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I am at the magical tool workshop ‘Groble’, located in a corner of the luxury section of the department store.

This place handles repairs for products purchased by VIPs visiting the department store.

In short, it’s the luxury after-sales service center of the department store.

The reason I visited the department store on the weekend was because there was someone I was looking for here.

“Bad timing. That guy retired not long ago,” said Arthur Ruelberta.

“Originally, he was in charge of this workshop, but when I took over and decided to remodel, he didn’t like it and quit. We’re still using the same shop name, though…”

“I see.”

I guess I should have come a bit earlier.

But there’s still hope.

The person I’m looking for is an old friend of Arthur’s from his hometown.

“By the way, why are you suddenly looking for Albert? That guy might have been something back in the day, but now he’s old and probably can’t even swing a hammer properly.”

“An older craftsman may not have the strength of a younger one, but they have more experience.”

Albert Groble.

A top-tier magic craftsman who has invented numerous magical tools.

I need to find him.

“Is that so… Hmm… I haven’t heard from him lately, but leave it to me. It’s not a big deal to introduce him to you. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m your guardian, aren’t I? This much is nothing.”

Arthur patted my shoulder.

After William died and young Tristan became the head of the family, Arthur became the guardian.

He was an excellent manager.

He managed the family’s assets on behalf of Tristan and greatly expanded the business.

Without him, the Ruelberta family wouldn’t have grown this much.

“Tsk… What a waste of a trip. Since you’re here, why don’t you hang out for a bit?”

“Yes.”

“Be nice to that cute little servant of yours.”

“…I’ll handle that myself.”

“Hehehe… Sure, sure.”

Arthur laughed as if he found it amusing.

It felt like the way a father looks at his son.

Feeling that gaze, I suddenly felt embarrassed.

If it weren’t for ‘Pride’, my emotions might have been exposed.

“You’ll figure it out. Take care.”

With that, I left the shop.

The department store was still packed with people.

Now, I need to find Wendy…

I have no idea where she is or what she’s doing.

Let’s take a look around first.

She’s so clueless that I should be able to spot her from a distance.

I had just started walking when it happened.

“Don’t move.”

Something sharp pressed against my stomach, as if it could pierce through at any moment.

Someone was reaching into my coat pocket.

Just as I was about to turn my head to see who it was…

“Hold my waist. Make it look natural.”

“……”

The blade pressed harder into my stomach.

It stung a little, as if it had already pricked me.

I obediently followed the person’s instructions and held their waist.

It was surprisingly slender.

“Quietly head to the rooftop. I have some questions for you. If you try anything funny…”

Finally, I got a look at the bold criminal threatening me in broad daylight.

“I’ll skin you alive.”

A woman with a black ponytail was glaring at me.

Unfortunately, it was a face I recognized.

She played a significant role in the game’s scenario where Tristan dies.

I muttered her name.

“Blanshe…”

“Yes. Did you want to see me? Tristan.”

*

“Wow…”

Wendy’s mouth hung open.

All around her were expensive-looking clothes, bags, and accessories.

Moreover, the people browsing the store were all nobles.

For them, this place must be part of their everyday life.

Thinking that, Wendy suddenly felt intimidated.

‘Even though the Count doesn’t seem to care about the cost…’

As the Count’s servant, she couldn’t recklessly spend her master’s wealth.

No, she wouldn’t.

‘Not a single Kael should be wasted…!’

Wendy desperately scanned her surroundings.

The store seemed to only carry high-end items, but she found a slightly more affordable-looking section and entered.

“Welcome.”

“Ye… yes…”

The employee at the entrance smiled brightly.

Wendy awkwardly returned the greeting.

Was this the right way to do it?

She felt uneasy.

‘Stay calm, Wendy. You’re the Count’s exclusive maid.’

She pretended to be familiar and browsed the store’s clothes.

They were definitely nice.

Even someone as clueless about luxury as her could tell the materials were high-quality and soft.

“Huh?”

Among them, a black cloak on a mannequin caught her eye.

The fur cloak shimmered under the lights.

‘It’s similar in color to the coat the Count lent me before…’

It was a women’s design, but aside from the fur trim around the neck, it looked quite similar.

When she glanced at the price tag, Wendy’s eyes nearly popped out.

‘2,220,000 Kael?!’

So shocked that she froze, an employee approached her.

“Customer, you have a good eye. This is from this season, originally priced at 3,990,000 Kael, but it’s on sale today, so you can get it at this price.”

“3…3,990,000 Kael…?”

“Yes. The fur on the cloak’s collar is from a snow fox’s tail, making it quite rare. At this price, it’s a real bargain.”

Wendy felt dizzy.

When she first became a servant at the Count’s estate, her monthly salary was around 1,000,000 Kael.

She sent most of that to her family in the countryside.

After that, her living expenses were practically zero.

Thankfully, room and board were provided.

Until recently, she had been mending her torn socks and apron every night, as she only had one maid uniform.

‘3,990,000 Kael… roughly 4,000,000 Kael…’

About four times her starting salary.

Now that she’s an exclusive maid, it’s not as bad, but 4,000,000 Kael is still a lot of money.

‘It’s pretty, but it’s way too expensive…’

But if she wore this, she wouldn’t look out of place next to the Count.

She mustered her courage and picked up the cloak from the mannequin.

It was light.

She really liked it.

Maybe the Count would even compliment her?

As Wendy was thinking this, two people passing by the store caught her eye.

One of them was someone she knew well.

The man she had just been thinking about.

“Count…?”

He was walking somewhere.

But that wasn’t surprising.

What shocked Wendy was the unfamiliar woman walking intimately beside him.

A beauty in a black dress with long, slender legs.

She was tall and much more mature.

Different from Wendy.

Tristan had his arm around the woman’s waist as they passed the store Wendy was in.

The two looked very well-matched.

At least, that’s how it seemed to Wendy.

“…Sniff.”

The hand holding the cloak slowly lowered.

She felt drained.

She didn’t know what to do… Just then.

“Excuse me.”

“Ye, yes!?”

Startled by the voice behind her, she turned around.

There stood a silver-haired beauty.

From head to toe, she exuded nobility, looking like a high-ranking noble lady.

It didn’t take Wendy long to remember her.

“Uh… P-Princess?”

“Fufu. I wasn’t mistaken. We’ve met before, haven’t we? Your name was…”

“Wen, Wendy…”

“Ah, right. I remember now. Fufu. Miss Wendy, you came with the Count that time, right?”

“Yes…”

Bella chuckled and spoke to Wendy.

“Are you here to buy clothes? You have a good eye. This store, Ruelcia, is one of the most high-end brands in this department store. They’ve been supplying the royal family for a long time.”

“Gasp!”

She had no idea!

No wonder the price tags seemed off!

‘I, I should leave now. Wendy, this isn’t the place for you… Sob.’

As she tried to back away, Bella stopped her.

“P-Princess…?”

“Obviously, you’re here to buy clothes on the Count’s orders, right? Let me help you. I’m quite good at picking out clothes.”

“I, I’m fine! You must be busy, Princess… Besides, I can handle it myself!”

“Ah, don’t worry. My companions seem to have gotten lost, so I have plenty of time.”

“I, I’m really fine…!”

But Bella’s grip on Wendy’s arm didn’t budge.

“Don’t be silly. Fufu. Come here. This big sister will pick out something that suits you.”

“Big, big sister? P-Princess, please don’t do this! Eek?! Your, your eyes are scary…!”

 

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