PSTB 19

~Chapter 19~

The man approached me silently, step by step. From far away he looked small, but up close he was actually pretty tall. Or maybe I’m just small… Hmm.

He circled around me, never taking his eyes off me.

What is this, a vulture circling its prey?

“What? Do you have something to say?”

I tried to sound as strict as I could, since this guy didn’t seem ordinary.

He opened his mouth to answer, but just then, the shop door creaked open.

Was Etienne back already? No, that would be bad!

I quickly looked over.

“Oh, a customer! Welcome!”

Phew, not him!

A woman with black hair came in, smiling warmly at me.

She had to be the shop owner.

I smiled politely back. The woman gave the man beside me a look—a silent signal.

You, hurry, get out.

At least that’s what I read from it.

But he either didn’t get the signal or pretended not to. He just stood there, picking at the calluses on his fingers.

With a forced smile, the woman spoke through gritted teeth.

“Nathan, I told you not to come into the shop. Go inside, now.”

She spoke to him like he was a child.

I watched the situation carefully.

That’s odd. From what I could tell, Nathan seemed like he had a higher status—his clothes and the aura about him.

Nathan finally gave up pretending and obeyed her words, heading toward the back of the shop. The spot where he’d stood smelled faintly of sweet soap.

Actually, scratch that—he didn’t really listen. He sat down at a tea table in plain sight.

“Nathan…!”

The woman gave him a warning glance, watching me as well.

Nathan just calmly poured himself some tea, the lace at his sleeve catching my eye. The woman sighed in frustration.

She must have decided it was better to ignore him than to argue in front of a customer.

“What are you looking for today?”

“I came to buy a dress. I heard the tailor here is very talented.”

“Ahaha, thank you. My skills aren’t that special, really.”

“You’re the tailor?”

“Yes. I design everything myself and sew each piece by hand.”

On the other side, I heard the noisy sound of tea being poured.

The tailor glanced at him, then at me. She barely managed a smile but looked annoyed.

“As I heard, all your dresses are beautiful. Especially this one—I really like it.”

I stepped toward the dress that had caught my eye.

“Wait, that one’s from the expensive line. The cheaper ones are over there.”

She stopped me and pointed to the other side. I couldn’t believe my ears. Really?

“Excuse me?”

“That’s our most expensive dress.”

She quickly looked me up and down.

So, basically, she didn’t think I could afford it based on my clothes?

Ugh. There’s always someone like this, no matter where you go.

“And…?”

I pretended not to understand. The woman pressed her fingers to her forehead, her smile twitching.

“Sorry to say this, but that dress isn’t in your price range.”

“Did I ask you to judge whether I could buy it or not?”

She let out a long sigh.

“Listen, I…”

Before she could finish, the door opened again. This time, a young lady in a colorful dress walked in.

The tailor glanced between me, Nathan, and the new customer, then her lips twisted in annoyance. She quickly hurried over.

“Lady Anna, welcome!”

It seemed they knew each other.

“I’m here to buy a dress for the Empress’s birthday banquet.”

“Oh my! You were invited to such an important event? I’m so jealous.”

Her voice was much sweeter than when she spoke to me.

“Of course. It’s only natural for me.”

“Naturally, Lady Anna—you’re the respected daughter of Count Alexa.”

“But who’s that?”

Lady Anna looked me up and down over her fan, not even trying to hide her voice.

“Oh… Just another customer who came a little while ago.”

“Then why is she hanging around that dress? I told you I’m buying that one.”

“I know. I’ll make sure she doesn’t touch it before you buy it.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

When did I insist on anything? They were saying it loud enough for me to hear.

I tried to be a quiet, graceful princess, but should I just embarrass them a bit?

I wasn’t angry, but I wasn’t patient enough to let it go.

“Oh, did you already buy that dress?”

I asked, pretending to be polite, my gloved hand covering my mouth. Both women looked at me.

“No, but I already said I’d buy it.”

Anna spoke like she was giving me some grand lesson.

“Did you pay a deposit?”

“Deposit? Ha, you’re funny. I guess you don’t know how nobles live. My name itself is proof—I don’t need a deposit.”

Anna even clapped her hands and laughed. But what I said next wiped the smile off her face.

“So, you haven’t put down a deposit? Then I’ll buy this dress.”

“W-what? Right now?”

“Buy it? Are you crazy? Do you even know how much this is? You couldn’t buy it even if you had a hundred of those outfits.”

She tapped my shoulder with her fan. It didn’t hurt, but the attitude was insulting.

If this dress is so expensive… I guess it must be ugly, then.

But even if it is ugly, judging people by appearances is still wrong. People like this need to experience a little payback.

“Oh, so that’s why you can’t buy it, huh? You keep saying you will, but you just bother the tailor. Poor thing.”

I clicked my tongue, and Anna’s face turned red. She blinked quickly and glanced at the tailor.

Did I hit the mark?

“But it’s too bad for you. I want to buy it. In fact, I’ll buy everything from here to there.”

I pointed across the shop, just like a rich snob. I did worry for a moment if I had enough money.

Whatever. If I don’t, I’ll put it on the Duke’s tab. Nobles are supposed to be trustworthy, right?

The two women’s eyes grew wide.

“What?”

“All of it. Right now.”

It’s fine. If Etienne doesn’t pay, I’ll just steal a picture frame and sell it…

“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think these dresses are as cheap as market stall rags? Even if you sold your whole house, you couldn’t buy them all!”

Anna shouted from behind, and the tailor looked doubtful too.

“Alright, then could you please pay first?”

She was openly being rude, making it clear she didn’t trust me.

Anna giggled from behind.

“See? She’s bluffing. Look at her, total pauper.”

Just then—

“And what’s wrong with the way I look?”

A new, unfamiliar voice made everyone look toward the door.

Through the frosted glass, Etienne walked in, light glowing around his silver hair.

Everyone gasped.

With that unreal face and those shining silver locks, it was obvious who he was. Only royalty had silver hair in this country.

Anna and the tailor stared at him, dumbstruck.

The odds of meeting a prince in a rundown city shop were about as likely as seeing your boss riding a horse down the main street on a Monday morning.

Oh yes, perfect timing.

I ran over and grabbed his waist, pressing my cheek against his chest. I could feel him flinch, so I hugged tighter.

“Honey!”

“Huh… what?”

“Why are you so late? I was so scared!”

“Are you going to let go or not?”

I winked at him desperately.

I really hoped this sign meant the same thing here as in my world. Luckily, he seemed to get it, glancing around.

The tailor and Anna stared at us, mouths open.

Now you get it, right? Please play along with my act!

Afraid he’d push me away, I clung even tighter to his waist. I could feel him stiffening up.

Etienne raised his hand. Was he going to push me away? No!

But instead, he awkwardly patted my shoulder. I took that as a good sign—he was playing along.

I whined even more.

“They were bullying me, Etienne!”

“What?”

His annoyed face turned fierce as he swept his gaze over the two women. They both dropped their eyes to the floor.

Wow, he’s good at acting. Anyone would think he was a loving husband.

“Who bullied my wife?”

He asked in a deadly serious voice.

The tailor rolled her eyes, then turned pale. I had already told them his name, so they must’ve realized who he was. They were doomed.

Soon, she dropped to her knees, bowing down flat.

“W-we didn’t know you were the princess! We’re so sorry!”

“They treated me like a beggar. Said I couldn’t even afford a single glove. I’m so sad, Etienne…”