Chapter 3 – Ladies Alighting from the Carriage (14)

“First, I have a few requests this time as well.”

Chloe, who met Lagu at the counseling room in Alezio, began her business without any formalities, following his practical straightforwardness.

When Mirabelle took out the amber brooch and amethyst pendant contaminated with magic from her wallet, Lagu infused them with magic without a word, as usual.

“This time, everything has been properly processed. No need to visit the temple.”

Indeed, everything was neatly purified to the n*ked eye. Confirming this, Chloe took out silver coins from the purse Ryan had earned. With a nonchalant expression, she handed over 42 silver coins, including what she hadn’t settled last time, so as not to make it seem like she was showing off.

“I counted it as 7 silver per item.”

“I thought you considered it 5 silver.”

“Since your work is the core of this job, I should pay you more.”

Thinking about the amount she gave Ryan, Chloe thought she should also compensate Lagu fairly.

‘Thanks to the maids from Shevik, who were surprisingly lenient when dividing up troublesome tasks, I learned something valuable.’

Lagu, who had been momentarily pleased with the larger amount than expected, quickly dropped his expression, realizing that the guild fee would take most of it. Earning 2 extra silver but keeping only 1…

“I suppose this would be a decent side income for you as well? I heard the guild fees are quite high.”

“Yes, it’s mandatory, so there’s nothing I can do. I have about three years left in my service with the Gotiue Guild, so I should hope your business flourishes during that time.”

“Three years… Don’t worry.”

Knowing she would leave Gotiue before Lagu, Chloe smiled appropriately, promising to reward him more if the business did well.

“From next time, Ryan here will come instead of me. He’ll also pay you directly.”

“Hehe, please take care of me, Sir Mage.”

Ryan, who had been standing by the door watching Lagu work, bowed his head.

“If you need to discuss anything… unless it’s urgent, it’s better to communicate through him.”

“I understand it’s not good for the young ladies in Gotiue’s social circles to be known for associating with mages.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Chloe had thought he wouldn’t care about etiquette, but clearly, wizards’ vast knowledge wasn’t an exaggeration.

‘Is it just that they don’t intend to respect the norms?’

After entrusting the future tasks, Chloe left the room after parting with Lagu, who returned to his accommodation using teleportation magic. As she left the corridor lined with consultation rooms, she noticed people exiting from the room at the opposite end.

There were two gentlemen, the first being a middle-aged man with red hair, followed by…

‘Your Highness!’

It was Bjorn. The joy that arose momentarily turned into confusion.

‘It’s an unexpected meeting, is it alright…?’

In her confused state, Chloe unknowingly forgot to move her feet. Bjorn and the middle-aged man were whispering something in each other’s ears.

‘He has someone close in Gotiue. Who could it be?’

As she watched with a mix of confusion and curiosity, the two men, sensing her gaze, looked up and saw her.

Chloe smiled and greeted them.

“Hello, Prince.”

“Oh, Lady. We meet again.”

Bjorn looked at Chloe in surprise at her informal greeting.

“Yes, in a place like this.”

Hoping she wouldn’t say anything inappropriate, Chloe gave Bjorn a look encouraging him to lead the conversation.

Wondering why the usually lively young lady was just watching silently today, Bjorn soon opened his mouth as if realizing something.

“Oh, are you two meeting for the first time? I’m actually the foreigner here.”

Should I know this person? 

Chloe quickly glanced at the middle-aged man next to Bjorn. His attire was noble, and seeing him leave with Bjorn, he seemed related to Alezio, so…

“Nice to meet you, Marquis Alezio. I’m Chloe of Lacroix.”

“Ah, Lady Lacroix. Nice to meet you, I’m Diego Alezio.”

As Chloe offered another informal greeting, Marquis Alezio placed his hand on his chest and slightly bowed.

Marquis Alezio, who runs the Alezio trading company, had his territory in the north and was more focused on his business than social circles or politics, so little was known about him.

‘Didn’t the Lady of Alezio graduate from Ridote a few years before me?’

Moreover, the entire family didn’t participate in social activities, so little was known about the marquisate.

Meeting the Marquis of Alezio, who was said to be unknown unless involved in business, was another new experience in her return to the age of twenty.

“Are you interested in magical tools, my lady?”

Bjorn asked with a gentle smile. Marquis Alezio, who looked displeased, immediately changed his expression and spoke in a merchant’s smooth tone.

“You’re one of our customers. It’s rare for young ladies to visit the store directly.”

“Yes, I’m quite interested in magic stones.”

In the future, that is.

Chloe swallowed those words and thought of a question to smoothly pass the situation.

“You and His Highness seem to be acquaintances?”

“He’s been instrumental in introducing our country’s specialties to the empire.”

“Haha, thanks to His Highness’s attention, my business has taken off.”

Watching them exchange compliments, Chloe nodded inwardly.

‘His Highness must have had a connection with the Alezio trading company while in Gotiue.’

