Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Using the Cards in My Hand Here and There (1)
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"Impressive, isn't it?"
After leaving the temple, Princess Violet looked somewhat pleased.
"What is?"
"You just witnessed the power of a real god right in front of your eyes. Isn't it amazing?"
"It was pretty astonishing."
How Requiem had gone quiet.
Princess Violet, unaware of my true meaning, lifted her chin with a huff.
"You should consider yourself lucky. Without me, you wouldn't have gotten to meet the saintess so easily."
"That's why I made a 'request' to you, Princess."
As I laid on the flattery without missing a beat, Princess Violet grew even more triumphant.
"By the way, that woman you brought along—she's lucky."
Princess Violet's gaze turned toward Elice, who stood beside us wiping away her tears.
"At first, I couldn't believe it. You were so confident that she'd receive a blessing if we came today."
"I had a rough idea. With Princess Violet gracing us with your presence, of course the gods would be delighted."
"...You're mocking me right now, aren't you?"
Princess Violet furrowed her brow, then let out a small laugh.
"Anyway, it worked out well. Even I feel invigorated, probably thanks to that blessing."
She firmly believed the saintess's power was divine grace bestowed by the gods.
It was a sign of how tightly the temple had controlled people all this time. More precisely, thanks to Theodore's influence.
"Crudelle... It's a truly vicious disease. I can understand why she's crying like that."
Princess Violet shook her head as if annoyed.
"You know about that illness."
"It's famous. People talk about it being hereditary or whatever, but the key point is it's incurable."
Princess Violet eyed Elice sharply, scrutinizing her.
"But that woman... Her face looks familiar somehow."
"Does it?"
"I've thought so since the first time I saw her, but now that her illness is cured, I'm sure of it."
A intrigued smile formed on her lips.
"Now I get why you insisted on bringing her in as my maid. You're plotting something fun, aren't you?"
It seemed she'd roughly guessed Elice's identity. As expected of royalty who knew all the noble faces.
I affirmed her suspicion with a faint smile.
"I trust you'll let today's events slide."
"Oh, of course. I love this kind of controversy."
Princess Violet took out her fan and covered her mouth.
"I heard all about what you did at the conference. It was hilarious."
"I'm honored to have brought you joy, Princess."
"If only you were always this compliant."
Her eyes sparkled through the gap in her fan.
"No way. If I were that compliant, you wouldn't even be here."
"...Pfft."
Princess Violet turned away, stifling a laugh.
"See you tonight. I'll send a carriage."
"I'll be waiting."
Princess Violet disappeared into the carriage she'd arrived in.
Clop, clop.
Soon, her carriage departed. I headed to the waiting carriage with Elice.
"Come on in... Huh? Huh? Wh-what?"
Dexter, lounging on the driver's seat, widened his eyes.
"Huh? Huh?"
He pointed at Elice, stammering incoherently.
"Quiet down."
After shutting him up with one word, I boarded the carriage with Elice.
"Hic."
Elice burst into sniffles the moment she sat on the seat.
"Was all that crying earlier not enough?"
"No, sniff, it's just..."
Elice sniffed several times before she could speak properly.
"Th-thank you... Master. Truly, thank you."
"Hm."
"The saintess's blessing... Something a commoner like me could never dream of."
Elice stared at her reflection in the carriage window, entranced.
"Yes... This was my face. I'd forgotten it for years."
She stroked her cheek with trembling fingers.
"After I got sick, I got rid of all the mirrors and glass around me. Looking at my face was too horrifying."
Her fingers were no longer wrinkled and cracked. They were smooth, even faintly luminous.
"It's all thanks to you, Master. Truly, thank you."
Emotion washed over Elice's face. She was smiling more happily than I'd ever seen.
"It was nothing. The god was moved by the devout princess."
"I wonder."
Even at my lukewarm response, Elice smiled faintly.
"I'm certain—if Princess Violet had come alone without you, there would've been no blessing."
Since Elice was the one who'd procured the sleeping drug for me, it was natural she'd pieced together the situation.
"Enough with the thanks. Let's talk about what's next."
I brushed off her words with a chuckle. Elice smiled brightly, tears still glistening in her eyes.
"Yes, Master."
"Are the others adapting well?"
Elice wiped her eyes and answered promptly.
"William's wounds are healing smoothly. Thanks to you, we got good medicine."
"And?"
"Dexter... As you just saw, he's adapted fine. He grumbles about the fake beard hiding his bruise being annoying, though."
"He looks well-fed. What about the rest?"
"Jack's been diligently going around with Goldstar too."
Elice answered smoothly, then smiled softly.
"Of course, while feeding him well."
Her face turned playful, as if recalling something.
"They won't find them anymore."
"He seemed disappointed, saying there'd been no leads."
"That's enough. Goldstar won't dig further."
I nodded and asked about the most important person.
"How's Melina doing?"
"Of course. She's a very clever girl."
Elice's expression turned that of a shrewd businesswoman.
"Even though it was her first contract, she read it meticulously and signed. Her questions were sharp—I had a hard time."
