Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Black Market Shopping
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"Lize, follow carefully."
"...Understood."
There was quite a bit to do at the mansion, but I still brought Lize along to the Black Market.
Truth be told, it was my first time at a place like the Black Market, so I was a little worried.
But my identity was already prepared, and I could protect both myself and Lize.
I wasn't overly concerned.
"Put on the mask."
"Yes."
"And drape this robe over your clothes. There you go."
"...Thank you."
I personally helped Lize, who was dressed in her usual maid uniform, get ready.
This was probably her first time in a place like this, after all.
Once we finished preparing inside the carriage, we got out together.
"Hmm. It looks shady right from the entrance."
The Black Market vibe was strong even at the front.
The entrance was located in a marketplace that looked like it had been abandoned long ago.
"Watch your step on the stairs."
"Yes."
The Black Market was underground, and to get there, we had to go down these deliberately creepy stairs.
It made me think that both the Information Guild and the Black Market really had a taste for the dark and gloomy.
Using a place like this as an entrance was just... eccentric.
"Hmm... So this is the Black Market."
After showing our identification at the bottom of the stairs, we finally entered.
It was a place that screamed illegal dealings.
I'd never even heard of an underground spot like this, and its sheer size made it feel pretty novel.
Unlike me, though, Lize seemed quite scared now that we were inside.
"Hmm..."
For now, we were just browsing slowly.
I led Lize around the interior at a leisurely pace, checking out what they were selling.
As expected from the name, there was plenty that fit the Black Market reputation.
[Aphrodisiac Potion]
[Aphrodisiac Lotion]
"Oh."
An aphrodisiac, something I'd only heard of.
From my past life up until now, I'd never actually seen one despite all the talk.
It was pretty intriguing.
Aphrodisiacs were like drugs, after all, so they were incredibly hard to come by...
"Hmm... I should buy one."
"Young Lady...?"
"It's fine. Don't worry."
After a quick decision, I chose to buy the aphrodisiac.
There wasn't any grand reason—it was just curiosity about trying one out.
Curiosity always strikes in moments like these, sudden and irresistible.
Now that I could actually see and buy something I'd only known about in theory, there was no reason not to.
"Fufu..."
"If Madam finds out..."
"It's fine. No problem."
I'd hide it anyway.
Both the aphrodisiac and the fact that we'd come to the Black Market today—everything would be kept secret.
No issue at all.
"Hmm... Shall we look for other things?"
The Black Market had a ton of sexual items.
So many things you couldn't find anywhere else—it was honestly surprising.
[BDSM]
"Oh..."
"Young Lady...?"
Lize kept giving me worried looks from the side, but I couldn't help being fascinated by this stuff.
Of course I was—it's fascinating!
Most imperial nobles weren't open about this kind of culture, so stumbling into a place like this naturally drew my interest here.
"Uhuhuhu..."
"...You seem like a pervert."
"Don't like it?"
"I never said that..."
"I'm just buying out of curiosity. You don't need to worry so much."
I didn't have a specific target in mind for using it.
Not that I had no intention of using it at all.
"Want to pick one out, Lize? There's so much here."
"I'll... pass."
"Really? I was thinking of getting you one as a gift."
"...Pardon?"
I said it as a joke.
Sure, I did want to buy one of these binding or restraining items, but gifting it to Lize? Total joke.
No matter how reckless I might be, I wasn't the type to give something this weird as a present.
For now, at least?
"If you don't want it, oh well. I wouldn't force a gift on someone who hates it, right?"
I put the collar back on the display shelf as I said that.
There were tons of other products besides collars, so my interest lingered.
"...If the Young Lady wants to give me a gift."
"Hm?"
"If it's something the Young Lady desires... I would gratefully accept it."
"Hmm...?"
"...Of course, it's not something I want. But if it's a gift from you..."
Lize casually said something incredibly lewd without batting an eye.
She didn't even realize how erotic it sounded, but it was.
She didn't like it herself, but if I wanted it, she'd happily take a collar or binding ropes as a gift.
"...Really?"
I couldn't help but smile.
*
After our enjoyable shopping trip, we headed back to the mansion.
There was still plenty to do there... and after handling those, I wanted to spend time with Rozalin.
"I think everything will be wrapped up within the next week."
"Things move fast from the capital, huh."
"Hehe, probably because Camellia's the only one left in the family. That might be speeding it up."
"Ah."
Since the funeral, I'd been visiting Rozalin's room every night.
She never turned me away, and I had my reasons.
"I'm glad everything's resolving smoothly."
"Hehe, yeah."
We smiled at each other and relaxed on the sofa.
Rozalin was lounging in her usual negligee.
Completely oblivious to me sneaking glances at her body.
"Oh, right. I brought some liquor today—want to see?"
"Liquor?"
"Yeah. One of the things from the funeral. It looked pretty good."
I pulled out the prepared bottle as I spoke.
I'd hidden it by the sofa anyway, and it really was a gift.
I had no idea what kind it was... but the type or taste didn't matter to me right now.
"Looks like... expensive liquor?"
"Does it? I'm not great with alcohol."
One thing I'd learned living with Rozalin so far:
She really liked liquor.
Not like an addict, but she genuinely enjoyed it.
Her room had a whole display of various bottles, after all.
"This is an expensive wine from the east. Hmm... yeah, it's super pricey."
"Oh..."
Whatever.
The reason I'd brought liquor to her room tonight wasn't just to treat her to something fancy.
"Hmm..."
"What's wrong?"
"The glasses in the room are all a bit too plain for this liquor."
"Huh?"
I feigned innocent ignorance in my response.
"I left the dishwashing to the maids, but they've been so busy lately, they haven't brought them back."
"Uh... Do we really need fancy glasses?"
"Of course! Using the right glass lets you appreciate the liquor's aroma better."
"Ah..."
I nodded along, pretending it was news to me.
In truth, it was all planned.
I'd deliberately had the maids wash the glasses always kept ready in Rozalin's room today and made sure they weren't returned.
All done behind her back.
Rozalin said she'd fetch some glasses and left the room briefly.
"Fufu..."
Now alone in her room.
I quickly pulled a tiny vial from my pocket.
It contained a suspicious pink liquid.
It looked so obviously unnatural—I loved it.
"I'm not drinking any anyway."
I uncorked the liquor bottle and dripped in just a tiny bit of the pink liquid.
About five drops—very little.
"They said one bottle's worth would drive someone crazy all day..."
The amount I'd added would probably last three to four hours.
Aphrodisiac potions were potent even in tiny doses.
"But mixed with liquor... it'll probably neutralize some."
Drinking it diluted in alcohol wouldn't last over an hour.
Of course, if she finished the whole bottle, she might get drunk and amplify the effects.
"Fufufu..."
An evil chuckle escaped me unbidden.
I knew I shouldn't be doing this, but the situation was too thrilling.
I just couldn't wait to see what happened next.
"...No choice."
I knew all too well that Rozalin could never become my target without resorting to means like this.
Ordinary conversations and daily life would never lead to the ending I wanted.
I had no choice but to use a slightly naughty method.
"Hmm."
Besides, aside from making her a bit aroused via aphrodisiac, it wasn't anything too serious, right?
I'd used it in moderation, after all.
If I'd really had bad intentions, I could've used everything from the Black Market on her and...
"Camellia, did I keep you waiting long?"
"No, just poured the liquor and waited a bit. Not long at all."
Of course, I wasn't bad enough to do that to someone looking at me so innocently.
Not yet.