Chapter 26

It’s getting dark.

Since settling the contract, Harrier had prioritized showing up together and being seen around, so she hadn’t done anything beyond that.

More importantly, it took a lot of time to soothe the anger over the fact that they needed to appear as genuine lovers rather than just pretending on the surface…

Anyway.

The contract engagement was now cleanly sealed.

“I think this is sufficient, Harrier.”

“I was about to say we should head back anyway.”

“Is that so?”

The tension still wasn’t resolved; it’s because of the bomb I set off, so there’s no helping it.

“I understand if you don’t like me, but let’s not forget we both have our purposes.”

“You don’t need to tell me that; I know.”

Harrier suddenly stuck out her hand with a puff of breath.

“What are you doing?”

“Um?”

“The carriage. You should escort me when getting in.”

“But didn’t you say you dislike physical contact?”

“No, even so, this is necessary! It’s expected between noble lovers…”

She looked at me with an incredulous expression. Facing this situation, I was facing a major crisis.

“Wh-what? Escort? What’s that?”

There’s no way European etiquette or what’s considered normal for lovers in this era would make sense to someone from modern times.

For someone who hasn’t even traveled to Europe, just this scenery is already awkward enough; how can she expect me to follow some etiquette?

Talking about medieval noble etiquette! All I know is a bow that means “I’m blessed.”

Sweat trickled down my face. Maybe when I get home, instead of reading newspapers or studying economics and society, I should ask for an etiquette tutor.

…Anyway.

Just as I was struggling, Harrier, who had been tilting her head, covered her mouth with her hand and asked:

“Hey, Carsein, do you mean to say you don’t know how to escort?”

“…Yes.”

“Really?”

-Nod.

Without waiting, Harrier nodded, looking momentarily surprised,

“Aha!”

She laughed, showing a beautiful smile.

“What’s so funny?”

“Um. Sorry, I didn’t expect such a reaction.”

While laughing at the carriage, Harrier ended up with tears in her eyes.

Wiping away her tears, she asked:

“You didn’t learn any etiquette at all?”

“Yes. Well.”

“I see.”

If it were Carsein, he would have learned it.

But I haven’t, so I didn’t learn it.

At the mention of not learning etiquette, she took my hand and led me toward the carriage steps.

“The height of the steps for noble women is a bit high. With long dresses, the hem can get in the way. So you need to be here to help them up. Extending your hand means asking for support.”

“Like this?”

“No, not like that. Only four fingers. I’ll hold your thumb and apply force while climbing.”

Ah, it was a surprisingly clean explanation understandable even to an outsider.

“The position of your hand should be here. Since I need to climb into the carriage from here, it will be a bit forceful. If you grab slightly above the woman’s waist, it will be easier to pull yourself up, right?”

“Hmm. That makes sense.”

In addition, depending on the situation, such as when servants deal with nobles or greet older guests, and when dealing with fiancées, Harrier explained in detail how to escort.

And since there was an opportunity, she gave me some practice time, even practicing getting down, firmly engraving it in my mind.

“You picked it up quickly? Instead, you made sure I could board easily.”

“Practice makes perfect. I got the hang of it. But, are you okay? I used up more of your time.”

“You need this much time next time to properly receive an escort? Considering you’ve spent months in secret meetings as a fiancée.”

“…”

Sigh. I deserve it.

“Anyway, I’m really going now. I’ll send you the next schedule, so don’t worry.”

“Alright. Please go in first.”

I watched the scene until the carriage disappeared completely, then checked the sun had almost set, and moved towards the direction of the Bargrand Duke’s house.

Of course, I didn’t head directly to where the carriage was parked.

I had something else to do here.

As I rummaged through my pocket to check my money, I realized I had forgotten something.

“Oh?”

A violet handkerchief popped out of the pocket.

“Oh, I forgot to return it.”

But the carriage was already gone… What can I do?

I’ll give it next time.

***

Claire kept checking the coachman’s actions. Occasionally she’d take out a memo and write something after checking the time.

These actions were clearly meant for someone to report to.

