Alicia decided to take her leave from Fran’s house without delay.
When she emerged from Fran’s room less than an hour later, Samuel cast her a questioning look, but he said nothing.
As they walked side by side out through the entrance, Samuel spoke.
“I’ll have my carriage take you back to the academy.”
“No, thank you. It’s close enough to walk,” Alicia replied.
Samuel shook his head at once.
“That won’t do. You’re a marquess’s daughter and the Crown Prince’s fiancée. I can’t let you wander the city alone.”
His tone was earnest, almost scolding.
In truth, Alicia had brought along a magical item she had made herself, planning to sell it that day. She intended to stop by a magic shop on her way back from Fran’s house.
“I finally got permission to go out, so I wanted to look around a bit…” she muttered, shoulders drooping as she offered a weak excuse.
Samuel folded his arms and let out a troubled sigh.
“I suppose it can’t be helped. I’ll go with you. Where do you want to go?”
“Pardon? Why would you come with me?” Alicia stared at him, startled. To be honest, she would rather he didn’t.
“You hardly ever go out unless you’re visiting your family, do you? And I have a carriage. I’ll take you where you want to go.”
Even when visiting her grandparents, Alicia had listed her destination as her family home to obtain permission.
(So they really do check the permits… And they record me as returning home even when I don’t. They even falsify the paperwork…)
The image of the dorm supervisor—a stern, bespectacled middle-aged woman with her hair tightly pulled back—rose vividly in her mind.
“So, where to?” Samuel asked again.
Left with no choice, Alicia answered.
“I want to go to a magic shop in the eastern district of the lower town.”
“For supplies? Something you can’t get at the academy?” he asked.
Alicia hesitated.
“Lord Samuel… what I’m about to say is very embarrassing. Could you keep it a secret?”
“Another secret? Even today’s talk with Fran was one. You really do like secrets,” he said with a wry smile. “That said, it depends. If you’re meeting another man, I’d have to report it to His Highness—even if it were my cousin Brian.”
“Of course not! Brian has nothing to do with this. I said I want to go to a magic shop.”
“In the lower town, no less?”
“Yes. There’s a place called Lumière’s shop.”
“Hm. Fine, but shops in the eastern district don’t usually carry anything impressive, do they?”
His casual remark struck a nerve.
She was about to sell something she had made with her own hands. Her heart was already pounding with nerves.
“That’s an unfair thing to say. Magic students sell their work there to earn pocket money or help with tuition.”
Samuel’s eyes widened.
“Wait… are you short on money?”
“N-no. I can attend the academy, live in the dorms, and eat properly. I wouldn’t say I’m struggling.”
For some reason, she found herself telling him everything. Though naturally cautious by nature, her guard seemed to falter around him.
Alicia hugged the bag holding her magical tools close to her chest.
“Then why?”
“…I didn’t want to say this, but I wanted to test myself. I wanted to know whether something I made could truly be sold. That’s why I didn’t want anyone to know.”
Her face flushed red as she looked down.
“I see. I’m sorry, Alicia. It seems I trampled on your ambition without realizing it. I’ll be more careful with my words.”
Samuel spoke solemnly.
After that, they left the carriage on the main road and searched for Lumière’s shop through the winding streets of the lower town.
Alicia looked around with wide eyes at the street stalls lining the stone-paved roads.
According to Samuel, the eastern district was not especially dangerous.
Even so, finding a small shop hidden in the back alleys was difficult, and thanks to Samuel, they finally arrived.
The shop was cleaner than expected, with various magical items displayed out front.
Just looking at them made Alicia’s heart race. The gentle pulse of magic in the air felt pleasant.
“I’ll wait outside,” Samuel said.
Whether he was being thoughtful or simply uninterested, she could not tell.
“All right. I’ll be right back.”
Bracing herself to be turned away, Alicia stepped inside, nerves tight in her chest.
An elderly man with round glasses looked up from behind the counter.
This must be Lumière, the shop owner.
“Good afternoon. I’m a student from the Royal Magic Academy’s magic department. I brought an amulet I’d like you to buy.”
The shopkeeper glanced at her, unimpressed.
“Let’s see it.”
With trembling hands, Alicia took the amulet from her bag.
“Hmm. One hundred gold, then.”
“W-what? One hundred gold?”
She was stunned. She had heard it could help with expenses, but this was enough to stay at a modest inn and eat well.
She could even afford some expensive magic books or carefully chosen materials.
“You did solid work, young lady. I’ll make it one hundred and twenty.”
“Ah—y-yes, please. That price is fine.”
“Then sell your future work here as well.”
“Y-yes.”
Heart pounding, Alicia accepted her first earnings.
(It feels unreal… My second amulet, made during practical training, actually sold.)
Cheeks flushed, she stepped back outside to find Samuel waiting.
“Oh? Looks like it sold.”
Does it really show on her face? Alicia pressed a hand to her cheek.
“Mind if I step inside for a moment?”
“Eh? Are you planning to buy something here, Lord Samuel?”
She never would have expected the son of a ducal house to shop at a lower-town magic store.