"You're good at jokes too. Tricking an innocent country girl would be child's play if you wanted."
"She's an important technician for our merchant group. Why would I treat her carelessly?"
Elice smiled brightly and brushed back her hair. She paused, noticing its sheen.
"Even though it's my face, it'll take time to get used to it."
"It can't take too long. You'll have to step out as the merchant group leader soon."
"Yes, Master."
Elice beamed. It was her usual smile, but without the wrinkles, it looked much brighter.
"What about the promotional accessory set I entrusted?"
"Miss Melina poured her heart into it. She seems eager for your approval—she's working hard."
"Good. Can it be finished by tonight?"
"It's in the final stages... Ah!"
A spark lit in Elice's eyes.
"It should be possible. Are you planning to take it to your dinner appointment tonight?"
"Exactly."
"So that means the 'promotional' item you mentioned before..."
"Right. Princess Violet will be our promotional tool."
"As expected of you, Master!"
Elice said it as if it were second nature now. Her eyes sparkled as she gave a thumbs up.
"Princess Violet is the most famous figure in high society. If she wears it and appears, the promotional effect will be huge."
"Exactly. After that, orders will pour in, so push them hard."
"Leave it to me. That's my specialty."
Confidence brimmed in Elice's voice. She wasn't a harsh employer, but I had a feeling Melina would be in for it.
"Have you decided on the merchant group name?"
"Yes. Victoria Merchant Group."
"I see."
In the original story, it was Melina's Gem Workshop, but the name didn't matter. The point was Melina showcasing her talent.
"Orders will start coming in earnest around the end of the Harvest Festival. Prepare well."
"Yes, understood."
A conspiratorial smile passed between Elice and me.
❖ ❖ ❖
A few hours later, in front of Princess Violet's carriage.
"Good grief, this is clothing? Has the very concept of clothes changed on me?"
Princess Violet grumbled as she stepped out of the carriage. My gaze and that of the escort knight waiting in front turned to her.
"What kind of fabric is this rough? My skin feels scraped already."
The outfit I'd prepared effectively concealed Princess Violet's beauty.
A loose, plain dress that hid her figure, complete with a large hat covering her face up to the nose.
Thus, Princess Violet shed her imperial aura and transformed into an ordinary imperial citizen.
"The moment I return to the palace, I need a luxury oil massage. Otherwise, my skin will be ruined."
If only she'd stop that incessantly grumbling mouth.
"You look as beautiful as ever, Princess."
Even the escort knight's earnest compliment failed to smooth her deeply furrowed brow.
"This really is clothing, right? You didn't bring rags by mistake?"
"I put thought into preparing it, so that's hurtful."
I let out a dramatic sigh and made a pitiful face.
"I told you, didn't I? Wearing something like this makes you a prime target for pickpockets."
I dangled the outfit Princess Violet had brought, shaking it carelessly.
The glossy fabric and luxurious finish screamed "I'm a highborn noble!"
"If you want to see the 'real' commoners' festival as you wished, this is the best option."
"Fine, I get it. I said I get it."
Princess Violet finally stopped grumbling.
"So, we can see open-air cafes, magic shows, street bets, and such?"
"Good memory."
At my teasing reply, she primly turned her head.
Clothing makes the woman—or so they say. Even in plain attire, her beauty didn't fade.
"So, what's next?"
"Well..."
I trailed off,
"Ah?! What's that?!"
Then shouted loudly, pointing behind them. The moment the princess and knight turned in surprise,
"Excuse me."
I whispered softly, scooped up Princess Violet, and tucked her under my arm.
"Ky...!"
I clamped my hand over her mouth as she started to scream in shock and leaped away.
Whoosh!
I lightly vaulted onto the roof of the adjacent building. The moment I landed on the rooftop,
"Pr-Princess!"
I heard the escort knight shout in alarm.
"The princess is gone!"
"What?!"
The maid inside the carriage screamed.
"What?! The princess is gone?!"
The coachman jumped down from his seat in shock.
"Abel Kindriel is gone too!"
"What happened?"
The princess's entourage erupted into chaos. I crouched low, hiding, and watched the comical scene.
"What a mess."
I chuckled, then felt fierce struggling from under my arm and glanced sideways.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
Princess Violet's face was flushed red as she thrashed and mumbled furiously.
From what I could make out, it was something like "How dare you treat me like luggage—put me down!"
"I'll let you go if you stay quiet. Got it?"
Princess Violet nodded with a venomous glare. I released my hand from her mouth,
"How dare you pick me up like luggage?"
Her gritted words seeped through clenched teeth. I chuckled and shot back without backing down.
"Shall I switch to a princess carry?"
"That's not what I meant! Put me down first and talk!"
"As you command."
I extended my arms, and Princess Violet thudded to the ground. It was only about a foot drop, though.
Her eyes immediately blazed with fury.
"Hey! You mad..."
My hand shot out again.
Thump.
Thus, Princess Violet's mouth was once more sealed.