Chapter 7. Is It Because of Money?

After viewing the third house, I was deep in thought.

It didn’t seem bad, but the price was still burdensome. Seeing my cloudy face as I nodded, the broker began to explain gently.

“This price is not bad for Shutzen. Being on the fifth floor might be tiring to climb every day, but on the bright side, it’s good exercise, and as long as you don’t wander around at night, you won’t get harmed.”

“…Is this a dangerous neighborhood?”

Harmed?

This is concerning…

I had a feeling that unsavory characters might be lurking a few alleys away. As I imagined ominous scenarios, the broker added more explanation.

“Anywhere becomes dangerous after dark. Anyway, among the properties I can show you, this is the cheapest one.”

“Isn’t there anything cheaper? At all? Nothing?”

Perhaps taking pity on my desperate pleading, the broker groaned as if in deep thought, then reluctantly opened his mouth.

“Actually, there is one, but it’s a semi-basement, so I don’t recommend it. It’s dim because sunlight doesn’t enter well, but, well, if you install good lighting and decorate it nicely, it might be livable. Would you like to see it?”

“Yes, that sounds good!”

With my head full of calculations, I quickly seized the opportunity. I would only be sleeping there anyway, and I’d spend most of my time at the Magic Tower. If I installed quality magical lighting fixtures that let in good light, there would be no problem living there.

Let me tighten my belt as much as possible.

As I was making this firm resolution, a dark figure jumped out from an alley. Startled, I felt the hair all over my body stand on end.

“…You’re going to an even worse place than this?”

As if he had heard something unbelievable, a man’s voice resonated sharply through the air.

Is he talking to me?

I narrowed my eyes in confusion, then quickly recognized the man in the shadows and opened my eyes wide.

“Your Highness?”

His beautiful golden hair shimmered with a dangerous light as it met the red sunset. The expression on Karsion’s face below it could not be described as pleasant by any stretch of the imagination.

He approached with heavy steps, his face showing clear disapproval of the situation before him.

“What brings you to such a humble alley…”

“So you know it’s humble.”

Karsion appeared to be in a very low-pressure state.

From beside me, I faintly heard the broker muttering, “Why is the statue from the square here…?”

That’s right.

Why would Your Highness be in a neighborhood that doesn’t suit you?

Come to think of it, didn’t they say he was in charge of capital security? I noticed his figure wrapped in an inconspicuous brown robe. He looked secretive, as if conducting an undercover investigation.

“What are you doing in such a dangerous neighborhood?”

“Ah, so it is a dangerous neighborhood…”

I awkwardly raised the corners of my mouth and glanced at the broker. But deep down, I thought there wasn’t much choice. I had been singing “cheap house, cheap house” so much that this neighborhood was probably the only alternative.

“I haven’t been in Shutzen long, so I’m looking for a place to live.”

“So you’re willing to risk your life to live in a lawless zone, is that it?”

“Is it really that dangerous?”

This time I glared more firmly at the broker. The broker shrank his neck like a turtle and avoided my gaze.

Sigh.

Let’s calm down.

Anyway, I hadn’t decided to sign a contract for this place yet.

Feeling embarrassed and not wanting to appear ignorant of the world, I made excuses.

“I was actually planning to look in other neighborhoods.”

“That semi-basement…!”

Momentarily excited, Karsion blurted out words then hastily swallowed them, but it was too late. I had heard everything. I narrowed my eyes and pressed him.

“What? Were you eavesdropping?”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just happened to overhear while passing by.”

Something was suspicious.

I continued to eye Karsion with suspicion, watching him warily. Regardless, Karsion turned his head away, nervously brushing back his golden hair, then looked at me again and snapped.

“Is it because of money?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking if you’re moving from one bad neighborhood to another because you don’t have money.”

“That’s true, but how can you say something so embarrassing…”

Somehow my regard for Karsion dropped sharply. However, at his next words, my mind went blank, forgetting all about like or dislike.

“I’ll give it to you. Money to buy a house.”

“…?”

“So look for a house in a safe and good neighborhood.”

“…?”

The words entering my brain weren’t processing well. From beside me, I heard the broker murmuring something like “Oh, then the list again…” buzzing like a fly. Karsion responded to him, saying to contact his palace when the work was done.

Until then, I was just blinking blankly. Everything happened in a moment.

But wait.

Isn’t this too strange?

