Chapter 32
When I lifted my head, deep green eyes were staring at me as if to trap me.
“Nathan, do you not like it? Should I get rid of all of them?”
He looked quite serious, and a weak laugh slipped from my lips.
His face looked the same as always, but for some reason he seemed a little anxious. It must be my imagination.
I answered in a flat voice.
“Get rid of them? The kids like them so much.”
But Valentin’s expression still didn’t soften, so I forced myself to add,
“I feel good, like I’ve become popular. But next time something like this happens, I’d like it if you told me beforehand.”
The last words came out like a quiet complaint.
Feeling embarrassed, as if my true feelings had been exposed, I avoided his eyes. Valentin buried his face in my shoulder and let out a sigh.
“I will.”
His muffled voice tickled my ear, making my shoulder tremble.
…Wait, is it okay for us to be like this in the middle of the plaza? With the duke, no less?
As soon as I calmed my hurt feelings, I suddenly came back to my senses.
A huge beast that overwhelmed others just by existing, and a man as beautiful as an angel.
Neither of them was subtle at all!
Aware of the people who had gathered around us, I quickly shook Valentin’s shoulder.
“L-let’s go! I need to buy a gift.”
“A gift?”
Valentin asked lazily, ignoring my urgent tone.
Trying to peel the man off me like glue, I reminded myself of today’s purpose.
“A return gift for Miss Teller.”
“Miss Teller? A return gift?”
Only then did Valentin lift his head from my shoulder.
What is bothering him this time?
I deliberately ignored his slightly sharp green eyes.
“She gave me a handkerchief during the monster subjugation. I should give her something in return.”
It was only right. She had embroidered it carefully, stitch by stitch, for me.
But unlike my thoughts, a cold answer came from Valentin’s lips.
“Why should you? Giving the handkerchief was her feeling. There’s no need to respond.”
He finally stepped back from me.
“Your Grace, you don’t know, do you? I wiped your blood with that handkerchief. It was completely ruined. Totally ruined!”
If that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have felt this guilty.
As I muttered to myself, Valentin frowned.
“I should be the one giving the gift instead.”
“Why would you?”
“She is the family of my knight. Shouldn’t I be the one taking care of her?”
Since when has he cared that much…?
After blinking and scratching my cheek, I reluctantly nodded.
Maybe he took good care of them before I came. Maybe he just lost his way for a while and came back to his senses.
“Then do that. I’ll buy something separately.”
Not wanting to remain a spectacle any longer, I quickly walked ahead on the clean stone road.
I thought I heard something behind me, but my mind was already full of thoughts about a gift for Jamie.
What would she like?
The road leading to the large central plaza was lined with all kinds of shops.
I especially liked how the stores had similar exteriors and sign styles, giving a sense of unity.
The atmosphere was elegant, neat, and antique.
Some buildings had different colors and materials, but instead of ruining the scenery, they made the street feel lively.
It feels like a fairy village.
This is the joy of being transported into another world!
After endless days of monsters and training, it felt refreshing to enjoy such beautiful scenery.
Humming to myself, I walked along the gray and white stone path. A pleasant floral scent drifted in on the breeze.
I’m pretty sure George said his younger sister likes flowers.
“Your Grace, shall we start there?”
When Valentin saw the flower shop I pointed to, he let out a small scoff.
“Flowers make my teeth ache now.”
“What?”
He walks through the garden at Raphelia Castle every day—what is he talking about? And he got caught by me because of roses in the first place.
…Could it be because he got involved with me while looking at roses?
I quickly shook off that thought.
He’s been using me quite well—turning me into a mascot and all.
Then is it because of the ice flower?
No way.
Watching the shop owner rush out to greet the dazzlingly handsome man, I slowly shook my head.
The main male lead of the world wouldn’t be that petty.
The shopping trip disguised as a walk was a great success.
Besides the housewarming gift, I smiled when I saw the red chrysanthemums neatly wrapped in white paper.
Thank goodness I had prize money from the monster subjugation.
That way, I didn’t have to rely on Valentin. Though he seemed dissatisfied even about that.
