--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Threatening mana began to surge around Idris.
Deon's men flinched instinctively at the sight.
"Let him go."
Deon's command came from inside the office.
The subordinates swallowed hard, watching Idris, whose cold smile had vanished, and stepped back.
Idris passed them and disappeared leisurely down the hallway.
Tap, tap...
As the sound of footsteps faded into the distance, Deon's face, which had maintained a poker face the whole time, contorted in frustration.
'This has become troublesome.'
Now that Idris had noticed, it would be difficult to plan the next move for a while.
At least until Idris's attention was diverted.
'I need to find another way.'
Tap, tap, tap...
The sound of tapping on the armrest of the chair filled the office for a long time.
Several days later.
"Young lady! An invitation from the Imperial Palace, an invitation has arrived!"
Erin shouted, bursting through the door. An elegant envelope fluttered in her hand.
'Hmm, what was coming has finally come.'
It was an invitation to Her Majesty the Empress's tea party.
The day Her Majesty the Empress called me to the Imperial Palace, she spoke of her plans.
"When Leticia's side is ready, I think we should hold a spring tea party."
Every spring, the Empress would invite the noble ladies of the empire to a tea party as an annual event.
Just as men held hunting competitions to foster camaraderie, women also gathered to build relationships and discuss the future of the empire.
However, after giving birth to Ludian, the Empress's health weakened, and with the death of the Grand Empress Dowager, who had been hosting the tea parties, the event had not been held for two years.
In this situation, the Empress had stepped forward to hold the tea party again.
"Are you sure you're alright with this? Considering Your Majesty's health, and the social scene isn't exactly peaceful yet."
"This is for our Ludian, not just for Leticia."
The Empress's resolve was firm.
She seemed to have concluded that Ludian was in such danger at the founding festival because his supporting forces were weak.
So I didn't stop her.
'And I also have a personal wish for someone with such qualities of a wise leader to be more revered.'
After hearing her plan, I asked her to send the tea party invitation soon without further delay.
"Is the evidence to stir up a scandal between Elise and the Duke already prepared?"
"No, not yet. But it won't take long."
I already knew all of Elise's plans anyway.
The tea party invitation is usually sent two weeks in advance to increase attendance.
'Elise will have to end this before she starts showing, so she won't be able to drag things out any longer.'
Two weeks was enough time for Elise to make her move.
And so, the night before the tea party.
I moved as planned.
As dusk fell.
Wig and I found ourselves in a shabby shop located in the back alleys of the capital.
'...Is this even open?'
I had my doubts for a moment, but as if to contradict them, a faint light seeped out from inside the shop.
"This must be the place, right?"
"Yes, without a doubt!"
Wig nodded without hesitation and opened the door to the shop.
Dispelling my doubts, I pulled up the hood of my robe and entered the shop.
Inside the shop were various weapons displayed, such as bows, daggers, and longswords.
Passing the display cases, we arrived at the counter, where two men in black robes with hoods pulled down stood.
"Welcome, customer. What kind of item are you looking for?"
The shop appeared to sell hunting weapons at first glance.
But what they really sold wasn't weapons.
"I'd like to purchase something that isn't sold to just anyone."
As I spoke, Wig placed a pouch of gold coins on the counter.
Thump—
A heavy sound echoed on the counter, and one of the men, who had been staring at it, went to the back and brought out a velvet box.
Inside the box was a jeweled ornamental dagger.
But I shook my head.
I nodded to Wig, who placed two more pouches of gold coins.
"Is that not enough?"
"..."
After exchanging glances for a moment, the men finally asked the question I was waiting for.
"What kind of animal are you trying to hunt?"
"I'm trying to catch a deer."
The type of animal was the strength of the drug.
"Do you want something that can kill instantly? Or something that will cause death gradually?"
"Something that causes death gradually, but with immediate effects, would be nice."
The method of killing refers to the type of drug.
That's right. What they were selling was...
Poison.
Since it would be dangerous if ordinary merchants freely distributed poison, only authorized trading companies could handle it.
But it was still being traded secretly in the back alleys where the law couldn't reach.
And Elise from my past life bought poison here.
'Of course, she probably did the same in this life too.'
As if to prove my guess was correct, one of the men grinned and turned to find the poison.
"You're in luck, customer. It just so happens that we have one left—"
At that moment, I added.
"I knew it, you do sell it here."
"Excuse me?"
"What I'm trying to buy isn't that 'item,' but the receipt of the person who recently purchased that item."
I smiled and pointed to the pouch of gold coins in front of me.
"How about it? How much will it cost?"
The men, who had been gaping foolishly, didn't readily respond to my request and instead glanced at each other.
It was already rare for someone to know about the existence of the trading company, but for a customer who came a few days apart to ask for the previous customer's receipt, it was bound to be suspicious.
Anyway, seeing their reaction, it seemed that Elise had indeed come to this place.
'How can there be so little deviation?'
After confirming that Elise was plotting the same thing as in my past life, I felt a bit overwhelmed.
Not that there was anything more to be disappointed about, but it was as if even the last shred of humanity had disappeared...
"Hand over that person's receipt. Then I'll give you twice the amount I just offered."
After hesitating for a moment at my words, the men opened their mouths as if they had exchanged intentions.
"We're sorry, but we never sell our customers' information, no matter what."
"Three times."
"..."
"Is that not enough? How about five times, then?"
Despite the enormous amount, the men didn't budge.
I was dumbfounded by their dedication to their customers.
'They're doing business illegally, but they prioritize trust with their customers...?'
Well, if they had sold all of their customers' information, their business wouldn't have grown this big.
They would have been exposed and uprooted before that.
'I thought everything could be solved with money... This has become troublesome.'
I needed proof that Elise had purchased poison in order to expose her self-made drama and turn the tables.
But after finding the store, I was blocked in an unexpected place.
'What should I do?'
I bit my lip.
I could feel Wig next to me watching my reaction.
I nudged Wig's arm with my elbow and said.
"Let's go for now."
"Please be careful on your way back, customer."
Wig quickly followed me as I turned around.
Then, as soon as we left the store, he asked me.
"Are you going to give up like this?"
"No, of course not."
"Then what are you going to do?"
At that moment, I noticed the cloth covering the side of the carriage.
I had covered it up because I didn't want to visit an illegal store with the Delua family crest so prominently displayed.
Upon discovering it, a solution came to mind.
I smiled and replied.
"If it can't be done with money, I'll have to try to win them over with something else."
Comments
Post a Comment