But things in the world were not that simple and easy.

“Magical tools are mainly made and sold for self-defense or daily use, so unfortunately, we do not have such tools in stock.”

“……”

“If you give me some time, I can send a message to the Magic Tower to check if such an item exists or if it is available for sale.”

In other words, even if you inquired at the Magic Tower, it would be difficult to find a magical tool that assisted in the production of magic potions.

It was just a kind explanation without any sign of belittlement or sarcasm. It was the right attitude to inform a naive child about the realities of the world, but…

‘… no, I have a reason to believe I could buy it if I had the money.’

My mother had a magical tool that maintained the right temperature and humidity for maturing and storing magic potions. And she had it for at least ten years.

But thinking about it now, wasn’t my mother treated as the next head of the Magic Tower even before she became an adult? It was natural that such a person’s magical tool was rare.

Moreover, self-defense items or daily necessities would have sufficient demand… but there wouldn’t be many people who would use magical tools just to make magic potions.

Realizing the reality, I spoke without much expectation.

“I can’t ask you to produce what you don’t have. Then, let’s start with the writing utensils.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the department store staff quickly disappeared to find what they needed to do.

However, Leah Fawcett still stood by my side without leaving.

“… Miss, I dare to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Have you ever seen such a magical tool?”

I thought for a moment and then slowly nodded.

At that moment, Leah Fawcett’s eyes shone brightly. They were the eyes of someone with conviction and passion.

“Could you tell me where you saw it, what exact functions it had, whose it was… anything else you know?”

A staff member was placing some snacks and tea on the table in front of me when they made a loud clatter with a mistake.

My guard and Leanne, who stood behind me, openly showed their displeasure and cleared their throats, but Leah Fawcett didn’t flinch and finished her sentence firmly.

“If you do, I will thank you in the name of Gallamad.”

I slightly tilted my head.

“Are you trying to find the maker of that magical tool and make a supply contract?”

“Yes.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“Pardon?”

“It was my mother’s.”

Leah Fawcett blinked.

She, who catered to nobles, wouldn’t be unaware of what <my mother’s> meant.

That magical tool was probably something my mother made herself when she could still freely use magic.

But my mother could no longer use magic.

Her brilliant talent and promising future were cruelly shattered, leaving only the remnants of a once-bright past.

I didn’t want to dig into and reopen the deep scars that might have been tangled with painful memories.

I quietly recited what I knew.

“My mother had a small box that could keep magic potions at the right temperature and humidity even before I was born. It doesn’t work anymore, but I believe she still has it.”

“……”

“That’s all I know.”

Leah Fawcett hesitated with a vague expression before speaking.

“Miss… I am merely a merchant. You don’t have to explain everything to me. You can simply order me not to pursue it.”

“You said you’d thank me in the name of Duke Chelsiers? That’s not something a mere merchant can say.”

Perhaps realizing the validity of my point, Leah Fawcett’s tone took on a slightly embarrassing note.

“I, uh, have a keen interest in the popularization of magic potions, so I misspoke…”

“Enough. I will accept your apology.”

“… you don’t want me to tell the Duchess about this.”

I nodded plainly.

Mom’s small box had already been broken twice.

The first time was due to theft. A gem the size of a coin was embedded inside the lid, and one of the people who took care of me and Eciel stole it.

That gem was a magic stone, the power source of the magical tool, and without it, the box lost its temperature and humidity control function.

Still, Mom joked.

– If they were going to steal it, they should have taken the whole box. That way, it would fetch a better price.

But she couldn’t joke the next time.

Years of frequent moves and the thief’s rough handling with a knife to pry out the magic stone left the box in a very fragile state.

One day, while packing for another move, it finally cracked in my mother’s hands.

– I should have left it behind.

Mom sighed with a weary, worn-out voice. She almost discarded the box but eventually put it back in her luggage.

So, the small box returned to the mansion, unrepaired and still broken.

I needed to prevent a third shock.

“I know you’re a merchant. You must have clung to every profitable opportunity to get where you are.”

The staff preparing the tea tactfully left, and the teacups were empty.

I signaled to Leanne, who immediately approached and poured the tea.

Watching this, I spoke quietly.

“You grab opportunities as soon as you see them, and you roughly pay for your mistakes to smooth things over.”

At that moment, the woman’s face stiffened briefly.

“Do you believe that’s the most efficient and best way?”

“… no, it’s not.”

“Then you admit you made a mistake.”

Leah Fawcett couldn’t respond.

Astariol, a young and naive girl. Ignorant of human and social dynamics, extremely lacking in common sense, and clumsy in value judgments.

‘Yes, it’s hard not to underestimate those conditions.’

I admitted that, but it was quite regrettable that I appeared so naive to be impulsively charged without considering the consequences…

I didn’t hide my downcast gaze. The woman before me also just bowed her head without making any excuses.

“… I apologize, Miss. I will follow your words.”

I lightly nodded and picked up the teacup. The well-brewed tea was mild and suited my taste, but after one sip, I put it down.

Noticing the atmosphere, the staff cautiously approached and resumed their tasks.

In the quiet ambiance, I picked out a couple of bookmarks for myself, some ink in mysterious colors that Eciel would like, and a few gifts for my parents.

“It’s time to go.”

After leaving the items to be wrapped, I stood up to return to where Eciel and my mother were, when Leah Fawcett called out to me hesitantly.

“Miss.”

Leanne glared and spoke loudly enough for all to hear.

“Miss, let’s go.”

Should we? While I was hesitating, Leah Fawcett hurriedly approached.

“Lady Sisana also chose writing utensils as a gift for the Crown Prince’s birthday.”

I blinked once.

“… I’ll keep that in mind.”

I didn’t fully understand the meaning behind her words, but I realized one thing.

This was information Leah Fawcett didn’t need to share with me, yet she did to make up for her previous <mistake>.

So, I suppressed my rising suspicion and hid my wavering expression.

 

* * *

 

“Miss, could you wait a moment? His Excellency is in the drawing room greeting a guest.”

I nodded quietly and sat on the chair like the shadow of the flower vase.

Louis took the gift box from my arms and placed it on the desk, asking amiably about various things.

“Did you have a good time today?”

“… more or less?”

I smiled slightly.

Louis, who was about to place a cushion behind my back, hesitated and stiffened. When I looked up, I saw he had a very peculiar expression.

“Does His Excellency teach you that?”

“Teach what?”

“If something happens but it’s not significant enough to tell me, you always smile like that.”

“……”

“And His Excellency is very bold…”

It was hard to argue because I felt similar.

With nothing to say, I pressed my lips together, and a deep smile appeared on Louis’s face.

“You don’t have to tell me, Miss. I will always follow your wishes.”

A voice like the wind and waves.

That voice pushed out the cloud-like words inside me.

“… Louis. Actually, I have something to ask.”

“Yes, please ask, Miss.”

“Have you ever…”

But the cloud-like words quietly evaporated like a summer shower, leaving only faint traces.

“Claire?”

The owner of the office I was in had finally returned to his original place.

I stopped speaking and stood up. Louis also gently retreated without further questions.

In no time, my father, with honest and sincere smiles, approached.

“What’s going on?”

At first, I wanted to give him the gifts.

I had a good time outside, but I missed my father, and even Eciel suggested we bring him along next time… I wanted to say those things too.

I thought my neatly arranged thoughts would overflow with one breath.

But a completely different statement came out of my mouth.

“Dad, did Mom ever… get dragged to a holy trial?”