Chapter 93

# 93

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Right after Lark shouted at her to leave, Nabiya immediately returned to her room.

"What did I do wrong...?"

Just like last time, she couldn’t understand what about her had made him angry.

Was he just angry because he disliked her?

If so, she understood.

Having lived her life so far, she realized that people didn’t necessarily dislike her for clear reasons. They just disliked her for existing, for breathing in their vicinity. They found her simply repulsive and contemptible.

'But it was definitely fun, wasn’t it?'

Nabiya shook her head.

She should have just delivered the food and left.

'Why did I even suggest having breakfast together with the Duke? How presumptuous and foolish of me.'

She really didn’t know her place.

'Nabiya Esselred.'

Nabiya laughed bitterly.

The mere fact that she had momentarily dreamed of her name, which bore the Esselred surname, made her cheeks burn.

'I must have said something ridiculous because the environment suddenly improved.'

"I should have eaten less."

Nabiya recalled how Lark had devoured the sandwiches she left behind without any qualms.

...It felt like having a father.

"Get out right now!"

Nabiya shook her head as if trying to shake off the memory.

'I’m not hurt.'

It was just a little concerning.

She was worried that he might tell her to leave because she was annoying. That was the only reason it bothered her.

Compared to the countless insults Wood had hurled at her, Lark’s words were almost gentlemanly.

'Anyway, maybe it’s better to stay out of sight on the second floor until the Duke’s mood improves?'

If she could prove her worth, then things would be better, right?

"Am I being too optimistic?"

Nabiya sneered at herself.

When did she start thinking so loosely, Nabiya?

You have to constantly prove yourself.

Because no one wants you.

Nabiya closed her eyes for a moment and rubbed her temples.

Instead of getting carried away, she should have proven her usefulness.

'I need to be of help. And as quickly as possible.'

With a sense of urgency, Nabiya took the silver coins and headed out.

She couldn’t afford to be relaxed for even a moment.

Living diligently and industriously wasn’t enough; she had to live desperately and urgently.

"Miss Nabiya?"

Margaret, who had just seen Schleman off on the first floor, approached Nabiya with a puzzled look as she climbed the central staircase.

"Miss Margaret."

"Is everything alright here?"

Nabiya replied calmly.

"I thought it would be better for me to stay on the second floor while thinking about Charlotte."

Margaret looked at Nabiya steadily, her deep gaze making Nabiya, uncharacteristically, want to avoid eye contact.

Why did she feel that way? She couldn’t understand it herself.

"Did something happen?"

At her question, the feeling of tightness in Nabiya’s chest intensified.

Nabiya forced a smile and replied.

"No, nothing happened."

Really, what had just occurred was nothing. It wasn’t worth making a fuss over or feeling sad about. It was completely insignificant.

But why did her chest feel so constricted?

'Should I take some medicine for indigestion?'

Nabiya wanted to thump her chest with her fist, but she didn’t want to worry Margaret, so she remained composed.

Her face, however, had already turned pale.

"...Your face is pale."

"Maybe it’s because I ate too much for breakfast. My stomach feels a bit tight."

"I’ll bring some medicine. Can you wait a moment?"

Nabiya shook her head.

"I’m fine. It’s just indigestion, so I think moving around a bit will help. Oh, and I’ll be going out for a while."

Margaret gently suggested.

"Then let’s go together?"

When facing Margaret, Nabiya felt like an eight-year-old child.

Perhaps it was because Margaret was so kind.

Nabiya didn’t want to disappoint someone who showed her such undeserved kindness.

Proving her worth should have been something she did long ago.

"I’m fine. I’ll be back soon."

Margaret looked a bit worried and pulled out a beautifully embroidered pouch from her pocket.

"Then at least take some money, just in case. Here, use this."

"No, I have money."

She showed her palm with the five silver coins.

"Then put those silver coins in this pouch and take it with you."

Margaret opened the pouch and placed the silver coins inside, then tightly closed it and handed it to Nabiya.

Nabiya, who had taken the pouch by reflex, hesitated to give it back.

Instead, she thanked her for the unexpected kindness.

"Thank you..."

Her voice was a bit choked, but it came out as if nothing was wrong.

"Then I’ll be back soon."

As Nabiya was about to leave, Margaret stopped her.

"You need to wear a coat! It’s too cold outside, and you’ll catch a cold with just that dress."

But Nabiya didn’t have a coat, so she was about to say she was fine when Margaret summoned a shadow bird and sent it flying. The bird returned at an incredible speed with a child-sized cloak.

"It’s old, but it should fit you well."

The cloak’s design was clearly outdated, but it was so well-maintained that it showed no signs of age beyond its style.

Nabiya could tell that this was a precious item to Margaret, even though she didn’t know whose it was.

"I’ll return it clean."

"No, you can keep this coat, Miss Nabiya."

"But it’s precious to you, Miss Margaret."

Margaret looked slightly surprised, then smiled gently.

"You’re very considerate, Miss Nabiya."

Nabiya couldn’t agree with the compliment and simply bowed.

"...I’ll be back soon."

Nabiya left the mansion as planned and walked to the small bustling area nearby. It took her about an hour to get there.

Her cheeks were red from the cold air as she hailed a carriage.

"Please take me to the Grand Theater on Jenodic Street."

Nabiya got into the carriage and fell into a silent contemplation.

The most effective way to prove her worth was to fill a gap or remove a weakness for the other party.

In the case of the Esselreds, the gap was money, and the weakness was the anesthetic herb.

Nabiya intended to use the anesthetic herb to stop Theodor from being a nuisance.

"We’ve arrived. Please get out."

The carriage driver, despite Nabiya being a child traveling alone without any attendants, acted politely.

Her appearance and demeanor were so extraordinary that he treated her as if she were a princess from some noble family.

'She must be a child from a prestigious family who snuck out to play without her attendants.'

As Nabiya got out of the carriage and paid the driver, she turned her gaze to the front, where a massive stone building came into view.

It was the Grand Theater named 'Campanella.'

Nabiya’s business wasn’t with the theater itself. She planned to sell information at the coffee house attached to the back of Campanella.

Bang!

Nabiya turned a corner and bumped into someone.

"Oof...!"

Just as she was about to fall backward helplessly, a firm hand caught her safely.