Chapter 3 (Part 3)

Admiring Tenus’s foresight inwardly, Sellakia quietly walked under the cool shade of the parasol. Once her view was partially blocked, she noticed the short trees lining the street.

The smooth leaves with pink-tinged white bell-shaped flowers looked vaguely familiar.

“Is that tree perhaps… a lingonberry tree? The one for lingonberry jam?”

“Yes.”

As Tenus nodded, Sellakia’s glass-like eyes sparkled. The lingonberry jam that her father used to make by hand in the kitchen when she was young was Sellakia’s favorite snack in the world. The sweet and tangy jam spread on crispy, buttered toast was a delight.

It had been over ten years since she last tasted it, but just thinking about it made her mouth water.

Gulp, the sound of her swallowing echoed under the parasol. Compared to the noise of the street, it was as small as the sound of a raindrop, but somehow, she felt Tenus’s gaze on her.

With her face slightly flushed, Sellakia gestured unnecessarily to the opposite side of the street. Then she asked, as if she wasn’t particularly attached to the lingonberry tree but interested in everything on this street.

“Are those… the guild managers? They don’t look like people who’ve come to buy goods.”

“Probably.”

“Are there usually this many mercenaries here? The number of mercenaries following the carriages is immense.”

“There are several mercenary groups specializing in escorting trade guilds, so it’s not few.”

Though not warm, the conversation with Tenus was straightforward.

“Hmm. It seems there are no tourists here to enjoy leisure.”

“We’re not a resort like the Viscount Lensch’s territory. Even those who come from foreign lands only settle here; they don’t stay in the Seidon Dukedom to enjoy sightseeing.”

Sellakia naturally recalled the Viscount Lensch’s territory where she was born and raised.

A beautiful territory widely known as a resort with natural landscapes, more artists than guilds, and more families and couples on vacation than those seeking jobs.

Even though both were coastal areas, the atmosphere of the Seidon Dukedom and Viscount Lensch’s territory was very different.

“But still, it’s the Seidon Dukedom. You’d expect some tourists.”

“Unless it’s festival season, there’s no noticeable increase in tourist visits.”

“Festival?”

Sellakia’s voice was noticeably more excited than before.

“You mean the ‘Day the Mermaid Listens to Wishes’ festival where they float lanterns on the sea?”

“Indeed. Once the official succession takes place, I should change the name of that festival.”

Tenus’s brows furrowed as if even listening was painful. Sellakia let out a small laugh at his uncharacteristic demeanor.

“Why? I like it. It’s quite an intuitive name, but it’s a romantic tradition, isn’t it? Mermaids granting wishes. When I was young, I wanted to go to that festival so much that I…”

As she chattered with a bright face, a shadow suddenly fell over Sellakia’s face. A poignant nostalgia swept over her.

The overwhelming longing that poured down like an unexpected shower sometimes left Sellakia helpless.

It was then that Tenus stopped walking.

“We’re here.”

Tenus looked up at the towering building in front of them without glancing at Sellakia. She was relieved that he didn’t see her embarrassed face.

Sellakia quickly composed herself and followed him to take in the sight of the elegant building, then looked back at the street they had walked along. She saw several carriages bustling along the road.

“Why did we walk from the entrance of the shopping district? We came all the way by carriage.”

“I thought you might not have visited the shopping district before.”

Was he implying I hadn’t been managing the territory? 

His offhand remark was puzzling, but she didn’t bother to ask. Whatever his intention, it had been an enjoyable sight.

* * *

Leaving the escort knights outside, they entered the boutique with just one maid. Unlike the old-fashioned exterior that showed the passage of time, the interior of the boutique was sparkling new.

“Welcome, Young Master. It’s a pleasure to see you grown up so handsomely like this. Hoho.”

Under the dazzling chandelier, a madame in an even more glittering outfit greeted the party. She was a middle-aged woman who seemed familiar to Tenus, who received her greeting with ease.

“Is it ten years, Laura?”

“Exactly eleven years. It’s been enough time for the cute Young Master to grow up into someone unrecognizable.”

“You seem unchanged since then. So does this boutique.”

“Of course. My commitment to offering only the best to my customers remains unchanged.”

