BIHNM 09

Chapter 9

Killing Time (Part 2)

It was clear that it wasn’t meant as sarcasm — it was an honest impression, or perhaps even a kind piece of advice.

After all, I had come here from the dragon riders’ village with little more than the clothes on my back.

The dragons and the people of the Clarence household never cared what I wore, but things were different here. In this place, it wasn’t about practicality or money — I had to think about how others saw me.

“R-right… that makes sense…”

Once again, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Just yesterday, someone had already commented on how my clothes carried a smell.

“I personally think you look fine,” Muti said gently, “but the master is rather particular. What kind of clothing do you prefer?”

Her tone was kind, but even when she asked what I liked, I didn’t really know how to answer. I’d never been in a position to choose what I wore. I had no idea what was considered fashionable here.

Probably something like the fluttering, many-layered fairy-like dresses Liliana used to wear — with gauzy fabrics and flowing sleeves. But those would hardly suit me… and if I tried to do any work in them, they’d get snagged on a splinter and tear in an instant.

“Lady Algerita?”

Her doubtful voice brought me back to reality. I hastily lifted my gaze and took a closer look at Muti’s own outfit.

It was a black dress that wouldn’t show dirt easily, with a white lace collar that added a sense of cleanliness. Large buttons ran down the bodice and sleeves, making it easy to roll the sleeves up or put on and take off. It looked practical.

“Um… I think something like what you’re wearing would be nice. It looks elegant…”

Muti gave me a strange look and took a step back.

“Lady Algerita—no, Madam,” she corrected.

“Y-yes?”

I still hadn’t quite accepted being called Madam, but since she was clearly speaking to me, I couldn’t just ignore her.

“This is the uniform issued to the duke’s servants, you know?”

“Oh! I—I didn’t know… I’m sorry.”

It really did seem convenient to work in, and I genuinely thought it looked nice. But realizing I hadn’t considered that it might be servant attire… I felt foolish once again.

“We have extras in storage, so I can give you one right away. But even if it’s at your request, Madam, I’d get scolded for letting you wear a servant’s uniform.”

She wasn’t wrong. Still, I did need clothes that were practical for work.

“But I came here to take care of the dragon—of Polka.”

That was when Muti finally seemed to understand. Neither she nor I really knew why I had ended up calling myself the wife of Margus von Browning.

The linen room she led me to smelled fresh — of soap and starch. I loved the scent of the open air, but the crisp cleanliness of freshly washed fabric was just as nice.

The material was firm and spotless, the mother-of-pearl buttons glowed softly under the light, and the lace collar was delicately handwoven — far finer than anything I could ever knit myself, without a single uneven stitch.

“It looks very good on you. And I don’t mean that sarcastically,” Muti said, smiling warmly.

Wearing the same uniform seemed to make her relax, as though a sense of camaraderie had formed between us.

Changing into the new clothes made me feel oddly buoyant, almost cheerful — I even found myself humming as I walked.

“Have you finished speaking with Muti?”

A voice came from behind a tree. Margus appeared from the shadows of the trunk. It was so thick that I hadn’t noticed him there at all.
Oh no… had he heard me singing?

Margus didn’t laugh or tease me. He only said,

“Yes. She was very kind.”

His sharp eyes hinted at cunning, but there was also something wild about him — a little like the dragons themselves.

“They’ll take turns checking in on you,” he said. “If you need anything, just ask.”

“You trust them very much, don’t you, Lord Margus?”

I chose my words carefully. Something in his past must have made it hard for him to trust people.

“They were mercenaries once,” he explained. “Know the mountains well. Helped me with more search missions than I can count. They can be a little rough around the edges, but… I owe them a lot. They wanted to see the royal capital, so I agreed to be their guarantor.”

“Search missions…”
I’d never been to war, but the word missing persons made my chest ache.
Lord Margus was kind — probably because he had endured hardships I couldn’t even imagine.

He looked at me intently.

“Um… is something wrong?” I asked nervously.

“No… just wondering why you’re wearing a servant’s uniform.”

“I’m sorry. I thought it would be suitable for work, so Muti helped me prepare it.”

“I told you to buy clothes.”

“Um… yes, but this seemed much nicer than what I arrived in. And… it doesn’t smell like other dragons.”

When I explained that I had requested the uniform myself, Margus finally gave a small nod of approval.