Chapter 3 – Ladies Alighting from the Carriage (1)

Tap, tap, tap…

A brooch in Chloe’s fingertips tapped rhythmically against the table as she sat alone in her room, lost in thought.

Besides that, there were mismatched earrings and a clunky gemstone ring scattered across the table. These were items she had purchased with the money from selling a diamond at a jeweler in the Artisan District, which she then took to Marcone to find something new.

Items that looked like rubies, lapis lazuli, and sapphires… things she wouldn’t have given a second glance if it weren’t for her life in Scandar.

The memories of the five years she would relive were steadily changing Chloe’s present. Disciplining petty criminals at the festival market, thwarting a separatist terror attack, and for the first time, earning money on her own… These were all things that hadn’t happened before Chloe returned to being twenty years old.

‘These are both evidence that I’ve returned to the past and things that make me feel it was good to come back…….’

They were more certain than the fleeting heart of someone who would eventually drift away. Experiences that would still be valid even if she left for Scandar again in two years.

‘I wonder what it feels like to have something of my own.’

While Demetrian and her brother Etienne walked the path of successors, Chloe built connections in the social scene, waiting for her arranged marriage partner to be decided. And in the newly established Scandar royal family, she had no opportunity to bear any responsibilities.

‘That life was peaceful, but……’

Looking back while enjoying her life in Gotiue again, it seemed a bit dull. That’s why those old ornaments, which only she recognized, felt precious.

‘Wouldn’t it be helpful when I go to Scandar later if I cultivate my discernment now?’

Chloe knew that the ornaments she bought cheaply in Marcone could become proper gemstones ready for trade after passing through Lagu’s hands.

In Marcone, everything was sold at a uniform price of 5 or 10 silver, and since she received 50 silver for the diamond, at least five times the profit was guaranteed. It would vary depending on the gem, of course.

‘Then I have to deduct the cost for Lord Lagu. Last time, I left it on the ledger, and the butler said charging the magic stone should cost at most 5 silver, so it should be around that…….’

As Chloe left the jeweler with a pouch containing 50 silver, she instinctively knew she would never forget the weight and feeling of the first money she earned. Although it wasn’t a large amount, its significance was invaluable.

The experience of investing based on her knowledge and making a profit. The profit wasn’t extraordinary compared to a noble lady’s expenditure, but it was fun and rewarding. If she put in the effort to learn the market prices, she might be able to increase the profit…

“Rabi, if I purify and sell these gems every time I find them, won’t it become a business?”

Chloe said impulsively on the carriage ride back that day.

“Won’t that be criticized later? You didn’t like anything because you said people would criticize everything.”

“That’s true…”

Destined to marry through an arranged marriage, possibly due to the Emperor’s intentions or her family’s interests, Chloe always prioritized her conduct as a ‘premium product.’ So she refused when her friends from Ridote suggested going to a hookah bar or when Mirabelle suggested visiting a back-alley auction. They seemed like activities that might appear rebellious.

Even while accompanying Mirabelle to Marcone, she felt uneasy. She worried that being seen in places unbefitting a noble lady would lead to bad rumors. While rejecting her friends’ suggestions, she used to jokingly say, half in earnest, to keep them from feeling hurt.

‘I’m an expensive product, don’t let me get scratched.’

But Chloe was going to Scandar in two years, and it wasn’t something that would be canceled due to any ‘criticizable actions’ she might take. She was the only suitable card to send to Scandar.

Among the high-ranking noble ladies her age, only the quasi-princess Marianne was comparable, and she would be used for an arranged marriage to strengthen ties with a vassal state within the Imperial Federation.

‘I’m the only lady in Arthuzen to be sent to a small northern country outside the Imperial Federation.’

Chloe said, forcing a bright expression to hide her bitterness.

“So what, you only live once.”

She could resolve to do so because she was living for the second time.

At the time, it was impulsive, but after several days of contemplation, the plan became more concrete. The reason also lay in what had happened at the jeweler that day.

“By the way, who was that young man just now?”

As she was about to leave after receiving the payment for the diamond, Chloe suddenly asked the shopkeeper.

His first impression was that of a despicable scammer, but it was fascinating how he guessed the material and workshop of her clothes just by looking. For someone with such discernment to act as a scammer, perhaps there was a reason…… She couldn’t deny the sense of superiority that came with such thoughts.

However, the shopkeeper looked puzzled.

“Young man, you say?”

“Why, the one who was arguing with you earlier and suddenly left……”

“Oh, you mean Ryan? Young man, you say, he’s barely fifteen, I reckon. He’s just tall.”