But this is too much.
Since when did Valentin have such a spending habit?
I tried to remember the original story as I watched box after box come out of the carriage.
They were all mine. Snack No. 1, 2, 3, 4. Toy No. 1, 2, 3, 4.
The boxes next to them contained accessories like bow ties and ribbons. The real spoils would arrive a few days later.
“It really felt like a war.”
Finding clothes that fit my body was not easy.
As a result, I practically became a doll in a luxurious tailor shop.
Measurements again and again!
Fabric after fabric!
From color to texture to country of origin.
Valentin was unbelievably picky and could not be satisfied.
Casual clothes, tailcoats, sportswear, pajamas. Outerwear to underwear. Gloves to shoes.
Why were there so many types of clothing? My head was spinning.
Every time I told him to stop buying, he would change the subject and sneak another item into my hands.
“I’m done. Really.”
He kept saying that as if I were stupid. It was so frustrating.
Still, Valentin looked so happy that I ended up going along with him.
I wasn’t physically tired—my stamina was fine. It was just that my ordinary heart couldn’t handle royal-level spending.
I glared at Valentin as he gave orders to the servants carrying the luggage.
Feeling my intense gaze, he turned around and gave me a sweet smile that looked like it could melt.
In his arms was a black fluffy doll from the Nadani collection. He had insisted on stopping by the souvenir shop… and in the end…
“…Your Grace, why did you buy that?”
When I pointed at the thing I couldn’t bring myself to describe, he tilted his head.
“It’s cute.”
He lightly patted the doll’s backside as he went up the stairs.
For some reason, my own backside felt ticklish.
The Teller residence was small and cozy, just like George and Jamie.
Inside the reddish wooden house, everything was placed practically rather than decorated with many ornaments.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
I handed the carefully chosen gift to George and then gave the bouquet to Jamie.
“This is in return for the handkerchief you gave me before.”
Jamie’s face turned red as she received the chrysanthemums that matched her.
She said it had been a long time since she received flowers, and she smiled shyly. Seeing that made me happy too.
Even as she led me to the sitting room, she kept smelling the bouquet.
When George opened the large gift box, a shiny tableware set was revealed.
Among them, a gold-rimmed plate gleamed even without special patterns. Jamie quickly flipped it over to check the back.
“Oh my, it’s Jecosten.”
“Jecosten?”
She glanced at George for asking.
“It’s a popular tableware brand in the capital these days. They’re also famous for tea sets and are well known among young nobles. The quality is excellent, so even noble ladies praise it.”
Holding a wavy-edged plate, Jamie examined it closely and clapped her hands.
“What a thoughtful gift. As expected of Sir Nathan.”
I gave an awkward smile.
…I didn’t choose it.
I had been stuck in the palace since I arrived in this world, and after that I was busy working hard.
There’s no way I would know popular brands.
Valentin chose everything.
It was my idea to give beautiful tableware, but I was drowning in brands. Valentin was the one who picked this set.
It looked clean, neat, and stylish at a glance.
If George knew Valentin personally chose it, he would probably be too honored to even use it.
He might just display it.
Better keep it a secret.
“I’m going to serve lunch on these today!”
After looking through all the gifts, Jamie disappeared excitedly like a child.
“You have a very cute sister.”
George, who had been watching her carefully to make sure she didn’t trip, snapped back to attention at my words.
“That’s right. She’s still immature, but she’s really cute and beautiful. So, um…”
He cleared his throat.
“If you wish, Sir, my sister—”
“Lunch is ready!”
Unfortunately, his words were cut off by Jamie returning with a servant.
Delicious smells filled the dining room.
“George, what were you saying?”
I asked while already reaching for the food. But instead of answering, George blushed and quietly urged us to eat.
Why is he acting like that?
Hungry, I didn’t think much of it and started eating.
Everything Jamie made was delicious, and as we drank tea, we lost track of time.
By the time we noticed, the teapot was empty and the sunset light was settling over it.
It was time to leave.
As I stood up, I quietly handed over a small piece of paper.
“What is this?”
