Chapter: 6
And a few days later.
As usual, Dorothy paid a visit to the house next door.
“Hello—!”
She was about to greet them as always, but today, Rose spoke first.
“Furniture will be delivered to your house sometime this afternoon.”
“Pardon?”
She spoke so quickly that Dorothy wasn’t even given time to ask a question.
“So go back home today. You’ll need to check whether you like the furniture or not.”
After saying that curtly, Rose shut the door.
Staring at the front door that had closed right in front of her, Dorothy blinked.
Furniture? What furniture?
It had to be a joke.
That was what she thought.
But about two hours later—
Just as Rose had said, the furniture really arrived.
A spacious bed, bedding to go with it.
Several armchairs that matched the bed, and even flower vases.
The armchair, in particular, looked like it had been chosen with great care—it fit Dorothy’s body perfectly.
Dorothy immediately headed next door.
“What, you don’t like it?”
The door opened, and Rose asked indifferently.
“No, I love it! But why would you give something like this to me…?”
“Don’t ask. Just take it. I’m not accepting returns.”
Dorothy thought about why Rose would give her furniture.
Before long, she found the answer.
“Is it because of what I said the other day?”
Dorothy asked, her eyes sparkling.
Why are her eyes always so big and clear?
Rose turned her head away, avoiding her gaze.
But her ears were still clearly listening.
“You remember me saying that the bed felt really soft? You remembered that all this time?”
Innocent words, but they hit the mark.
Even Rose’s ears began to turn red.
“You kept thinking about it and eventually even sent me a gift?”
“……”
“And the vase and the chair—did you look those up separately because it felt awkward to send just a bed?”
Now even her face and neck were bright red, as if about to burst.
Unaware—or uncaring—of Rose’s trembling arms, Dorothy kept chattering on.
She was simply moved by the unexpected gift.
“It must’ve been such a hassle to research everything and arrange the delivery. How should I repay you for this? Thank you so mu—”
“I didn’t do it specifically for you! You don’t have to thank me!”
Unable to endure Dorothy’s pure, guileless gaze any longer, Rose slammed the door shut.
Knock, knock.
As soon as the door closed, Dorothy knocked—and it opened again.
“Are you embarrassed?”
“……”
Bang!
* * *
Having been kicked out of the neighbor’s house, Dorothy turned toward the marketplace.
She was thinking of getting Rose a return gift.
“Is there anything you need, miss? Or anything you’d like to ask of me?”
Brandon asked her as they happened to meet on the way to the market.
“…I haven’t done anything yet, so why are you offering to grant a favor first?”
The request to help Rose return to the capital.
Dorothy hadn’t refused that request—but she hadn’t accepted it either.
Of course, Rose’s situation was pitiful.
She wanted to help as much as she could.
But no matter how much she thought about it, she had no idea how she was supposed to help.
Even so, lately the siblings seemed eager to give her something in return.
That was strange. I haven’t done anything.
“You really do resemble each other. I haven’t done anything, yet you’re already trying to pay me back.”
“Haha. Being told I resemble my sister isn’t exactly a compliment… but I suppose there is some truth to it.”
Brandon chuckled softly, then added,
“Whether it’s a debt or revenge, we’re the type who can’t rest unless we pay it back double.”
“I see.”
“So, is there really nothing you want? Even money is fine.”
“I don’t need money.”
“Really?”
“Actually, I went through something similar recently.”
Charles—who decided to pay me off and break the engagement without even consulting me first.
In the end, she received the money, and objectively speaking, it worked out well for both sides…
“I understand why he did it, but looking back, it left a pretty bad taste in my mouth.”
That was why she didn’t want money in anything related to Rose.
At Dorothy’s surprisingly clear-headed response, Brandon fell silent for a moment.
“If you don’t need money, then is there anything else you need?”
“…Could you help me find someone instead?”
“Who would that be?”
“My father.”
Asking him to find her father was an impulsive decision.
“Your father? Did something happen to him?”
It was an unexpected request even for Brandon.
“Nothing in particular. I’ve lived alone with my mother since I was little.”
She didn’t miss him.
A mother who raised her alone without a husband.
Wouldn’t knowing his name—or whether he was alive—be enough?
“Do you want to meet him?”
“No. Just tell me whether he’s alive or dead.”
“That’s all you want?”
After a moment of thought, Dorothy made up her mind.
“Yes.”
Whether she knew or not, it wouldn’t really change anything for her.
Finding her father wouldn’t suddenly make them family.
That was why she asked Brandon.
Even if he failed to find him, it wouldn’t matter to her.
“If it’s too difficult, you don’t have to look for him.”
“That won’t do.”
But apparently, it mattered to Brandon.
He promised firmly that he would find him.
“Just trust me. Whatever you ask, I’ll make it happen.”
“…?”
Brandon said it with a bright smile.
At the same time, cheers erupted from nearby.
Meanwhile, Dorothy was bewildered.
What is this?
He was smiling more than usual, but he was someone offering to help her.
She felt it was only proper to respond politely.
“Ah, yes. Thank you very much.”
Dorothy bowed politely in thanks.
Brandon, on the other hand, looked oddly flustered.
“…That didn’t work.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Brandon gave an awkward smile, clearly unsettled.
* * *
Dorothy knew that Rose liked sweet desserts.
So she bought a cake Rose would probably enjoy at the market.
While she was at it, she also bought a bracelet that seemed like it would suit Rose.
Arms full of gifts, Dorothy headed home feeling much lighter.
“I’ll carry the bags for you.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Brandon even carried her purchases for her, whistling casually as he walked.
If not for his conspicuously expensive clothing, he would have passed for a local resident.
Watching him, Dorothy suddenly wondered:
Did he not bring any guards?
A noble would usually travel with escorts.
Even wealthy commoners typically had at least one or two guards.
Yet she couldn’t recall seeing any.
Traveling between the capital and Savellems should have required protection.
And is there actually a profession where breaking down doors is an occupational hazard?
Duke Kaishner.
That was all Dorothy knew—and even that knowledge was fragmentary.
Nobles do not obey the emperor.
The Empire adopted a cabinet system.
An upper house composed of nobles, and a lower house made up of commoners.
The person with greater power than the emperor was the Speaker of the Assembly.
The Gorsaut Assembly was notoriously secretive, making it difficult to uncover the positions or activities of its members.
She was thinking all this when—
“Wait a moment.”
They had just entered a quiet residential area.
“I think someone’s following us.”
“Excuse me?”
Dorothy hurriedly looked around, but there was no one particularly suspicious.
Brandon casually fiddled with his cane.
Then, without hesitation, he strode off in a certain direction.
“Hey—wait! That hurts! Let go of me!”
Moments later, he dragged someone back by the collar.
No matter how much the man struggled, Brandon didn’t budge.
The commotion drew the attention of passersby.
“…Charles?”
Dorothy realized the face of the man Brandon was holding looked familiar.
“Do you know him?”
“Yes… I do.”
“Hm.”
Hearing that, Brandon released his grip.
Charles quickly scrambled up from the dirt.
“Do you have any idea how expensive these clothes are?!”
Dragged along the ground, his outfit was a complete mess.
Grumbling, Charles brushed mud off his clothes.
“It’s been a while—cough, ahem—Dorothy.”
After dusting himself off, Charles greeted her awkwardly.
“I happened to be passing by and saw your face…”
