Chapter 72: Is It Somehow Different?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: Is It Somehow Different?
“Is it really necessary to mess with my hair?”
“Be quiet. Your hairstyle is important, so we have to set it after you’re fully dressed.”
Theodora’s voice drifted from behind the red velvet curtain. I’d only been muttering to myself, but I guess she heard me. A beastkin’s hearing really is something else.
I was at Blanc Noir, a shop specializing in formal wear. Literally translated, the name meant "White Black." The owner, Ms. Ariel, was a close acquaintance of the Lymain family, and the shop was renowned for crafting evening gowns and formal attire for the high nobility.
They didn't just make clothes; they handled everything related to a noble's appearance, from shoes and gloves to makeup and hair styling.
Thanks to that, I was getting my hair styled—something I never thought I’d experience in my life. I wondered if all this was necessary just to go grab a meal, but... well, I wasn't one to refuse a gift. If they wanted to do it, I should be grateful. They even trimmed my eyebrows and did a few other things. It was getting hard to even move my facial muscles.
“H-hyut?!”
“Oops.”
The employee styling my hair dropped the scissors, leaving a small scratch on my cheek. Looking like the world was about to end, the employee bowed repeatedly in apology. It wasn't a big deal, though. Just by circulating a bit of Snowfield Troll blood, the flesh would knit back together as if nothing had happened.
“I-I am so sorry!!”
“No, it’s fine. Why were you so startled?”
“C-customer, your eyes just changed for a moment….”
Inside the circular curtain, no fewer than three employees were busy twisting and turning my hair. Since I couldn't move my face and was getting bored, I had briefly looked forward using the eyes of an Umbra Valkyrie. It seemed the employee in front of me had been caught off guard.
“Ah, sorry. Don't mind me and please continue.”
“But the wound on your skin… it’s gone..?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about it.”
Ariel and Theodora asked from outside if everything was okay, but there was no problem. It wouldn't even leave a scar.
I should probably refrain from changing my eyes.
After about ten minutes, they told me my hair was "complete." I wasn't sure how hair could be "complete," but I just went with it. I guess things are just different for nobles.
“Aven, are you done?”
“Yeah, they say it’s finished.”
“Can I come in..?”
“Wait, let me just put on the coat.”
I was wearing a high-quality white dress shirt—simple in design but with clean finishing and an excellent texture. Over that went a black vest, paired with black dress slacks and a black coat that reached down to my knees.
Everything else was fine, but I felt the coat was a bit much. Apparently, in this world, popped collars that reached toward the sky weren't considered outdated fashion yet. To me, it looked a bit ridiculous.
With the help of the staff, I threw the coat over my shirt and pulled back the red curtain. Theodora and Ariel were waiting right there.
Swish—
“Gasp….”
“This is….”
“Sigh, man. This is embarrassing.”
The two of them, who had been chatting happily outside the curtain, lost their words the moment they saw me. I suppose if spending money doesn't improve the situation, one can't help but lose the will to fight.
Feeling awkward, I reached up to scratch my head, but Theodora instinctively lunged forward and grabbed my hand.
“W-wait! We just did your hair!”
“Ah, right.”
This kind of thing really didn't suit my temperament. Still, I had to say thank you.
“Thanks, Theodora. Thank you, Ms. Ariel.”
“A-ahem... Did you say your name was Aven?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
“If you ever need clothes, come find me at Blanc Noir. Here is my card.”
“Um... alright.”
The world was full of people wanting to help the less fortunate. The Labyrinth City was a generous place.
“Haaa….”
“Theodora. You’re going to catch flies with your mouth open.”
“Hmph!! B-be quiet! You finally look presentable! Thank you, Ariel! We’ll be going now!”
Theodora grabbed my hand and hurried toward the stairs. I wasn't sure why she was in such a rush, but as I was led down, I expressed my gratitude once more.
“Thank you to the staff as well.”
“Ah, y-yes..!”
Shortly after Theodora and Yoo Eon left, Ariel and the three employees standing on the third floor let out deep sighs and began to chime in.
“I’m so jealous of Lady Theodora.”
“A Labyrinth explorer with a face like that... it shouldn't be possible.”
“And apparently, he’s incredibly strong even without any curse skills.”
Ariel spoke up as if making a joke.
“I should have written 'Blanc Noir' in big letters on the back of that coat. Our sales would have tripled or quadrupled.”
“I know, right?”
The employees returned to their duties. Ariel walked to the window and watched the backs of Theodora and Yoo Eon as they walked down the street, a faint smile on her face. The sight of Theodora clinging to his arm was quite cute.
“The desire of a female to show off the superior male she’s claimed is a fearsome thing.”
* * *
“Theodora, is this really okay?”
“Hmm? What is?”
As soon as we left Blanc Noir, Theodora had linked her arm with mine and was walking pressed right up against me. We were in the Northwest, where other members of the Lymain family or people who knew Theodora might be wandering around.
Weren't high-ranking nobles usually very sensitive about scandals involving the opposite sex? Above all, Theodora was a woman. Not that I was making a distinction based on gender, but if a scandal broke out, the woman usually suffered more damage than the man.
