t be able to get rid of all that wealth at once. And no merchant would dare take such a risk either.”
If all the items she took were sold, she could buy several grand mansions. Most of them were luxury goods ordinary people couldn’t even handle.
Which meant, if they appeared on the market, they could be traced easily.
No fool would try to sell the prince’s property in bulk on the black market without preparation. Simon’s logic made sense.
“Then where do you think those items are now?”
“She probably hid them somewhere. She likely sold the least recognizable things first. And she probably doesn’t understand the meaning of that document either. Unless you know magical language, it just looks like strange scribbles.”
It made sense. If she wasn’t acting under someone else’s orders.
Etienne believed someone stood behind her, but he didn’t reveal that to Simon.
“You’re always fascinating to watch.”
“What is?”
“You look like you could crush a goblin with that body. But for someone like that, your brain works pretty well.”
“Why are you saying that? You’re hurting my feelings.”
Simon tried to act cute.
“Disgusting. Get out.”
Simon pouted, but Etienne ignored him and turned back to the paperwork.
“By the way, are you really going to attend Her Majesty’s birthday banquet with Lady Dahlia?”
Etienne ran a hand through his hair.
Taking Dahlia with him was dangerous in many ways. She was unpredictable and impossible to read.
But what if none of this was acting alone?
What if someone really was behind her?
That possibility was even more likely. Pretending to lower his guard and watching who she secretly met could help the investigation.
“Yes. We’re going together.”
“Understood.”
“But watch her closely. How has she been lately? Any suspicious behavior?”
“Well…”
Simon’s face looked noticeably thinner than before.
Etienne began unbuttoning the rest of his gold-trimmed buttons as he waited.
“Say it.”
“Lady Dahlia is really… strange. No, different.”
Etienne stopped his hands and looked at him.
“Did you know? Lady Dahlia eats steak every morning. She finishes two large pieces in one sitting, then asks for dessert. Chocolate pudding, croissants with cream, pecan pie… she eats everything without hesitation.”
“And that’s strange? Maybe she just feels like eating. Are you jealous or something?”
“What? No! You don’t know this because you never cared, but Lady Dahlia never used to finish her meals. She said feeling full was unpleasant. She only ate a few slices of apple for breakfast. And that’s not all. When choosing her banquet dress, she said…”
He lowered his voice as if revealing a secret.
“She said the dresses were too dreary.”
“That can’t be.”
“Exactly! Isn’t it strange?”
Etienne handed over his shirt with an annoyed glance. No matter how much he disliked her, she was still his wife. Even Simon couldn’t speak carelessly.
Simon realized and bowed his head.
“I apologise. I spoke thoughtlessly.”
Etienne relaxed his sharp gaze.
“Continue. What other performance is she putting on?”
“It didn’t feel like acting. It felt sincere. Since returning, she hasn’t insulted or hit the maids even once. She’s polite even to me. It’s almost creepy. And she said she’ll go buy the dress herself. I told her everything would already be reserved, but she said she knows a boutique and insisted on going…”
For the past year, Dahlia had always worn dark clothes. She had shown no interest in fashion or jewelry.
And now she suddenly knew a dress shop?
Etienne smiled crookedly.
Impossible. She was clearly trying to sell the hidden items. Or perhaps she planned to meet someone she was secretly cooperating with.
Seeing through her obvious plan, Etienne let out a dry laugh.
“Where exactly does Lady Dahlia even know a dress shop from?”
“I’m going too.”
“Where?”
“To the boutique.”
“Why would you go there?”
“To help her choose clothes?”
“Isn’t that why?”
Simon blinked innocently.
The shaking carriage made me excited.
I didn’t expect permission, but Etienne surprisingly agreed, so we were on our way to find the boutique.
When he asked where to go, I told him to head anywhere with shabby shops first.
And because of that, the carriage kept drifting endlessly.
I only remembered it was somewhere in the south. Who remembers the name of a boutique while reading a novel? It was… Ro… something…
Whatever. Sophie found it by chance, so I will too.
I gave up and focused on the scenery instead.
Everything was fascinating. The clear air, smoke rising from each house, the lively laughter from the alleys — it felt like entering a game world.
After wandering for half a day, Penny spoke with a troubled face.
“Lady Dahlia, we’ve searched everywhere nearby. Where should we go now?”
“Are you sure we looked everywhere?”
“To the west there’s another similar town, but it’s too far. The sun will set before we arrive.”
“So even I don’t get protagonist luck?”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing… But what about those alleys over there? Aren’t there shops inside?”
I pointed at a narrow alley barely wide enough for a horse.
“There are shops, but probably not a boutique.”
“Then we should check there too.”
“You want to go there? That kind of place is dangerous. And there won’t be a boutique in such a shabby area. Why not just choose from Pierre’s dresses?”
“It’s fine. I’m not going alone. We have guards.”
“But…”
“Don’t you trust me? No more talking. Stop the carriage.”
I smiled confidently.
As I stepped down, the noise and smell of the town felt real. I was excited to explore the alleys.
I had never even travelled in my old life — and now I was sightseeing inside a novel world. I’m truly a winner.
I linked arms with Penny.
“Isn’t this exciting?”
“Yes… hahaha.”
Her smile was stiff, but even so, walking like this felt fun. We kept moving deeper into the alley while listening to conversations around us.
After some time, Penny spoke again.
“Lady Dahlia, this place feels too dark. Let’s go somewhere else.”
She was right. We had wandered too deep. The shops were sparse, and the alley barely saw sunlight.
“Yeah, in places like this, thugs usually suddenly show up and say—”
“Hey, ladies.”
Exactly like that.
Five filthy-looking men blocked our path. Short beard, long beard, brown beard, black beard, red beard.
What is this, the five beard brothers?
