Chapter 3 (Part 4)

Feeling pressed, Sellakia finally pointed to the most modest-looking indoor dress after much deliberation.

“That dress…”

However, before Sellakia could finish her sentence, Tenus interrupted her.

“All of them except that one.”

Sellakia’s eyes widened as she was deeply focused on the dresses, even frowning. Tenus handed the catalog he was holding to Laura.

“And include everything in this catalog as well.”

The cover of the catalog handed to Laura had illustrations of women’s dresses. It wasn’t a catalog for men’s clothing.

“Tenus.”

Startled, Sellakia grabbed Tenus’s arm as if to stop him.

She was supposed to leave the Ducal residence in a month. Buying such a large quantity of dresses was an excessive waste since she couldn’t take them with her.

“Laura, my wife also needs accessories.”

Ignoring Sellakia’s desperate gaze, Tenus casually informed Laura. He was clearly pretending not to notice. Laura’s smile deepened.

“Of course. I prepared only top-grade items, knowing you were coming, Young Master.”

“No…!”

“Laura’s boutique is indeed as fantastic as the rumors!”

Laura, Tenus, and even the young maid seemed to be in cahoots. Sellakia started to doubt whether she was really choosing her own belongings.

Soon, the staff skillfully cleared the dresses and brought in dozens of jewel boxes that sparkled so brightly they hurt the eyes.

Everyone in the room, including Laura, the boutique staff, the maid, and even Tenus, focused on Sellakia.

Feeling some sort of pressure, Sellakia cautiously opened her mouth.

“This one…”

Then, noticing Tenus, she quickly changed her words.

“…except for this, I’ll take everything from here to here.”

Sellakia’s white hand swept over the accessories neatly lined up in rows and columns.

Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, hair ornaments, and more. Just counting the types and numbers was overwhelming. She wasn’t interested in what kind of jewels they were or the details of the decorations.

As she turned her weary gaze away, Sellakia’s eyes suddenly caught a familiar silhouette of a bracelet.

“This is…”

Recognizing what caught her eye, Laura clapped her hands with a delighted face.

“As expected, you recognize it! It’s a pearl bracelet that was difficult to procure from the Lensch region. Only the Linoche pearls from the Lensch region have such a perfect spherical shape and a subtle rosy cream color. It was incredibly hard to get.”

Seeing the local specialty from her hometown in a foreign place brought mixed feelings. She felt a sense of pride but also a tinge of bitterness. Sellakia absentmindedly rubbed her empty right wrist.

“Would you like to purchase this one as well?”

“No, it’s okay. I have something similar.”

Sellakia shook her head and looked at Tenus. A wave of fatigue hit her, and she wished they could go home, but Tenus didn’t seem satisfied yet.

“Now it’s time to look at gloves.”

Sellakia decided not to look back at Tenus anymore. He was a person who was of no help even if she sent him pleading looks.

“Since summer is approaching, I recommend gloves made of lamé fabric woven with gold and silver threads rather than velvet.”

“My goodness. The shimmering color is as tempting as honey!”

“Pack them all.”

Even without Sellakia adding a word, the purchases were being made smoothly. Even if they bought this entire building, it wouldn’t make a dent in the Seidon Duke’s treasury. However, having never indulged in extravagance, Sellakia’s heart raced a little. Thinking about how all these items would soon be discarded, she couldn’t help but sigh in regret.

“If you wear what you bought today to a banquet, everyone will be looking up to you, Madam. Even Her Highness the Princess might do so!”

The young maid, despite the impiety, couldn’t stop her admiration. It was a commendable effort to lift her master’s spirits.

Sellakia decided to secretly give this girl a few necklace ornaments when she sneaked out of the mansion. It would be better than just throwing them away.

* * *

When they left the boutique, it was already dusk outside. Although she had only moved her eyes and hands while sitting still, Sellakia was exhausted.

Even though all the purchased items were to be delivered to the mansion in a few days, her body felt as heavy as if she had personally carried dozens of dresses on her shoulders.

“When did you resolve to indulge in lavish spending?”

Tenus clicked his tongue as if scolding her for her meager stamina and courage. Sellakia, too tired to respond, just waved her hand, signaling that they should head to the carriage.

“There’s no point in helping.”

Sellakia skillfully ignored his words and walked ahead toward the carriage.

At that moment, someone called out to them loudly.

“Oh? Who is that? Isn’t it the Young Master Seidon?”

