Chapter 83
Don’t Worry. I Won’t Kill You.
Following the clerk to the second-floor terrace, Marican gave her order with a gentle smile.
“Please bring us some cookies, cake, and tea.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Thank you. I’m grateful—I was able to buy cookies because of you.”
As soon as they sat down, the woman inclined her head politely toward Marican.
“Not at all. Last time, you helped Elena and then disappeared so suddenly. I was curious.”
“Earlier, that unpleasant shopkeeper called you the Duchess. Don’t tell me—you’re the very Duchess who stirred up all of the capital not too long ago?”
Marican’s cheeks flushed crimson at her words.
“Hahaha… is that so obvious? Well, since we’ve met like this, let’s exchange names. I’m Marican. And this is Zelda.”
“I’m Risha.”
“Nice to meet you, Risha.”
“So… Marican is the Duchess. Then is Zelda a noble lady too? Oh, usually nobles have surnames attached. What house are you from, Lady Zelda?”
At that, Zelda chuckled.
“No, I’m no noble. I’m just a commoner.”
“A commoner? But here, it’s rare to see nobles and commoners walking together…”
Risha’s words made Marican recall what the shopkeeper had said—that Risha wasn’t from the Empire.
“That’s right, you mentioned before that you aren’t Imperial.”
“Yes. I’ve been here a little over a year now.”
“Ah, then you must still be unfamiliar with many Imperial customs?”
At Marican’s remark, Risha let out a small sigh.
“I try hard to learn, but I haven’t mastered everything yet. The nobles here seem… truly extraordinary.”
“Haha, do they?”
Just then, the clerk returned with cookies, cake, and tea.
“Please enjoy.”
As he left, Marican popped a cookie into her mouth.
“Oh my! This is delicious. Zelda, try one.”
At her urging, Zelda took a bite.
“Oh! You’re right, this is good. I’ll need to buy a few bags on the way out.”
“Isn’t it? The first time I tasted these, I loved them so much I had to come back for more. But the owner refused to sell, saying I’d caused a commotion last time. If not for you, Duchess Marican, I couldn’t have bought them today.”
“The last time I saw you, Risha, you were so impressive. I really wanted to meet you again.”
“Impressive?” Zelda asked curiously.
So Marican told her about the incident with Elena.
“That wretched shopkeeper! No wonder the cookies suddenly taste less sweet.”
“True, the owner is awful. But Elena is the one who makes these cookies—she’s not at fault. In fact, now that they’ve renewed their contract, buying more cookies will only help her.”
“Duchess, you’re remarkable. How did you think to have the Duke and the Guard Captain act as witnesses?”
Risha looked at her with admiration.
“Haha, it just came from going through different experiences. Anyone might have thought of it.”
“Oh, no. Of all the people I’ve met in the Empire, you seem the most… normal.”
“Really? Hahaha. It’s not that bad here, Risha.”
“Yes,” Zelda agreed. “Some nobles are eccentric, but most Imperial people are kind and good.”
Risha nodded thoughtfully.
“Perhaps you’re right. Still, nobles are certainly unusual.”
As she sipped her tea and glanced down from the terrace, Risha suddenly sighed.
“Duchess, Zelda… I should go now. I’m sorry to part so soon. Shall we meet again?”
“I’d love that. But Zelda is returning to Phenomenon village today,” Marican explained.
“Ah, so you’re not free either, Duchess?”
“Me? Well… when?”
“How about three days from now? At the dessert shop across the street, at eleven in the morning?”
Marican nodded, and Risha rose with her bag of cookies, hurrying off.
“…Hmm. Looks like she had someone waiting,” Zelda muttered as she glanced down.
“Really?”
Sure enough, a woman approached Risha outside, scolding her about something. Risha soothed her apologetically before climbing into a carriage and leaving.
“She looks like a noble, but not quite. Hard to figure her out.” Zelda shook her head, nibbling on another cookie.
“Mer, these cookies are good, but I can’t stand that shopkeeper.”
“Do you know who made them?”
“Hm? Who?”
“You don’t know her personally. She’s Cat’s older sister.”
“Cat’s sister? Really?”
“Yes. At first, I didn’t realize. But when I heard the name, I remembered. Cat once told me she wanted to earn money so she could open a cookie shop with her sister.”
“Mer, you’re amazing. With so many people sharing names, how did you figure it out?”
Marican picked up another cookie and smiled.
“Because Kat told me her dream. That’s how I knew.”
