Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Putting My Cards to Good Use Here and There (2)
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"Shh. Keep it down."
Fortunately, the people below hadn't noticed the commotion up top. They were too busy scrambling among themselves.
"Thanks to that, we got rid of that annoying wart."
As I spoke, I pointed down below.
"......"
Princess Violet roughly grabbed my hand and pulled it away. Then she crept toward the edge.
"......It's real."
The escort knight was rushing off in that direction, and the carriage the princess had arrived in was speeding away in the opposite direction. It looked like they were scattering to search for her.
"She won't go to the imperial palace, right?"
"Probably not. They'd face a scolding for sure, so they'll try to handle it among themselves first."
I snickered and stood up from my spot.
"Come on, let's go."
I extended my hand toward Princess Violet, and she primly took it.
"Hmph. But your moves are impressive. You climbed up here in an instant."
"Were you scared?"
"No, it was fun."
Princess Violet tilted her head as she took my hand and rose.
"For the way down, could you be a bit more gentlemanly?"
"As you command."
I reached out with my other hand and yanked her shoulder toward me.
"Eek......"
I scooped her up in my arms and leaped off the rooftop.
"There, happy now?"
As I asked, our eyes met up close.
She had her arms wrapped tightly around my neck before I knew it. It must have been a natural reaction to the sudden jump.
"......!"
Princess Violet hurriedly pulled her arms away.
"Put me down right now!"
"Why are you mad when I did as you commanded?"
"Well, don't just do it like that! Give me time to prepare."
"What do you need to prepare for? You weren't doing anything but standing there."
"Ah! No backtalk! Next time, warn me first!"
Princess Violet huffed and turned her head away sharply.
The tip of her ear, peeking through her hair, was red. Even in the dim light, it was clear enough.
Seeing her complain no matter what I did only confirmed I'd done well to follow my own plan.
'If we'd just gotten in that carriage and gone...'
I would've ended up cleaning up after the princess, no doubt. I had zero intention of spending the evening that way.
'My final destination is set anyway.'
Hiding my thoughts, I changed the subject.
"Understood for now."
I lowered my posture to let her land safely. The moment her feet touched the ground, she kept grunting "hmph, hmph" while straightening her clothes.
"Then let's take the carriage I prepared."
"You have a carriage?"
"Yes. A very ordinary one, unlike whoever else's you might have had in mind."
Princess Violet pouted and turned toward me. Amid her sulky expression lingered excitement for the day ahead.
"Shall we get going?"
That marked the start of my full schedule with the spoiled princess.
❖ ❖ ❖
"What's that? Why are they lighting a fire? Some kind of demon-summoning ritual?"
"No. It's just a bonfire to warm up since it's cold. Lets people warm their hands by the flames up close."
"Why are they building a stage and putting people up there? Public execution?"
"It's a betting ring. The events change each time. Win your bet, and you get payouts based on the odds."
"Ooh!"
Princess Violet marveled at everything in sight, pointing at each thing and demanding explanations. I'd been giving simple answers, but my jaw was starting to ache.
"Here, try this."
So I popped a fried snack coated in white sauce into her mouth.
"Ugh! Why is it so spicy?"
This local specialty, the White Devil.
Despite its innocent appearance, it packed a brutal spiciness that had a reputation for bringing eaters to tears.
"Have it with this drink."
"Ah! I'm dying!"
At first, the princess flailed about, but soon she was hooked on the flavor.
"This is sneakily good. One more!"
The sight reminded me of people from a certain country who loved their spicy food.
Fires blazed throughout the square to warm bodies and light the way. Around them, people danced or sang to the music.
There were a few minor hiccups after that, but things went smoothly with Princess Violet.
"You two! Congratulations! You're our exactly 100th customers— you've won!"
We'd lined up thinking it was for food stalls, but it turned out to be an event line, and we scored a giant bear plush.
"Yes! You in the big hat! Just hold this box for a sec!"
Or we'd get roped into helping with a magic show by holding a box.
"This is thrilling! Always something new! Night festivals are the best!"
Princess Violet hugged her bear plush, beaming ear to ear.
"I've never seen a festival like this! So this is how commoners have fun!"
Her steps light and bouncy, she even took the lead, nose tip red from the cold air but face showing no sign of feeling it.
"Abel! Hurry up! Let's check that out too!"
"Yes, yes."
I strolled behind her leisurely, hands clasped behind my back.
This must be what it's like taking care of a carefree little sister. The princess was younger than me, after all.
'Playing around like this once in a while isn't bad.'
Thinking back, I'd been so busy with plans lately. A bit of this leisure now and then seemed fine.
'Of course, in my old body, I wouldn't have even dreamed of it.'
Venturing out on a chilly night like this or wandering crowded places.
