Chapter 66

Chapter 66       

“Lorocomo.”

When Nina called from above, Lorocomo, who was handing a cloak to Mimina, looked up. His face subsequently brightened.

“Commander.”

A strange expression erupted on his face when he saw Nina jump down the railing, but soon changed to a polite one when Nina arrived in front of him.

She landed perfectly.

“I thought you had work, but you’re home early?”

“I went to the Duke of Brennan to see if there’s a big transaction we could make but it seemed that they still wanted to get a peek on our side, so I put the discussion on hold for the meantime. Will it be alright if I give a detailed report to the Duke after I further look into things?”

“Of course.”

Then Nina asked after nodding her head.

“By the way, do you know Viscount Chara?”

“I do.”

“Are there any servants who were kicked out of his territory these days?”

Lorocomo blinked at Nina’s words and said.

“You’ve just arrived today, but I see that you’re already well informed. Coincidentally, I have something to discuss with you about that.”

“I think I have an inkling of what you’re about to say. Let’s go up.”

Nina reached out to Mimina and asked.

“Do you want to come too, Mimina?”

With her cheeks slightly blushing and her eyes lowered, Mimina replied,

“I have to give orders to the servants.”

“I see.”

She waved her hand implying she’s okay and Nina went up together with Lorocome. Adrian’s room was on the second floor of the townhouse.

The room was big, but it looked empty with little furniture. Above all, the carpet was old and completely faded.

‘It’s unfortunate that I can’t get Randell to clean this place again.’

It was possible with the Black Shield Castle because there were no nobles around, but if they did it with the townhouse, not even one minute and it’s pretty sure that rumors would’ve spread reaching up to the Imperial Castle.

Adrian was sitting on the old sofa······.

‘It’s still a picture to pine for, all right.’

Nina thought with her arms crossed.

The shadow on his face, the indigo blue clothes he was wearing that contrasts his delicate and sensitive white skin, and even the old sofa he was sitting on looked like a prop in a beautiful vintage painting.

Adrian doesn’t like his fair skin, but he couldn’t do anything about it since he doesn’t get tan no matter what he does. The transparent pink eyes that were cast in the shadows slowly lifted and looked at her.

“Why are you just standing there?”

“Oh, for appreciation.”

Nina replied calmly.

Lorocomo greeted politely after biting his lips so as not to laugh.

“Greetings to the Duke.”

Nina also bowed, crossing her arms with an X, and Adrian lifted his hands as if annoyed with Nina’s antics. Nina strode and stood beside him and Lorocomo stopped at a reasonable distance.

She stood silently while Adrian and Lorocomo were talking.

“His Grace has just arrived today, but rumors have already been around. Are you going to attend the imperial ball this evening?”

“I suppose so.”

“Understood. Then about the attendants······.”

Lorocomo, who briefly recounted what recently happened in the Chara Viscounty added,

“If possible, I’d like to rehire everyone for the Duchy. Of course, they don’t have recommendation letters, but······.”

“Young Master.”

When Nina called him, Adrian looked back at her and told Lorocomo.

“Hire them.”

Lorocomo bowed his head in delight.

“Thank you.”

“Looking for a skilled servant is quite a lot of work.”

“Understood, then I’ll proceed with the rest.”

Lorocomo then introduced the newly hired merchants and expressed his opinion that he should also purchase the merchant’s building.

In turn, after his report was over, Adrian also handed him Kirill’s long report.

Lorocomo spoke with a jump.

“Tooth Repair Medicine?”

“Yes.”

“This is······. This could be considered something that everyone would dream to get, even if they pay a hefty amount for it.”

Lorocomo’s eyes were shining.

“It’s a regular dental care set commodity······. Many will surely seek-after this.”

Lorocomo nodded. He carefully asked if a workshop for manufacturing should be established, and Adrian replied that he would leave that to him.

‘I’m glad I chose this guy.’

Thinking so, Lorocomo gave his farewell and left. When there were only the two of them left, Adrian asked,

“Are you free today?”

“Anytime is fine with me.”

Speaking of the ball, Nina replied with a grin.

“It’s Vivian’s long wish to see me make my debut.”

Nina added with a laugh.

“I hope there’ll be nice guys.”

“Nice guys?”

“A court knight, in my opinion, should have one or two lovers. So I’m thinking of making one.”

“······You’re my knight.”

“Yes, but······.”

Nina shrugged her shoulders.

“I wonder if there should be at least one or two such titles just to be active in the aristocratic society in the empire.”

“I don’t think it’s the right time for that.”

Nina laughed at Adrian’s childish tone.

“You’re right. I haven’t even made my debut yet, I’m already thinking too far.”

Nina shook her head. Adrian stared at her and said,

“We have to leave right this evening, so go and rest.”

“Yes.”

Crossing her arms, Nina gently stepped back.

Upon entering the room, there was a conspicuous box on the top of her desk. Nina grinned as she opened the box.

There were two long red ribbons on it. It was an item embroidered with exquisite gold thread.

[To My Dear, Nina.]

Even if there is no name on the short card, she can clearly tell who the sender is.

‘As expected, of Adrian.’

A gift that says, “I already know what kind of hair-do you’re going to wear this with.”

Pigtails may be a hairstyle that someone would never wear at a ball, but Nina was going to do it and Adrian is not going to stop her.

She grinned.

────── •❆• ──────

The Duke’s wagon sprang across the boulevard. Nina and Jean rode side-by-side mounting unicorns.

And Charlotte and Kell were trailing at the back.

She had to pick two out of the three who had been trained as escorts, but there weren’t really any difficulties in choosing. Raja was resentful, but he was left with the rest of the knights to guard the mansion.

Even at night, the capital was splendid.

It was full of bright lights, and people were busy moving around.

It was a perfect evening for a summer night air. The sound of horses’ hoofs, the buzz of the carriages, and the sparkling shops blending in, were like champagne bubbles.

“There’s a lot of people.”

Jean looked around and murmured, looking surprised. Nina shrugged her shoulders.

“Isn’t it usually this many? I’ve never been to the capital city, so I don’t know.”

“You—No, Ma’am, you’re quite calm for something like this. Usually, when someone sees sparkling lights and streets like this for the first time, their mouth will be kept open like that little kid.”

When Jean pointed at Charlotte, the kid quickly bit her lips. Kell, who was following from the other side, smiled.

“I’ll look around later. The escort comes first.”

At Nina’s words, Jean said, “Wow, I can’t believe you’re trying to be commendable now,” while shaking his head.

“Excuse me, but I’ve always been this commendable. I’m your forever cool and cute Nina.”

“Yes, of course.”

Jean grinned.

When they arrived at a crowded place, the conversation couldn’t continue anymore. Their every move caught people’s attention in a heartbeat.

There were even spectators following the party. She even heard a voice betting whether the unicorn horns were fake or real.

Even the soldiers standing at the entrance of the Imperial Palace looked at the unicorns with blank faces. The moment the carriage passed, they finally came to their senses and lifted their spears to block the road.

Only then did the crowd of spectators fall apart.

However, this time there were noble spectators. A long line of wagons stood in front of the palace, and the people who got off the wagons quickly heard that the Duke of Luverne had arrived.