TMLAM 18

Chapter 18

Perhaps because it was the weekend, the market was far more lively than usual. Compared to the few times she had come before, it seemed like many more merchants had opened their shops. On top of that, a road maintenance project was underway, making the streets much easier to walk on. The roads were far better maintained than when they had been dirt paths.

“The roads look much cleaner now, don’t they?” Loella said.

“Yes, Miss Loella. I heard this was something you personally proposed,” Hutnen replied.

“Oh my, who told you that?”

“Sir Jaiman mentioned it. He said the project was inspired by your idea. Especially for walkways, you suggested using finely cut stones.”

“Well… that’s because high heels get caught when you walk.”

Praise really was sweet. As Hutnen said, Loella had been the one to suggest improving the sidewalks. People who had never worn high heels wouldn’t understand how terrifying it was when a thin heel got stuck between stones.

At her old workplace, there had been a strict dress code, so she had always had to maintain proper TPO. That was when she truly felt the pain.

Jaiman had reflected her suggestion, and according to what she heard, noblewomen of the North were showering the project with praise. Roads that didn’t splash mud even when it rained were a dream come true for noble ladies. Dragging those long dresses through muddy streets—just imagining it was awful.

Ugh. Not only was it unpleasant for the wearer, but doing the laundry afterward would be a nightmare.

And there weren’t even washing machines here.

“My mother and aunt were also delighted, saying it’s much easier to walk thanks to you, Miss Loella.”

“You’re too kind. Ah, shall we stop there first?”

The place she pointed to was a shop selling hats favored by noble ladies. She entered the store with Hutnen, and the shop owner spotted them and approached with a wide grin.

“Buying a hat for your girlfriend? Then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got a good eye for people—your girlfriend would suit—”

“Hahaha—”

“I don’t think you have much of an eye for people.”

Hutnen laughed awkwardly, but Loella cut in sharply, her expression serious. What was this man trying to do—ruin someone’s love life?

She herself didn’t have a lover, but what about Hutnen? If he did, this would be terribly rude.

Hutnen was only accompanying her as part of his duties.

“We’re not like that.”

“Oh! You’re not? Sorry, sorry, miss. You just looked so good together.”

“What if Sir Hutnen had a lover? Please refrain from such rude remarks in the future. And I’m not here to buy a hat for myself.”

“Then…?”

“Show me a hat suitable for an elderly lady.”

“And the price range?”

“Show me something elegant, regardless of price.”

Loella was the type who spent money when it mattered—though, of course, within her means.

She planned to buy a hat as a gift for Madame Rosette. Madame Rosette was going on her first vacation in five years, traveling south to visit her daughter and son-in-law. Though still part of the North, the southern region was said to be sunny and warm enough for the sunlight to feel intense.

Loella wanted to give her a beautiful hat suited for an older woman. It was partly for social reasons, but also a genuine token of gratitude for how well Madame Rosette had taken care of her.

That was the reason she had come out today—to buy gifts for those who had helped her, as she stood on the brink of a lightning-fast promotion.

* * *

At the same time, elsewhere in the city—

“Hey—! Isn’t that Miss Loella over there?”

At Aidan’s loud voice, Jaiman and Kristan turned their heads at the same time. Just as Aidan said, Loella was there on the street, apparently shopping and browsing from place to place.

“Wow, seeing Miss Loella even here is really nice. Don’t you think so? Looks like she came out today—and that’s Hutnen with her.”

“Did I ever order Hutnen to keep an eye on Loella today?” Kristan asked.

“What? No, sir. Not since that incident. Why would we monitor someone who clearly has no intention of running away?”

“Then why is Hutnen with her?”

Kristan asked in a subtly lowered voice, clearly unable to understand the situation.

Aidan tilted his head. He couldn’t figure it out either. Moreover, today wasn’t even Hutnen’s duty day. Then why was he standing beside Loella so naturally?

It was Jaiman who answered their unspoken question.

“Perhaps Sir Hutnen wanted to go on a date with Miss Loella.”

“…A date?”

Aidan asked, eyes wide.

“Yes. Otherwise, why would he come out on a non-working day? A man doesn’t spend time unless it’s for a woman he’s interested in. Shopping, no less? Haha. Even if his mother begged him to go shopping, he’d recoil in horror. There’s no way he’d come without interest.”

Jaiman laughed heartily.

“Miss Loella may be buried in work, but she’s quite beautiful. She smiles often, too, so she stands out. She seems the type to be very popular.”

“…And how would you know that?”

Kristan asked, his voice dropping even lower.

Jaiman answered as if it were obvious.

“I remember that most male students at the academy liked women like that. First loves overlapping was extremely common. It seems love has finally found Sir Hutnen.”

“Oh ho. Well, it is that kind of season—such a warm spring. …Why are you making that expression, Your Grace?”

Kristan replied in a very low voice.

“I’m not.”

“No, just now… isn’t something wrong? Is there an issue with construction? You look like you want to smash something…”

Aidan stammered nervously, glancing around as he gauged Kristan’s mood.

“It’s nothing.”

Kristan turned away coldly. Aidan and Jaiman hurriedly followed behind him as he suddenly walked off.

Kristan frowned.

Loella wasn’t someone only he noticed?

He had long known that Loella was sincere, diligent, and kind. And that she had an appearance as pleasant as her character.

But still.

He felt… very, very strange.

The feeling had started the moment he saw Loella smiling face-to-face with Hutnen.

‘She seems to have too much free time.’

Only then did Kristan remember that it was the weekend.

‘That’s why she’s out here chatting so casually.’

Even though he knew Loella had never once wasted her work hours like that, his thoughts tilted strangely toward the negative.

And all of it was directed at Hutnen.

‘Seems the knight order’s training hasn’t been enough. If he has energy to spare like that.’

Kristan stopped in place.

If the knight order got busy, Hutnen wouldn’t have time for leisurely outings like this.

Kristan issued an order to Aidan.

“The weather’s warmed up. It’s time for the knight order to resume training.”

“Ah—yes, that’s true, but…”

Aidan nodded, looking confused about the sudden change of topic.

Kristan spoke calmly, as if this had always been the plan.

“Set the training schedule. One month should suffice. With lax discipline, they won’t be able to face monsters.”

“Yes, I’ll proceed.”

Only then did Kristan’s mood settle slightly.

At least for a while, he wouldn’t have to see the two of them together like that.