Chapter : 23
“I was curious why a disciple who’s always been holed up in the Magic Tower would suddenly venture outside… and it’s because of their ideal type, huh…”
There must be a significant reason to completely change one’s usual range of activity.
To be honest, ‘love’ was a perfectly valid reason.
Timothy had seen firsthand, through his work in the Information Guild, just how profoundly that feeling could change a person.
“…And you want to say that you’re the one who fits that ideal type?”
“Are you saying that it wasn’t me, but Miss Themis who said that?”
Stretching, Timothy pushed his bangs back and gave a small, sly smile.
“Following along wouldn’t be such a bad idea either.”
He had never once heard anyone say he was lacking in looks.
And, after all, he practically fit the description of Themis’s ideal type perfectly.
If things went well, he might just hit the jackpot.
“Make sure to talk things over properly with the temple. We’ll be collaborating with them from now on.”
“Yes, sir.”
Those sent on this mission were all people with only a little time left to live.
All of them gave their lives gratefully, knowing their sacrifices would benefit the organization.
“We have to make sure that their sacrifices weren’t in vain.”
Timothy’s comrades, who had fought alongside him against the royal forces, had all disappeared into the dust.
Lost in thought, Timothy began gathering his belongings from the room.
“Don’t forget that he’s a greedy one; he could turn his back on us at any time.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Well, see you later, Lilia.”
Timothy stuffed all sorts of odds and ends into his bag, waved his hand, and left the room.
“Honestly, there’s no stopping him.”
Watching his retreating figure, Lilia grumbled as she methodically organized the documents and placed them in the safe.
“He’s not someone I could hate, though.”
Still, she followed Timothy because she knew how much he had worked for the rebellion.
Once she had finished cleaning the room neatly, Lilia clapped her hands together.
“Well then, shall we go make the cake tomorrow?”
Tomorrow’s special orders: a sweet cherry princess cake and a whipped cream bouquet cake.
She couldn’t help but look forward to seeing what kind of people and what events it would bring.
“Better start by preparing the cherries.”
Even after a full day of work, Lilia seemed happier returning to the kitchen than ever. She was Timothy’s right hand and…
“Sounds fun~.”
…a workaholic nearly as extreme as Themis herself.
Going shopping today might have been a worse idea than she expected.
“My goodness, aren’t you Miss Themis?”
“I heard you performed brilliantly at the royal banquet! You caught the ones who tried to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Princess!”
Noblemen blocked her way in the shop she had entered to pick out a change of clothes.
“Yes, thank you for your kind words.”
Even if she tried to just greet them quickly and leave, it wasn’t easy. Whenever one person left, another would appear.
In the end, she retreated to Calante’s shop, where she felt somewhat more comfortable.
She had assumed she wouldn’t be able to enter without a reservation, but Calante greeted her with a smile.
“We always keep a room for distinguished guests.”
“…I don’t think I qualify as a distinguished guest.”
“Since yesterday’s events, you’ve become the most famous person in society right now.”
Considering what had just happened, Calante’s words didn’t seem like mere flattery.
“What do you need?”
“I’m not looking to have a dress made. Do you have ready-made clothes that I could wear comfortably for running or walking?”
“Ah, something like riding attire, then?”
For a moment, Calante’s eyes seemed to sparkle. Was that just her imagination?
“Yes. But I heard you specialize in dresses—do you have anything like that?”
Calante smiled gently.
“You came to the right place.”
“Excuse me?”
“My dreams are not limited to just fancy dresses. Finally, my efforts will bear fruit.”
After asking her to wait a moment, Calante returned with a huge pile of clothes.
Themis was surprised as she looked over them.
It was hard to believe this was someone who had previously made only overly cumbersome, decorative dresses. These were practical, sturdy, and flexible, perfect for moving in.
The designs paired black jackets with white pants, accented with gold trim, or combined brown and white to create a warm, pleasant feel.
Above all, they weren’t too casual or too flashy, making them ideal for deployment areas.
All of them were perfect, exactly to her taste.
There was just one problem.
“I’m leaving in a few days—can this be ready in time?”
“Of course. We only need to take measurements and do minor adjustments today.”
She knew it seemed absurd, but since Calante said so, she had no choice but to trust him.
She promised to come pick them up as soon as the alterations were done.
Even though she was ordering three outfits, she braced herself for an enormous bill…
“This is the total amount.”
Seeing the receipt, she was taken aback.
“Why is it cheaper than last time?”
It was only half the price of her previous dress.
“These items were experimental works for me as well, so I didn’t add the premium for Calante’s fame.”
“…Still, this seems too cheap.”
“This is a special price, just this time.”
Calante guided her to the exit with a smile.
“I hope your outfits shine thanks to you, Miss Themis.”
Calante’s kindness touched her deeply.
“I’ll become a human mannequin and spread new fashion everywhere.”
“The honor is mine.”
Smiling, Calante saw her out. The trip was a complete success, both for her orders and her mission.
“I’m sorry for lying, though.”
After seeing Themis off, Calante added three extra zeros to the amount he charged the Magic Tower.
“There was nothing I could do; it was the Archmage’s will.”
Calante shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Honestly, the cost of the clothes was negligible to Akilan. Who could tarnish wealth accumulated over hundreds of years?
Still, Akilan didn’t simply tell Themis to take whatever she wanted, paying for it himself.
Instead, he asked Calante for a favor, and Calante complied, respecting the reason Akilan was willing to endure the trouble.
But now, a sudden deployment?
‘I suppose Akilan really wants Miss Themis to do well.’
Calante recalled the time Themis had previously visited the shop with Akilan.
After letting Themis leave, happy with her new dress, Akilan had stared at the door she had exited and said with a neutral expression:
“If Themis returns, make sure that whatever she buys is priced at the lowest cost.”
Quick-witted Calante understood immediately what that meant.
“Should I charge the difference to the Magic Tower?”
“To me directly.”
Charging Akilan himself rather than the Magic Tower carried a different significance.
“Understood.”
Calante couldn’t help but wonder: what exactly is Themis to this seemingly cold, emotionless man?
When Akilan first brought Themis, calling her his disciple, Calante had been surprised. Many had been secretly supported by Akilan before, but none had ever been openly called a disciple like this.
Calante, who had also benefited from Akilan’s patronage, noticed that Akilan treated Themis differently from any other beneficiary.
Themis was the only person allowed to be at his side, his personally chosen ‘disciple.’
Perhaps that’s why Calante was so curious about Themis—because she was truly the one person Akilan genuinely cared about.
‘How far does this exception really extend?’
