Chapter 91
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Princess's Temptation (4)
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"We'll take you straight to the inn."
The coachman who led our carriage was a veteran among veterans, having visited the capital multiple times with the Frozenheart Duke. Thanks to him, we arrived at the inn shortly after passing through the city gates.
As an inn catering to nobles, the facilities were impeccable, without question. If this were the 21st century, it would easily have earned seven stars.
The problem was the savagely— no, outrageously— exorbitant price.
"That'll be a total of 88 silver coins."
Elena's room was 80 silver coins, and mine was 8.
This amount could let a commoner lounge around for five years, beating drums and gongs without a care. It was an unimaginably huge sum for just three nights and four days, even including breakfast.
'Should I haggle it down...?'
For a moment, the bargaining instinct etched into my DNA stirred, but I ultimately didn't act on it.
We're not some baron's household; imagine someone from a duke's family haggling over lodging. It'd be prime gossip fodder for the other nobles to chew over.
Does honor put food on the table? Surprisingly, yes. At least enough to feed me handsomely.
Anyway, it wasn't my money—blood money or not—so after paying the hefty sum, the room assigned to Elena was impressively luxurious.
"Worth every coin."
It wasn't quite on par with the room she had back home, but far superior to mine there. The furniture showed some wear but was all high-end, and the bed looked comfortably plush.
"Then I'll take my leave. Have a peaceful night."
"Yes, you should head home and get some rest too."
"Understood, Grand Duchess."
I bowed my head and slipped out of Elena's room, heading straight to my own.
'Well, not bad at all...'
I wasn't sure if it was truly worth 2 silver a night, but it was perfectly fine for a short stay.
Maybe my standards had risen after living at the duke's estate. Back in the day, I'd have been grateful for this.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I prepared for bed. After a full day in the carriage plus that intense battle, my body was thoroughly worn out.
Soon after closing my eyes, I opened them again to a world bathed in bright daylight.
Elena's soft voice echoed in my mind. It was telepathy.
─ Evie's not as good a friend as Elena...
─ Bigger chests are better...
─ A duke's family beats a count's any day...
Was she trying to brainwash me? No other explanation fit for spouting such nonsense.
Thankfully, the voices cut off the moment I sat up. I didn't know how she did it, but she'd noticed I was awake.
'No need to go that far...'
Ranking friends felt absurd, but if I had to prioritize, Elena would come first anyway.
Even setting aside my pension lottery status. She might overestimate it, but I fully grasped the weight of being secret friends.
Shaking off the thoughts, I got up, got ready, and headed to Elena's room.
"Grand Duchess, it's Luke."
"Come in."
I knocked, and her voice replied immediately from beyond the door.
I cautiously opened it and stepped inside.
"Good morning, Grand Duchess."
"Yes, good morning it is."
Elena sat at the vanity, brushing her hair. Her snow-white locks swayed gently with each stroke.
She turned from the mirror to face me directly.
"We'll have a light breakfast and head out."
"Shall I prepare the carriage?"
"Just a casual stroll around the streets. I'll walk."
"Understood."
"Then let's go eat."
"Yes, Grand Duchess. Right this way."
I bowed lightly and exited the room with her.
We had a simple meal on the inn's first floor. The food was decently good—par for the course given the lodging cost. 88 silver coins weren't pocket change for feeding the dog next door.
Stepping out of the inn, we were greeted by the warm morning sun.
I savored the pleasant feeling as I began scanning our surroundings.
'The capital really is something else...'
Last night's streets had looked much like any other—quiet, with chilly air lingering.
But in the light of day, it screamed imperial capital.
Customers haggling fiercely for every penny, merchants standing firm.
Kids darting about with smiles, parents chasing after them.
Carriages streaming endlessly by. The streets brimmed with vibrant energy.
Elena, watching the same scene, wore a faint smile.
"So this is the capital. Much warmer and livelier than the Frozenheart Duchy."
"I think the duchy is plenty great."
"Wasn't shading it. Don't worry. Anyway, let's get moving. Linger too long, and we'll miss even more spots."
Elena took the lead, and I followed, parasol in hand.
Her face brimmed with anticipation—like a kid on a field trip. Hasn't changed much since childhood.
How much time passed? A sudden question occurred to me.
"Grand Duchess, shall we visit the cathedral?"
"Because of what that priest said yesterday?"
"Yes."
At dawn yesterday, by the gates, that priest had claimed our attacker was likely a heretic cultist. And that the cathedral could help.
Elena, staring at dolls in a shop window, slowly shook her head.
"No real need. He might be right about the cultist, but we don't require their help."
"Wise words."
"And above all, tangling with them brings nothing good. Not that I hate the Goddess Church."
A chorus of tiny Lukes in my mind erupted in applause. I'd been thinking the same—no thanks. Pure bliss.
'Yeah, gotta have days like this once in a while.'
No one endures endless misfortune. A happy day now and then keeps you going.
Long live Elena...
As I silently praised her inwardly, I felt eyes on me from somewhere.
Turning, I spotted someone in a brown robe at the alley mouth. Emerging, he pretended to browse the fruit stand next door.
'No way, right...?'
Nothing unnatural about it. Brown robes were common enough on the streets.
Too soon for suspicions. Could be coincidence. With Elena beside me, drawing stares was natural anyway.
But if it was tailing...
Clink.
I fiddled with the hilt of the sword at my waist.
Hoping I wouldn't need to draw it.
"Luke, see anything you want?"
"No."
"Then onward."
"Yes, Grand Duchess."
I averted my gaze from the robed figure and walked on with Elena.
We wandered everywhere after that. Doll shops, peddlers with odds and ends, food stalls, even a store with bizarre clothes.
I gradually wore down. Physically fine, but mentally shredded.
No wonder guys dread women's shopping. This was no joke.
Time flew until the sun had passed its zenith a bit.
Grrrowl.
A stomach alarm blared from somewhere.
I turned toward it and met Elena's flushed face. She clutched her belly in embarrassment.
"My apologies, Grand Duchess. I should have checked the time."
"...It wasn't mine."
"Did you rinse your mouth?"
"My mouth...?"
"Liars need to rinse their moooouths...!"
Elena pinched both my cheeks. Harder than usual, emotions running high.
"Luke, if I say it's not me, it's not."
"N-no...!"
"Got it?"
A long sigh escaped her as she released me. My cheeks throbbed, but bearable.
Anyway, time to find a restaurant...
Scanning around, I spotted him again.
The nameless figure in the brown robe. Watching from another alley mouth.