And Claire knew exactly who would be receiving this report.

Time rewound to the past.

When Claire’s master, Carsein, asked her to prepare for his outing.

Claire met someone while waiting for him.

“There, you’re Claire?”

“…Head Maid Emma.”

Head Maid Emma.

Her boss, who had become increasingly irritable lately.

“You’re really Claire? I heard you were released from solitary confinement. Why haven’t you shown your face?”

“…”

“Well, whatever. I don’t care. Regardless of how you were freed, your job remains the same.”

Claire bit her tongue, suppressing what she wanted to say, and remained silent.

Then Emma took out cash from her purse and showed it to her.

“Are you ready to work again for the Duke’s house?”

Emma didn’t care how Claire was freed. For Claire, who acted based on payment, this advance payment would remove any hesitation and solidify her motivation to act.

Somehow, lowering Carsein’s reputation and diminishing his presence to restore the Duke’s house’s dignity couldn’t be better suited than Claire.

“Looks like you’re heading out. I’ll lay the groundwork. Don’t worry and go. Just tell me what you did outside. I’ll instruct the coachman accordingly.”

Emma, smiling, returned to her original place after giving Claire the money.

Claire held different items in each hand. In one hand was the hood Carsein wore, and in the other, the cash given by Emma.

They couldn’t coexist.

Claire was caught in a bind, forced to choose either to follow Carsein or obey Emma’s orders and take the bribe to perform tasks.

With a firm resolve, she decided.

-Krunch.

Claire crumpled the money pouch in her left hand and stuffed it into her maid uniform pocket.

Time passed, and the appointment time approached.

“Mr. Marvin. It’s getting late, but would it be okay to bring Mr. Carsein along?”

“Ms. Claire bringing him herself? Why?”

“Because… I received instructions beforehand.”

“Hmm. Fair enough. She reports to two people with different information anyway. Go ahead.”

Marvin seemed indifferent.

Claire smoothly left her post and could bring the items Carsein mentioned to the designated meeting spot.

When Carsein arrived after meeting with Harrier,

“I see you’ve arrived, Young Master.”

She responded to Carsein without revealing her emotions.

***

Claire stood prepared as instructed.

“I see you’ve arrived, Young Master.”

The game rarely gives free action time, especially when trying to clear episodes and avoid dead flags.

After the episode of Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, even gathering information took only a few minutes, risking danger by entering restricted areas.

Even counting the early morning hours, the free action time obtained by taking this outing was all the more precious.

“All the preparations are ready.”

She had met Sheiden beforehand and requested a drawing. A hood to hide her appearance. A bag to conceal the object’s appearance. And other miscellaneous items.

This should suffice.

“The problem is… I’ve never ridden this before.”

-Sigh.

No, perhaps it’s more accurate to say I’m hesitant.

In the game, I rode horses.

Although South Korea has good security and walking at night might only result in meeting bad people, here, the night streets could lead to a bad ending.

So, to save time, I needed to enter the place before the sun fully set.

But…

-Sigh, sigh.

Damn.

Honestly, it’s scary. While books depict horses as a common mode of transportation for soldiers and generals, ordinary people don’t use them.

Cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, scooters—modern transportation methods seem incredibly desirable.

-Ding!

▶The current episode IV outdoor branch is in progress!◀

▶Travel by horse!◀

Amidst my anxiety, the status window automatically appeared.

At this point, there was no choice. I had to take the plunge and try riding a horse. Even though I’ve never ridden a horse, not even during the Jeju Island school trip.

Swallowing my frustration, I tried to close the status window, but it reappeared with text.

After repeatedly closing it, the system offered a bribe.

▶System failure detected.◀

▶For episode progression, a choice is being forced.◀

[1. Travel by horse.]

▶The forced action depends on the selected option.◀

‘Huh? Uh uh uh?’

Without any resistance, the system continuously displayed the single option, and my body moved on its own toward the horse.

And then, with a familiar movement, I mounted the horse.

‘…Huh?’

Though my body felt foreign when mounting, once on the horse, it felt natural.

