Chapter 67: A Bolt from the Blue
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 67: A Bolt from the Blue
It was the same when we entered the perfume shop next door.
“You know how it is, don’t you? The shop only prospers if we stay in Her Highness’s good graces.”
In this atmosphere, saying things like that will only backfire, I thought.
However, the Baron was so enthusiastic, constantly dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief as he took the lead, that it felt awkward to stop him.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and show Her Highness around.”
Reluctantly, the shopkeeper introduced a few of the shop’s perfumes to me.
They weren’t particularly to my taste, but since I didn’t want to just stand there awkwardly, I bought a few bottles, offered some cliché words of encouragement, and left.
“Honestly, what is wrong with that merchant’s attitude?”
Cecilia, who was following behind me, vented her anger on my behalf while carefully gauging my reaction.
“I think I’ve seen enough.”
I raised a hand to stop the Baron, who was trying to lead me down another street. If I saw any more, my heart would be torn to shreds.
“Ah, you must be tired from all the walking. I wasn’t thinking,” the Baron said with a troubled expression. “I was just so eager to show Her Highness the best of Gold Lane…”
“Don’t worry about it. I enjoyed the tour thanks to you.”
I turned to Cecilia. “Let’s head back to the castle.”
Baron Gelfry hurriedly called out to me as I was about to turn away.
“Please, at least have a cup of tea at my cafe before you go.”
He clasped his hands together awkwardly.
“Shouldn’t you catch your breath before getting into the carriage?”
It was an offer I truly wanted to refuse, but seeing the Baron’s slumped shoulders, the words wouldn’t come out.
He must have had a hard time too.
He had been struggling the whole time to appease the uncooperative shopkeepers. If the Grand Duchess he had invited fled the scene, it would weigh on his mind.
“Shall we, then?”
In the end, I followed the Baron to the second floor of Cafe Delitar.
*
“What did you just say?”
I looked up, stunned by the shocking words ringing in my ears.
“I’ve been taking money from the inns?”
“Ah, so you didn’t know.”
Baron Gelfry, who had been fidgeting with his teacup, looked embarrassed as if he shouldn't have brought it up.
“There’s no need to worry about it. Who would believe such nonsense?”
So that was it. That was the reason for the shopkeepers’ icy glares.
“It’s just that there are quite a few people spreading such stories around Gold Lane.”
I bit the inside of my cheek.
“As the head of the association, it is a bit of a predicament for me as well.”
The Baron added that in times like these, it would be helpful if Her Highness showed herself to the shopkeepers more often.
It was one obstacle after another. Just when I thought things were finally getting better. Would a day ever come in Blenheim where I could truly feel at peace before my year was up?
“So, I’ve arranged for the shopkeepers to gather before you leave. If you could just say a few words of greeting…”
A butter cake sat on the table. It was the same greasy cake I had tasted when I first came to Gold Lane. Suddenly, the smell of butter wafting from the cake made me feel sick.
My stomach is churning.
The unpleasant stares that had clung to me throughout the tour seemed to crawl up my body and choke me. I couldn't even hear what the Baron was muttering anymore.
I feel like I’m going to throw up. I want to go back.
Feeling my breath quicken abruptly, I bolted upright. Everything in this space felt suffocating; I couldn't stand it for another second.
“I must go now.”
Ignoring the bewildered Baron, I hurriedly made my way downstairs, leaning against the wall for support.
Fortunately, the crest-bearing carriage was already waiting at the cafe entrance. I was glad I had told Cecilia to have it ready to leave as soon as I came out. Just as I let out a shallow sigh of relief at the thought of going home immediately—
I saw a crowd of people surrounding the carriage.
Who were they?
The sight of the already large-framed Northerners standing there with such menacing auras made me instinctively shrink back. I reflexively searched for Tiern and the knights.
Only when I saw Tiern standing in front of the carriage did my pounding heart calm down slightly.
“These are the shopkeepers who have gathered to see Her Highness.”
The Baron, who had rushed down after me, stepped forward with a bright face.
“More of them came than I expected.”
Cecilia, spotting me, ran over with a troubled expression and whispered softly in my ear.
“The merchant association told them to close their shops and gather to see Her Highness off. The atmosphere isn't good; we should leave quickly.”
“What is the meaning of this?”
To do something like this without consulting me. When I glared at the Baron and lowered my voice, he averted his eyes. Though the smile remained on his face, he didn't look particularly proud of himself.
“As I told you, it’s better for Her Highness to look after the shopkeepers at a time like this.”
After muttering that, the Baron suddenly raised his voice toward the shopkeepers.
“Her Highness has personally graced Gold Lane to encourage you all. You should all consider this an honor!”
