âMadam, the wind is exceptionally strong today. This is the item the lord told me to complete within a month. Itâs late but⊠Ugh. Whoa!â Hans staggered through the drawing room, struggling with a large box.
His gaze wandered through the elegant furniture, and then stopped on a red carpet with arabesque patterns embroidered in gold thread.
Soon his face turned red.
âM-madam. Itâs an outrageous dress. Are you going to dress up for Count Valks? How would you like toâŠâ
Lily blinked puzzledly at his big eyes, then looked down at her outfit. A gray robe without any decorations or patterns. It was obtained by asking Eila.
âAfter all, the fabric is too expensive, isnât it? I tried to find a cheaper one but couldnât.â
âOh, no. The problem isnât the fabric⊠Your feetâŠâ
The hem was too short. The same went for the robe and the dress worn underneath.
If it was that kind of length, it was possible that it wasnât even up to the ankleâŠ
Hans raised his face, which was as red as lava.
The feet were a very intimate area. As for noblewomen, the higher her status, the longer the hem of her dress.
That was not a maidenâs ankle, but that of a duchess!
How should I tell youâŠ
A roaring noise smashed over his efforts to find the right word.
âPassing the gate to Cadis?! Absolutely not!â It was Count Valks who came in with the momentum to break the door.
Even Lily, who was standing quite far away, felt a vibration in her bones at the loud roar.
âI was wondering if I could get on the carriage and inspect it on the main road with an escortâŠâ
Valks, who had been screaming, suddenly shut his mouth tightly. His face, which had hardened like a log hit by lightning, slowly turned red from the neck, then he quickly turned his head. âThat ghastly outfit⊠ Even worse!â
OutfitâŠ
Just then, as if realizing, she let out a small sigh of hers.
Although she knew it was not a dress worthy of a modest lady, all commoners, who worked daily, wore this much.
Lily narrowed her elegant eyes. âThe reason I dare to go undercover is to properly check the reality of the people who live there. I canât dress like a noble.â
âThere was a command from the Lord to put the safety of Madam first. I, Godwin Valks, no matter what happens, I will not back down, Madam!â
âThe count is not one who can go against my authority.â
Valks and Hans were startled.
There was not even a slight tremble in the calm green eyes. Despite that, the strange eyes that werenât intimidating, could not be disobeyed.
He couldnât disobey Lily this time.
Before Vlad returned, her plan had to be carried out.
This was an opportunity. An opportunity to do something.
The first chance to help Vlad, the vassals, and the citizens. She should take care of them.
It was an opportunity to show how much she cared for him. She didnât want to miss out on that like an idiot.
âIâm sorry, but I donât care if the count is convinced this time. Donât waste my time anymore,â Lily muttered in a lower voice.
A tense silence pulled the air in the drawing room from side to side.
Hans, who had been guarding her body, sneaked in while the old knight licked his lips.
âIâŠâ He carefully set the box he was holding down on the table.
The sound softened the suffocating air.
âWe just need a little time to complete this. So wouldnât this be a bit of a compromise?â Hans smiled and opened the box lid.
Valks eyes widened.
* * *
The golden sunlight fell on the wide central square.
It was no different from any other city. Except that instead of the fountain that usually adorned the center, there was a death row.
The gray hoodâs fabric fluttered in the cold wind that ripped through the air. Lily grabbed it with both her gloved hands.
Hans shrugged and shook his body. âNow that weâre in⊠W-what should we do!â
âI just want to look around that road more! It seems that the width is different from what I saw on paper!â
Lily also enjoyed the sensation of numbness on her forehead.
The life of an aristocratic woman started in the mansion and ended in the mansion. There were very few cases where they were confined to the fortress like her.
âThere are too many people⊠You have to go slowly and stick with me. If the distance between us increases, the count will be very angry!â
Lily nodded.
As she entered the bustling boulevard, blood rushed through her body. She struggled to resist the urge to see what people sold.
She stopped at the entrance of a building. âIt would be better to install street lights in a small alley like this first. Places like this are more dangerous after sunset.â
Hans scribbled down her words in a notebook.
âI have to check with the police chief where the alley with the highest crime rate isâŠâ As she peered into the alley, she hardened.
It was because of a familiar tall person who crossed the road quickly. The black hood was blown away by the wind, revealing short red hair.
Lily was shocked as if someone slammed a hammer on the back of her head. Her heart pounded. âWhy are you hereâŠ?â
Then she had to swallow a gasp again because a woman had appeared from another side street.