Even though a prince might have money to spare, there’s no reason to give it to someone he met for the first time a few days ago without reason, right? What is this? Could it really be because I resemble Karsion’s childhood friend? Really?

“Wait, Your Highness.”

I hastily grabbed the sleeve of Karsion, who was turning to leave as if his business was done. His blue eyes went down to his robe sleeve held by my hand.

“This doesn’t seem right.”

“What doesn’t?”

He raised his gaze to meet my eyes. I momentarily lost my words at his deeply sunken eyes. But still, wrong was wrong.

“I told you. I’m not someone you know.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure!”

“But you have amnesia.”

“But I have a life with Lionel.”

“…”

Sparks flew in Karsion’s blue eyes. There was a distrust as if to say, how could you trust Lionel?

I was dumbfounded.

Having barely met me, knowing nothing about my relationship with Lionel, yet treating Lionel like an intruder—his attitude was absurd.

You’re the one who suddenly barged in!

Words I wanted to shout rose to the tip of my tongue. But I couldn’t just blurt out the emotions welling up inside. It wasn’t because of his status as a prince; honestly, at that moment, I wasn’t conscious of Karsion being a prince.

My words were blocked for another reason.

“How rude.”

At the ice-cold voice, my spine stiffened.

I felt a power that could overwhelm people with just a voice. Remaining rigid, I carefully rolled my eyes to find the owner of the newly appeared voice.

I saw a man approaching behind Karsion, his bluish silver hair flowing. Though it was clearly summer, his presence alone created an illusion of a northern blizzard sweeping through the area.

“It’s fine, Evan.”

Karsion commanded in a calm tone to this frightening person. The man called Evan glared at me with disapproving eyes, then confronted Karsion.

“Your Highness. No matter if this person is wearing Renéee Iblaine’s skin, she is still a commoner.”

“Stop it.”

“Even daring to touch Your Highness’s clothes is disrespectful.”

I released the robe sleeve I had been holding.

“Enough.”

Karsion’s voice became much sterner than before.

With just one word silencing Evan, Karsion continued to stare intently at me. Despite having met his eyes equally and questioned him just moments ago, I now felt fear as I realized the enormous status gap between us.

What should I do?

I’ve been too disrespectful. Even if I didn’t know at first, now I clearly know who he is… I hope this doesn’t count as insulting royalty or something? Am I ruining my life in an instant?

As all sorts of frightening thoughts rushed in like a tide, Karsion opened his mouth.

“Then I’ll lend it to you.”

“…Pardon?”

I couldn’t properly understand the words that flowed into my ears. A voice that sounded dull even to myself came out of my mouth.

But this prince was saying strange things.

The man named Evan seemed to share my thoughts, as I saw him groaning and holding his forehead from the corner of my eye.

“Money to buy a house. I’m not giving it, I’m lending it. Pay me back.”

“Why go this far…”

“Since I’m lending it, there’s no reason to refuse.”

“Are you arbitrarily making me a debtor?”

“You don’t have to pay it back. So don’t feel burdened, just owe me.”

“But you just said to pay you back.”

“Just as much as you can. But I don’t plan to press for repayment. Ever.”

“…”

“Making me beg even for this. You’re just the same.”

“…”

I didn’t bother to ask who I was the same as.

I’m not your childhood friend. I’m not that woman called Renéee Iblaine. I should have retorted like that, but strangely, the words wouldn’t come out.

The sight of Karsion turning away powerlessly left a strange mark on my heart. Why did his shoulders look so shabby…

“Miss, what’s your relationship with His Highness?”

When the two had moved some distance away, the broker asked with a voice full of curiosity. I wasn’t in the mood to answer, so I pretended not to hear. Fortunately, the broker had enough sense not to ask further.

I stood there blankly until Karsion and Evan disappeared around the building. Just as I was about to leave…

“Aaaargh! What the hell, d*mn it!”

I flinched at the fierce cry coming from somewhere.

“It’s not illegal trade, it’s selling what I borrowed…!”

“This is unfair! I’m telling you, I didn’t steal it, I borrowed it!”

“Ugh! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

As the sounds of merciless beating continued, the cries of the villains became increasingly polite. I quietly swallowed as the savage sounds echoed through the dark alley.

Yes. Let’s listen to the person in charge of capital security.

Let’s borrow money and move to a safe and good neighborhood.