After Serena left without a sound, Lysith, left alone, wiggled her toes in the sunlight and suddenly thought that the butler might be one of the male protagonists. It was a common cliché. Though it was unlikely, given it was probably predetermined.

‘Since it’s an R-rated reverse harem game, it’s possible… Wait. R-rated, R-rated…?’

Repeating ‘R-rated’ in her mind, she suddenly gasped at a thought. A foreboding feeling rose like dark clouds.

‘In this world, could there be… adult toys…?’

A sudden chill ran down her spine.

She had no strong aversion to s*x and wasn’t ignorant about it. But toys and such… That was too hardcore for her.

Not just self-pleasure, but for use during s*x…? What if a quest involved that…?

She felt her face turn pale.

Grabbing the white hair falling beside her face like a lifeline, she thought deeply before suddenly standing up and pulling the bell cord.

“Let’s just check. Let’s just check. I’m not confident to look, but…”

Muttering to herself to stay calm, she activated her passive skill, creating a naturally sorrowful expression that made one want to hug and comfort her.

Seeing her expression, Eve, who rushed in at her call, looked at her with a pitiful face.

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Eve…!’

“Eve, I… I want to go out for a bit to clear my head.”

“Yes! That… really, that damned…”

She heard Eve muttering curses about Dietrich under her breath but pretended not to hear and continued her act.

“Right, prepare a robe for me.”

At Lysith’s request, Eve dressed her in clothes that made her look like a wealthy commoner and carefully draped a robe over her.

Smiling at Eve’s sad face, Lysith left the mansion through the back door and got into an unmarked carriage.

She was headed to a shop that sold items from the Magic Tower, so there was no problem taking Eve along. But doing so would reveal she was a noble lady, making her a prime target for kidnapping.

Although the Faeous Empire had good public order, she didn’t want to become a victim by wandering around carelessly.

All the shops affiliated with the Magic Tower in the empire were directly managed. There were shops in the capital’s center where nobles shopped, and shops on the outskirts for wealthy commoners.

She was headed to one of the shops on the outskirts.

The mansion was located between the center and the outskirts, and the shop was midway between the mansion and the outskirts.

The carriage ride wasn’t long, and when it stopped, Lysith got out with the coachman’s help.

Looking at the moderately ornate exterior and the sign that read ‘Dinev,’ Lysith took a deep breath and walked into the shop.

Though Lysith had no memory of visiting this place, she had a rough idea of what it was like.

“Welcome!”

A plain-looking male staff member greeted her with a smile as she entered the empty shop. Lysith nodded slightly and looked around.

Magic in this world was solely for practical use. Teleportation, combat magic, bombardment—these were all extinct ancient practices. The continent was in a period of stability, with no need for wars or fights.

Given this, the items from the Magic Tower were naturally practical. For example, ‘a cloth that removes all dust from windows with one wipe.’

Nobles also used these magical tools, though not frequently. Lysith had used them herself since transmigrating, particularly for bathing. There was an item that automatically produced bubbles.

She came here because if there were adult toys, they were most likely sold in such shops. If not, finding them elsewhere would be a hassle.

Scanning the shop with eagle eyes, her gaze eventually settled on a certain spot.

Because…

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

“That… over there, what do they sell in that section?”

She cautiously pointed to a passage decorated with red curtains and pink lighting, looking secretive and suspicious. But her instinct told her it wasn’t just suspicious; it was probably…

“That section is for adult toys. Would you like to take a look?”

“N-n-no?”

There is, there really is!

From the dark cloud named foreboding that had been looming over her, a thunderous roar echoed. Though she screamed internally, she forced herself to appear calm and declined the employee’s offer, turning her creaking steps towards another display. The problem was that she was so preoccupied with her thoughts that nothing registered in her mind.

Feeling awkward about leaving empty-handed, Lysith picked out a suitable gift for Eve and quickly exited the store.

