Chapter 77

"How did you get here...?"

I hesitated, wondering if I should reveal that he was the Prince Orca, but he tilted his head in confusion as I greeted him.

"I've been in the capital for quite some time now. It's not strange for me to be wandering around the bustling area, is it?"

"Yes, I knew you had arrived in the capital. You left our territory in a hurry and I heard that His Highness had already given a heads-up to the guards, so you passed through smoothly."

"Oh, did the captain of the guard help you?"

Prince Orca smiled broadly and asked me. For some reason, he seemed like a dog eager for praise, a thought that didn't quite fit the image of the notorious Prince Orca. Fortunately, my rationality kicked in, and I managed to prevent myself from blurting out a compliment.

"Yes, I'm grateful for the attention."

"At Eilsworth, I was in your debt, so this is my way of repaying you. Besides, the baroness is my only fan, so I had to pay extra attention."

"Oh, y-yes... it's an honor..."

It seemed I wouldn't be able to shake off the image of being a 'fervent fan' of Prince Orca. If the conversation continued, would I have to praise Prince Orca as a 'fervent fan'? That would probably be the most natural thing to do. But what should I praise him for...? While I was pondering this, the shopkeeper thankfully intervened.

"Your Highness, you've arrived."

The shopkeeper's proper greeting suggested that Prince Orca wasn't out for a casual stroll while hiding his identity.

"Are you here to pick up the watch you left for repair? I'll fetch it right away."

The shopkeeper bowed politely and quickly went to the back to bring out a small, obviously expensive-looking box. When the shopkeeper, now wearing white gloves, carefully opened the box, a watch as luxurious as the box itself was revealed.

"The magic stone has been replaced, so it should work fine now."

I could see a very small magic stone embedded in the part the shopkeeper pointed to, shimmering with energy, clearly full of power.

'But it doesn't seem to be a very good magic stone.'

Of course, it wouldn't be a low-quality stone for the prince's watch, but compared to the high-quality Eilsworth magic stones I was used to, it fell short. Prince Orca, perhaps sensing my mood, shrugged as he put the watch in his pocket.

"High-quality Eilsworth magic stones are rare. They haven't even started circulating in the capital, so the repairman did well to get this level of magic stone."

"I have nothing to say..."

I noticed the shopkeeper was listening intently, his eyes wide.

"It was the best magic stone we could get. Are you saying Eilsworth magic stones are even better?"

"Yes, I've seen them myself. Have you heard about the new magic stone mine discovered in the Eastern Empire?"

"Yes, the rumors were rampant. Ah! So, could it be...?"

Prince Orca's confirmation made the shopkeeper's already wide eyes even wider. He seemed to have been waiting for this reaction, and with a gentle smile, he naturally passed the speaking turn to me.

"If you're interested, you should talk to this lady. She is the owner of the magic stone mine, the Baroness of Eilsworth."

"Owner of the magic stone mine!"

The shopkeeper's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"Oh, I nearly failed to recognize such a distinguished guest. Showing you this humble watch...!"

The shopkeeper, already polite, bowed even deeper and pushed the pocket watch he had shown me earlier to one side.

'They looked quite luxurious to me.'

Of course, compared to the watch Prince Orca had repaired, they seemed lacking... But the watches the shopkeeper hurriedly brought out from the safe were no less impressive than Prince Orca's. One in particular caught my eye, a pocket watch with a black finish.

'Is it because Altear has black hair?'

It was a slightly childish reason, but I preferred the dark, matte black watch over the gold or silver ones. The dial, which looked like a piece of the sky, and the intricate inner workings were also appealing.

"Would you like this one?"

The shopkeeper, noticing my lingering gaze, asked skillfully. Prince Orca added a few words from the side.

"It's a good watch. You can feel the craftsman's attention to detail."

If the prince recommended it, my eye wasn't wrong.

"I'll take this one."

"An excellent choice."

The shopkeeper smiled and showed me the price tag. It was within the expected range, so there was no problem.

"Charge the payment to the Baroness of Eilsworth, who is staying at the von Baine estate."

"The von Baine estate... Ah, the lady is from the von Baine family! I'll do that."

This time, he deliberately emphasized 'von Baine estate,' and as expected, the shopkeeper reacted. The von Baine family's reputation in the capital was solid, so he intended to use it to his advantage.

"Would you like to take it now, or have it delivered to your residence?"

"Since it's a gift, I'll take it myself."

"Very well, I'll package it for you right away."

Perhaps because I decided to buy it without haggling, the shopkeeper disappeared to the back with a broad smile. I let out a sigh of relief, and Prince Orca, standing next to me, was staring at me intently. His gaze was quite subtle.

"Did you deliberately mention the von Baine family's name?"

'Ugh. Did I use the family's reputation too obviously...?'

I cleared my throat in embarrassment and subtly avoided his gaze.

"It's true that I'm staying at the von Baine estate."

"Ha ha. That's true. You must be quite tired. Your cousin is not an easy person."

"Oh."

I remembered that Prince Orca had gone to the capital with Melissa. Wondering if something had happened, I looked at Prince Orca, who shrugged.

