Chapter 103
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 103
“What? I specifically told you to invite her politely and bring her to me the moment the party ended!”
“She said she wasn't feeling well midway through the party and stepped out for a moment, but then she left the Imperial Palace altogether…”
“That insolent girl dares to ignore my mother’s sincerity?!”
Dave threw a fit, ripping off the veil he had wrapped around his face and slamming it onto the floor.
The Head Maid couldn't bring herself to mention that Empress Carmi had actually been secretly relieved by Tulia’s early departure.
‘It was Her Majesty the Empress who wanted to link Prince Dave with the young lady of House Frezier in the first place.’
That was why she had hosted a party that could naturally facilitate a meeting under various pretexts.
However, Carmi had been furious when she saw Dave, who was supposed to appear looking his best, showing up covered in injuries.
“To spar with the Crown Prince on a day like this! Do you have a brain in that head of yours or not, Dave?!”
But her anger had been short-lived.
Empress Carmi, who doted on her son to a fault, had already begun planning another meeting for when Dave’s face had returned to normal.
The Head Maid was sick of the Second Prince’s temper tantrums, especially since he was oblivious to his mother's efforts, but she simply kept her head bowed in silence.
* * *
“Thank you for coming, Lady Tulia Frezier.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty. Any lady of the Empire would dream of attending your party.”
“You certainly know how to say the right things. I was deeply worried that you might reject the invitation, so this is quite a relief.”
The moment Empress Carmi spoke with eyes as clear as a doe’s—
[System] Sudden Quest <Accept ‘Empress Carmi’s’ Letter> Completed!
An unexpected quest completion notification popped up.
‘Jackpot!’
I cheered internally by reflex, but suspicion quickly began to creep in.
‘Wait, this is fishy. Isn't this a bit too easy?’
This isn't some kind of trap set by this crazy system window again, is it?
As I narrowed my eyes and glared suspiciously at the stars in the air, Empress Carmi asked, “My Lady? Is something the matter?”
“Oh, no. Not at all, Your Majesty.”
Lest I throw cold water on a finished quest, I immediately replied as if nothing were wrong.
‘Right. Even for Tulia, life has to be easy sometimes!’
Otherwise, I’d seriously die of high blood pressure!
I was curious about the quest reward, but I couldn't just keep staring into space. Empress Carmi was right in front of me, and seasoned noblewomen were watching my every move with hawk-like eyes.
So, for now, I pushed the reward check to the back of my mind and focused on finding a way to make a quick exit from the party.
“Phew. Getting out of there feels like a breath of fresh air.”
I sprawled out in the carriage and stared at the ceiling.
Then, I muttered to myself.
“You… you’re actually pretty useful, aren't you, Skill Stat?”
Thanks to my unintentionally high Skill Stat, my acting abilities had improved significantly.
Staying at the party was boring, and I felt like if I had to put up with Sandra’s subtle prodding any longer, I would have grabbed her by the hair, shaken her, and slammed her onto a table.
Besides, Empress Carmi’s smiling face felt incredibly unsettling.
In the end, I decided to use a ‘fake illness.’
Of course, it’s common for nobles to leave parties or banquets claiming they suddenly feel unwell.
However, today I was a direct descendant of Frezier, sitting in the seat of highest honor. I had been worried about whether Empress Carmi would let me go easily.
‘But the Skill Stat solved everything.’
Once I committed to acting sick, my already fair face turned deathly pale, likely thanks to the stat.
When I checked my reflection in a small hand mirror, even my lips had a slight bluish tint. I looked like I was in terrible condition to anyone who saw me.
It was so convincing that even Sandra, who had been picking fights with me, started walking on eggshells and eventually scurried off elsewhere.
Thanks to that, I was able to personally bid farewell to Empress Carmi and make my exit.
“And now, a total getaway!”
Perhaps because she had witnessed my state firsthand before I left the ballroom, Empress Carmi didn't say anything other than telling me to rest well and recover.
Having successfully and legally ditched the event, I peeked through the carriage curtains.
‘The Imperial Capital is definitely something else.’
As soon as we left the area lined with the ancient estates of high-ranking nobles, a bustling commercial district unfolded.
I heard that if you go much deeper inside, you’ll find the Frezier Marquis’s mansion.
I haven't been there yet.