At those words, the shopkeepers’ eyes grew even sharper. The Baron nonchalantly reached out and guided me to the center.
“Your Highness, please say a few words before you depart.”
Feeling a sudden urge to gag the Baron, I stood before the shopkeepers. Since things had come to this, I couldn't just walk away. I’d just say a couple of generic sentences and escape.
“You must all be busy, yet you’ve taken the trouble to come here because of me.”
I hadn't been this afraid even when standing before the knights. My heart kept shrinking against my will.
“I know how hard you all work to maintain Gold Lane. I am always impressed whenever I visit.”
This wasn't a place for empty flattery, even as a joke. If I slipped up and said the wrong thing, they might actually start throwing stones. The atmosphere was that bad. I poured out formal pleasantries, not even knowing what I was babbling.
“…The head of the merchant association will take good care of you, but if there is anything I can help with, please feel free to ask me anytime.”
Just as I barely managed to finish my speech—
“Who else’s back are you planning to break?”
A sharp shout erupted from the crowd.
What?
Everyone turned their heads at those words, but because of the crowd—including passersby—it was impossible to tell who had spoken.
“Now you’re planning to suck the blood and sweat of the North!”
This time, a voice rang out from the opposite side. Tiern narrowed his eyes and drew his sword, and the knights followed suit in unison.
“W-who is it!”
The flustered Baron looked around frantically, trying to find the speaker.
“Your Highness, please get into the carriage.”
Cecilia urgently grabbed my arm. As I tried to follow her, sharp shouts pierced my ears from all directions.
“The daughter of a Marquis, of all things!”
“How dare you crawl in here!”
Crude insults were hurled at me indiscriminately from everywhere.
“Get in the carriage!”
At Tiern’s command, the knights surrounded me with their backs to me. As the swords were leveled, the shopkeepers in the front flinched and backed away. Just as those who were afraid of being mistaken for part of the mob began to leave the group one by one—
“Take this and get lost!”
With a splat, something cold hit the top of my foot. Looking down, I saw a viscous yellow liquid soaking the hem of my dress.
It was a raw egg.
“Your Highness! Hurry!”
Cecilia urged me, but for some reason, my body wouldn't move. In that moment, a second egg flew toward me. Cecilia hurriedly reached out her hand in front of me, but the egg narrowly grazed her fingertips and passed through.
Thwack!
Cecilia’s scream echoed through Gold Lane.
A dull pain throbbed in my head. When I raised my hand to touch my face, a sticky liquid came away. Feeling the egg yolk dripping from my chin, I stood there dazed like a fool.
The raw, fishy smell hit me instantly. Behind Cecilia, whose face was contorted with horror, a gasp of shock rippled through the crowd. Amidst it all, I saw Tiern’s face, overcome with bewilderment.
My head spun, and my vision flipped.
The Grand Duke will be surprised.
That was the last thought I had before losing consciousness.
*
I was looking down at an empty guillotine in an execution ground.
I’m dead.
There weren't many traces left, but I just knew. I knew that I had just ended my life up there.
Had a lot of time passed? The execution ground, now empty of spectators and executioners, was silent. Blood that had been roughly washed away with water was dripping through the cracks in the wooden stairs.
A moment later, the sound of clanking iron boots slowly ascended those stairs. It was a man in full armor. Despite his massive build, his slumped shoulders looked infinitely small for some reason.
The man, staring blankly at the floor stained with red, suddenly fell to his knees.
“…I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
His voice was thick with suppressed tears.
“I was too late…”
He sobbed, eventually clutching his chest as he gasped for air.
Who is that man, and why is he so grieved by my death?
I watched him with a strange feeling when he suddenly lifted his head.
The Grand Duke?
Why is the Grand Duke here…
I struggled to get a closer look, but it was no use. And the moment my eyes met those black pupils stained with tears, I was pushed out of that space as if sucked into a vacuum.
Gasp.
I woke up, sucking in a breath. In the dimness, a soft light illuminated the bedside.
It was a dream.
I fumbled at my neck with trembling hands. My hair, soaked in sweat, clung to my skin, and the back of my neck felt deathly cold.
Was it a dream created by my fear?
Annette’s death from the original story, which I had forgotten, was etched as vividly as if I had actually experienced it. The shock of the assault must have been significant.
I need to sleep more.
Just as I was about to pull up the covers—
“Do not move.”
I flinched and turned my head at the unfamiliar voice. A man wearing a lavish robe was sitting by my head.
“Who are you?” I asked, my nerves on edge.
The man had his long hair tied back in a single ponytail. He was a face I had never seen in the castle before.