Chapter 42
“Yes, we won’t be returning tonight. We’ll stay at the place Fabian told us about for one night and come back tomorrow.”
“And if we don’t come back tomorrow?”
“Then…”
Damien turned toward the doorman.
“Wasn’t the Baron supposed to arrive in three days?”
“That’s just an estimate. He could come sooner.”
It would be better to leave before the Baron comes to meet us. I looked around the shop.
“Then we should leave the day after tomorrow.”
It would be nice if we could look around other shops while Damien waited.
After a few hours, a sweaty Fabian returned.
“Go out this way and head to the front of the building.”
We received blankets from Alain, wrapped ourselves up, and slipped out of the alley. As night fell, the smell in the alley became stronger and more musty. But fortunately, the pleasant scent of the blankets prevented any headache.
Once we escaped the dark, secluded alley, a street faintly lit by lamps appeared. People in tattered clothes huddled here and there like piles of fallen leaves.
I tried not to make eye contact with them. Damien extended his arm around my shoulders.
“Get the key on the first floor, then go up to the second floor.”
The front of the building was much neater than the back. Its exterior was painted in a simple color, and while the interior wasn’t entirely visible, there were windows for lighting. Smelling the chilly night air, we opened the door.
A man sat behind a desk with a faintly flickering candle. Behind him, a shelf lined with keys caught my eye. The doorman walked to the desk without hesitation.
“Three rooms, please.”
The doorman spoke bluntly. The man glanced at us and handed over three keys—one each for Damien, me, the head maid, and for the doorman and Fabian.
While Fabian paid, we took the keys and went up to the second floor.
“You two can take the middle room.”
The doorman opened the door. The wooden door was rough and slightly sagging, making it stiff to open and close. Damien and I stepped inside.
A double bed, a sofa for appearances, and a wardrobe. I walked to the wardrobe and folded the blankets inside.
The wardrobe was clean but smelled acrid, as if smoked for disinfection. I carefully closed the wardrobe and went to sit on the sofa, which felt strange, as if stuffed with straw rather than cotton.
“Call us if you need anything.”
The head maid and the doorman bowed slightly at the door. I waved my hand with a smile.
Damien stood by the window, lost in thought. Moonlight streamed through the open window, giving his jet-black hair a shimmering silver illusion.
If even the bed were straw, it would have been terrible, but fortunately, the bed was fine. Apart from feeling a bit warm in my sleep, I slept soundly. The bed was narrow, so I had to sleep close to Damien.
I think I even showed some annoyance in my sleep, and he might have fanned me subconsciously.
“It’s okay, Rose.”
When I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in a bluish light. The sun was slowly pushing the night away. I couldn’t even remember when I had fallen asleep.
I turned my head and met Damien’s gaze. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching me.
“Did you sleep well, Damien…?”
I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Damien reached out to fix my hair. His eyes sparkled a beautiful violet.
“I’ve slept enough.”
His voice was gentle and sweet. Half-awake and still drowsy, I felt his fingers press against my face, from my cheeks down to my chin, like butterflies landing lightly. I closed my eyes and turned my head.
Damien laughed.
“Did that bother you? I’m sorry.”
“It’s not that bad…”
I only moved away because it tickled. I got off the bed. Damien still sat there, and when our eyes met, he smiled.
‘It’s the first time Damien has been beside me when I woke up.’
Suddenly, heat rose to my cheeks. Why? It wasn’t the first time we had fallen asleep together. I lowered my gaze and went toward the wardrobe. Since I hadn’t washed up and slept in my outdoor clothes, my body felt stiff.
I pulled out a blanket and handed it to him.
“What about the others?”
“They said they’d bring breakfast.”
“Why didn’t you wake us earlier?”
My voice came out more blunt than intended. I bit my lips. Damien took the blanket and draped it over his lap.
“There’s still plenty of time.”
Without a clock, I had no idea what time it was. I walked to the window and looked down. People in worn clothes were disappearing slowly into darker, shadier areas of the still dim street.
I didn’t feel comfortable. Just then, a rustling sound came from behind. Damien stood up and draped a blanket over himself.
After neatly adjusting and securing it, he strode over to my side.
“Aren’t you tired?”
When I looked up, I took a small step back. I was afraid he might bend over and sniff my hair.
Damn it, I won’t be able to wash today either. I pulled the blanket up over my head.
“The bed was softer than I expected, so it was fine.”
Of course, it wasn’t as soft as beds in the palace or a mansion. The mattress was simply cotton stuffed into a cloth case. I rolled my eyes.
“You fanned me while I was sleeping, right?”
“You looked hot.”
Damien replied lightly. I stared at his face. Even in the dim light, it shone elegantly.
“I really hope we meet the treasure hunter today.”
“If it doesn’t work out, we can send the Baron back and come again. That’s fine.”
Damien murmured, looking out the window. He seemed more optimistic than usual. Of course, the palace attendants would block us, but in a way, it seemed almost reckless.
I followed his gaze and finally noticed the building opposite.
Beautiful iron window grilles, small potted plants lined up, smoke rising from the chimney.
It disappears somewhere, but not dragged—steps moving forward with hope.
Damien probably knew how ridiculous his words sounded, too. Then I realized why he was in such a good mood.
A peace I had never felt in the palace.
I nodded, not wanting to dampen the mood. Damien reached out behind me and pointed to one side of the street.
“They’re coming.”
Since we were on the second floor, it wasn’t very high, so I could easily spot the head maid, the doorman, and Fabian. Each of them was carrying a dish.
The sunlight gradually touched their faces as they chatted quietly.
Breakfast was potato soup and bread, salad with cheese, and roasted chicken. As we finished, the head maid spoke.
“If you feel uneasy, how about going to the bathhouse?”
“Bathhouse?”
Of course, I liked the idea, but wouldn’t it be crowded? I worried aloud. The head maid added reassuringly:
“It’s morning, so it’s safe. There’s also a bathhouse for nobles three blocks over.”
Her words eased my concerns. Since I slept in my outdoor clothes, my body was stiff, and I didn’t feel rested.
‘Unless I can return to the mansion today, I can’t spend another night without washing.’
I glanced at Damien. Despite not having washed and sleeping in outdoor clothes like me, his hair was soft, and his skin flawless.
When our eyes met, he nodded.
“Let’s all go. There’s still time before the shop opens.”
Then Fabian spoke up as if realizing something.
“There’s also an antique shop near the bathhouse that caters to nobles. You might find what Your Highness is looking for.”
“Thing?”
Damn it. I forgot he asked me to keep it a secret. Damien immediately picked up on Fabian’s words. A questioning look appeared in his eyes. I grinned.
“Oh, the notebook I saw at the salon was impressive. I wondered if I could get the same one.”
Fortunately, Damien knew about the notebook, too. His expression softened.
“I can contact the salon and get it for you, but…”
“The Countess was so happy with it. I don’t want to be a scoundrel taking someone else’s things.”
I teased lightly. Damien nodded, understanding.
“Then looking around isn’t a bad idea.”
Fabian cautiously added:
“The best items usually go to my brother first, so it might not be anything special.”
I readily agreed.
“Yeah, you’re right. My brother trades with the treasure hunter first, so I shouldn’t get my hopes up.”
