“This time is different. Even the capital’s guard is helping transport the goods. I don’t know what Baron Bickman did or how, but it’s clear the royal family has approved it.”

“Huh, that’s amazing. I heard he was just an idler who only knew how to chase after women.”

“Perhaps he was inspired by his clever sister.”

“Clever sister?”

“Oh, look, there she goes.”

The gazes of the whispering merchants fixed on a person crossing the street. Lucienne was riding a horse, her hair, comfortably tied in a single knot, flying behind her.

As if she had caught up on several years’ worth of growth in a few months, she had grown taller and gained weight, now looking completely her age. With her slender body, she preferred comfortable clothes unlike other noble young ladies.

In thick riding pants and a coat, she might have looked like a man at first glance, but her silver hair that exuded elegance and her beautiful appearance were enough to instantly dispel such misconceptions. In fact, this contrasting atmosphere was even creating a subtle trend, with people saying it reminded them of the goddess of hunting.

She smoothly rode through the crowds and arrived in front of the Nix merchant group. The workers who were bringing newly imported goods into the warehouse all looked up at her with sparkling eyes. Nix, who had been directing the workers while sweating despite the cold weather, approached her as she dismounted.

“You’ve come, Miss.”

“I’ve finished calculating the goods sold until last week. What’s the list of products coming in today?”

“I’ll bring it right away.”

Nix bowed respectfully and went inside the merchant group building. Though surrounded entirely by burly men, Lucienne showed no sign of intimidation. She was like a flower blooming in the middle of a desert where all vegetation had withered.

The workers began showing off their strength while constantly glancing at her. Some looked down on her, knowing she was of maid origin, thinking she was an easy target.

However, Lucienne’s gaze casually penetrated through the men who were taking off their tops and showing off their bodies. At the end of her gaze was a large box that six strong men were struggling to move. Water droplets falling from below were forming a small puddle.

“Here it is, Miss.”

“What’s that, Nix?”

At her question while receiving the documents, Nix checked the box and answered in a quiet voice.

“It’s a fish called Akariphs. It’s only caught in the sea near Freemont, with a unique aroma and firm flesh. It’s not easy to catch because it’s fierce and lives in deep waters, but we brought one in since they happened to catch one.”

“How big is it?”

“About the size of a full-grown pig. The taste is incomparably good, but the bones are large and there are many thorns, so it’s common for hands to get injured. Since no one in Edmus would have prepared this fish before, I wonder if it will sell……”

“I’ll buy it.”

“What?”

Nix blinked at the immediate response. Lucienne elegantly raised her delicately extended eyebrows and asked.

“Is it very expensive? Too much to buy with my share of income from the merchant group?”

“Not at all. I’m just curious what you plan to do with it. It’s alive and strong, so the kitchen maids will run away without even touching it.”

Lucienne grinned at his words. Perhaps because of her hair color, her face, which gave off a cool feeling, would instantly transform into a mischievous prankster when she smiled like that.

“I have a friend who’s good with knives. He’s skilled, so it should be worth entrusting to him.”

“A friend?”

Lucienne nodded and calmly said.

“Please send someone to the butchers’ street.”

* * *

After using workers to fill the newly built warehouse with goods, Nix caught his breath and glanced at the inside of the merchant group. Despite it being a shabby place that young ladies from noble families would hate to set foot in, Lucienne sat unconcerned in front of a desk that was like a dust pit, organizing the product list.

She truly was a mysterious young lady. Her brother, Baron Bickman, was also unique, but he had a clear boundary line as a noble. Lucienne, however, did not.

……A friend in the butchers’ street.

Only after sending someone did Nix realize that the place where she had been kidnapped was near there. Normally, people would hate to even look at such places, so it was truly unbelievable.

Wondering what kind of friend it might be, he scanned the street still crowded with people and paused. The quick-footed boy he had sent on the errand was bringing someone back.

Unkempt white hair half-covered his eyes. Though not particularly tall, his broad shoulders and unusually thick forearms proved he did physical work. His scrunched face suggested he wasn’t in a good mood.