Contrary to my fears, the horse was quite docile.

After holding the reins and moving a few steps, the horse understood my intentions and moved smoothly. It wasn’t difficult… perhaps due to the game system?

‘No, it doesn’t matter why. I need to ride this now.’

I must obtain that item to completely extinguish my dead trigger.

Suddenly, Claire called out to me.

“Excuse me, Young Master.”

“Why?”

“Could I also go with you?”

“With me? Where are you going?”

“I don’t know where, but having me along would surely help.”

Hmm.

Taking a maid to that place wouldn’t be helpful.

The place I’m going isn’t a regular shop.

However, hearing Claire lower her voice, I reconsidered.

“The coachman seems to be monitoring your movements.”

Monitoring my movements.

That means whoever sent me is trying to track my movements from the Duke’s mansion.

If there’s a chance of suspicion,

To avoid that suspicion,

Going with Claire would be safer.

‘There’s something unsettling about it, but…’

This is the right decision.

“Do you have clothes to hide your appearance?”

“I prepared hoods just in case.”

“Good. We’ll only ride one horse.”

“…”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“That’s…”

Claire hesitated, making me shiver with chills. As if embarrassed, she huddled.

Oh, no.

You too?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to ride a horse…”

My bad intuition didn’t fail me.

Asking her to ride behind me was obvious.

At that moment, the status window—or rather, a forced choice by the system—reappeared.

[1. Travel by horse.]

My body moved automatically. I helped Claire onto the saddle after dismounting gracefully.

“Ugh.”

Surprisingly, it wasn’t difficult after giving it a try.

Thanks to the system, I could ride the horse and return before sunset.

***

By the time I got used to riding, the desired location appeared.

Eighth Street. Despite hosting notable shops like Ohella Boutique, this bustling street was not the type of place nobles frequented.

Ironically, even though it was right next to the busy street, stepping twenty feet away made it feel like a stark contrast. This was the location Sheiden worried about and drew on the map.

Entering here required full alertness.

“Master. This place…”

“Shh. Don’t use that title here. It might draw attention.”

“Ah, I understand. Then what should I call you?”

“Just use formal terms. They won’t mind that much.”

“Got it.”

Several intimidating-looking individuals were present. If a noble revealed themselves here, they’d immediately attract attention.

And then… they’d take everything.

Like encountering a bad ending in the game.

“I would have been short on time if I hadn’t come by horse.”

Soon, it felt like the sun was about to set.

I needed to quickly finish my business and leave this place.

Following the map, a seemingly normal shop appeared.

“Welcome.”

A man with squinted eyes glanced at me and Claire while working on some items.

Claire avoided eye contact with the shop owner as instructed.

The inside of the shop was dilapidated and dimly lit. The lighting was barely visible except where necessary, and it was vastly different from a typical store.

This place feels like an underground market.

-Ding.

Even though I slightly advanced the episode, the choices didn’t differ much.

Relieved, I examined the items and pointed at what I needed.

“This one, this one, and this one. Can you add them up?”

“Hmm. Wait a moment.”

The shop owner tapped the calculator and quickly gave a price. I already knew the cost and was just waiting to pay. But…

“This is short? It totals 1700 peseles.”

What?

The price is off. It shouldn’t be this in the game.

“Hey. I want to know the detailed prices of the items.”

“Did you come all the way here just to question the price?”

“No, I need to know which ones are expensive.”

“Hmm… Well.”

The shop owner started writing the prices on paper without saying anything.

The other items matched the prices I knew from the game. They matched the prices I saw in the game, and even when I asked about other items, I received the same answer.

Except for one.

“…Why does this one overshoot the price?”

The most expensive medicine was priced 200 peseles higher than in the main game.

All I did differently was try to buy it earlier, but the price difference was this significant.

“Note that I won’t negotiate on this.”

I knew. Trying to negotiate with this shop owner would mean no future transactions.

“Can’t be helped.”

I needed to purchase these items, even if I had to sell what I brought.

At that moment, a hand reached over and dropped cash.

“200 peseles will be paid from here.”