Chapter 132

 

* * *

 

A week later, Melody arrived in Kristonson.

It was a journey that usually took more than ten days from the capital, yet they arrived so early thanks to the magical carriage provided by merchant Briggs.

This alone made the journey easier.

Furthermore, the ‘Briggs branches’ prepared in each region offered accommodations where the fatigue accumulated from the carriage travel could be completely alleviated, making the trip even more comfortable.

At each branch, there was an opportunity to try out different products from Briggs every day.

If they liked something, they could decide to buy it on the spot, and so Claude and Melody immersed themselves in shopping every night.

“Welcome. Lord Baldwin, Miss Higgins. We have been expecting you.”

When the two got off at the mansion, the steward of Briggs Mansion was there to greet them.

“My name is Wendel Benton, and I will be serving the two of you on behalf of Briggs.”

Claude and Melody greeted him in turn.

The Briggs Mansion, built from red brick and logs, was modest without any particular decorations, but this simplicity gave it a cozy and neat feeling.

As they followed Benton inside, the noticeably low ceiling caught their attention first.

“We wouldn’t survive the winter otherwise.”

Benton quickly added an explanation upon seeing Melody’s intrigued expression.

“I’ve heard it’s cold, but is it really that cold? To the extent that survival depends on the height of the ceiling?”

“Yes. Even with all the efforts to insulate the mansion, during winter, we have to put heated stones under the blankets for our guests to barely fall asleep.”

Just how cold could it get.

Melody shrugged her shoulders, and Benton continued to guide them through the mansion, showing the library, the music room, and the living room, among others.

“Please feel free to use all the facilities as you wish. If there’s anything else you need, do not hesitate to inform me or any other servant, and we will prepare it for you.”

And for the last part of the mansion tour, they were treated to welcome tea in the living room.

‘Why tea before being shown to our rooms?’

Melody briefly wondered, but soon all mysteries were solved.

It was thanks to the documents Benton brought.

These were lists of items they had purchased at various Briggs branches during their journey from the capital to this place.

Due to the abundance of excellent items, the list they received was so long it easily surpassed Melody’s height.

“We bought a lot.”

“Indeed. Shall we check the details?”

Claude reviewed each item on the document.

 

[A soap that makes your skin soft.

A bath towel that feels pleasant to the touch.

A cream that smells of roses.

Socks that relieve fatigue just by wearing them.

A box that emits different colored lights each time it’s opened.

A spice that hides the smell of cucumbers.

A magical plant that dances to clapping.

Clothes of a far-off king that only appear to the truly wise.

…….]

 

Claude nodded with great satisfaction as he checked each item.

“Even upon review, these are all essential.”

“……?!”

That couldn’t be right.

Melody worried that his sharp wit had been dulled by the fatigue of the journey.

To her, at least one item on that list was clearly a scam concocted by the merchant.

Specifically, the soap that was supposed to make your skin soft.

They said, ‘Using this product will make the ducal lady’s skin shine even brighter.’

But in reality, Loretta’s skin couldn’t possibly shine any brighter than it already did here. She wouldn’t need the help of a soap.

‘But… everything else seems useful.’

Especially the clothes of a far-off king that only appear to the truly wise.

Even though neither Claude nor Melody could see them, they were sure Loretta and the duke would.

And a spice that hides the smell of cucumbers!

With such a thing, it might even be possible to feed Jeremiah cucumbers.

It was amazing how many great products there were.

‘Anyway, I can use the soap myself. There’s no need to object to it.’

So, Melody nodded along with Claude in satisfaction.

With her agreement, Claude elegantly signed at the bottom of the receipt and handed it over to Benton.

All the staff bowed deeply in thanks, likely because the sales they made from them alone were enough to cover the expenses of their week-long journey.

“We will prepare interesting products for you to see on your way back as well.”

Hearing the employee’s words, Melody glanced at Claude, who already seemed very much looking forward to more shopping.

 

* * *

 

Of course, for them to spend their pocket money in high spirits during the return shopping as well, they needed to achieve their primary goal.

That is, to see Prince Samuel and his son with their own eyes.

They also hoped to have a conversation if possible, but that would require more time.

It was a matter involving human lives, after all.

After the tea time, both were shown to their respective rooms.

Melody was given a lovely room with a large fireplace.

It was decorated with several small knit dolls and a sky-blue tapestry, making it incredibly charming.

‘This would make Loretta happy too,’ she thought as she looked around and saw a welcoming bouquet and a box placed in the center of the room.

‘What could it be?’

Approaching, she opened the card placed on top, finding a simple welcome message. It mentioned that they had prepared ‘fun clothes to wear to the festival.’

‘Fun festival clothes…’

An ominous feeling crept up on her.

She had seen some of the festival-goers in town during their journey here.

Almost none of them wore ordinary clothes.

No! There was an absolute ‘lack of clothes’ worn by both men and women.

She understood the joy of meeting summer and sunlight after a long time, but there was no need to be so scantily clad.

Even if one’s face was covered with a mask, it would be too embarrassing…

‘What if it’s a scandalous outfit that exposes both shoulders?’

But not wearing the clothes kindly provided would seem like ignoring the merchant’s hospitality, who had thought of her.

That wasn’t the attitude a guest should show.

‘I hope, at least, it only exposes one shoulder.’

Then, at least half of it would maintain decency. It might be a little less embarrassing.

With a prayerful heart, Melody opened the large box.

At the top was a white lace mask that could cover the eyes.

‘Pretty.’

She liked the mask at first glance, especially because it was an unobtrusive white color.

Now, the only thing left was to see how modest the dress was.

Melody grabbed the voluminous dress with both hands and lifted it all at once.

Thin papers scattered around as the dress unfolded like a blooming flower.

“Wow.”

Melody exclaimed in awe.

It was a beautiful white dress. The hem was adorned with sky-blue lace layered like rose petals, creating a delicate flutter with every small movement.

Melody liked this dress.

Most importantly, it did not expose both shoulders! It was quite modest.

‘But why did the card mention it as fun clothes?’

The dress was pretty but not particularly amusing.

 

* * *

 

Shortly after, with the help of the local maids, Melody tried on the gifted dress and even the shoes.

The shoes, seemingly custom-ordered for her, had Melody’s name beautifully engraved inside the heel.

Then, she put her hair up neatly and looked at herself in the mirror in front.

‘It looks good. I was a bit surprised when I first put it on.’

She hadn’t realized when she first took it out of the box, but the front of the dress was short enough to expose her knees.

Melody exclaimed in shock to the maids, ‘My knees are showing! It’s scandalous!’ but they responded nonchalantly.

“The back is long, so it’s fine.”

…Is it really fine?

Melody momentarily doubted but then remembered her earlier thought for reassurance.

Exposing both shoulders might be problematic, but showing one could be acceptable.

Maybe showing half of her legs wasn’t too embarrassing either, especially since the lace was so abundant it wasn’t entirely revealing, only glimpses as she moved.

It might just manage to look modest. Perhaps.

Melody picked up the mask lying nearby. Now, with it on, she would be fully dressed in what was prepared by the merchants.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door. Melody assumed it was Claude, given the high likelihood at this time.

They had planned to go out to the city around now.

Going out immediately upon arrival might be a bit tiring, but they weren’t here for leisure.

Dressing in festival-appropriate attire was merely to blend in as inconspicuous travelers, not with any intention to enjoy the festival.

‘We’re just here to find Prince Samuel.’

Holding the mask, Melody approached the door.