Chapter 12

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 12

Chapter Title: Sunglasses Phenomenon

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I was taking a walk, breathing in the fresh morning air of the capital.

The warm air here was just right, as always.

But.

"......?"

Something looked different from the usual scenery.

Two noble ladies passed by. Dressed in fancy gowns, parasols in hand.

But they had pitch-black glasses on their faces.

Those... aren't those sunglasses?

"......"

What the hell?

Eye infection?

Conjunctivitis sweeping the capital?

I turned my head.

A noble young master approached from over there. Neat suit, but he was wearing pitch-black glasses too.

"......"

What is that?

Why wear sunglasses in broad daylight, first thing in the morning?

Can they even see where they're going?

I cocked my head.

I'll never understand the fashion sense of capital folk.

Why cover up perfectly fine eyes?

Whatever, none of my business.

I quickened my steps.

A café came into view.

'Le Brunch'.

Nice terrace.

Pancakes there it is.

I stepped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠inside.

"Ready to order?"

"Pancake set. Coffee too."

"Right away."

The server withdrew.

I sat by the window, gazing out at the street.

The sunlight was warm.

The breeze was cool.

...Perfect.

This is the life I wanted.

A moment later.

"Your pancake set."

Plate set down.

Fluffy pancakes. Butter melting atop, maple syrup, whipped cream, fresh berries.

"......"

Beautiful.

I took up the fork.

Sliced into the pancake.

...

So soft.

Cuts like a cloud.

Drizzled syrup.

One bite.

"............"

Eyes fluttered shut.

Sweetness bloomed.

Butter flavor perfection.

Kuhuuuuu...

...

Deep in blissful breakfast.

"......Today's top news."

Anchor's voice drifted over. I glanced up blankly.

"First story: Astonishing scene captured at last night's capital fireworks festival."

Fireworks?

Last night?

"Her Imperial Highness the Princess made a bold appearance."

Princess?

Bold?

What?

Screen switched.

Photo popped up.

"......"

Spoon froze.

"......"

Two figures in the shot.

Sunglasses on a man and woman.

Sitting under a tree, munching popcorn.

Fireworks exploding gorgeously behind them.

"......"

Hold up.

That silver hair.

Those sunglasses.

That popcorn.

"......"

Fuck, that's me.

And red hair beside me.

Irene.

Us side by side.

"Her Imperial Highness captured streetside in sunglasses."

Anchor kept going.

"Her companion confirmed as Kasian de Valentine, second son of the Northern Grand Duke's family."

"......"

"The pair shared popcorn while enjoying the fireworks."

"......"

"Experts call it 'the dawn of new noble culture'."

Street popcorn vendor turns into 'new noble culture'? What bullshit.

"Related: Black glasses shortage hits capital since morning."

What?

"Stores mobbed by citizens hunting the exact design Her Highness wore."

"......"

"Suspected snack 'popcorn' from the duo's festival also exploding in popularity."

"......"

"Night market popcorn stalls lined since dawn."

"......"

Screen shifted.

Street interviews.

"Wanna be like Her Highness!"

Lady in black glasses.

"Wanna watch fireworks in black glasses too!"

Another lady, black glasses.

"This is true class, unbound by etiquette!"

"......"

"......"

"......"

Ah.

So that's why the ladies on the street earlier.

Black glasses everywhere.

Men toting popcorn.

"......"

Restaurant fell silent.

Eerie hush.

I looked around.

Everyone staring at me.

"...Huh?"

Someone murmured.

"That guy..."

Glanced at screen.

At me.

Screen.

Me.

"Wait... that guy's..."

"Silver hair..."

"Northern Grand Duke..."

"The one from the news..."

Whispers swelled.

Murmurs rose.

All eyes locked on me.

"Hey!"

Someone shot up.

"Sunglasses, where from..."

No.

No no no no.

I bolted upright.

Yanked wallet, grabbed cash.

No clue the amount.

Just flung a wad on the table.

"Keep the change."

"Pardon? Sir, that's way too..."

Before server finished, I fled the restaurant.

Shouts trailed.

"Hey! Wait up!"

"That's him!"

"Sunglasses where?!"

Can't hear.

Nothing.

I darted into an alley.

Heart hammering wildly.

Back at the inn.

Door slammed shut.

Crashed onto bed.

"Haa..."

Sigh escaped.

Deep one.

"This is totally fucked."

Stared at ceiling.

"Properly fucked..."

My face plastered nationwide on the news.

'Shocking Princess Date'

'Sunglasses'

'Token of Affection'

That crap.

Ha...

"......"

First things first.

Check the public mood.

Grabbed the crystal orb on the table.

Red Thread Gallery.

Log in.

"......"

Slow.

Way slower than usual.

Server on the brink.

Finally loaded.

Main page.

"......"

Heart skipped.

No?

No such tradition?

Just lent 'em cuz too bright?

Who the hell is this Northern Tradition Researcher?

Don't lie.

"Kuaaaaaagh!"

Wanted to hurl the orb.

But held back.

Too pricey.

Can't replace it.

Buried face in pillow instead.

"Kuaaaaaaaaagh!"

Why.

Why does it end up like this.

Thought yesterday was a total flop.

Guess not.

...

Thought it'd quietly fade.

Why national news?

"......"

What'll big bro think if he sees.

Ha..

Fuck. So unfair.

If I had power,

Ha... fuck.

Then.

Something felt off.

Strange presence.

Lifted head.

Looked at door.

"......"

What the.

Something through door crack.

Paper? Letter?

Got up, opened door.

"......"

Boxes, letters, envelopes piled mountain-high.

"...What is this."

Grabbed one, tore open.

[To Young Master Kasian de Valentine, Second Son of the Northern Grand Duke's Family]

[From 'Silver Moon Eyewear': Proposing exclusive contract for the 'sunglasses' you wore. 500 gold signing bonus and...]

Grabbed another.

[To Kasian-nim]

[Crystal Optics offers 1,000 ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gold for your sunglasses...]

Another.

['Royal Eyewear' with 2,000 gold terms...]

More.

[3,000 gold...]

"......"

All sponsorship offers.

Sunglasses exclusive deals.

Bids climbing.

500.

1,000.

2,000.

3,000.

"......"

Wait...

Sponsorship?

That sponsorship you hear about?

What celebs get?

...To me?

"......"

Heart raced.

This feels like celeb life.

Sunglasses sponsorship?

3,000 gold?

"......"

Fuck.

This slaps.

Started scanning letters again.

Seriously.

Different glint in my eye.

Then.

Knock knock.

"......"

Peddler?

"Not interested."

Called through door.

"Go away."

"......"

No reply.

Moment later.

"Hmm."

Voice.

Lazy yet sharp tone.

Famously familiar.

"Not interested?"

"......"

"Yet seemed pretty engrossed in those letters."

"......"

This voice.

"Stood out front a while. Saw everything."

"......"

Opened door.

Black hair, sharp eyes, catlike smile.

Lirian de Goldwin.

Goldwin Merchant Guild lady.

"Hello, young master."

Lirian smiled.

"Lovely morning."