Chapter 18
A bunch of idioms popped into my head. That’s how flustered I was—I had no idea what to do in this situation.
“Please.”
While I was still running mental simulations of what to say or do, Frederick suddenly spoke.
‘Huh?’
I looked at him like, What? Why are you buying that?
“I said I’ll buy it.”
Frederick pulled out a blank check from inside his coat. The shop owner grinned like a greedy toad.
“…”
I said nothing as Frederick went ahead and bought that giant jade necklace that looked like a door knocker.
“Here you go, Young Master! You have excellent taste!”
“…”
The shopkeeper wrapped the jade necklace in a fancy box and handed it over. The box was massive—like the size of a pizza box.
‘Seriously, someone’s going to get neck problems wearing that…’
Even though I didn’t like Charlier, I didn’t want her to end up with a neck injury.
“Ahem.”
Frederick and I left the store without saying a word. The few steps to the carriage felt like a marathon. What was he thinking?
Creak.
As soon as we got into the carriage and the door shut, I asked,
“Why did you buy it?”
“To give it to Ecor.”
Ecor? The butler?! No way—he’s a kind older man!
“That thing’s way too heavy. It’d be bad for his neck.”
Frederick looked at me like I was an idiot.
“Who said it’s for wearing? It’s for investment. When the value goes up later, I’ll sell it.”
Oh… he bought it as an investment?
Right. I’d forgotten that Frederick’s a master of trade and investment. Guess he really does have a good eye for value.
Then, suddenly, Frederick turned and stared me straight in the face. He had no expression.
“…Are you kidding me? You said this is what Charlier would like?”
Whoa. Was he… mad?
Frederick looked at me coldly.
‘So he can make that face.’
It wasn’t like his usual annoyed expression. He looked like he was barely holding back real anger.
‘Wow, he’s really mad. But I was only trying to help you, you dummy…’
“Yeah. Leo said so.”
My voice came out cold as ice. And I said the name ‘Leo’ on purpose—knowing it would hurt him.
Frederick’s face went rigid, and he turned away sharply.
I was mad too. And honestly, I felt wronged.
I stopped him from going to the East to help him. I told him Charlier liked jade so he wouldn’t give away his mom’s necklace. But he looked at me like I’d betrayed him.
And now I didn’t even feel like explaining myself.
So I just turned away and looked out the window.
‘Doesn’t matter what I say now. He won’t hear a thing. He’s too angry to listen.’
Something heavy rose up in my throat. I felt so upset and hurt.
‘Wait. Hurt? Why am I hurt? Am I even close enough to him to feel hurt?’
No. We weren’t that close.
It was just ridiculous—me getting all worked up, trying to save him, and ending up being the bad guy.
‘Seriously, I’m not his guardian. Why am I the one caring this much about whether or not he gets played?’
A bitter feeling bubbled up.
‘Whatever. I’m done caring about him.’
“…”
“…”
A long, heavy silence filled the carriage. The cold air between us felt like it would never go away.
“Hyah!”
The coachman called out, and the carriage finally stopped.
He peeked in as he opened the door, checking our moods carefully.
“We’ve arrived, Young Master, Lady.”
Frederick stepped out with a scowl on his face.
‘Ugh, this jerk.’
I had to physically hold myself back from shoving him out the door.
‘Okay. Let’s go eat something sweet at Salon de Chatte and cool off. Sugar is the best medicine!’
The final stop of today’s outing was Salon de Chatte. I slowly climbed the stairs up to the dessert cafe.
But Frederick just stood still at the bottom, not moving.
‘What’s his problem now? Should I just leave him there?’
I walked up a few more steps and glanced back. He still hadn’t moved an inch.
Ignore him. Just go.
I turned away again.
…
…
…
But I couldn’t make my feet move.
‘Ugh. He’s so much work. Why do I keep worrying about him?’
I kept thinking about how this was his first time out in years. That’s the only reason I cared. If not for that, I’d have left him behind already.
Sighing, I walked back down and tapped his shoulder.