“Hm. I don’t like the owner, but since you put it that way, I’ll buy some to support her. Anyway, shall we go?”
They left the shop and soon said a reluctant farewell.
***
Inside a carriage elsewhere—
“Your Highness, you can’t imagine how frightened I was!”
“Ah, sorry.”
“I told you countless times—if you sneak out of the palace like this and get caught, it will be a disaster!”
“Yes, yes, I know. I’m sorry. But that Duchess… she’s fascinating.”
“Your Highness! Are you even listening to me?”
“I am. I said I’m sorry. But imagine—a noblewoman who treats a commoner as a sister. I thought all nobles here were nothing but empty pride, but she’s different. And she even shows courtesy to commoners…”
“Your Highness, Princess Consort!”
“Oh? We’re here already. Let’s hurry inside. You’re right—if anyone learns I left, it’ll be trouble.”
Patricia quickly stepped down from the carriage.
***
The next evening, in the prison where Diamond was held, his shouts echoed all day.
“Take me to Father at once! I’ve done nothing wrong! This is all because Grandfather and Mother provoked me! Call for Father immediately!”
“Still going on like that?” Ruan asked.
The jailer nodded.
“Yes, my lord. He hasn’t stopped since the trial ended yesterday.”
“I’ll have a word with him.”
The guard glanced around nervously, then whispered to Ruan.
“Your Grace… His Highness the Crown Prince ordered that the convict be left whole enough to walk to the execution grounds.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t kill him.”
Relieved, the jailer handed Ruan the key and quietly left.
Creak—
“Who’s there! Have you come to release me?”
“Hardly, Diamond. I’ve only come to collect a debt.”
As Ruan stepped inside, Diamond stumbled back in terror.
“Y-you! Why are you here? Guards! Throw him out at once!”
“Diamond, I warned you before. Touch my wife again, and it wouldn’t end with just broken limbs.”
“I-I did nothing! I didn’t even see your wife that day!”
“Of course you didn’t. Had you dared lay eyes on her, you wouldn’t have lived to reach the capital. Relax—His Highness asked me to leave your arms and legs intact. So I will.”
With a cold smile, Ruan advanced. Moments later, the prison rang with screams unfit for a human throat.
***
“Still not back?”
“No, my lady. The Duke said he’d be very late tonight.”
“I see.”
Sinking into the warm bath, Marican sighed as the fatigue melted from her body.
“The cookies you bought yesterday were wonderful, my lady.”
“Weren’t they? Elena seems to have real talent for baking.”
“Elena?”
“Yes. That’s the name of the girl who makes them.”
“Your skin looks healthier, my lady,” Charles said as she smoothed oil onto Marican’s shoulders, satisfied.
“Really?”
“When you first came here, your skin was rough. Now it’s much softer.”
Still not as supple as before, perhaps—but much improved.
“It’s thanks to you and Becky, caring for me so well. Thank you, Charles.”
“My lady, please. This is our duty, our reason for being here. Once, your skin was so soft it felt like pudding—touching it was delightful.”
Pudding…? Well, I suppose I am soft, since I never exercise.
Curious, Marican pinched her arm, though she couldn’t tell.
“Charles, you may rest. I want to linger a bit longer.”
“If you stay too long, you’ll wrinkle.”
“I’ll come out in twenty minutes. Go on.”
“May I leave without finishing?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
“I set a magic stone in the water—it won’t cool. But please don’t stay too long. Twenty minutes, alright?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“I’ll leave your gown there. Goodnight, my lady.”
After Charles left, Marican submerged to her neck, smiling with contentment.
This feels heavenly. Back in Phenomenon, I sometimes missed only this—the luxury of a hot bath to soak in.
She closed her eyes, letting herself sink deeper into the warmth.
…
Edward looked up in alarm when Ruan returned, drenched in blood.
“My lord, what on earth—”
“Don’t worry. None of it is mine. Just a debt collected. Everyone asleep?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Good. I’ll wash and rest.”
“I’ll prepare a bath.”
“No need. I’ll just shower. Go get some rest yourself.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Ruan dismissed him and entered the bathhouse.
So late already…
Tossing aside his bloodstained clothes, he donned a robe and stepped inside.
But the chamber was warm, filled with steam.
Strange. Did she bathe and leave the water? All the better—I’ll use it.
Ruan dropped the robe and slid into the bath.
But then—through the mist—he saw a silhouette.
“Who’s there!”
The figure tried to flee, but Ruan seized it and yanked it close.
Wide, startled eyes looked up at him.
It was Marican, caught in his arms.