“What, were you worried about that?”
“Of course. I’d like to avoid doing anything that might cause you trouble.”
“Pfft, really? Don't worry. I don't care about things like that.”
There was that, but I was also concerned about the Antonio Brotherhood. Didn't the Golden Glove Syndicate, which the Lymain family belonged to, do business with them?
Based on what her father said, the guys who had targeted me didn't seem to be connected to the leadership of the Antonio Brotherhood, but still.
Well, she says she’s fine with it.
We walked for about twenty minutes, though we didn't talk much. Theodora didn't lose her smile the entire time, looking incredibly happy. However, the restaurant we arrived at was so close that we could have reached it in five minutes from Blanc Noir if we had just taken a different turn.
I didn't fully understand her intentions, but maybe she just wanted to walk the streets? Or was she waiting for her appetite to build up? At least she didn't seem to be in a bad mood, so that was a relief.
The exterior was magnificent. A grand, pure white building stood tall, towering over the other buildings that averaged four to five stories. It was nearly seven stories high.
Judging by the windows, it didn't actually have more floors, but rather very high ceilings. Expensive buildings usually did have high ceilings.
“Reservation. Under Lymain.”
“I will escort you to the top floor.”
This place actually had an elevator. It didn't seem to be a purely mechanical device; it felt like it operated through magic.
“Whoa.”
“Is this your first time seeing a lift?”
“No, not exactly.”
“Hmm.”
Come to think of it, I probably shouldn't have said I'd seen one before. Even in such an expensive building, it was just a lift that traveled five floors. In my previous world, I’d frequently seen elevators that went up dozens of stories.
We were seated at a charming window side. In the sky, tinged with a mysterious violet hue, nameless stars were scattered like jewels, and on the ceiling, a chandelier as bright as those stars sparkled with a luxurious golden light.
The meal was pleasant. Except for the fact that Theodora was constantly startled by my "manly" way of eating—since I didn't know much about noble table etiquette—everything went smoothly.
I had wondered what kind of conversation one should have during such a meal, but I guess nobles didn't do that. Theodora only spoke during the very brief pauses in the meal, and nine times out of ten, I had my mouth full of food at those moments.
He’s cute.
Theodora thought as she watched Yoo Eon eat.
Of course, it wasn't that nobles didn't talk during meals. To begin with, a meal served for the purpose of conversation was different from a meal served to actually fill one's stomach. Since Theodora intended to feed Yoo Eon, she had ordered dishes that were hearty and filling.
When a meal was just a pretext for conversation or a business deal, they served small portions that could be chewed and swallowed in a few bites.
And above all, in Theodora’s eyes, Yoo Eon was someone she didn't really need to talk to.
This is delicious! So good!
His manners might have been a bit lacking, but she could tell from the aura he gave off that he was thoroughly enjoying the meal.
Whenever Yoo Eon seemed to be checking her reaction, she would exchange a word or two. She was simply waiting for him to enjoy his food.
“How was it? Did it taste good?”
“Theodora, this is the most delicious meal I’ve ever had in my life.”
“What? Really? I’m glad you liked it.”
After the meal, a carriage Theodora had prepared was waiting in front of the restaurant. It was different from the one we took around noon, bearing the crest of the Lymain family. A carriage this luxurious was a rare sight even in the Northwest.
“I should be the one seeing you home after something like this.”
I’d never done it before, but this felt like a date. Usually, when it’s time to part ways, shouldn't I be the one walking her home? I guess this was the equivalent of putting someone in a taxi.
“Goodnight, Theodora. I had fun today.”
“What are you talking about? Get in. We have somewhere to go.”
“Eh?”
* * *
“Come in.”
“Where are we?”
I thought she had called the carriage to go home, but I was supposed to get in too. After a few minutes of travel, we arrived at our destination.
“Auction Lymain….”
It was the place where I first met Theodora. I wondered what we were doing here, but I followed her inside without a word.
We didn't enter through the main entrance I’d used before, but through a back door that seemed to be for high-ranking officials only. Inside, there was a staircase leading down. Given the height, it seemed to lead to a basement. A spiral staircase made of high-quality marble descended quite deep.
“You’ve arrived, My Lady.”
“Yes, open the door.”
“Understood.”
Wasn't that the old man I saw before? He was still working even at this late hour. As the door opened, Theodora turned back to me.
“Now, close your eyes, Aven.”
“Why? What is it?”
“Just do it!”
I didn't know what it was, but I closed my eyes for now. She clearly had something she wanted to show me, and going along with it would make it fun for me and make her happy.
With my eyes closed, Theodora took my hand and led me inside. After walking slowly for a bit, she stopped, let go of my hand, and I heard her move somewhere.
“Okay, you can open your eyes now!”
“Alright.”
The moment I slowly opened my tightly shut eyes, I saw a rectangular glass case. It was finished with luxurious metal accents on the corners and lined with red silk at the bottom.
And what was inside...
“This is..”
With a triumphant expression, Theodora placed her hand on the glass case and spoke.
“How is it? The ‘Dragon Heart’ I prepared.”
“Theodora..”
“Is a dragon's... heart somehow different..?”