Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Haruna - [2]
I'm standing awkwardly next to the fish stall counter in one corner of the market entrance.
The fishy stench stabbing at my nose and the boisterous haggling assaulting my eardrums.
'We were supposed to meet here....'
I'd sent a letter to Haruna. Told her I had something to discuss and to meet me at the market entrance.
But the appointed time was drawing near, and there wasn't even a glimpse of her.
'Haruna's always been good about keeping promises. Something must have come up.'
That's when I started tapping my toes against the ground.
Thud thud thud—clunk, clunk.
From the distance came the dull yet lively sound of hooves that didn't match the market floor at all.
Even the wheels rolling sounded heavy and smooth.
All eyes turned toward the noise at once. And just like that, the bustling market fell silent as if doused with cold water.
"....Huh?"
My mouth fell open unwittingly. A carriage pulled by four massive black horses.
The body, crafted from the finest ebony, was lacquered in glossy black, while the window frames and handles were adorned with pure gold that gleamed in the sunlight.
But the crowning glory was the massive crest engraved on the carriage door.
A black background with a red rose and sword crossed.
[Bellua Family]
"Oh, shit."
The curse slipped out on its own. Why was a baron's family carriage here, smack in the middle of a commoners' market that nobles avoided like the plague because it was "dirty"?
"Why's a baron's family...!"
"Bow your heads! Eye contact means big trouble!"
The market merchants and passersby panicked and cleared a path.
'Don't stand out. Please.'
I, too, subtly pressed myself against the fish stall wall. Crouching down as much as possible to erase my presence, I bowed my head deeply.
Please, let these highborn folks pass without so much as glancing at someone like me. But ominous premonitions always hit the mark.
Screech—
The carriage wheels stopped right in front of my nose. My heart plummeted.
'What the fuck.'
Then a knight in uniform leaped down from the coachman's seat and politely opened the door. The first to step out was a familiar face.
"Ugh, so nauseous... I really prefer walking..."
It was Haruna.
'???'
I couldn't keep up with the unfolding events. What was this? And following Haruna came a woman in a lavish dress, stepping down cautiously.
Red hair, porcelain skin, and jewels draped all over her body. Anyone could see she was a noble lady of high birth.
She... spotted me plastered against the wall, crouched low.
"...!"
Her eyes flew wide open. Ignoring the muddy market ground, she approached. And then.
"We've arrived, Master."
She grabbed the hems of her dress with both hands and bowed deeply at a perfect right angle before me.
"Rozina von Bellua... here to serve you, Master."
"?"
What kind of plot twist was this? If this were a web novel, the comments would explode.
-Getting off here. Author, you handle the loading screen.
Something like that.
"Pardon? What is this...?"
I stared at her blankly and asked again. She blushed as if ashamed and mumbled.
"I read the letter you sent to Haruna-nim. Our family has wide connections in the information trade..."
"Pardon?"
"W-well, since Aiman-nim wanted to meet Haruna-nim, the Bellua family brought her directly."
Putting it plainly, she'd intercepted the letter I sent to Haruna, read it, and come to fetch her...?
Haruna wore the same baffled expression as me, clearly not getting it either.
'No, wait a second.'
I hurriedly glanced around. Fortunately, the onlookers were all bowing their heads deeply, so they hadn't caught the bizarre scene properly.
If they had... I didn't even want to imagine. It'd probably make front-page news in the Imperial Gazette.
And then a brief memory flashed through my mind. The letter Serika had sent me.
[Oppa, I sent you a gift.]
-Sent you a 'maid' you can use however you want for a week. Really, how~ever you want. She screwed up big with me, so it's her atonement. Feel free to work her to the bone.
A wave of dizziness hit me. What the hell had happened at the academy...?
"Um... could you lift your head a bit? People are watching."
I spoke in an awkward voice, and Rozina slowly straightened up. Up close, her face was marred by terror.
Lips trembling faintly, eyes straining not to lose focus.
'Ah... I get it.'
The puzzle pieces clicked together.
'Ria and Anna.'
This Rozina must have crossed Serika and gotten thoroughly crushed by whatever massive power backed her sister.
'Even as a noble, to be pressed that hard...'
Their true identities suddenly felt all the more frightening. And at the same time, I felt a twinge of pity for the wretched lady before me.
Haruna, who'd been watching the whole time, poked my side.
"I can't follow what's going on."
"Same here."
"What the hell did you do...? Got some dirt on her?"
"Nothing like that."
I sighed and looked Rozina straight in the eye. Time to sort out this mess.
"Tell me honestly, milady."
I put some force into my voice.
"What exactly did Serika... threaten you with, or rather, say?"
At my question, Rozina's shoulders twitched. Her face flushed red as she answered in a voice barely above a whisper.