“Young Master. What’s wrong?”
“…”
“You said you’ve been here before with Charlier. That’s why we came. So why won’t you go in?”
He still stood there with a grumpy look.
‘You’re cute, but I’m not giving you a pass for being rude.’
“Hey. I mean, Young Master? Why aren’t you going in?”
Frederick mumbled something while still staring at the stairs.
“#$^%#$&$#”
“Huh?”
‘What is he, whispering like an ant?’
“What?”
“I…”
“What is it? Come on, spit it out.”
“I can’t go in there…”
“What are you talking about? You said you’ve been here with Charlier.”
Frederick frowned, clearly swallowing his pride.
“This is Salon de Chatte. Only dukes’ families can enter.”
“Yeah, but you said you came here with Charlier.”
“I never went in. She always went in alone. I just waited on that bench.”
He pointed to a bench nearby.
I was speechless.
‘Wait… so when he came here with Charlier, she just left him outside while she went in alone?’
“…”
I stretched my neck and rolled it around.
I hated him in the carriage earlier. He was being a jerk and acting like a doormat for Charlier while treating me like crap.
But now… hearing he just sat outside while Charlier ate alone inside?
I couldn’t just leave him there.
“Ahem.”
Frederick cleared his throat and looked away.
I couldn’t read his expression at all. Embarrassed? Angry? Definitely ashamed, at least.
“Just go eat by yourself.”
“…”
What the—why was he suddenly so deflated?
He felt like a younger brother—annoying and frustrating, but still someone you couldn’t bear to see getting picked on.
Seeing him give up without even trying made me mad.
“Hey. No, I mean—Young Master. Let’s just sneak in together. If we go in quietly, maybe no one will say anything.”
Frederick looked at me with wide eyes.
I widened mine too and nodded.
But then he frowned again and looked like he’d given up.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“If they stop us, you can just wait on the bench. But let’s try first, okay?”
Frederick hesitated but slowly followed me up the stairs.
Standing beside him, I whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
“I’ll do the talking. The greeting, the ordering—everything. You’ve been inside for so long, no one will even recognize you.”
“…Okay.”
Frederick gave a small nod.
“Alright, let’s go in.”
Creak.
As we walked up to the door, it opened smoothly.
“Welcome, Lady Delphine.”
The manager greeted me with a polite bow.
I gave a small glance his way, then kept walking. So far, no one had stopped me.
‘Oh? Maybe we’ll actually get in? Honestly, the idea of blocking people based on status is kinda dumb anyway.’
“Lady Delphine!”
Then came the manager’s voice from behind. I felt Frederick flinch next to me.
‘Ugh, this guy’s nerves are paper-thin.’
I stopped walking and turned around with a calm face.
The manager was walking toward me with a serious expression.
“Lady Delphine. I’m afraid you can’t do this.”
He pointed straight at Frederick, who now looked red-faced and tense.
“Only members of duke families may enter. You know this.”
The manager’s tone toward me was polite, but he was clearly being rude to Frederick.
I looked him in the eye. He tried to smile, but he was firm.
‘Ugh. This won’t be easy.’
At the tailor and jewelry store, the Plerrin family held a lot of influence—thanks to my shopaholic mom. But here, we were just one of many noble families.
“…”
I stayed quiet and stared at him. He shook his head slowly, signaling no.
From the way things looked—and for Frederick’s sake—it seemed best to just leave.
‘Wait a second…’
Then a new idea popped into my head.
“I’ll go in alone.”
Frederick, who had been staring at the ground, looked up at me. His eyes were shaking, and his face was flushed. I could see the betrayal, hurt, and disappointment written all over his face.
‘Jeez. That face… like a puppy that just got abandoned. How could Charlier leave him like this?’
I hesitated, but then pulled my expression together and walked into the cafe.
I was sure Frederick just turned and went to sit on the bench like always.
The manager guided me to a seat and said with a tight smile,
“Lady, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t pull such stunts again.”
Ugh. My hate for Charlie grows.