chapter 22
The center of the Grand Duchy—the city of Lafren.
This massive city, adjoining the Luxior Grand Ducal Castle, boasted the most developed infrastructure and commercial district in the North.
And it was the very place I had been dragged to before—and escaped from.
“Freshly baked bread, hot out of the oven even in this freezing cold!”
Oooh!
“Latest trending fabrics imported directly from the capital! Come take a look!”
Oooooh!
Inside Suon’s robe, I looked around enthusiastically, letting out impressed exclamations.
Last time, I had been too distracted to properly notice—but the city square was a highly developed, bustling district.
Along the main road were all kinds of food stalls, shops selling various goods, and boutique-style stores.
‘This is it. This is exactly it.’
I tapped the money pouch (Suon’s) I had prepared and asked,
“Suon, is there a hair shop here?”
“A hair shop? What’s that?”
Suon, who was slowly making his way through the crowd, asked back.
He had initially tried to firmly refuse my sudden demand to go shopping—but after a moment of thought, he reluctantly agreed.
Most likely, he didn’t want to deal with whatever chaos might happen if I went out alone again.
Thanks to that, Suon didn’t seem particularly pleased—but I was just happy to be out shopping with my favorite.
“A hair shop is a place where professionals trim and style your hair to make you look more beautiful or handsome. Do they have anything like that in the North?”
“…You mean a salon?”
“Oh! Yeah, a salon!”
I played with his smooth silver-gray hair excitedly.
“We’ve got money and time—how about we fix up this pretty hair a bit~?”
“……”
“No, wait… if we mess it up, we might lose that calm yet untamed, wild northern wolf vibe.”
“……”
“But if we just trim the sides a little, it might highlight a more refined, lonely elegance!?”
“……”
Suon didn’t respond to my rambling and simply looked around.
Then something caught my eye.
A display window of a jewelry shop.
“Oh!”
Among the accessories behind the glass were several pieces that would suit Suon perfectly.
Silver-framed rings with sapphires, bracelets, cufflinks…
“Oh, we have to buy that!”
As I shouted excitedly, Suon clicked his tongue.
“Calm down.”
“But that matches your eye color perfectly!”
“Let me make this clear—I hate accessories. Even if I died and came back, I wouldn’t wear them.”
At his firm refusal, I smacked my lips in disappointment.
‘Well… yeah. Accessories don’t really fit his personality.’
And thinking about it, the original heroine didn’t particularly like flashy, overly dressed-up men either.
If I wanted to win her favor, I needed to consider her tastes.
“Right… the ultimate customization is staying natural. It’s probably better to win with pure looks and physique.”
As far as I knew, no one in this world could beat Suon in looks anyway.
I quickly crossed “accessories” off the shopping list.
Then, scanning around again—
“Suon! Look over there!!”
“…What now.”
I gently pushed his cheek to turn his head.
In front of us was a fairly large fabric store.
“Evelyn Fabric Shop?”
“Ooooh, a brand store!?”
“I believe it has branches throughout the Empire.”
“Perfect! Let’s go in!”
As I excitedly shook his robe, Suon sighed and stepped inside.
“Welcome~!”
“Welcome, valued customer!”
As soon as he entered, two female clerks approached him.
With business smiles plastered on their faces, they scanned him from head to toe.
Then exchanged subtle looks.
‘A country bumpkin sucker.’
‘Yep, definitely a sucker.’
I immediately caught on and gritted my teeth, whispering to Suon,
“Suon, say exactly what I tell you.”
“…What are you up to now.”
“They’re planning to rip us off!”
“……”
Suon seemed to understand and stayed quiet.
My eyes sparkled.
Trying to scam my favorite?!
They’re done for.
All the survival skills I built from working part-time jobs in my past life were about to shine.
“I’ll turn the tables and get this dirt cheap, hehe.”
We didn’t have much money.
Suon’s savings plus one month’s salary borrowed from Garen—total: 25 nir.
We had to make it work.
I scanned the shop and picked out some fabrics suitable for Suon’s coming-of-age ceremony outfit.
Then whispered,
“Ask them to show all the new fabrics on that central shelf—from there to there.”
Suon repeated it.
The clerks flinched.
A shabby-looking young man speaking like a wealthy noble—it felt off.
“All of them, sir?”
“Yes.”
Suon exhaled and lowered his hood.
At that moment, gasps filled the store.
Everyone froze at his face.
Even in rags, he looked like royalty.
“…Why are you just standing there? Bring them.”
Snapping out of it, the staff hurried to comply.
“We’ve brought all the fabrics you requested!”
“These are this month’s newest arrivals!”
Even the store manager joined, speaking politely.
High-quality fabrics with rich textures.
But Suon looked unimpressed.
“…Is this supposed to be good?”
Though meant for me, it sounded like a noble dissatisfied with the selection.
“W-would you like to see other new items, sir?”
The manager asked anxiously.
I pointed at one.
“Suon, the fourth black one—perfect match for your hair!”
He examined it lazily.
“…They all look the same to me.”
“Gasp!”
The manager whispered, “That’s our best fabric…”
‘Got them.’
I whispered again.
Suon said,
“…I’m not impressed, but I’ll try it. If I like it, I’ll place a bulk order later.”
Their faces lit up.
“Excellent choice!”
They rushed to package it.
“We’ll offer this sample at a special discounted price!”
“…Fine.”
We paid only a quarter of the price.
‘Nice. Huge win.’
As we were leaving—
Suon stopped.
“Why, Suon?”
He was looking at something.
A soft pink silk fabric.
‘Huh? That’s for women…’
Then he said quietly,
“…We’ll take that too.”
“Wonderful choice! It’s very trendy!”
“I don’t need much. Handkerchief size is enough.”
“Of course!”
The manager even added lace as a bonus.
“Ladies love delicate lace these days!”
“……”
‘Lady? What lady?’
I stared at Suon in shock.
The heroine hasn’t even appeared yet—so why is he buying women’s fabric?
Outside, I asked,
“Suon… what is that?”
“…What do you mean?”
“The pink fabric.”
I stared suspiciously.
“Why did you buy it? Who is it for?”
His expression stiffened slightly.
Then he looked away awkwardly.
“…It’s nothing.”
That hit me like a punch to the gut.
I started recalling every female character around him.
‘Who is it? Elda? Another maid? The Grand Duchess? No… wait—Diene!? Already!?’
My body trembled.
“Suon… got involved with another woman without me knowing…?”
This was the worst possible development.