Of course, I know the layout, the exterior, the interior, and even the gardens through The Milk Bread.
But what would the Marquis’s castle look like through Tulia’s eyes instead of Corico’s?
Knock, knock.
I tapped on the wall, and the carriage came to a halt.
The knight escorting me immediately approached and knocked on the window. When I opened it, he asked, “Lady Tulia. Do you need something?”
“Where are we?”
“Ah. We are at the entrance of ‘Purple Butterfly Street.’”
“I thought so.”
Purple Butterfly Street.
It was one of the famous commercial districts in the Imperial Capital.
“I’m thirsty, so I should grab a drink before we go.”
“Ah, then I shall take you to a dessert shop frequently visited by nobles. It just so happens…”
“No, no.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s a specific place I want to go.”
“Do you have a place in mind?”
“Yep.”
The knight looked around. However, since this was the entrance to the street, the shops were mostly boutiques, and dessert shops weren't immediately visible.
“Which dessert shop are you…”
“See that big bronze clock tower?”
“Yes, I see it. Ah, are you talking about the dessert cafe over there…”
“Go straight for 500 meters from the clock tower, then turn left at the first alley. You’ll see a fountain with a small angel carved on it. From there, go northeast for another 500 meters, and you’ll find the Walnut Tavern. That’s where I’m going.”
“500 meters… straight… alley… tavern… Excuse me?”
The knight muttered with a half-dazed expression.
“You got all that? Call me when we arrive.”
I gave him a bright smile and closed the window.
The knight, who looked like a broken robot, seemed to snap back to his senses a beat late.
A short while later.
The carriage began to roll again, and some time passed.
Knock, knock.
“L-Lady Tulia. We have arrived, but… is this really the place you mentioned?”
“Yes. This is it. You found it well, didn't you?”
Stepping out in front of a rough pub where mercenaries, not ladies, would hang out, I stretched as I smelled the familiar scent of The Milk Bread for the first time in a long while.
“Give me the robe.”
“Pardon? Y-Yes!”
I threw the robe over myself in an instant and smirked confidently to myself.
Well then.
Shall we go in?
* * *
Creeeeak.
Thud.
The moment I entered, the gazes of several people sitting inside shifted toward me.
‘The knight will be hiding outside and waiting.’
I had threatened to shave my head if he didn't listen when he made a fuss about not being able to let me go in alone.
“What can I get ya, guest?”
The moment I sat at the worn-out bar, the bartender asked in an unfriendly tone.
“Hmm.”
I didn't need to intentionally rasp my voice or lower it to sound like a man.
Even though I was covered up to the tip of my nose with the robe the knight gave me, I was clearly a girl who had grown quite a bit.
In a place crawling with rough mercenaries, I was bound to stand out no matter what.
Besides, I wasn't afraid of this space at all.
“Give me some melted chocolate milk mixed with mint powder. In a large pewter mug.”
“And for food?”
“Give me some sliced roasted pineapple tossed in tomato sauce.”
“Got it. That’ll be 30,000 Gold.”
The bartender turned around to start cooking, and I placed the 30,000 Gold I had prepared on the counter with a thud.
“Where’s the restroom?”
“Take the innermost stairs on the left.”
I walked in that direction.
Lifting a shabby cloth, I found a messy staircase lined with all sorts of oak barrels. As I walked all the way to the left and pulled back a dark, draped cloth…
A new set of stairs came into view.
I climbed up with a triumphant smile.
That’s right.
The Milk Bread was always this kind of game.
By ordering two polarizing foods like mint chocolate and Hawaiian pizza (though without the bread) at the same time, you could meet the head of the back-alley information guild!
It was supposed to be a peaceful and fun reverse harem simulation romance fantasy game!
Not a game where you get hit by arrows and your whole body explodes!
As I reached the top of the stairs, a clean space appeared that was worlds apart from the shabby first floor.
“Guest. This way, please.”
An escort, who had clearly heard everything from the bartender downstairs, opened the door for me.
I gave a slight nod and stepped inside.
A clean space.
A room that looked like a drawing room, made entirely of walnut wood.
And an elderly woman sitting behind a large desk made of the same material, staring intently at me.
Anyone could tell she was the boss of this information guild.
She hadn't blinked once until the moment I opened the door and entered. Finally, she spoke.
“What brings the precious jewel of the Frezier family to such a rough back alley?”