Chapter 81

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* * *

Sighing, I took a breath.

After temporarily parting ways with Sisi and the others, I was in the middle of inspecting the clothing store. Since there are times when I become vulnerable, such as during fittings, the store is closed to the public. I was sitting alone on a long chair in a private room that also serves as a fitting room. A small fireplace was lit, providing a comfortable warmth to the room.

On the long chair, there was a large, fluffy teddy bear. It was probably one of the store's furnishings?

When I touched it, it felt so soft. I had seen such plush toys in my previous life, but this was the first time I saw one in Esphia. There were porcelain dolls, but stuffed animals were rare. I really wanted to hug it tightly, but... I had to hold back. After all, Hugh and the others were watching! If it were Clifford, he wouldn't care, but...

---

The city below the castle in Esphia is divided into four parts: east, west, south, and north. Each part has its own city gate. However, if you broadly divide it, there are only two main areas. The north side, closest to the castle, is where many nobles and the wealthy live and frequent. The south side is where the majority of the population resides. The trends in the stores also vary depending on the area. For example, the square where the ceremony was held is right in the center of the capital.

The store I am currently visiting in 'Clothing' is located quite far south in the eastern part of the city. It seems to aim to be a clothing store that both nobles and commoners can use. It opened last spring, and I caught wind of it through the maid network, but the location is not ideal. Since it's on the south side, it doesn't get many noble customers. However, when I saw the clothes that a maid had actually bought, the quality was excellent, so I had been keeping an eye on the store.

The owner is a woman, and her name is Merina. She's probably in her thirties. According to a recent re-investigation, the green dress that Lady Rosalind, the Countess of Ledington, wore at the semi-formal ball was also made by Merina. However, Merina's name is not publicly known, as she is only credited as a collaborator.

Even though she has her own store, she also works as a subcontractor for high-end clothing stores in the north. I can imagine how difficult it must be to run a store, even with talent. It's even more challenging for a woman in Esphia.

---

I was pondering.

I was trying to act as Princess Camone, but I didn't want to cause trouble for Merina...

A quick idea that came to mind was to change into commoner's clothes and attempt to escape. The fitting room is a place where I can be alone. In fact, I am alone right now. Most importantly, there is a window. It has decorative bars, so it's not easy to remove, but...

The main issue is that the only entrance to the fitting room, which connects to the hallway, is wide open. I can see Hugh, Guy, and Eilair through the open door, and they can see me too.

Should I give up on Camone...?

For now, I'll hold off on this plan. It seems physically impossible, and even if I could do it, it would be Merina's responsibility. No matter how much I want to create a stir, causing damage to the store during an inspection is out of the question! It's a forbidden move!

Before showing the clothes, I took a break to think, but I couldn't come up with a good plan for Camone... It's hard to create an opportunity that would please the troublemakers without causing too much trouble...

So far, based on my senses, the inspection seems to be going smoothly. That's great, but I want to use this time meaningfully, even if it's not as Camone!

---

The reason is that my brother has stepped out for a moment. A messenger bird from the castle arrived for him.

Apparently, during the inspection, the castle sends updates every hour. The messenger birds fly to a designated spot in the city, where they are collected and delivered to my brother. Since I am inside the store and the internal security is ensured, my brother is currently checking the content delivered by the messenger bird. And because my brother's attention is elsewhere, there might be something I can do...

I quickly opened the 'Black Fan' and looked around the room, healing myself with its familiar fluffiness while focusing on the three visible figures.

Ah, Guy and Eilair flinched. Hugh didn't seem to be bothered.

Hmm...?

After a few seconds of observing the three, nothing came to mind... Ah, through Guy, I can see a pure white wedding dress displayed in the store. Wedding dresses... They're so beautiful... In Esphia, weddings are similar to the chapel-style weddings in my previous life in Japan. They take only the key points from that style. The bride wears a pure white dress and a wedding ring on the ring finger of her left hand.

...

I suddenly felt the urge to bury my face in the fluffy teddy bear and collapse. Since I can't do that, I brought the 'Black Fan' closer to my face.

