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CHAPTER 62
A few hours later.
Another customer visited the shop.
‘…That’s strange.’
At most, the shop usually received one customer a day. Having two in one day was unusual.
“Welcome, customer. What kind of item are you looking for?”
This customer was tall and lean, but the faint outlines of muscular chest and arms beneath his robe revealed a strong build.
The man, hood drawn low over his face, didn’t even glance around the shop. He walked straight to the counter.
“I want to buy something… that others don’t usually ask for.”
From beneath the deep hood came a pleasant, melodious voice.
“What kind of…?”
“Elise Fran’s receipt.”
It was the exact same request Leticia had made a few hours earlier.
But this time, the customer had directly named the buyer.
Only then did the shopkeepers realize something was wrong. They exchanged wary glances.
Unwanted visitors were rare, but not unheard of.
Occasionally, people like that woman or this man came asking for a buyer’s receipt. Sometimes, knights who had received tips would come snooping.
And they were trained to deal with such situations.
They slipped their hands under the counter and grabbed hidden poisoned daggers.
A heartbeat passed in tense silence…
“Even if you ask…”
The two shopkeepers suddenly pulled out their daggers and lunged at the customer.
“We can’t give that to you, sir!”
One aimed straight for the man’s chest.
Despite the swift move, the man ducked quickly beneath the counter, dodging the strike like he’d anticipated it.
But that was just a feint.
The real attack came from the second shopkeeper, who charged in from the side.
Yet the man dodged again and instead grabbed the attacker’s arm, yanking it hard.
Crash!
With a loud thud, the attacker was thrown down, disappearing behind the counter.
The other shopkeeper dashed forward but was too late.
The fallen attacker had already been stabbed in the heart and was dying.
“I really was going to try and talk it out first… but oh well.”
Unlike the fallen man, the uninvited guest stood perfectly composed, not even out of breath. The only sign of the fight was a spatter of blood on his face.
The remaining shopkeeper hesitated.
‘…We couldn’t even fight back.’
They were trained mercenaries prepared for emergencies. Most threats they could handle easily, and if not, they could escape.
But this man had just killed a trained comrade in one blow.
Gulp.
The surviving shopkeeper instinctively felt death breathing down his neck.
Just then, the man picked up the fallen dagger and stood up.
“So? Changed your mind about selling the receipt?”
At last, the hood slipped back enough to reveal his chillingly beautiful face.
Even his golden eyes gleamed coldly in the shadows.
Thud! Crash!
Ten minutes had passed since Idris entered the shop.
Inside, dull crashes and faint screams continued to echo.
I stared anxiously at the closed door, chewing my lip.
‘Don’t tell me Idris is the one getting beat up in there…?’
When money didn’t work, I opted for another approach.
Idris had readily agreed to accompany me, entering the shop alone with his usual relaxed demeanor—no guards, no help.
I figured, since he was a main villain and a war hero, he could easily handle two opponents.
I’d heard he was not only a powerful mage but also skilled in close combat. Still, I’d never actually seen him fight, so I was uneasy.
‘Maybe I asked too much of him…’
I was just about to jump off the carriage, unable to wait any longer, when—
Click.
The door opened, and Idris stepped out.
Our eyes met through the window. He flashed his usual calm smile.
He climbed into the carriage.
“You’re not hurt… Wait, are you?!”
I anxiously checked him over and saw a bloodstain on his cheek. Alarmed, I quickly pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the wound.
It came off easily—not his blood.
Idris chuckled and, taking my hand that held the cloth, leaned his face into it.
“I’m not hurt. It’s not my blood.”
He closed his eyes, resting his face against my hand, and murmured,
“If I knew you’d worry this much, maybe I should’ve come back with a scratch or two…”
His warm breath tickled the soft skin of my palm and wrist.
It reminded me of a cat purring—though, considering his size, a wild beast was more accurate.
I flinched at the odd flutter in my chest, and Idris seemed to sense it. He opened his eyes.
We locked gazes.
His eyes were filled with something between darkness and burning flame.
Only then did I realize how close we were.
Startled, I pulled back.
“Ah, I’m glad you’re not hurt.”
“…”
“And thank you. It was dangerous, but you helped anyway.”
Idris let out a soft sigh and pulled something from his inner pocket.
It was the receipt I’d been desperately seeking—Elise’s.
Unlike regular receipts, those for illegal drugs had a special format.
Elise’s included her photo, signature, and the name and effects of the poison.
‘So they don’t bother with contracts—they use client information as collateral.’
It ensured clients wouldn’t reveal the operation for fear of being exposed themselves.
As I studied the document, impressed by the criminals’ cunning, I noticed something odd.
Idris, watching me, asked,
“So this is it, then?”
“No, not yet.”
I looked over the receipt again with sharp eyes and said,
“Idris, I’m sorry, but can I ask one more favor?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.
“If my partner asks, of course.”
Unlike some people who always sided with others, Idris was truly a dependable partner.
Finally, the day of the tea party.
The Empress’s palace was bustling with carriages.
Among them was Lady Luwen, daughter of the Count of Florence, who had kept close company with Elise.
‘Lady Elise Fran must be here today too.’
Back when Leticia and Elise had clashed in front of the boutique, the other noble ladies had entered without Elise, leaving Luwen in an awkward position.
‘I have to mend things with Elise today.’
Though she’d followed Leticia into the boutique, as Leticia had the Empress’s support, she knew she couldn’t afford to neglect Elise either, who might become the next Duchess.
Luwen stepped down from her carriage and scanned the area like a hawk. Then she spotted Elise stepping out of hers.
She approached and greeted her.
“Ahem, Lady Elise! Have you been well?”
