| Chapter 22

“You have a very discerning eye! As expected of a member of the Bickman family! Everything here is of such quality that even the royal family places orders. Yes, only the very best. Which one caught your fancy, Miss?”

“It’s nothing. I was just looking.”

That’s definitely expensive. I shook my head with the most nonchalant expression I could muster, but Kirhin raised his eyebrows and urged me.

“Tell me, Lucy. It’s the first time you’ve shown interest in something.”

Pushed by the momentum of the two men, I pointed at the perfume bottle with an embarrassed face, and a broad smile spread across the owner’s face. He quickly opened the display case and carefully took out the item, saying,

“This is truly a precious item. It’s a masterpiece created by the craftsman just two days ago. You must know, Baron. The craftsman Dvainko.”

“That Dvainko? The one they say two people died fighting over a vase he crafted?”

“It’s a common occurrence. They say his works are imbued with a demonic charm. He’s getting old now and doesn’t make such small items anymore, but he has his whims sometimes. My wife’s relative is Dvainko’s sister, so I was able to get it first. It probably won’t last more than a few days. Tomorrow is the day Marchioness Monche is scheduled to visit the shop.”

This is a disaster. Judging by the owner’s excited expression and words, the price of that item is clearly beyond my imagination. As I swallowed dryly, I heard Kirhin, who was leaning obliquely against the display case, click his tongue.

“How did you pick out the most expensive item at a glance?”

“I, I absolutely don’t want it. I just looked because the craftsmanship seemed delicate. It’s a beautiful item.”

I hastily waved both hands. I didn’t want to be seen as someone who didn’t know gratitude, let alone shame. However, unexpectedly, Kirhin smiled leisurely and gently patted my shoulder.

“Don’t be silly. I’m not scolding you. I’m praising your eye.”

I carefully watched his expression to see if there was any other meaning in his words, but I couldn’t read anything. Kirhin’s cheerful voice continued.

“It doesn’t make sense for a young lady not to have even one perfume bottle. Alright. This big brother will gift it to you.”

At that moment, seeing a gleam in the owner’s wrinkled eyes, I quickly grabbed Kirhin’s arm. I didn’t know much about the baron family’s financial situation, but such a luxury item seemed excessive regardless. Moreover, I didn’t have the confidence to dare own such an item.

As I pleaded with wide eyes, Kirhin patted the back of my hand with a face that seemed to be suppressing laughter, as if finding it amusing.

“It’s okay. I’ll just go empty-handed to my lovers for a while. I was confused by some of them, on whether they were welcoming the gifts or me anyway, so this is a good chance to sort them out.”

“But…”

“Well then, Anton. Now bring some perfume that would suit my sister. We can’t just gift a perfume bottle, can we?”

“You’re truly generous! Having such a big brother must be very reassuring, Miss. Please wait a moment. I’ll be back in a flash.”

The owner placed the perfume bottle in my hand with a beaming smile and ran off as if flying. I stood frozen like a statue, unable to laugh or cry, only lowering my gaze. I was afraid to grip it too tightly lest I scratch it, so I didn’t even dare to breathe deeply.

Ah, but it was beautiful. It was so beautiful that just looking at it gave me the illusion of being supremely noble.

The soft touch of metal against my calloused hands, the branches and leaves that felt vividly fresh, and the jewel in the center emitting a quiet but brilliant light were truly perfect. I could look at this all day without getting bored.

“Can I really have this?”

As my voice trembled involuntarily, Kirhin raised his eyebrows and smiled.

“Of course. It suits you better than any other accessory here.”

“How, how can I ever express my gratitude…”

My hands trembled slightly, afraid I might drop it. When I finally raised my eyes to look at Kirhin, he gestured towards the window with his chin.

“It seems that’s what cute little sisters usually do.”

As I turned my gaze, I saw a young girl, who looked about ten years old, stretching out both arms to a man who appeared to be her father. She seemed to be begging to be hugged. The bearded man burst into laughter and lifted the child with one arm, and her bell-like laughter rang out brilliantly.