“What?”

Mirabelle clicked her tongue and looked at Chloe. Chloe, looking at him, didn’t show it, but felt similarly. 

He… well, he was tall, but judging by his face… hmm.

Seeing the reactions of the noble ladies, the shopkeeper chuckled knowingly.

“You see, he’s the son of the tailor shop a block away. He’s been good with his hands since he was young, learning his parents’ work diligently, but recently, who knows what whim blew over him……”

This might be an opportunity.

‘His identity is guaranteed, he’s perceptive, he’s learned some business skills from his parents, and most importantly, if I’ve got leverage on him.’

Learning about the young man…… no, boy’s existence seemed like a good opportunity. Thinking this, Chloe began to add concrete plans to the ‘business’ story she had impulsively mentioned to Mirabelle.

About a week after selling the diamond and making her first profit, Chloe sat on the 4th floor of ‘Yega Cheff,’ the busiest café in Franz Square.

While tea culture was predominant among the nobility, coffee culture was gaining popularity among commoners, especially intellectuals, and nobles would often visit cafés when socializing without formality. The 4th floor of Yega Cheff, divided by partitions, was perfect for such noble guests.

Chloe was there to meet the uniformed man, or rather, the boy named Ryan… as he had been mentioned. The jeweler had told her the name of the tailor shop run by his parents, so she sent a messenger there to request a meeting.

「Tomorrow at 3 PM, Franz Square, Yega Cheff 4th floor. I’ll reserve it in your name. From someone who knows the owner of the silk handkerchief.」

It might have been more of a demand than a request.

To get a feel for Yega Cheff’s atmosphere, they arrived early and waited, while Mirabelle seemed a bit dissatisfied.

“That guy, he’s not going to show up, is he?”

“No way. He seemed timid, trembling like that. He’ll come, afraid of repercussions.”

Though she spoke confidently, as 3 PM approached, Chloe regretted not being more assertive. She had thought of adding ‘from the sister of a police department official,’ but refrained in case his parents opened it instead.

“It’s not time yet. He’ll come when it’s time.”

Chloe glanced at the wall clock pointing to ten minutes before the appointment time of 3 PM.

The antique wall clocks, which seemed suited for a noble household, hung in each partitioned area, were impressive. Chloe took the opportunity to observe the store’s interior beyond the partitioned door. It was the first time she was attempting something serious after returning to being twenty, and her nervousness made it hard to wait calmly, causing her to glance around repeatedly.

Her peers from Ridote had suggested accompanying her several times, saying they could talk freely here, but it was her first time coming herself. Since she hadn’t come, neither had Mirabelle.

‘With partitions installed, it must be soundproof, and with proper doors, it’s secure.’

Had I missed out on enjoyable times with my old peers due to unnecessary caution? 

It was a moment when the frequent bitterness that arose after returning to being twenty came to mind.

“Um…”

Just as the appointed time was almost up, the boy…… with a hesitant demeanor entered. Wearing a plain shirt and leather vest similar to what he wore at the jeweler’s, he entered with a dazed expression. Seeing the high-ranking nobles in front of him, he seemed at a loss, standing awkwardly for a while.

“Are you going to keep standing there?”

“Huh, pardon?”

“Come in, close the door, and sit down. My neck hurts.”

“Yes, yes…”

Where had the audacity gone that had him coveting ornaments while feigning innocence? Perhaps the soft-spoken voice from back then was similar in context to the trembling, stammering voice now.

“Your name is Ryan?”

“Yes.”

“How old are you?”

“Fifteen…”

And that was a fresh fifteen, having just had his birthday earlier this month. Unaware of the shock Chloe and Mirabelle felt at his age, he had no idea how fortunate it was that he hadn’t added any unnecessary comments.

“Evaluate the clothes I’m wearing today.”

“Pardon? How could I possibly…”

“No, like you did last time, guess how they’re made.”

Saying this, Chloe thrust her sleeve forward so Ryan could closely examine the fabric. Hesitant at first, Ryan soon began to obediently inspect the clothes as instructed.

“Ah, it seems to be a dress from Andrea again. The crochet lace is unique… it’s a pattern used in Stcherbagnol, and the subtle sheen isn’t from dyeing… I think there’s a rare breed of sheep with this color wool in the foothills of the Gombert Mountains. Judging by the knitting method, this wool silk was woven in a workshop in the Mare region.”

After a long time spent examining the fabric closely, Ryan looked at the two young ladies with trembling eyes.