So the time wasn't boring at all. I could leisurely stroll streets filled with people's energy and cheerful laughter.
Plus, Requiem was behaving itself, having fed on Serenade's life force.
"It's not every day you get this! Handcrafted items, each stitch done by artisans!"
"Weapons like nothing you've seen before! Techniques passed down three generations! Come take a look!"
With crowds everywhere, merchants were desperate to draw customers, shouting themselves hoarse to hawk their wares.
We'd tried all sorts of things, bellies full too.
"Now, shall we pick out souvenirs?"
Princess Violet's eyes gleamed like a shopping addict as she scanned the stalls.
"Cheap, cheap! Highest-grade birthstones necklaces for just 50 silver—a steal of a deal!"
The trouble started when she took interest in a particular stall.
"What? Birthstones?"
Princess Violet's ears perked up.
"Let's go check it out."
She shoved the bear plush at me and scurried toward the merchant.
'As expected of a luxury lover.'
Like a cat that can't pass a fish shop, she couldn't ignore jewels.
"Hmm."
Princess Violet stopped in front of a stall laden with necklaces. It was already buzzing with crowds browsing.
"How much is this?"
"Ah, miss, you've got an eye! That's topaz, November's birthstone. Got a good deal on stock, and the craftsmanship is lovely."
"What about this? Actual blue pearls?"
"Not from Sud region, but from the southeast coast. Milky sheen—would look perfect on your neckline."
The merchant was a friendly-looking middle-aged woman, skilled at picking words customers loved to hear.
"Aren't the gems too small?"
"That's why the price. Fingernail-sized ones go for several gold. Real deal at this price? I'm practically giving them away."
She handled the customer's sharp questions with ease. Sure enough, folks fell for her silver tongue and bought necklaces.
"Real gems from trusted suppliers! Won't find 'em cheaper today! Grab 'em quick!"
The stall seemed to be booming smoothly.
"These are real?"
Until Princess Violet's displeased voice cut in.
"You've got some nerve calling fakes real. Who do you think you're fooling?"
The area around the stall fell silent in an instant. Merchant and customers alike stared at the sudden intruder with shocked faces.
The merchant's friendly face turned ugly. She flicked her eyes toward the back.
"......"
Two men leaning against the rear wall subtly straightened up.
"Who might you be, miss?"
The merchant quickly composed herself and asked calmly.
"Doesn't matter."
Princess Violet replied haughtily and strode right up to the stall.
"Selling this trash as genuine? Are you right in the head?"
Her tall frame and alluring lips peeking from under her hat exuded an aura that made even standing still intimidating. Customers shrank back.
"This."
Her slender finger picked up a pearl.
"Pearls do come from the southeast coast. But not junk like this."
"J-junk?"
"Yeah. This is just a cheap imitation shaped like the real thing."
The merchant's face stiffened at her firm tone. She raised her voice indignantly.
"You're talking big trouble, miss. Spouting nonsense to ruin someone's business?"
The mood around the stall had soured completely. Customers whispered as they watched the argument unfold.
"Nonsense?"
Princess Violet snorted and placed the pearl on her palm.
"Here, take a good look."
"What are you—!"
The merchant flinched and reached out, but
Scratch.
Princess Violet's fingernail scraped the pearl's surface first.
"Gasp!"
"What's that?"
Customers' eyes widened.
White coating flaked off her nail tip, revealing colorless material beneath.
"See?"
Princess Violet raised her hand high so everyone could see her fingertip.
"Peddling this low-grade crap as real? You've got guts."
Her shapely red lips curled in a smirk.
"Why not just admit it's fake?"
"You're ruining my—!"
The merchant twisted her face and tried to approach, but
"Is what she said true?"
"Refund us now!"
Angry customers surged forward, forcing her back.
"No, please don't..."
The merchant floundered, dealing with each complaint.
"Hmph."
Princess Violet lifted her chin proudly and returned to me.
Her disdain for deceit and contempt for cowardice shone on her face—the very look that had captivated Cain in the original story.
All I felt was annoyance at getting dragged into trouble.
"Since when are you the righteous type?"
"You'd let that scam artist slide?"
Princess Violet twisted her lips.
"I've been burned by fakes before. Felt awful. Scams have limits."
"What about the aftermath?"
I nodded toward the men behind the merchant. They were already murmuring with her and glaring our way.
"So what? They're not even worth a punch."
"You're starting something because you've got backup, huh."
"If you want, I can take my hat off too."
Princess Violet fiddled with her hat, then dropped her hand and looked at me.
"On second thought, no. Handle this nicely for me."
"As if I have a choice."
I shrugged and eyed the approaching men.
"Hey. Come talk to us a sec?"
A burly-faced man said.