It was natural for the Alezio trading company, which monopolized the supply of magic stones in Gotiue, to trade with Scandar. However, during Chloe’s time in Shevik, the Alezio trading company never visited the palace, so she hadn’t guessed they had a special relationship with Bjorn.

‘Well, His Highness has been in Arthuzen for over ten years, so it’s only natural.’

Thinking it wouldn’t be unreasonable to maintain ties from his time as a hostage, Chloe accepted it.

‘It’s not like I’ll know more about their relationship in the future, so why worry?’

Having dismissed the thought so simply, Chloe added appropriately.

“It’s a good connection. Please continue your conversation. I’ll be on my way.”

Hoping their next meeting would be at Madame Etoile’s salon next month, Chloe gracefully bowed and walked towards the exit, making sure not to seem like she was leaving in a hurry.

She didn’t notice Bjorn’s gaze following her back.

* * *

As Chloe’s small business began to take off with the recruitment of Ryan and Lagu, her next task was to find new suppliers. This was because the jewelry handled as a sideline at Marcone had dwindled.

Therefore, she needed to discover new places like pawnshops or antique shops where jewels contaminated with magic might be undervalued.

Among the general public, regardless of status, there was no one with an eye as discerning as Chloe’s. It was because it required keenly detecting the reflected light or luster that appeared faintly in the contaminated state.

Nobles who bought a lot of jewelry might be able to do it, but the places Chloe was looking for were where jewels were discarded without being recognized as such, so nobles wouldn’t visit them.

‘Where should I go…?’

While Chloe was pondering, she thought of someone close by who could offer advice.

“Mother, do you know any antique shops in the Handlung district?”

The Countess Palatine happened to have an unusual hobby of collecting antiques and exotic items. Being from Lazure, which bordered the small kingdoms’ confederation, she was interested in foreign cultures.

In the future, when the Countess Palatine visited the Shevik Palace for summer vacations, she would summon merchants to buy specialties like fur and traditional jewelry made with top-grade magic stones.

“Let’s see, for small items, Jean-Pierre’s is good, and for Western continent antiques…”

Watching her daughter recently going out often, the Countess Palatine guessed she was up to something interesting and provided useful information. She hid her curiosity as a mother wondering what scheme her daughter was plotting.

‘She’ll tell me if it’s something worth showing.’

The Handlung district, unlike the Artisan district, was truly a place for ‘dealers.’ Therefore, Chloe’s heart was filled with fear as she took her first step. It was obvious her unfamiliar appearance would be a hindrance.

She had obtained a commoner’s robe, as Ryan had pointed out last time, and washed it several times to make it look worn.

But once she started visiting…

“Young ladies, this is a rare item.”

“Do you want to see a hand mirror?”

“Interested in a desert flute?”

There were obstacles, but it was because they couldn’t approach two young girls.

Fortunately, thanks to the list provided by the Countess Palatine, there were no wasted trips. They found success in places like stores selling traditional used clothing from other countries or shops for hobbyists.

“Was the ruby ring 4 silver earlier?”

“Yes. And these earrings.”

“Yes, those were 6 silver…”

While pretending to be girls buying interesting things in the shop, Chloe and Mirabelle organized their purchases in a deserted alley.

“Rabi?”

“Shh.”

Chloe, puzzled by Mirabelle’s empty hand, looked up to see Mirabelle watching the corner with her finger to her lips.

“Since earlier…”

Mirabelle’s hand quickly cut through the air.

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound rang out as the dagger Mirabelle had thrown embedded itself nearby. It seemed to have lost its direction after hitting something.

‘What is it?’

Mirabelle quickly changed her stance to shield Chloe. Chloe also stuffed the ledger and jewelry into her bag.

‘I knew this would happen, so I brought a weapon.’

As Chloe reached into her robe’s inner pocket, a man in a robe slowly walked out from behind the corner. The sword in his hand suggested he wasn’t a simple back-alley thug.

Mirabelle also drew her short sword to confront the man.

“What do you want?”

“Uh…”

Huh?

A young girl’s voice, unfitting for the man’s size, flowed out.

As the two ladies tried to suppress their surprise with tension, a small girl emerged from behind the man. Her neatly cut blue-black bangs framed black eyes full of curiosity.

“Hello, are you ladies also in business?”

“What?”

“It’s my first time seeing you in Gotiue. What do you deal with?”

As Chloe almost inadvertently gave the desired answer, Mirabelle sharply retorted.

“Why should we answer that?”

“Oh.”

The girl seemed to remember something and reached into her pocket. Mirabelle tensed even more, preparing for any sudden situation.

“Well, I’m this kind of person.”

After rummaging for a while, the girl pulled something out and tossed it. As Mirabelle lowered her stance to prepare for the unexpected, a badge with a family crest flew to her feet.

That crest, so… 

Chloe, who confirmed the crest over Mirabelle’s shoulder, was shocked.

The girl cautiously added, 

“I’m Lucien of Campo.”