"If I obey every single command of Aiman-nim absolutely for one week..."
She swallowed dryly.
"...she said she'd forgive me."
Absolute obedience for a week? I'm no perverted noble—what was I supposed to order her to do?
Part of me wanted to just say, "It's fine." But I couldn't.
She had to pay for tormenting my sister.
Plus, if I sent her off like that, she'd probably have a meltdown and cling to my pant leg, begging me not to...
'But what to do with her?'
Of course, I have no sadistic hobbies.
"Lady Rozina."
"Y-yes! Master!"
Rozina jumped in surprise and replied.
"Drop the 'Master.' It's uncomfortable."
"A-ah, understood..."
"I have no sadistic hobbies. I'm not going to hit you or make you do menial labor."
Her expression visibly brightened at my words. A sigh of relief escaped her.
"But... I can't just let it slide that you bullied my little sister."
Rozina tensed up again and swallowed.
I raised my hand and pointed to Haruna, who was blankly picking her nose beside me (not a metaphor—she really was).
Hmm. Disgustingly filthy.
"Support everything Haruna wants."
Should I take it back? No. Where else am I going to find a technician as skilled as her?
"Equipment, materials, workshop expansion costs, labor fees—don't skimp on a single coin. Full support."
Haruna's eyes went wide.
A pleased look crossed Rozina's face. She was probably thinking it was just that much?
Not something involving her body or tarnishing her family's honor, but solvable with mere "money"?
"I shall obey!"
Rozina cried out, moved.
"I'll open the Bellua family vaults if I must! Without shortage... no, abundantly!"
She nodded her head frantically. But it was too early for Rozina to rejoice.
Because Haruna was a conscienceless, scatterbrained dwarf.
"So... right now, this noble miss is becoming my sugar mama?"
"Yeah. You've scored a temporary sponsor. Congrats."
I patted Haruna's shoulder.
"Haruna, let's buy the equipment you need and such. I need to pick up some stuff too."
"Like what?"
"Hm... performance attire?"
At my answer, Haruna's face turned deadly serious. She looked incredulous and asked back.
"Imperial Arts Institute?"
"Yeah. I'm going there. You too."
"No way that's actually happening...?"
Her face soured at my nonchalant confirmation. Nice to see. Haruna pondered for a moment.
Her eyes gradually grew serious, and soon she wore an unpleasant expression.
"Aiman."
"Yeah?"
"How about adding a few more things to that piano?"
I froze. I hadn't considered that at all.
"Like what?"
"Acoustic amplification artifacts or auto-tuning magic circle cores."
Rozina's shoulders flinched at Haruna's words. Artifacts. Magic circle cores.
I had no idea how much they cost, but just the names screamed expensive... Of course, Rozina didn't object.
'Isn't she scared?'
Doesn't this dwarf fear the future at all?
I couldn't fathom how she could act so boldly when this lady might seek revenge later.
She can't touch me, but Haruna's fair game.
"Even if we get those artifacts, can you apply them to the piano right away?"
"I'm Haruna."
Haruna gave me a warm smile.
Even the best looks are ruined by a shitty personality—case in point right here.
"Don't you trust me? With a blueprint, that's child's play. I believe kids should be raised strong. Our kid too. Don't you think so, Daddy?"
What sweet talk. Daddy, our kid...
Rozina, who had been fawning obsequiously, suddenly paused. She alternated glances between me and Haruna, eyes widening.
'...'
A moment later... Rozina blushed and her eyes began to sparkle.
Damn it.
"...You doing that on purpose?"
"What?"
Haruna seemed oblivious to what she'd said. I couldn't help but sigh.
"Th-those items can be found at the auction house! I'll escort you!"
"Ca-can't you drop the formal speech? It's uncomfortable for me..."
Having told her to speak informally, Rozina started sniffling, and I suddenly felt exhausted.
'Whatever. Let's just get out of here first.'
With things as they were, I'd stick to the goal. Piano upgrades.
For now, I boarded the carriage.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The street after Aiman's group departed. The market was abuzz, chattering lively about the incident.
"Did you see...? That noble lady bowing to the young man?"
"Guess the music he showed was that impressive."
"For sure... that Moonlight was incredible. Still pops up in my dreams sometimes."
A brief silence.
"But that dwarf... Haruna definitely called the young man 'our kid,' right?"
"Yeah. Pretty sure."
"Ah... so that's why he's been visiting her workshop every day."
Another short silence.
"How much height difference you think?"
"About 40cm."
"Hmm..."
It was even more entertaining than the noble bowing.
"Isn't that a crime?"
"If both like it, who're we to say?"
"...Thinking again, might not be bad."
"?"
Such rumors spread like wildfire.