Chapter : 123
“Shall we try going over there?”
Dayna, wearing a wide-brimmed hat pulled low over her face, asked as she pointed toward a street stall.
Because the trial had unintentionally exposed quite a bit of her identity, covering her face was the only way she could move around freely.
“It looks like they sell fabric,” Knox replied, likewise wearing round glasses and pulling the hood of his cloak down to conceal himself.
When Dayna nodded, Knox strode ahead.
The stall, crowded with people, was chaotic and noisy.
“Come take a look! Spring’s here—shouldn’t everyone be getting themselves some new clothes?”
Though hidden by the crowd, the merchant’s loud sales pitch carried clearly.
As Dayna stuck close to Knox and approached the stall, stacks of brightly colored fabrics came into view.
Let’s see…
Forcing her way through the crowd, Dayna quietly examined the fabrics before clearing her throat. Lowering her voice as much as possible, she asked,
“Um… do you have any fabric that doesn’t shrink even after washing?”
“What kind of fabric?”
“Well… what was it called… something woven not along the vertical grain, but in another direction…”
At her words, the merchant raised his voice.
“Oh! Are you talking about fabric from the Feinstain family?”
“Ah… was that it…?”
Fearing she might be recognized, Dayna didn’t even lift her head, answering vaguely. The merchant waved his large hand dismissively and spoke.
“Oh dear, we haven’t sold that in a long time! You must not read the daily paper.”
“W-What happened?”
“The Feinstain lot were selling fabric using a new weaving method they stole from another family. You know, that big trial recently? They lost it, and now they’re banned from selling it ever again.”
At the merchant’s words, others nearby chimed in.
“And that’s not all, right? All the shady things those Feinstains have been doing came to light this time—they’re getting punished hard!”
“We merchants knew it already, honestly. Them bullying small traders like us and sucking us dry—was that ever just a day or two? A few months back, Adams from the next block finally snapped and threw filth at the Feinstain heir, remember?”
“Right! That was so satisfying!”
Before long, more people joined in, and the area grew loud with chatter.
Everyone seemed to harbor strong resentment toward the Feinstain family.
“It’s the Viviwood family I feel sorry for. This time, Carlisle Feinstain tried to kill the Viviwood young lady, didn’t he?”
“What? Is that true?”
“Yes! And at a time like this, the Viviwoods should be producing and selling fabric quickly, but their only daughter hasn’t regained consciousness. It’s people like us who need fabric that are left frustrated.”
“Oh dear… I hope she recovers soon.”
Listening to the conversation, Dayna held her breath and swallowed hard.
Fortunately, public opinion seemed to have accepted the verdict without misunderstanding.
“Anyway, we don’t have that fabric here. No idea when it’ll be available again.”
The merchant turned his attention back to Dayna.
She nodded and subtly stepped backward.
“I see. Thank you.”
“Is that the only thing you’re looking for? Take a look here—these are even better!”
“Ah, th-that’s okay—”
Just as she tried to refuse, the merchant’s rough hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Huh? I was just about to leave—
She had been planning to move on and look around elsewhere, but the merchant wouldn’t let go.
Not wanting to lose a rare customer, he tightened his grip and tugged her toward him.
Whoa?!
Pulled forward suddenly, Dayna was separated from Knox in an instant. She blinked in confusion.
“This one here has a lovely color, and what about that one over there? That one’s popular too! They say it’s this year’s color trend!”
“I don’t need that—”
“Then how about this one?”
Holding onto Dayna with one hand, the merchant began showing her different fabrics one by one.
W-Wait…!
Flustered, she tried to look back for Knox, but he was already too far away to see clearly. As she craned her neck to look around, someone brushing past bumped her hat.
Ah—no!
Afraid her face or hair would be revealed, Dayna bent forward and barely managed to catch the slipping hat.
Phew… barely saved it…!
“Miss, are you alright? Why are you suddenly crouching?”
“What? Someone’s sick?”
“What? Someone collapsed?”
“What? Someone’s hurt?”
From a single remark by the merchant, strange rumors spread instantly around the stall.
Soon, everyone’s eyes were on her.
Frozen in place, Dayna stood awkwardly with her face still hidden.
I—I’m done for…
“Miss, lift your face. Are you alright?”
“Huh? Wait, that hair…”
“Look at her face…”
The murmuring grew louder.
No…!
“Huh? What’s going on? What’s so strange? Excuse me, I’ll just take off your hat—”
The merchant released her wrist and reached for her hat.
‘I’m exposed!’
Dayna squeezed her eyes shut and clutched the brim.
If her identity was revealed here, she had no idea how people would react—someone from the Viviwood side secretly coming to eavesdrop in a place like this…!
At that moment, a thick arm suddenly wrapped firmly around her waist and pulled her sharply backward.
Huh—?!
Because she was held securely, Dayna was quickly drawn away from the merchant’s grasp.
Soon, something solid pressed against her back.
“…Your Grace?”
Turning her head, she saw Knox holding her with a startled expression.
“Dayna, are you alright?”
“Yes…”
“You suddenly disappeared forward—I was shocked.”
“So was I.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Dayna leaned the back of her head against his chest.
His solid frame and gentle scent calmed her racing heart.
I almost got exposed…
The arms that always protected her felt incredibly warm and safe.
“Dayna.”
Then, Knox gently shifted the hand resting on her waist.
Feeling something unfamiliar, Dayna turned her gaze. Right in front of her were Knox’s lowered golden eyes, focused on her.
“……”
His gaze drifted from her eyes downward.
Dayna swallowed dryly and turned her body more toward him. Th-This atmosphere… it’s been a while since things felt this strange…
“Feinstain is passing by!!”
“……”
Just then, someone shouted loudly as they rushed past them.
Ah—
“Feinstain is being transferred to prison!!”
The moment shattered instantly, leaving no time for regret. Dayna quickly turned her head.
Who’s what now?
“Your Grace, did you hear that?”
“Yes. It seems today is the day Feinstain is being transferred. Do you want to see?”
At Knox’s question, Dayna quietly shook her head.
Everything was already over.
There was no reason for it to matter now, and she had no desire to watch it like some sort of spectacle.
“I don’t really want to see it. I was just curious about how the fabric market was doing, and I’ve seen enough. I think I’ll head back now.”
“Shall we?”
Knox gently asked as he tucked her hair behind her ear.
She nodded and was about to move when someone caught her eye.
“Huh?”
Following her gaze, Knox turned his head—and at the edge of his vision, he spotted Alexian standing quietly among the crowd.
“That man is…”
“May I go over for a moment?”
Knox frowned slightly, then nodded.
He clearly didn’t like the idea of her approaching someone connected to Feinstain, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop her.
Dayna carefully walked over and raised a finger, poking the arm Alexian had crossed.
Startled out of his focus, Alexian turned his head.
At first, he didn’t recognize Dayna beneath the wide-brimmed hat, but when she lifted it slightly, his expression softened.
“Ah, Young Lady.”
“What are you doing here alone?”
“Well, it’s just…”
Alexian hesitated, lips parting slightly, then let out a sigh.
“…It feels empty.”
He lifted a hand and brushed back the hair falling over his forehead, letting out a self-deprecating laugh.
“The end of my ruthless father… feels far too hollow.”
