18. That Young Lady… Is She Really Okay?
“You’re going right away, Your Highness?”
As Leofric stepped out and the sounds in the lodging died down, Betty leaned in and whispered to me.
Even at a gallop, it would take at least 15 minutes to get to the Waynes Branch from here.
And there were more things to confirm there than just the whereabouts of Isolde’s Tear.
Leofric probably wouldn’t notice even if I was gone for an hour.
I nodded at Betty.
“Let’s head out. Is the Waynes Branch far?”
“Not really. There’s a secret passage leading to the branch basement about 10 minutes from here. If we take that route, it should take us around 30 minutes round trip.”
Betty answered efficiently, pulling out a black robe from my luggage.
She had already explained the task I’d requested to the others and claimed it hadn’t even taken an hour—this trip should be over quickly.
“The branch director said he’d wait, so it won’t take long. Aside from retrieving the jewel, there’s nothing else you need to do there, right?”
“For now. I’ve been receiving regular reports from Hailey about the Waynes Branch.”
“That’s good, but… the people who served the former madam might try to keep you there longer, even for a bit. Just so you’re aware.”
As she helped me into the robe, Betty wore a slightly serious expression.
She described in vivid detail how large men had burst into tears earlier while shouting for the young lady.
Finally, she adjusted my hat carefully, completing my disguise.
“Be as cautious as possible on the way there. I’ll ask the branch people to quietly escort you back. That’s safer, right?”
“Yeah. Staying inconspicuous is best, but… I’ll be carrying something valuable.”
I nodded, and Betty did too, understanding my concerns.
Then, cloaked in our robes, we opened the window—and leapt out into the night.
** * * * **
“Do you really think the young lady will come?”
“Hey now—she’s not just a ‘young lady’ anymore, she’s Her Highness.”
At the Waynes Branch of the Janet Trading Company.
It wasn’t unusual for the lights to be on late. Time was always of the essence in trade.
But tonight, the usually quiet branch was strangely bustling.
Waynes was one of the empire’s most prominent trade cities.
Many merchants had bases there, but few were as active as the Janet Company.
That alone wasn’t unusual. But today, the atmosphere was… different—tense, excited.
Zero, the branch’s youngest employee, had been watching his senior colleagues behaving unusually for a while now, puzzled.
Just who was this ‘young lady’ everyone seemed so eager about?
Earlier in the day, a woman had come with a message allegedly from the young lady—and everyone had lost their minds.
Even the branch director and deputy, who usually insisted on leaving work on time, were voluntarily working overtime.
And all the skilled swordsmen had mysteriously disappeared from sight.
Being the youngest, Zero had little to contribute in emergencies.
He could’ve gone home by now. But something about his coworkers’ odd behavior kept him lingering.
‘I’ll just find out who this young lady is, then go.’
That had been his intention as he kept listening in on every conversation.
So why was everyone whispering behind his back like a secret club?
Even as the youngest, he’d never felt so left out before.
Feeling left out and sulky, Zero was skulking nearby when—
“Whoa? You’re still here, Zero?”
They hadn’t even noticed he hadn’t left!
Though new, Zero had been praised by his seniors for his friendliness and hard work. It stung.
His name was called constantly during the day, and he took pride in his duties.
Now feeling a bit dejected, Zero shuffled over to his senior colleagues.
“Why haven’t you gone home yet?”
“Hm? Oh, us? We’ve got… stuff to do, or not, y’know.”
Moss, the eldest among them, scratched his head.
“Stuff to do, or not”? What kind of half-hearted answer was that?!
Zero slumped a little.
Everyone clearly had a reason for staying, so why wouldn’t they tell him?
He had a right to know—as both the branch’s youngest and one of its members!
After turning over dozens of thoughts in his head, Zero clenched his fists with resolve.
Stop overthinking. If you don’t know—ask!
“It’s because of that ‘young lady’ everyone says is coming today, right? Who is she?”
“Oh, so you’ve heard too? She’s the daughter of the person who founded our company. Though she’s now the current owner.”
“We’ve known her since she was a child, so we still call her ‘young lady.’”
The answers came out surprisingly easily—making Zero, who had been bracing himself, wobble a bit in shock.
Wait. It wasn’t a secret?
“Th-then everyone’s staying late just to see her?”
“Yeah. Newcomers like you might not know, but we’ve been around since the company’s founding. We’ve always had a special fondness for the young lady.”
Moss straightened his back with pride.
Others around him nodded, their expressions filled with admiration and affection.
But that raised more questions.
When Zero first joined, he’d had to go through a ridiculously difficult screening process.
And during the final interview with the branch director, he was told the company’s owner resided in the capital, and they should always be ready to welcome her.
And to Zero’s memory, since joining—not once had the owner visited.
Apparently, she had only ever visited once. Ages ago.
So for her to suddenly come now, of all times… didn’t that mean something major was happening?
“But… shouldn’t everyone be more nervous or something?”
Zero looked at his unnervingly relaxed seniors with concern.
She hadn’t come before because there was no need.
But now, at the end of the workday, she was coming—surely that meant something serious.
Shouldn’t people be rushing around or preparing something?
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“No, but… shouldn’t we all be a bit more tense?”
“Oh, we are. We haven’t seen her since she was just a tiny bean, after all.”
But even with Zero’s worried tone, they just chuckled and returned to their excited chatter.
“When Betty came earlier, I almost cried, I swear.”
“I almost asked Betty for a new portrait of the young lady.”
“Why didn’t you? I already asked.”
“You did? What’d she say?”
“She said she sees her every day, why would she need a portrait?”
“Ugh… times like this make me wish I was a woman. I’d be the perfect maid.”
“Gross. Don’t say stuff like that.”
At this point, cute little Zero had ceased to exist in their eyes.
Only their overflowing affection and fond nostalgia for the young lady remained.
Is this ‘young lady’ really that special?
Zero found himself genuinely worried—for someone he hadn’t even met.
** * * * **
The underground passage wasn’t far.
Having been there once before, Betty navigated easily.
Even in total darkness, she never took a wrong turn—it was impressive.
“You’d think you lived here, Betty.”
“I rarely forget a path once I’ve walked it. How’s the walk for you?”
She glanced back, concerned the uneven path might be tiring me out.
I waved her off.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. We need to get back on time.”
“That’s true, but… we can take a break if you need one. Just say the word.”
“Okay. I will.”
Still uneasy, Betty kept glancing back as we walked.
Each time, I signaled I was okay.
She probably thought I was putting on a brave face—but truly, I was fine.
Working for Lloyd had me walking far worse roads without showing a hint of struggle.
Back then, I had to move fast, under pressure, carrying out difficult tasks.
It takes much more effort to give something to someone who has nothing than to protect what someone already has.
I had believed then that the pain was worth it. That it was nothing in the face of a greater goal.
But the blisters and bleeding feet I got along the way…
Naturally, no one remembered them.
Not even me.
“We’re almost there, Your Highness. Just have to open this door.”
But this time—
It’s different.
It has to be.
In my past life, I’d learned that if even I couldn’t show kindness to myself, others would treat me just as carelessly.
Feeling the soft leather embrace my feet, I stepped forward, following Betty—
Toward the door, and the new journey waiting on the other side.
