Chapter 26

The next day.

Lord Joshua, as promised, went to the knights' quarters to commend them for their performance yesterday.

The knights looked at Lord Joshua with grateful eyes. It was almost a matter of faith. This was something else.

Although Lord Joshua has a young and beautiful appearance, which makes one let their guard down, he is said to be an extremely formidable opponent in battle. According to the knights, his style is orthodox, but his strategy is rather underhanded.

I can understand that.

He's surprisingly devious, this one.

After that, for some reason, Lord Joshua also accompanied me on my shopping.

He took me to a dress shop that caters to the nobility.

We decided to prepare a dress for the ball tomorrow.

I wanted to refuse, but after being thoroughly defeated by Cecilia last night, I couldn't be too strong. I was just not up to it.

Actually, I had been nominated as a partner for the New Year's Royal Ball.

I was told to prepare a dress, but I chose to focus on the marching performance training. I thought it would be necessary to lead the unfamiliar troops from the province to the capital.

Giving a dress as a gift is a special relationship between a man and a woman. Moreover, Lord Joshua is rumored to be the fiancé of the shrine maiden, a well-known figure.

Even if the situation allows it, I want to avoid anything that might lead to rumors of a love affair.

Am I just a stand-in?

I've almost given up on the hope of marriage, but if there's even a slim chance, it would be too dishonorable to be involved in something I have no interest in.

However, I didn't have the courage to go to the ball hosted by the Southwestern Border Lord Zadkiel, who stands shoulder to shoulder with the king, in a dress that was criticized for its lack of taste. I was just not up to it.

I'm quite petite, so finding a ready-made dress that fits my body type and age is quite a challenge, but as expected, it's a shop that caters to the nobility.

They said they would alter it and bring it to the mansion by tomorrow afternoon.

Hmm, I felt their professional spirit.

But, I wonder if I can transform myself with the cosmetics I have. Sigh, that's why I hate it. No matter how much money you have, it's never enough for dressing up.

There's no choice, I'll have to cry to Cecilia, whom I have an appointment with tomorrow.

After that, several knights, including Lord Joshua, went out into the city.

To buy souvenirs for the capital.

Everyone said they didn't know what kind of souvenirs to get, so I suggested we go to a confectionery shop I frequent, and the knights burst out laughing. Even Lord Joshua.

What's so funny?

"How much do you love sweets, Priestess! Are you a child?"

"No! I don't just like them, I need them! Candy is good for the throat!"

"Sure, sure. Then, let us express our gratitude by giving them to you."

Oh, thank you.

When I said I wanted a jewelry box, it was amusing to see the knights get flustered.

Of course, at a confectionery shop, a jewelry box means a box of sweets.

The shop assistant brought out a beautiful box of candies and jellies, saying it was for the songstresses.

It's a standard gift for the songstresses, as I go to the temple at night.

The knights, who liked the stylish box not found in the provinces, all bought it as a souvenir.

Next, we went to a music shop. Strings for repairs, tools, new sheet music, and staff paper.

Here, we could put it on the Carving Province's tab.

Of course, because we're repairing the province's instruments.

A familiar shop assistant knew about yesterday's imperial performance and was surprised to learn that I was from the Carving Province.

He was even more surprised when the lord and the knights came to the shop.

The rumors about Lord Joshua's beauty made him jump in surprise.

"Hey! You should have told me about this! I should have called the press!"

The performance we gave yesterday was already a topic of rumor.

It seems they intended to sell the news of our entry into the shop, which was favored by His Majesty, to the popular newspapers that have recently been circulating.

How low. I casually mocked them, and the brotherly older sister figure scolded me, saying I should repay the shop's kindness.

I haven't received enough favor to repay yet!