But even if he had been smiling warmly, people would have kept their distance just as they were doing now. This was because he was wearing a blood-stained apron, and a large knife was stuck in the pocket of that apron. It meant he was a butcher.

Though he had heard that the street had become cleaner than before, people still found butchers who bloodied their hands daily unpleasant. Yet here he was, openly displaying who he was.

Is that person really the Miss’s friend?

Nix, who had been staring at him with wary eyes, soon called Lucienne inside.

“Miss. The person you called has arrived.”

“I’ll come out.”

Lucienne, who had spoken in a clear voice, stood up and walked toward the entrance. At the same time, the man who had arrived in front of Nix glared with fierce eyes.

“Who are you?”

“The owner of this merchant group.”

“Is Lucienne Bickman here by any chance……”

“I’m here, Tom.”

Nix was quite surprised by how Lucienne poked her head out and called his name familiarly. And he was surprised once more when Tom let out a long sigh as soon as he saw Lucienne, as if to make a show of it.

“What business do you have calling someone all the way here again? How many times have I told you that a noble young lady shouldn’t keep getting involved with someone like me?”

“You can prepare fish too, right?”

Tom scrunched his face at Lucienne’s casual attitude, brushing off his words. “Oh boy,” he said, crossing his arms, causing his muscular arms to bulge.

“Did you call me because you can’t prepare a fish? Doesn’t your house have a single maid who knows how to work properly?”

“The fish is a bit big.”

Tom let out a snort as he looked at the grinning Lucienne.

“How big can something that lives in water be? Why is someone as bold as you saying such weak things? It doesn’t suit you.”

“Then I’ll ask you. I’ll pay you, so please prepare it cleanly and divide it by parts so it’s good to eat. It needs to be delivered while it’s fresh.”

“How many people can a fish feed that you need to divide it by parts……”

“Nix.”

At Lucienne’s eye signal, Nix led Tom toward the box. He showed him the window made to be pushed open at the top part of the large wooden box filled with cold air.

Tom’s face stiffened as he looked inside. After a while, he spoke in a low voice.

“I think I just made eye contact with something.”

“I told you it was big.”

Lucienne retorted while lightly rolling her shoulders. Without taking his eyes off, Tom moved his lips again.

“……I think I saw teeth too?”

“Divide it into eight parts. The best part goes to our house, the second best to Nix, and the rest should be delivered in order according to the cards I’ve written here. It must be finished before dinner preparation time today.”

“Miss, I’m fine.”

Nix waved his hands in embarrassment, but Lucienne smiled slightly and said.

“You need to taste it to decide whether to bring in more. Try it with the members of the merchant group. See if it’s worth selling.”

“Wait, I don’t even know what that is, how am I supposed to catch it? Is it really a fish? With eyes that fierce?”

“How big can something that lives in water be? Why is someone as bold as you saying such weak things? It doesn’t suit you.”

“No……”

Tom’s mouth, covered in bushy beard, gaped open, unable to continue his words out of disbelief. Lucienne approached him one step with an innocent expression, blinking her eyes.

“And there’s one more thing I want to ask.”

“What now, what else!”

Nix had to hold back the laughter trying to escape his lips as something like indignation seemed to seep out from Tom’s face, which had only looked fierce at first. Lucienne asked in a quiet voice.

“I need information about Folluk Castor.”

Suddenly Nix’s eyebrows rose. It was a name he knew as well. Tom quickly rolled his eyes and grumbled while cautiously watching Nix.

“There must be many people who know about him since he’s the owner of the largest merchant group in Edmus, so why ask me.”

“Not that kind of information, but information that only you would know. Like his secret hobbies.”

At Lucienne’s meaningful words, Tom’s lips parted widely. Nix saw his cheeks redden slightly. After letting out a couple of short laughs, Tom cleared his throat and shook his head.

“I don’t know why you’re doing this, Miss, but that’s not it. If it’s just curiosity, that makes even less sense.”