But they were originally a father-daughter relationship, and we were different, weren’t we? Besides, I wasn’t a little child like that, and above all, I had never acted spoiled like that to anyone, including my father. I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“I’m a bit too old for that. And that person seems to be her father, not her brother.”

“We both don’t have fathers, so we have no choice. Come on, you should thank your big brother now, Lucy.”

Kirhin spread his arms naturally, wiggling his fingers with a mischievous smile. For a moment, I almost said I wouldn’t take this perfume bottle, but I quickly bit my tongue.

Opportunities come suddenly and if you miss them, you never know when they’ll come again. I was determined to reach out for every opportunity from now on. For that, I needed courage I hadn’t been able to muster until now.

As I forcibly lifted my arms that felt like wooden blocks, Kirhin coaxed, “That’s right, that’s right,” as if soothing a child. Though his words doubled my embarrassment, I knew he was enjoying my bashful appearance, so I was able to take a step.

Stumbling like a child who had just learned to walk, I approached him and finally hugged his waist as if diving in. My cheek touched his firm chest. With my eyes tightly shut, I managed to squeeze out a voice that was barely audible.

“Thank you, big brother.”

“Well done, our little pebble. Not bad at all! Very powerful!”

Kirhin burst into laughter, “Puhaha,” and patted my back while embracing me. Somehow, I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to turn into dust and disappear right there, but at the same time, something welled up in my chest.

To express affection to someone and have it accepted. And for all of this to feel so natural and normal.

Is this the kind of love that families share? Even though I’m a fake….

…If a fake feels this warm, why couldn’t the real one be like this?

With these complex emotions, I suddenly felt my eyes getting hot, so I burrowed a little deeper into his broad chest. Although I was afraid he might push me away, Kirhin didn’t. His hand stroking my back only became a little gentler.

* * *

The newly bought items were loaded onto a carriage and sent ahead. I started counting the prices of those items halfway but gave up. It was an amount I couldn’t afford even if I worked for 100 years.

As we walked towards the carriage waiting for us, Kirhin stretched out long. A satisfied expression was on his radiant face.

“It’s been a while since I went shopping, and it feels refreshing. Lucy, you’re quite a good partner. Next time I need to buy something, I should come out with you again.”

I felt the blood drain from my face as I had been holding the perfume bottle attached to my clothes since earlier. My soul had already half escaped and dispersed into the air.

“How often do you go shopping?”

“Well, at least once every two or three months. Seasons change, and so do trends, you know.”

At this dizzying answer, I gripped the perfume bottle a little tighter.

Right, think positively. Thanks to this, I got such a luxurious item, didn’t I?

Maybe if I repeat this, I’ll get used to it. I wasn’t good at sewing from the beginning either. Being able to mend torn clothes by touch alone in the dark came after the painful times of pricking my fingers with needles dozens of times.

“I’m feeling a bit hungry. As soon as we get back, I should tell Nina to bring out a tea set. No, should we have dinner early?”

When I was about to answer Kirhin’s words, a sharp scream suddenly flew into my ears. Reflexively pushing me behind him, Kirhin turned his head. I could see the crowd of people scattering to one side.

“Hey, does that make any sense? Do you think we dig money out of the ground? If you borrowed money, shouldn’t you pay it back? Huh?”

“I said I’d pay it back. I said I’d pay when I get my wages next week, aaagh!”

“It’s troublesome if you lie. Do you think we’ll be fooled twice? We’ve already checked with that house. You’ve already taken an advance on your wages until the week after next, haven’t you? So what money are you going to pay back with? Huh? What money are you talking about?”

“I heard you’re giving all your money to that handsome actor working at the theater. Hey, you need to set your priorities straight. Shouldn’t you bring it to us first?”

A big man throws the woman to the ground like a rag doll. As people scatter backward, the view clears. Everyone seems to be watching with interest, but no one looks like they’re going to help.

The woman’s faded clothes were covered in dirt as she struggled to get up from the ground, and her dull red hair was all tangled up even though it was tied. At that moment, I took a short breath as I made direct eye contact with her tear-filled eyes.