In the distance, a woman was waving her hand and brandishing a sword. She looked like a traveler, not very well-dressed, but judging by how she casually addressed Tenus, she seemed to be a noble.

“Seeing the Young Master Seidon here. What a lightning-strike coincidence!”

The woman, with her golden hair tied up high, ran quickly, making her features stand out as a tall and striking beauty.

Tenus stood silently in place and asked as she approached.

“Who are you?”

The woman’s cheerful face cracked. It was understandable. Such rudeness right to her face. Sellakia felt embarrassed on her behalf.

However, unexpectedly, the woman didn’t blame Tenus and just sighed.

“Damn. This is the fourth time you’ve asked that. You can’t remember every fellow academy graduate, but shouldn’t you at least recognize someone you’ve crossed swords with?”

Tenus’s expression remained indifferent. It seemed he might ignore her and get into the carriage at any moment. The woman, with a slightly exasperated look, revealed her name.

“Roberta Belfona. The third daughter of the Earl Belfona.”

“…”

“You even said goodbye to me when I graduated from the academy last year!”

“Ah.”

Finally, Tenus reacted.

“You said you were joining a mercenary group to earn money.”

“Yes. I knew you hadn’t forgotten!”

Roberta laughed heartily and slapped Tenus on the shoulder in a friendly manner. She didn’t seem to mind at all that he hadn’t recognized her at first.

Tenus glanced at Sellakia and gestured toward the smiling Roberta.

“As you heard, Roberta Belfona.”

Though the introduction was half-hearted, Sellakia decided to overlook it. Tenus didn’t seem to know or care much about Roberta.

“I’m Sellakia Seidon. Nice to meet you, Sir Belfona.”

“Seeing you with the Young Master Seidon, you must be the future Duchess. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Roberta placed a hand on her chest and bowed gracefully, looking quite knightly. Her gaze wasn’t probing or disdainful. Whether she didn’t know or pretended not to know Sellakia’s background, she didn’t seem like a bad person.

Sellakia asked warmly, to make up for Tenus’s lack of courtesy.

“I heard you joined a mercenary group? Did you come to the Seidon Duchy for mercenary work?”

“Oh, I’m not with a mercenary group anymore. Those damn mercenaries were stingy despite their size. The commission they took for each mission was outrageous. Plus, the money they took for food and lodging was more than I was earning, so I kicked them and left.”

It seemed she had joined a poor-quality mercenary group. However, Roberta laughed heartily, as if she wasn’t bothered by the unpleasant experience.

“If I had saved all that money, I could have owned about ten bricks of the Imperial Arena by now. I came here to look for a new job.”

“A job?”

“Yes. Rumor had it that the Young Master Seidon left the academy, so I thought there might be some lucrative work in the Duchy.”

Roberta looked at the bustling street, where carts were briskly passing by, with a seemingly regretful expression. Tenus let out a dry laugh.

“Did you expect a civil war?”

“I thought I might seize an opportunity to earn some military honors. For someone like me, with no inheritance to receive, such chances are rare.”

Roberta genuinely seemed disappointed.

Lost in thought, Sellakia asked Roberta.

“Then you haven’t found a job yet?”

“No, not yet. I tried applying to escort some merchant caravans, but they kept rejecting me for lack of experience.”

“Are you only looking to escort merchant caravans?”

“What? No, not exactly…”

Suddenly, Roberta’s green eyes gleamed. Like a predator spotting prey, she took a step closer to Sellakia with eyes alight.

“Are you perhaps considering recruiting me into the Seidon Duke’s Knights, Madam?”

“……What?”

“That’s impossible.”

Tenus interjected between Sellakia and Roberta, dismissing the sudden question and title that had caught Sellakia off guard.

Roberta glared at Tenus, who stood between her and Sellakia.

“Why? What’s wrong with me? I’m a talent who graduated second in the swordsmanship department at the Royal Academy…”

“You failed the Seidon Knight Order entrance exam last year, didn’t you?”

“What? ……How did you know?”

“There’s no way I wouldn’t know about the Seidon Knight Order’s affairs.”

“But that wasn’t my true ability. You know! It was just my bad luck that I wasn’t feeling well that day…”

“A knight’s ability includes managing their health. If you can’t even handle the basics, don’t dream of joining the Knight Order.”

Tenus was as firm as if nothing could penetrate him. The previously amiable atmosphere turned cold in an instant.