I haven't even had a boyfriend, let alone gotten married...

Finding a fake boyfriend is already a struggle...

In this situation, I should probably use my princess power...

Dark thoughts began to arise.

But the person...

I looked at the three again.

--- Is there a suitable target?

I quickly closed the 'Black Fan'.

"Guy, Eilair"

I called out to them in the direction of the open door.

"While observing the inspection... I feel that it would be best to have individual conversations with each of you early on. After all, I am the one who designated you."

I gave a plausible reason.

"First, Guy. Let's start with you. --- Is that okay? Hugh. I'll leave the door open."

Hugh bowed, indicating no objections.

However, Guy looked at Hugh with a "Eh? Is it okay?" expression. He didn't say it out loud, which was probably the right choice.

But Hugh was merciless.

"It's the will of Princess Octavia."

"Huh!"

Guy saluted and said, "Excuse me..." as he entered the fitting room.

"Sit down."

"Huh!"

Guy sat down on the fluffy long chair with stiff movements. He looked uncomfortable. However, I had something important to propose to Guy.

But I didn't want anyone else to hear...

The method would be to speak in a low voice, or perhaps write it down...

Ideally, I would prefer to write it down... The soldiers' training includes classroom sessions, and they should have learned basic reading and writing in Esphia. Since Guy is a new recruit... I wonder if he can...

"Guy, can you read and write?"

Guy, who was tense, showed a hint of confusion and relaxed a little.

"I am... still learning. I can read simple books for children. As for writing, I can write my name and military terms..."

"Understood."

Great!

Guy can read simple sentences! We can communicate in writing!

I put the 'Black Fan' aside and took out unused memo paper and a pencil from the dress pocket.

I removed the cap from the pencil and, holding the memo paper with my left hand, which was a bit unstable due to the gloves, I quickly wrote down a proposal instead of a question.

'Will you be my fake boyfriend?'

Perfect!

Even someone who is just learning to read... Even I, who struggled with Esphia's language, can easily read this. It should work!

"Please read this. It's a question from me. Please keep it confidential."

"Huh..."

"It's not directly related to the inspection, but it's very important."

I turned the paper around and showed the written side to Guy.

"!"

Guy's eyes widened.

"Please answer with 'Yes' or 'No'."

I placed the memo paper and pencil on a small table.

I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had done it. The search for a fake boyfriend had been difficult, but while observing the three waiting in the hallway, I had my eye on Guy.

His name is Guy Pewts. When my angelic brother, Alek, was about to set out on a secret mission, he entrusted the messenger role to Guy, a new recruit. That alone earned him high marks from me! I also gave him extra points for not being a named character in the original story.

Plus, he looks good! His features remind me a bit of a Japanese person. His black eyes and black hair make him very relatable! His ordinary appearance is also a high point for me as a former high school girl! I like handsome people, but Guy's appeal is higher than most handsome people I've seen!

Lastly, he is a soldier.

Regardless of whether he is from a noble or commoner background, he is someone I can fully use my princess power on!

Yes, I decided to use my power to get a fake boyfriend...

Hooray for darkness!

Of course, I couldn't ignore Guy's will, so I gave him the choice! It was abrupt and out of context, but the content of my question wouldn't change no matter when or where I asked.

Well, what will his answer be?

"..."

Guy was silent, looking down.

"..."

He clenched his fists on his knees and remained silent.

I waited with high hopes. If Guy agreed to be my fake boyfriend, the issue of public debut would be resolved quickly! I could make it a temporary contract and, when the dust settles, announce a breakup due to my responsibility...

Even though it's an abuse of power, I would need to prepare a reward for him. What does Guy want? I should try to provide some form of convenience.

"--- Princess Octavia"

Guy, who had been looking down, raised his face.

"Even if I wanted to answer, I find it difficult to make a judgment based on this question alone..."

That's a valid point. But...

"I can't provide a detailed explanation unless your answer is 'Yes'."

I will explain everything! But only after he agrees to be a co-conspirator!

"No"

"..."

Huh?