BIHNM 19

Chapter – 19

Going Out with Margus

“…He’s not coming.”

I was alone, swinging my legs idly at the fountain square.

The time I was supposed to meet Lord Margus had long passed, and the bell marking the hour he had said, “If you haven’t arrived by this time, go home”, had already rung.

──Too bad.

Simply going out with Lord Margus had certainly made my heart flutter.

However, even if our outing did not take place, it wouldn’t be right for me to feel upset.

After all, the letter from the royal palace that Lord Margus had received had clearly troubled him. His expression looked as if he had bitten into a bitter fruit, so there was no doubt that the matter was urgent and difficult.

Lord Margus had given me an astonishingly large sum of money, saying, “If there’s something you want, buy it.”

It was understandable that this made me uneasy, but it would have been rude not to buy anything. Perhaps it would be better to decide what to purchase beforehand. I stood up.

──I can manage just fine on my own.

I shook off the thought that I should have brought Mutty along.

The main street, lined with luxurious carriages, was home to shops that were famous enough that everyone in the kingdom would know their names.

Even now, after living in the forest away from people and rarely leaving the manor since returning to the capital, it all felt so fresh and new.

Peering into the glittering display cases along the roadside, I suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind a door.

“Ugh, William. That’s why I said we should hire a porter.”
“Liliana, you shouldn’t waste money like that…”

──Liliana and William!

Instinctively, I hid behind the shadow of a building. My heart pounded unpleasantly, as if I were guilty of something, even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.

──I don’t want to see them.

It wasn’t that I had lingering feelings; I just didn’t want to meet them on purpose. I held my breath and waited for them to leave. It seemed the two were shopping in the store and waiting for a carriage.

“Where did the driver go? He’s so slow. Let’s fire him and get a better carriage.”
“To stop a carriage on the main street, you need permission. Besides, if we don’t waste so much, he can carry everything.”
“Waste? What are you saying! I’m about to become a duchess, so I need to prepare properly. William, are you trying to embarrass me!?”
“E-embarrass you? And about the inheritance, we shouldn’t speak so loudly…”
“It’s fine. You’re already going to be adopted into a ducal family that no longer has an heir. I said I would be your successor, so why do you need to shrink back?”

──My suspicion was correct.

Liliana had discovered that a huge inheritance would come to William and was trying to seize it. She was likely starting to spend recklessly, counting on that money. But the inheritance hadn’t been obtained yet, so payments to his parents were still due, which is probably why she had asked me for money.

I sighed softly, but they hadn’t noticed me. I continued down a narrow alley to the middle street. Just one turn changed the scene to familiar shops selling groceries, daily goods, and clothing.

I decided it was unlikely they would come this way and took a look around.

“Miss, out shopping today?”
“E-eh, yes…”

A butcher stopped me in front of his shop. I didn’t really need groceries since they were delivered daily to the manor, but…

“This would make Polka happy…”

Though my riding dragon was omnivorous, it particularly loved meat and always devoured it eagerly.

Right now, I fed Polka a mixture of finely minced meat and beans, but fresh meat would surely delight her.

The dragons I raised in the nesting grounds were older, but Polka was still young. I wanted to take care of her so that her coat would shine beautifully.

“Excuse me, may I have a piece of this meat?”
“Certainly! Would you like it delivered?”
“I’d like to carry it myself.”

I thought for a moment and decided not to mention the Browning manor.

Delivery would take time, and I didn’t know when someone would arrive. If I returned to the manor immediately, it would be dinner time for Polka.

──Polka would be happy if I went home. Buying clothes can wait──after all, Lord Margus isn’t here.

I clutched the wrapped meat and hurried back to the main square. Perhaps because lunchtime had passed, the crowd was much thinner than before.

──Still not here.

I glanced around, half expecting Lord Margus’s carriage to come in my direction.

Being conscientious, he might at least show his face even if he were late.

──Time to go home.

I turned my back on the fountain and began walking.

“──Miss, watch out!”
“Eh…?”

A panicked voice shouted, and I realized only after a moment that it was a warning directed at me.

When I finally turned around, I saw it: a runaway carriage heading straight toward me.