🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 19
After turning my slightly twisted foot back into place, I lifted my head as if nothing had happened.
I opened my fan just in time and half-covered my face. Through the narrow crack of the boutique door, I saw a woman with freckles and brown hair tied up, looking at me with eyes full of worry.
The fact that I hadn’t heard so much as a single bell chime when the door opened told me just how poor this dress shop’s conditions were.
I couldn’t help but wonder how on earth a catalog from such a rundown place had made its way past the gates of House Martur.
‘Well, considering how I always insisted on personally approving every new dress shop and jeweler before the nobles could use them, I suppose it’s not impossible…’
Still, this was ridiculous.
To hand the catalog of a shabby little shop like this to the only princess of the Empire was practically the same as gambling one’s neck.
Especially if that princess was Yevgenia Martur.
And yet, for some reason, the freckled woman looked almost excited.
I asked, half in disbelief,
“Madam… am I, by any chance, your very first customer?”
“Ah! I—I assure you, it’s not because my skills are lacking or because our clothes are poor in quality! It’s just, well, our promotion didn’t go very well, so we’re not very well known yet…”
The woman trailed off, scratching her cheek in embarrassment.
At the very least, it was clear that she was very confident in her work.
Otherwise, she’d never have dared to show her clothes to a high noble.
After all, nobles were the kind who would throw a fit like a soldier following orders if anything displeased them in the slightest.
But no matter how fine or innovative her designs might be, that wasn’t what mattered to me.
What I needed was an answer—whether she or her boutique had any connection to Yulan.
‘It’d be awkward to ask outright in front of Anna… I should go inside first.’
Once inside, I could easily find a moment alone with the madam.
I gave Anna a silent look, and she immediately understood.
“Madam, show us the way. My lady seems to have taken a liking to your catalog—bring out everything listed in it.”
“Ah! O-of course! I’ll prepare everything right away! Please, come in, um, my lady…?”
After giving the woman a polite nod, I entered through the door Anna held open.
The interior wasn’t much better than the outside.
The floorboards creaked with every step, and the wind leaked through the walls, making the air feel even colder than outdoors.
Still, I had to commend her for at least trying to keep out the foul smells from the street.
The spotless racks and tables, and the neatly arranged dresses, showed how devoted she was to this little shop.
Moreover—
“…The fabrics look rather fine.”
“Indeed, my lady. But in this neighborhood, that doesn’t seem, hmm… very competitive. Maybe she’s just planning to go bankrupt.”
“Or maybe she has someone to rely on.”
Like, say, a certain prince with money to burn.
As Anna said, the quality of these items was far too high for this district.
It wasn’t a matter of whether she could make sales—she should be more worried about being robbed.
There were no guards, no assistants to call for help if something happened.
Even a naïve five-year-old wouldn’t believe this woman was running such a luxurious boutique all alone here.
Thinking back on it, I had to scold myself for doubting too quickly just from the location and appearance.
‘The original story wasn’t wrong—I just couldn’t remember it clearly…’
After all, hadn’t I already been blindsided by that damned Part One?
It meant that everything I thought I knew about the original story could soon turn out to be useless.
And as for Part Two—I knew nothing at all. Not even whether it was the true ending.
So I had to squeeze every bit of information I still remembered.
‘There’s no time to waste on doubts. The original story is the only thing I can rely on.’
And the only path to that information was Yulan.
I wasn’t sure whether he was the trigger for my memories, but it was worth testing again.
Even if nothing came of it, I’d lose nothing but one more already-fading “name.” Maybe I could use this to persuade Father again, too.
The real problem was whether Yulan would even accept my proposal.
The first time, he had a reasonable excuse—to collect experimental data.
But now that everything was over, I couldn’t think of a single reason he’d agree again.
Wealth, land, status—he already had more than enough of all three.
‘I can’t even be sure he’ll agree to meet me in the first place…’
If I barged in unannounced and he misunderstood my intentions, our fragile connection could shatter completely.
So for now, communicating through intermediaries like this was the safest approach.
At least it would show him that my intentions weren’t impure.
“Um, the dressing room is ready, my lady. I also, uh, prepared some tea and cookies… though I’m not sure they’ll suit your tastes.”
“Of course they won’t. But that’s fine—I only need to see the dresses.”
“Ah, y-yes! Right this way, please!”
After climbing a narrow staircase, we arrived at a room that could barely be called a “dressing room.”
At that point, my unshakable confidence wavered again.
Even if Yulan wasn’t one to care for high society, I couldn’t believe he would overlook this.
Aside from a few dresses that were passable at best, there was nothing here that could be called marketable.
‘What are you thinking, Yulan? Do you just not care if this place fails?’
A building like this would cost him next to nothing, true—but perhaps the fabric, thread, or jewels might have been a bit of a burden.
‘Still, this level of expense is something even a fallen noble or a baron could manage easily.’
Even then, for commoners, these prices would be quite high—making this boutique oddly positioned.
Unlike the disappointing tea and stale cookies, the tea table and sofa were surprisingly decent.
Perhaps a little worn—the fabric had faded—but otherwise fine.
I sat down and gestured toward Anna, who was looking displeased.
“Anna, go buy some cookies and cakes from Di Érique.”
“What? My lady, but…”
Anna glanced toward the madam and leaned close to whisper urgently,
“How can I leave you here alone? What if something happens?”
“It’s fine, Anna. Do you remember what Father gave me for my birthday last year?”
The reason I’d been able to roam the back alleys alone without Yulan knowing—
It was the pistol I’d received as a birthday gift.
Small enough to hide under a skirt; I always kept it concealed beneath my dress.
In the original story, wasn’t this the same pistol that Stella secretly used during the hunting festival—the one that misfired and caused the bear to almost maul her?
‘In the Artlux Empire, even most heads of noble families can’t easily acquire such a weapon. The backstreet thugs wouldn’t even imagine I have one.’
It was another of those “Yevgenia” character traits written to enhance her infamy and influence—but right now, I was deeply grateful for it.
Anna, who clearly remembered this fact, seemed to calm down at once.
“You also remember how Father bragged about how well-trained I was, don’t you?”
“…Of course. He even threw a small party for it. How could I forget?”
“Then you know that fixing these dreadful refreshments is far more urgent than any ‘safety concerns.’ Just look at those cookies—they dry my mouth just by looking at them.”
Still hesitant, Anna finally surrendered after one look at the cookies.
“I’ll be back as quickly as possible, my lady! Please don’t leave this room!”
“Of course, of course. Hurry along.”
After pushing her gently toward the door, I turned to the madam, who still stood awkwardly by.
“Madam, who is the owner of this place?”
“…Pardon? Uh, well… that would be me?”
At that pitifully naïve answer, I met her gaze squarely and asked again,
“I’m not asking who runs this place. I’m asking who owns it.”
