Chapter 62
“Wait a minute, I should go over there first.”
Eluana put down the children’s bag she had been inspecting and turned away from the staff member showing the items. Even as she approached, the man continued raising his voice.
“This isn’t something someone like you can buy.”
“I want to buy one when I get my salary,” Eluana replied.
“You couldn’t buy it even if you saved a year’s worth of your salary, so don’t touch it.”
“I’m sorry,” came Ring’s timid voice. Eluana’s gaze hardened. She stepped between the man and the cowering Ring.
“Why are you raising your voice?”
“I’m sorry for causing a scene, miss,” Ring bowed her head, and Eluana’s anger flared even higher.
“Why are you apologizing? I’m the one who brought you to this terrible place.”
Eluana grabbed the pin decorating her hair and pulled it out. A few strands of hair came out with it, but she didn’t care. She attached her hairpin onto Ring’s hair.
“Ring, something like this is too shabby for your precious hands. Wear this instead.”
“No, miss. I can’t wear something so precious in my hair.”
Realizing that the hairpin came from Eluana’s own hair, Ring jumped.
“I’m giving it to you. It suits you well.”
“No.”
Eluana spoke sternly to Ring, who was fumbling to remove the hairpin.
“It’s an order.”
“Miss…”
Turning her gaze from the crying Ring, Eluana sharply addressed the man.
“I didn’t know the Spes Duke family’s salaries were so small. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll check with my butler when I return.”
Ring stammered, unsure of what to do.
“No, my salary is more than enough. It’s more than ten times what I earned before.”
“This man said that you couldn’t even buy such a shabby item with a year of your salary.”
The man’s face changed dramatically. There could only be one young lady of the Spes Duke family—Eluana Vita Spes, the newly adopted girl.
“Ahaha, I seem to have made a mistake. If there’s anything you need, please tell me. I’ll show you only the best.”
“I’m not buying. Someone who doesn’t recognize what’s precious wouldn’t sell good things anyway. Let’s go, Ring.”
Eluana spun around and made sure to guide Ring, who was awkwardly standing there.
“This place isn’t to my liking. The items weren’t good either.”
As they exited the shop, a few steps away, Ring held out the hairpin she had removed from her hair.
“Here. Please take it.”
“I gave it to you as a gift. I want you to wear it.”
Though given impulsively, it suited Ring surprisingly well.
“But… it’s too precious.”
“You’re more precious.”
Eluana placed the hairpin back onto Ring’s head.
“What if I lose it? I really don’t need it… I wasn’t going to use the hair tie anyway.”
“Then?”
“I want to give it to you as a gift. Of course, I can’t buy anything good.”
Ring wriggled her fingers as she confessed, and the confession only made Eluana angrier. How could someone so kind…
Eluana gave Ring’s hair a gentle touch, the same care she used when styling Louis’ hair.
“Then consider this my gift. When you get your salary, gift me the ribbon. Something you can use comfortably at home. Not items from that terrible shop owner. Understood? Let’s go in there.”
Fortunately, a store displaying children’s clothes was nearby. Inside, Eluana ordered the items they needed.
While Eluana purchased the items, rumors spread rapidly. Stories of the Spes Duke’s young lady inspecting the streets made the shop staff tense as they greeted her.
People flocked everywhere to see Eluana. Some cheered, some stared with curiosity, and others muttered words tinged with jealousy.
Ring shrugged or growled at each reaction, but Eluana didn’t respond. She found it interesting to observe people’s different reactions as they spoke to her.
After buying a children’s bag, Eluana looked around. They had some time before the reserved slot at the magic shop, so she looked for a cake shop to take a short break. That’s when she heard a familiar voice.
“20 silver, but since you seem like a noble, I’ll give it to you for 12 silver.”
Eluana narrowed her eyes when she recognized the voice.
“Do you know this person?” Ring asked.
“Yes. The one who made a fool out of me.”
Eluana strode forward confidently and stood in front of the scammer.
‘Got you now, Hasem.’
She had often felt cheated by his prices in the shopping district.
“Still making a living by scamming people?”
Hasem looked up, startled, when he saw Eluana, and his face lit up.
“Eluana, isn’t it?”
He called her name out of habit, then froze. Ring, standing beside her, had widened her eyes. When Eluana nodded, he didn’t say much, but his eyes were full of discontent. Even Alex, standing behind, lightly fingered his sheath.
“Oh… I heard you were adopted into a noble family, indirectly.”
Eluana smiled.
