Chapter 5
“…Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
His voice was sharp, but it made sense. I had been eavesdropping on a private conversation, so it wasn’t exactly a proud thing to admit.
I purposely made a sad face and spoke awkwardly.
“Ah, well… I’ve never heard that rumor before, so I was curious. You seemed like you knew about it. I don’t have any friends to talk about these things with…”
One of the older girls with heavy makeup looked at me with pity and said, “Oh…”
I looked like I could use some sympathy, even though I seemed like I could go on a “refund expedition.” Maybe she was the type to feel sorry for others easily.
“I haven’t had many friends since I was little because I was always working, and I was curious because you all were talking about interesting things… Sorry if it bothered you.”
Saying that, one of the girls who had been chatting nervously twitched her mouth.
Ah, flattery is the best way to make friends. Eight years of office work in the hell of a tough career taught me this—take my professional charm!
“Hmm, well, you’re in a maid uniform.”
“Where do you work?”
“At the Wintelia Count’s house.”
This café was popular with wealthy commoners, so talking to them wasn’t difficult. They all seemed a few years older than me, but they spoke to me willingly.
“If it’s not uncomfortable, can I sit next to you? I want to order a dessert set, but it’s too much to eat alone… Would you share it with me?”
Even though my stomach was full, if I ate the dessert set now, I’d need antacids later. But future me could handle that.
I put my hands together in a pleading gesture and gave them a sparkling look. After a brief hesitation, they nodded.
I ordered the dessert set and sat next to them, asking about the things I was curious about.
“You seem to know a lot about this kind of thing?”
“I know someone who works at the palace.”
“Wow, you have connections.”
From our conversation, I learned that the Northern Duke would arrive in about a week.
Daisy’s boyfriend, my favorite, Renox, was the crown prince of this country. He was currently abroad on a diplomatic mission, and from what I gathered, Solard would also come to the capital for related matters.
So… how do we deal with this Northern Duke?
“Selie, aren’t you coming?”
“I already have plans. But I’ll bring back your earrings while I’m out.”
“You’re just being stubborn.”
“Why don’t you go on a date, miss?”
Daisy puffed her peach-colored cheeks in mock anger. She was so cute I wanted to pinch her. Lucky Renox…
A week passed.
Using my memory like an otaku, I vaguely remembered the first meeting event between Solard and Daisy.
There was a small party to celebrate Renox’s return. Daisy’s earring broke while she was out, so she visited a jewelry workshop. She then walked to the palace for a stroll and ran into Solard… something like that.
I started scheming to prevent Daisy and Solard from meeting.
I couldn’t remember what outfit Daisy wore to the party, so I just roughed up all the earrings in her jewelry box that looked fragile.
After thinking about it, maybe I could have just bought her a new outfit and accessories as a set—but the earrings on the floor weren’t coming back.
Still, Daisy, being sweet, worried if I had gotten hurt.
…You little capitalist friends. Don’t feel guilty.
Anyway, today was the decisive day.
“Be careful. Watch out for strange people, and stay close to Renox.”
“Got it.”
Daisy kissed my cheek lightly and left with the maids. I watched her leave and went over the plan.
From my memory, Solard first appeared wearing a dark robe with the hood up, wandering the streets. That’s when he collided with Daisy.
Solard just made people feel bad to look at him. So if I find a place where people aren’t around, I can avoid attention.
Thanks to playing the game dozens of times, even unnecessary details came to mind. At this point, I’d memorized it. Why do I remember only this, and not anything else?
I decided to pretend not to know, like in the game, and bump into him on purpose.
Yes, that’s the plan. Go with it!
…Actually, my romance skills are fossilized. I have no idea what I’m doing. Someone please think for me.
Wearing a light coat, I headed toward my destination. The collision would likely happen between the palace and the jewelry workshop, so I planned to visit the workshop first, pick up the earrings, and walk around while waiting.
The Wintelia mansion wasn’t far from the city center. After a relaxed twenty-minute walk, I reached a crowded street.
I hurried to the workshop, got the earrings, and looked around. Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed.
“What now…? Let’s just start walking.”
The road to the palace was straight, but there were too many people. Could this work?
Well, I was aiming for Solard, but I wasn’t risking my life to do it. If it worked, it was like winning the lottery.
Honestly, I just wanted to lie down on gold and jewels.
Since marrying me would also be good for Solard, why not? Heh.
Walking toward the palace, I noticed the crowd murmuring strangely.
There were nobles here and there, and people were bustling for the upcoming festival.
But this noise didn’t feel like festive excitement.
“What’s wrong? Why are they like that?”
“I don’t know… I think there’s someone strange over there.”
Strange? I immediately moved toward the direction they pointed.
Pushing through the crowd, I saw an empty street and a dark… figure?
Yep, it’s him. Definitely him.
“This feels weird…”
“Let’s move aside… I feel like I’m going to throw up.”
I watched a person in a completely black robe with the hood over his head. There was a two-meter empty space around him. Ordinary people really do feel bad looking at him.
In the game, Daisy collided with him by chance. But he stands out like this… can a collision really be “by chance”?
The heroine’s job is extreme—she can’t care about anyone and has to put herself on the line.
Daisy, you were amazing…
I had no idea how to solve this, so I decided to follow my original plan.
A “coincidental”… okay, not really coincidental, bump.
I closed my eyes and ran into him. The man, taller than me, reacted…
“Ugh.”
He stumbled and fell.
…Excuse me?
“Uh…”
Why is he falling like a tragic heroine? Did I push too hard?
“Hey, I didn’t mean that. Are you okay?”
Solard, seemingly confused, stared at me motionless, then slowly raised his head.
The eyes behind his mask were trembling.
“Um…”
“Who are you? Why aren’t you hurt?”
Ouch! The pain in my shoulder was intense. I groaned and scowled, and he stepped back, surprised.
“What are you doing? That hurts!”
It was almost tear-inducing. I shouted, glaring at him. He seemed scared instead of me.
He stepped back more and tripped, sitting down.
“I’m not strange, really. Can we talk?”
I crouched to meet his eyes. People were staring oddly, but I had already given up when I body-checked him.
“Are you Duke Solard Artensia?”
“…”
He stared at me like his soul was taken.
“Sorry to bother you, but could you take off your mask once?”
“…”
“Duke?”
No response. It was awkward. I had to see the face of the man I was considering for marriage.
I waved my hand, and he blinked as if waking up.
“Duke, can you hear me?”
“Why… I feel fine…”
“See? You’re fine. But can you take off the mask, please?”
“Why the mask…?”
“Just once. I promise.”
I didn’t expect him to agree easily, but Solard hesitantly removed the mask. Maybe he was just stunned.
His face was scarred above the nose. It was hard to see the original face, but not unbearable. Not like a horror story—good enough for me.
I nodded, helped him put the mask back, and realized my body-check plan had already ruined any chance of a proper proposal.
Seeing his face, I decided to skip formalities and get straight to the point.
“Duke, are you looking for a bride?”
