Chapter 27
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Scene 027: Near Miss
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I was in "Groble," the magic tool workshop tucked away in the corner of the department store's luxury hall.
This place handled repairs for all the products bought by VIPs visiting the department store.
In other words, it was the luxury brand after-sales service center.
The reason I'd come to the department store on the weekend was to find someone here.
"Bad timing. The guy's already retired."
Arthur Ruelverta said.
"He used to run this workshop, but when I took over and said I was remodeling the place, he up and quit on me. We're still using the name, though."
"I see."
I should've come a little earlier.
Still, there was hope.
The person I was looking for was a friend of Arthur's from back home.
"But why the sudden interest in Albert? I don't know what he was like in his prime, but the old man's too decrepit these days to even swing a hammer properly."
"Older craftsmen might lack the strength of the young ones, but they've got know-how in spades."
Albert Groble.
A first-rate magic artisan who'd invented countless magic tools.
I had to find him.
"Is that so... Hmm... Haven't heard from him in ages, but leave it to me. What's introducing you to him? Don't worry."
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I'm your guardian, aren't I? A little favor like this is nothing."
Arthur patted my shoulder.
After Millium died and young Tristan took over as head of the family, Arthur had become his guardian.
He was an outstanding manager.
Managing the family fortunes and expanding the business in Tristan's stead, he'd grown the Ruelverta name to its current stature.
Without him, the Ruelverta family wouldn't have become this big.
"Tch... wasted trip. Might as well stick around and have some fun."
"Yes."
"And take good care of that cute little maid of yours."
"...I'll handle that myself."
"Heh heh heh... Sure, sure."
Arthur chuckled like it was the funniest thing.
Like a father looking at his son.
Feeling his gaze made me somehow embarrassed.
Without "Pride," he might've seen right through my feelings.
"You'll figure it out. Be careful on your way back."
With that, I left the shop.
The department store was still packed with people.
Now I just had to find Wendy...
No idea where she was or what she was doing.
.
I'd take a lap around first.
She was such a klutz, I'd spot her from a mile away.
I'd barely taken a step with that thought when
"Don't move."
Something sharp jabbed into my gut like it was about to pierce right through.
Someone had slipped their hand into my coat pocket.
The moment I tried to turn and see the guy's face
"Grab my waist. Make it look natural."
"......"
The blade pressing into my stomach dug in harder.
It stung a little, like it'd nicked the skin.
For now, I did as the guy said and grabbed their waist.
It was shockingly slim.
"Quietly head to the rooftop. I have questions for you. Try anything funny, and..."
Only then did I get a look at the bold criminal threatening me in broad daylight.
"I'll skin your belly while you're still breathing."
A woman with black ponytail glared at me.
Unfortunately, it was a face I knew.
One who took up a hefty chunk of the game scenario where Tristan met his end.
I muttered her name.
"Blanche..."
"Yes. Were you hoping to see me? Tristan."
"Whaaa..."
Wendy's mouth hung open, refusing to close.
All around her were outrageously expensive-looking clothes, bags, and accessories.
And every person browsing the store was nobility.
This must be their everyday haunt.
The thought made Wendy shrink back for no reason.
'The Count didn't seem to care about the price, but...'
As the Count's exclusive maid, she couldn't just blow through her master's money.
No, she wouldn't.
'Not even a single kael can be wasted...!'
Wendy desperately scanned her surroundings.
Every shop seemed to deal in sky-high prices, but she ducked into one that looked even slightly more affordable.
"Welcome."
"Y-Yes...!"
The entrance clerk flashed a bright smile.
Wendy greeted her awkwardly.
Was this the right way to do it?
She felt uneasy for no reason.
'C-Calm down, Wendy. You're the Count's exclusive maid.'
Pretending to be used to it, she browsed the store's clothes.
They were definitely high-quality.
Even she, clueless about luxury brands, could tellthe fabric was premium, luxurious.
"Hm...?"
Among them, one caught Wendy's eye: a black cloak on a mannequin.
The fur-trimmed cloak sparkled under the lights.
'It looks kinda like the coat the Count lent me before...'
Maybe because it was women's style, but aside from the fur accent around the collar, the design was pretty similar.
She glanced at the price tag, and her eyes bulged.
'2,220,000 kael?!'
Too shocked to move, a clerk sidled up beside her.
"Excellent eye, miss. It's from this seasonregular price is 3,990,000 kael, but it's the last day of the sale, so you can have it at that price today."
"Th-Three... 3,990,000 kael...?"
"Yes. The fur on the collar is from snowfox tailssuper rare. At this price, it's a steal."
Wendy felt dizzy.
When she'd first started as a servant at the count's house, her initial monthly pay had been around 1,000,000 kael.
Most of that went straight to her family in the countryside.
What was left for living expenses was practically zero.
At least room and board were provided.
New clothes were out of the question; even her maid uniform was a single set, and until recently, she'd been darning her holey knee socks and hems every night.
'3,990,000 kael... roughly 4,000,000...'
About four times her newbie salary.
Now that she was an exclusive maid, it might be different, but 4,000,000 kael was still a fortune.
'Y-Yeah, it's pretty... but way too expensive...'
Still, wearing this would make her look right standing next to the Count.
Gathering her courage, she lifted the cloak off the mannequin.
It was light.
She loved it.
Maybe even the Count would praise her?
As Wendy thought that, two people passing by the shopfront caught her eye.
One was someone she knew well.
The man she'd just been thinking of.
"C-Count...?"
He was walking somewhere.
But that wasn't the surprise.
What shocked Wendy was the unfamiliar woman clinging intimately to his side.
A beauty with long legs stretching out from under a black dress.
She was tall, far more mature.
Nothing like Wendy.
Tristan had his arm around the woman's waist as he passed right by Wendy's shop.
The two looked perfect together.
At least, that's how it seemed to Wendy.
Sniff.
Her hand, holding the cloak, slowly dropped.
Her strength gave out.
She didn't know anything anymore... That's when
"Excuse me."
"Y-Yes!?"
A voice from behind made her jump and whirl around.
There stood a silver-haired beauty.
From head to toe, she radiated nobilitya highborn lady of clear status.
It didn't take long for Wendy to remember her.
"Ah... L-Lady?"
"Hee hee. So I wasn't seeing things. We know each other, right? Your name was..."
"W-W-Wendy...!"
"Ah, yes. I remember now. Hee hee. Miss Wendy, you were with the Count back then, weren't you?"
"Y-Yes..."
Bella smirked as she spoke to Wendy.
"Here to buy clothes? Nice eye. This store's Ruelsia, the most upscale brand in the department store. They've been supplying the royal family for agesa real traditional shop."
"Eek!?"
She had no idea!
No wonder the prices seemed off!
'N-Now's the time to bail, Wendy. This isn't your place... Sob.'
As Wendy backed away, Bella grabbed her.
"L-Lady...?"
"Bet the Count ordered you to buy some clothes, huh? Let me help. I know my fashion."
"N-No, I'm fine! You're busy, Lady... And I can do it myself!"
"Nah. My group's off somewheregot all the time in the world."
"I-I'm fine...!"
But Bella's grip on Wendy's arm didn't budge.
"You're not fine. Hee hee. Come on. Big sis'll pick something that suits you."
"B-Big sis? L-Lady, don't! Eek!? Y-Your eyes are scary!"