“Yeah. I only found out recently. In the meantime, you’d been cleverly overcharging me.”
“Overcharging? Aden is far, so the transport cost naturally adds up.”
“Enough. Live a bit more kindly. You were about to overcharge these people just now.”
As Hasem coughed awkwardly, Eluana spoke to the would-be victimized noble.
“Buy it somewhere else. With that money, you could buy five of these.”
The noble replied in a teasing voice.
“That’s fine. I have plenty of money.”
What kind of noble is this? And why is he speaking casually?
Eluana looked up at him, inhaling sharply. Inhaling, he looked sexy; exhaling, decadent. The noble smiled, thin red lips forming a perfect curve, enhancing his allure.
“Handsome, right?”
“Yes.”
“Best in the world?”
“Not the best. Maybe third?”
By simple looks, Kazar was more handsome. This sultry aura likely wouldn’t come even if Kazar grew up. The second most handsome was the Duke of Spes—not just because he was her father, but he truly was an impressive man. Mature and sophisticated.
If the standard was “sexiness” rather than “handsomeness,” the result would differ, but the noble was indeed third.
“A harsh judgment. Disappointing.”
Yet the noble laughed, clearly amused. Eluana narrowed her eyes at him.
“Why are you speaking casually?”
“I’m older than you.”
He did look older.
Had it been about rank, she could have objected, but age? She had no retort. Meanwhile, the noble glared at Hasem, who had tried to overcharge him.
Meeting his gaze, Hasem shrank back, admitting his wrongdoing. Fortio smirked.
“Oh, I really got overcharged? By how much?”
“…About five times.”
Hasem answered meekly. Fortio, however, didn’t get angry; he laughed.
“Interesting. Being scammed feels kind of fun.”
He seemed like a screw—or maybe a dozen screws—loose. Eluana furrowed her brow.
“Do you have money to burn?”
“Yes. I told you, I have a lot of money.”
“If you have so much, why let yourself get scammed? This lets scammers run wild.”
The word “scam” made Hasem pale. Observing the crowd, it seemed many had already overheard. A noble unaware of the world, about to be ripped off… the shop could have gone under.
“I’ll consider it a gift. You two continue talking. I’m off.”
Hasem, who willingly gave Fortio what he held, stepped back. He planned to escape first and deal with the items later. But his escape was halted by Alex, standing behind him.
“What should we do with her, miss?”
“Well… what do you think?”
Eluana smiled mischievously, and Hasem turned pale. Had he known he’d be caught, he would’ve only taken a modest amount. Now it was too late for regrets.
“Forgive me, yo.”
“Hasem, if you keep living like this, you’ll die a miserable death.”
“Am I going to die now?”
Tears filled Hasem’s eyes.
“Enough. Where would I use you dead anyway? Count what you overcharged me and the Aden people, and when you go to Aden, distribute it as groceries. But give it all back.”
“Oh? So you’re forgiving me?”
“You’re the only merchant going to Aden, so I’ll let it slide. Don’t even think about cheating; I’ll check later.”
Without Hasem, she wouldn’t have been able to insert the conduit at the auction. She had no reason not to compromise this way.
“Alright! Yo.”
Hasem nervously smiled while trying to maintain politeness. Eluana then turned her attention to the noble.
“If you have money to burn, donate it instead.”
“Donate? I’ve never done it myself. My family handles it anyway.”
“Doing it yourself will feel different. Better than being scammed. Look, there’s an orphanage.”
Eluana pointed to a dilapidated building atop a hill, marked with a wing symbol representing an orphanage.
The noble giggled.
“Wanna go together? You might get scammed there too.”
Eluana blinked, then felt concerned. Despite being told he’d been overcharged, he had insisted he was fine.
“Let’s go.”
Eluana intended to visit the orphanage within the Spes Duke territory. They still had time before the magic shop reservation.
Leading the way, she was followed by the intrigued noble. Alex’s expression stiffened as he closely watched the noble.
The orphanage was a little way up the hill from the shopping street. It seemed to be a repurposed, crumbling old temple, with unknown flowers blooming along the path—flower stalks without leaves, only flowers.
The noble spoke upon noticing Eluana’s gaze.
“Lycoris.”
“The name of this flower?”
“The leaves fall before the flowers bloom. The term ‘sangsabyeong’ comes from this flower. A flower and leaves that never meet. Isn’t it sad?”
‘What is this sentiment…?’
Eluana stepped back slightly.
“Have you been drinking?”
“I’m always intoxicated.”