Though her attire and the robe she wore likely kept her identity hidden, she still felt a nagging sense of guilt.

Perhaps because of her anxious haste, she failed to notice a man entering leisurely and bumped into him. She quickly bowed her head and apologized.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Okay.”

…Did he just say, ‘okay’? She thought he was a bit strange, but the shock of the adult toys left her too drained to argue, so she let it slide and hurriedly left the store.

The man, left behind, watched her retreating figure for a moment before walking back into the shop.

As soon as he stepped inside, the door clicked shut. The robe he was wearing slid off smoothly.

What was revealed was honey blonde hair that seemed to glow, even in the dim interior. His hair was tied lightly at the back, nearly reaching his chest, with the right side gathered into an accessory and loosely tied.

Contrary to his unique hairstyle and seemingly luminous golden eyes, his deep black eyes added an air of elegance.

Despite his stunning appearance, the employee greeted him without any hint of surprise.

“You’re here, Master.”

“Who was that woman?”

“That was Miss Lysith Gronevelt. You know, the former Grand Duchess who recently divorced Grand Duke Clonair.”

Though Lysith believed she had successfully concealed her identity, the store employee surprisingly knew who she was.

That’s because all the shops run by the Magic Tower were staffed by mages dispatched from the tower, who memorized the names and characteristics of all nobles in detail. They also needed keen observation skills to work there. It was a difficult but high-paying job.

They had to know whether the visitors were nobles or not and respond accordingly. They were famous for not being swayed by whether someone revealed their identity.

Unfortunately, Lysith didn’t know this fact.

“Oh, the one who supposedly loved her husband too much?”

“Yes, well…”

“Then why did she seem so hesitant?”

And Ashites Dinev. The only person on the continent who could use the name of this shop as his surname, the Master of the Magic Tower, was known for his whimsical nature, lack of manners, and tendency to ignore others. However, he was also famous for being exceptionally good at his job.

Though his face was also well-known, contrary to his seemingly sly appearance, he rarely showed any expression and was indifferent to most things. The social circles saw him as a beautiful but untouchable poison rose.

Nonetheless, if there was one thing he did listen to, it was the feedback from the shop employees he personally assigned.

“Well, what can I say…”

“Don’t dawdle.”

“Yes. She’s quite a topic of gossip. Most people laugh at her for being divorced, but a few feel sorry for her. After all, she wasn’t the problem.”

“So?”

“But seeing her in person… I think I’m in the minority.”

Ashites smirked and nodded for him to continue.

“How should I put it? Her side profile makes you want to hug her…”

“A woman who makes you want to commit a crime?”

“That’s not what I meant! I just felt an inexplicable urge to comfort her.”

Recalling the image of the woman bowing her head, Ashites dismissed the memory within three seconds and spoke.

“Noblewomen are all the same. Who knows what issues she might have had.”

The employee looked like he wanted to argue but gave up and asked why Ashites had come.

“Have you found any applicants?”

“No. The item is what it is, so it’s difficult.”

Having come to the empire for the founding anniversary, Ashites frowned in frustration. Yet, even that expression seemed unrealistically perfect, like a statue.

He glanced at the suspicious pink passage that had made Lysith flee in shock and pointed his chin at it.

“How’s that selling?”

“Pretty well. We can’t display it in stores frequented by nobles, though.”

“Not possible there?”

“No. Judging by Miss Gronevelt’s reaction earlier, she was horrified.”

Though Lysith had her own reasons for being horrified, the employee interpreted it as her being a noble lady repulsed by adult toys.

Hearing this, Ashites smirked. It was a mocking smile that didn’t suit his handsome face at all.

“It would be a spectacle to use that on the person we’re hiring.”

Startled by his words, the timid employee jumped and looked around to make sure no one else was nearby.

Mocking the employee again, Ashites left with a single word of encouragement to do well.

It was the second encounter with the male protagonist that Lysith didn’t notice.