CH 68

“I’ll buy these.”

“But this weapon is too big for you.”

“I came here because I need weapons for monsters in the first place.”

“Goodness, Milady. Still, isn’t that too big?”

“If it isn’t this much, it won’t even deal enough damage to a monster.”

“But you still have to use a weapon that’s proportional to your physique.”

“I have enough strength to wield it. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“His Lordship is going to scold me. Will you really put this old man through the ringer, Milady?”

“I’ll be sure to explain it to Dad properly, so really, don’t worry. I want this bow.”

“Goodness…”

Frankly, I couldn’t fault Benjamin for being worried like this. It’s only natural for him to be surprised because the bow I was about to lift was as tall as me.

However, this much was necessary to hunt monsters, so I had to be firm with my decision.

Then, a voice full of surprise rang out.

“Huh? Lady?”

As I turned around, I saw Aiden and Ciel by the door. I curtsied towards them politely.

“I humbly greet Your Grace the Duke and Your Lordship the Young Duke.”

“Fancy seeing you here.”

Aiden was about to approach me without hiding his excitement, but suddenly, Ciel grabbed him by the shoulder and stopped him.

“Aiden, the weapons here are certainly unique.”

“Oh? Oh… Wow, I’ve never seen such a huge bow before.”

Still thrilled, Aiden burst into an exclamation as he stared at the bow I was going to lift. Ciel also scrutinized the bow for a moment with a similar look, then fixed his eyes on me.

“Lady.”

His low voice was not so different from how it sounded in the past, so I was always taken aback whenever I heard him speak.

And whenever he’d briefly call me ‘Seohyun’ with a low nuance, it was easier to fall back into the past than it was to look at his appearance.

I had wondered why I couldn’t feel his gaze on me today, but I guess he had planned to go out with Aiden.

“Yes, Duke.”

“Are you here to look at the weapons?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, I see.”

After the anticlimactic conversation, I picked up the bow in a hurry. Easily lifting it off the ground, I pulled on the bowstring to test it. Then, I let go.

Fwoosh—

The sharp sound of wind being cut echoed through the room.

“Is that a monster hunting bow?”

Benjamin bowed his head and answered Ciel’s question.

“Yes, Your Grace. From here to there, all of the weapons displayed on the wall and even the ones below them are made for monster hunting.”

“Did you make everything here?”

“They were crafted by both me and my son.”

“That’s admirable.”

Though the compliment was short but very gratifying. Benjamin could not hide his joy. Besides that, it’s difficult to meet people outside the territory because we didn’t have any specialties or attractions in the small fief.

And how could he not be happy when a high-ranking duke had come to his smithy and even praised him for his craft?

My mood had soured because of his appearance here, but I was also glad that Benjamin’s abilities were acknowledged. Without realizing it, the corners of my lips had tugged up.

At that moment, that gaze was glued to me once again. I couldn’t help but know who it was from because I’d been feeling the same gaze every single day recently.

When I looked up, my eyes met with his blue eyes immediately. They were tinged with anxiety. I was still not used to that longing gaze which seemed to connote something else, so I turned my eyes away as if I didn’t notice.

Nevertheless, his eyes continued to stay on me as though without the intention of looking away.

“Lady, did you really come here to look at the weapons?”

Striding towards her side, Aiden asked in a more casual, friendly tone. I also spoke to him like a peer because he felt like a younger brother to me. While he’d been staying at my home, without even realizing it, we somehow became closer.

“Yes, I’m here to buy monster hunting weapons.”

“But what will you do with that?”

“Just because. I guess I just want to try wielding it?”

Since I wanted to keep this from my family, I couldn’t say that I was actually going to hunt monsters with it, so I used curiosity as an excuse.

At that moment, the scuffle I had with Benjamin—which came to a lull for a while—began anew.

“I can’t allow Your Ladyship to have that weapon only for that reason!”

“…I’ll explain it properly to Dad.”

“Your Ladyship, I already made and sent you a weapon that’s suitable for you, so please don’t set your eyes on another. And to be precise, we have to keep our inventory of monster hunting weapons ready all the time because a monster siege could happen at any given time.”

Benjamin explained rather spiritedly.

“If you’d like to buy a monster hunting bow only out of curiosity, would it be alright if you ask His Lordship first if he could show one to you?”

“…I understand.”

Seeing that my plan to buy it secretly had failed, I sighed as I answered. I didn’t know that Benjamin would object like this. I promised that I’d come back for it next time.

While wondering if I should ask Brother instead, my eyes met with the two men.

One of them gave an observant look, while the other gave a longing look.

“So you know how to wield a bow…”

Ciel’s gaze was unfocused, as if he was reminiscing about the past.