IBDFSML 07

Chapter 07

Despite making a bold escape, I ended up completely lost.

“What kind of castle is this huge?!”

According to my plan, I should’ve already made it to the main building of the ducal castle and been leisurely shopping by now…

But instead, I was still wandering around, unable to even leave the annex.

Just then—

“Elda, did you hear the news?”

Voices drifted over from somewhere. They sounded like young maids.

“Hm? This kind of setup…?”

Pressing myself against the wall, I quietly crept toward the source of the sound.

“In situations like this, eavesdropping is the rule.”

When I reached the voices, a large kitchen came into view.

It was where meals for the annex were prepared, and inside were two maids.

“The maids working in the main building said the merchant head arrived this morning.”

“Ah, the one who’s been trading with our duchy for years?”

“Yeah. They brought a whole year’s worth of supplies for the North, and apparently the caravan just kept going and going.”

“Well, that makes sense. It’s a massive deal that only happens once a year, all the way from the capital.”

“Ugh, seriously. If we worked in the main building instead of this dumpy annex, we could’ve seen all sorts of rare items.”

At the complaint, the maid called Elda laughed.

“Don’t say that. I heard those merchant people are very difficult to serve. The maids last year and the year before had a hard time.”

“Oh come on, what’s a little hardship? If you play along and get some leftovers from it, it’s worth it~!”

“I still prefer the annex. It’s quiet and peaceful.”

“You’re weird. What’s so good about serving that illegitimate young master in this gloomy place?”

“…Excuse me?”

I swung an imaginary fist at the back of her head.

“Should I just go punch her?”

“Marie, you shouldn’t talk about the young master like that.”

“Who cares, it’s not like anyone’s listening. Ugh. The top floor of the main building must be packed with rare goods right now. The skilled servants have probably already swiped a few. I’m so jealous!”

“…What did you say?”

My eyes widened.

Packed with rare goods?

And the servants might have already stolen some?

Unacceptable.

“I haven’t even stolen anything yet—how dare they?!”

I shouted without realizing it. The maid, Elda, turned sharply toward my direction.

“…Huh? What was that just now?”

Oops.

I quickly ducked my head and pressed myself flat against the wall.

“I am a wall. I am air. I will not be detected.”

“…I must’ve imagined it. Sounded like a mosquito.”

“A mosquito? In this freezing cold? You must’ve misheard.”

“…I guess so.”

“Phew. That was close.”

Still crouched low, I quietly crawled out of the kitchen.

Whoooosh—

“A-achoo!”

The sharp, icy wind made me sneeze helplessly.

“Ugh, it’s so cold! Sniff…”

Shivering, I pulled my hood tighter and peeked again through a window into the guest room on the top floor of the main building.

“…This is way worse than I expected…”

“…But still…”

“…I want to go homeee…!”

Inside the guest room were three people, easily identifiable at a glance.

A man wearing a luxurious fur robe and colorful gemstone rings—the Noel merchant head.

Beside him, a middle-aged woman in a flashy fur coat pacing anxiously—his wife.

And on the floor, a child rolling around like a spinning top throwing a tantrum—their daughter.

All three of them looked plump and glossy, completely out of place in the bleak northern atmosphere.

“Alright, let’s see…”

Pressing my forehead to the window, I carefully scanned the room.

In one corner of the enormous, lavish guest room were rows of expensive-looking clothes and accessories.

They were probably this season’s goods, meant to be sold to the Grand Duchess and northern nobles.

“Perfect. There’s got to be at least one outfit that suits Sion.”

Clicking my tongue, I began looking for a way inside.

I tried pushing the window—no luck.

“Hm… should I just break it?”

But that would definitely draw attention.

“What do I do…”

Just then—

Knock knock.

A loud knock came from the door.

The merchant couple quickly straightened their clothes.

“Ahem, come in.”

The door opened, revealing a subordinate.

“Greetings. I am Jerome, a direct aide to Her Grace the Grand Duchess. A banquet has been prepared this evening in your honor. Her Grace requests your attendance.”

“Ah, of course. We will attend.”

They bowed eagerly.

But the moment the door closed—

“Tsk, these northerners are already being pushy.”

“I know, dear. Looks like they’ll try those ridiculous prices again this year!”

“That won’t do. We’ve been taking losses for years because of that agreement my grandfather was forced into.”

“I heard the imperial court and the North have been on bad terms lately. This is our chance.”

“Exactly. This year, we must make a profit.”

“But… what if they notice?”

“Nonsense. We prepared thoroughly.”

“…Still, I’m nervous. I’ll go look around the castle with Sonya.”

“Go ahead.”

His wife left with their daughter.

Now alone, the merchant approached a table.

“Hm? What’s that?”

There was a birdcage.

Inside was a rare-looking bird.

“Wake up, Perdiccus.”

The bird lifted its head.

Chirp.

[You called, master?]

“…?!”

I was shocked.

Somehow—I could understand it.

The merchant tied a note to its leg.

“Go deliver this.”

Chirp.

[Understood.]

He carried it to the window—

I quickly hid.

Creak—

Flap—

The bird flew off into the snowy sky.

The cold wind rushed in.

“Cough! Cough!”

“This is my chance!”

I darted inside.

Soon, he shut the window, sat down—

—and fell asleep, snoring.

“……”

Perfect.

I flew straight toward the clothes.

“So many…”

Luxurious outfits filled the racks.

“Let’s see… something simple but elegant, classic yet trendy…”

I scanned quickly.

“Something that suits his gray hair and blue-gray eyes…”

Just then—

The door burst open.

Startled, I dove into the nearest outfit—a frilly, colorful dress.

The merchant’s daughter ran in.

“Daddy! I’m cold!”

“Snore…”

“I want my coat!”

“Snore…”

“Uwaaah!”

She looked around—

—and started running toward me.

I gulped.