Even while smoothly attending to Tenus, Laura didn’t hide her interest in Sellakia. Her bright eyes were fixed on Sellakia standing next to Tenus.

Unable to withstand the expectant gaze, Sellakia awkwardly lifted the corners of her mouth.

“Nice to meet you, Laura.”

Laura responded with delight, as if she’d been waiting for this.

“It’s an honor to meet the mistress of Seidon. I promise to dedicate all our efforts to you in this boutique. We will not disappoint you.”

“Ah, yes…”

Sellakia unconsciously took a step back from Laura’s somewhat solemn determination. It had been a long time since she last visited a boutique, holding her mother’s hand as a child, so it felt unfamiliar.

Laura led them to the innermost private room of the boutique. It seemed to be a place for VIPs; the space was cozy, but it was evident that attention had been paid to every piece of furniture.

“Wow…”

The maid trailing behind them couldn’t help but express admiration. Sellakia might have done the same if not for her sense of decorum.

“Upon receiving word, we’ve prepared some dresses for you in advance. Please wait a moment.”

Laura, who had brought out tea and biscuits, briefly left the room. Sitting on the plush sofa, Sellakia looked curiously at the mirror adorned with jewels in front of her, and soon Laura returned.

“Thank you for waiting. To start, I’ve selected a few dresses for you to view lightly.”

Lightly…? Sellakia’s eyes trembled.

Behind Laura, a long line of staff holding hangers and mannequins followed. The small room was soon filled with dresses. It was by no means light.

“Uh…”

Sellakia looked at Tenus as if asking for help, but he was leisurely crossing his legs, flipping through a catalog that seemed to have appeared from nowhere. He looked like a decadent magnate, perfectly fitting into the space. It was almost laughable how flustered Sellakia appeared.

Though she hadn’t experienced many things, Sellakia was still a noble. She didn’t want to show an unseemly appearance in front of others.

Sellakia closed her lips that had been slightly open and quickly glanced at Tenus. There was much to learn from his poised behavior, worthy of being a model in social circles. She quickly erased her embarrassed expression and mimicked Tenus’s relaxed demeanor.

With her back straight and chin held high, Sellakia looked at Laura.

“Well, let’s take a look, shall we?”

Laura smiled, a confident grin, and began introducing the dresses herself.

“I’ll show you this one first. In the capital these days, dresses with ruffles and frills on the hem are in vogue. The way they spread like petals when you dance is so beautiful. I’m sure you’ll love it once you see it.”

Laura spread the dress wide. When Sellakia showed no particular reaction, she swiftly moved on to another dress.

“Of course, designs with a refined charm like this one are still popular. Especially this dress, with its delicate embroidery in the finest silver thread that subtly shimmers. Here, do you see it?”

“Oh my, it’s so pretty! It would really suit Madam.”

“Hoho, this girl knows something. The calm sheen of the silver thread would surely match Madame’s lovely hair. Would you like to try it on lightly, Madame?”

As the maid enthusiastically chimed in, Sellakia almost slipped in her act of being a noblewoman who was very familiar with boutiques, as if she’d been there hundreds of times.

“No, I’ll try it on later. For now, I’ll just look.”

Sellakia waved her hand, adjusting her expression. The dresses, beautiful as ornamental fish tails, were far from Sellakia’s taste.

“Let’s measure your size first.”

Despite Sellakia’s indirect refusal, Laura approached her without hesitation and placed a measuring tape on her body. Sellakia stood up, arms outstretched in surprise. Laura swiftly completed the measurements with precise, quick movements.

“Did any dress catch your eye? Or would you like to see more of what’s prepared in the back? Even if none match your taste, don’t worry. You can choose the pattern and fabric to have a dress made.”

“No, Laura. This is enough.”

Sellakia quickly said, then looked over the dresses that had filled the room to the brim.

That one’s too flashy with ruffles, so it’s out. That one is too overwhelming with shimmering silver thread and jewels, so it’s out. That one’s somewhat okay… no, it’s not. The back is too revealing, so it’s out.

As she carefully considered each one, Tenus rolled the catalog he was holding and tapped it against his palm, making a sound. 

Was he giving me a hint?

She was indeed taking up his busy time.