"Speaking ill of a lady is not a gentleman's virtue."

In other words, he had done something worth speaking ill of.

'How can he criticize someone so elegantly?'

It was a skill worth learning.

"You've been waiting, madam."

While I was admiring this, the shopkeeper handed me the watch, carefully packaged. With the gift bought, there was no reason to stay any longer. There was even less reason to have a leisurely conversation with Prince Orca. I needed to move quickly to spend money as the 'Baroness of Eilsworth' in the bustling area. But no matter how long I waited, Prince Orca didn't say goodbye. Instead, he asked naturally, as if we had been a group from the beginning.

"Where are we going next?"

***

After Nadia left the von Baine estate to go shopping, Altear was walking around the estate alone. Of course, it was a reconnaissance mission disguised as a stroll. Cain, who was walking beside him, was yawning widely, not acting like a knight. If Altear had been walking the corridors alone, everyone would have been shocked and pale, but thanks to Cain's casual demeanor, the servants didn't seem to be on high alert.

However, despite his casual appearance, Cain's whispered words were sharp.

"There were no particularly unusual movements within the estate. It doesn't seem like they invited us here to harm us."

Altear could understand every word of the whispered conversation.

"They won't try to kill me. If I die, the fortune the marquis covets will go to an unknown successor. If they were to target someone, it would be..."

Nadia. Altear didn't say the ominous words out loud, but Cain was clearly aware of the situation. He also had questions.

"When the lady passes away, the relationship between Eilsworth and von Baine will be completely severed. Then, no matter how much wealth Eilsworth has, what good is it? Wouldn't it be better to persuade the lady to siphon off the wealth to her family?"

Cain didn't know how the marquis had treated Nadia, but Altear had thoroughly investigated the von Baine family through Blan. He knew the relationship between Nadia and the marquis clearly. However, this was a matter of Nadia's dignity, so it wasn't something to be discussed openly. Instead of giving a long explanation to Cain, Altear hinted at a plan the marquis might be considering.

"The marquis has another daughter."

"Ah!"

Cain, who had been whispering, let out a loud, strange sound.

"That strange woman? You can't mean... to get rid of the lady and push that woman in?"

"Perhaps."

"Eh? How can you think of making your nephew-in-law your son-in-law?"

"Nobles will do anything to protect their family's status and wealth."

Cain was a knight, but Altear was a noble. He understood the nature of nobles well. It was crucial to prevent the wrong person from inheriting the wealth and title. After all, Altear had rushed into marriage to prevent such a situation.

"So don't let your guard down around Nadia. Make sure to have guards accompany her when she goes out."

"Yes, I've already assigned three of them."

Cain shrugged and shook his head.

"If you're going to worry so much, why not decline the marquis's invitation? That would have been cleaner."

"To catch a lion, you have to enter the lion's den."

The von Baine family was not an easy target. To properly catch them, infiltration was necessary.

"If that's the case, the marquis is the lion, and the von Baine estate is the lion's den... Isn't that a bit too much?"

Cain frowned, disagreeing. Altear narrowed his eyes, and Cain pointed to the marquis, who was walking towards them.

"The marquis is just a mouse, and the von Baine estate is a mouse hole. Look, he's scurrying over here like a mouse, hearing us walking around."

As soon as Cain's whisper ended, the marquis raised his voice and approached Altear with a feigned greeting.

"Oh, to meet you here. Have you recovered from the journey?"

"Yes, thanks to your attention."

"Then I must treat you to a proper dinner tonight. The von Baine's banquet is excellent."

"I would be honored to attend if you invite me."

"Invite? There's no need to be so formal. By the way, many people here want to meet you. Since you don't have many connections here, I'd like to introduce you."

It seemed like a gesture of consideration, but it was actually a display of his influence.

"Thank you."

Altear bowed politely, and the marquis smiled, thinking, 'Of course!'

However, the smile was brief.

"But I have many prior commitments arranged by letter, so it's difficult to find time separately."

"Letters...? You don't know the capital nobility well. The starting point is very important. If you make the wrong connections, it can be very difficult later. Who did you make an appointment with?"

"I have an appointment with the Duke of Bioskes."

"Bioskes?!"

The Duke of Bioskes was the emperor's father-in-law. Even the marquis couldn't find fault with a real capital noble. Altear, knowing this, tilted his head innocently.

"Is the duke an unsuitable starting point for connections, according to you? I would be happy to hear your advice."

"N-no! Don't say that anywhere."

The marquis quickly denied it, worried that the rumor of speaking ill of the duke would spread. Cain mouthed 'mouse' and clicked his tongue, and Altear inwardly laughed. Of course, it wasn't the right time to show hostility.

"Actually, I have a separate request for the marquis."

"Oh, what is it?"

The marquis, who had been deflated, perked up at the word 'request.' Altear placed his right hand on his left chest and bowed politely.

"I would like to place flowers at the tomb of the previous marquis and his wife. I should pay my respects to my wife's parents, shouldn't I?"

The marquis's face, which had brightened at the mention of the 'previous marquis and his wife,' hardened again.