Chapter 31: A Commotion at the Boutique

A lazy afternoon.

In the sunlit garden of the Boronia Palace, a man and a woman sat at a tea table.

"You've worked hard again today, Retina."

"Not really. It's not a difficult job, anyway."

At Rohan's words, Retina simply shrugged her shoulders.

She was, in truth, helping Rohan far more diligently than he'd expected.

"How is your mother doing?"

It had been a week since his mother started her rehabilitation exercises.

"Well, considering it hasn't been long since she couldn't walk, her recovery is faster than I thought. Also, it seems the main issue is psychological rather than physical."

"...! How do you know that?"

"Your mother's physical condition is fine. I can hear the sound of her muscles tightening, her heartbeat, the sound of her swallowing, her digestion, her breathing."

"You can hear even things like that?"

Rohan unconsciously held his breath.

He was worried that even the rumbling in his own stomach might be heard by her.

"Pfft."

Retina burst out laughing at his reaction.

"Don't worry, I don't hear it every moment. If I did, I'd probably have gone mad by now."

"Haha..., r-right?"

Rohan set down his teacup with an awkward laugh.

Whatever else they might be, her kind truly was frightening.

Still, he was reassured that entrusting his mother's rehabilitation to her had been the right decision.

'Of course, she's cooperating so she can take me to Silvaren as soon as possible.'

She surely wasn't doing this out of the goodness of her heart.

For someone like her—a true Silvarenian—to come down to the human world and help with rehabilitation exercises... it didn't make any sense.

"Ah, by the way. There's something I'm curious about."

At Rohan's words, one of Retina's eyebrows twitched.

"What is it?"

"As far as I know..., every Silvarenian has their own unique ability."

"...You know even that? Good grief."

She let out a laugh of disbelief.

"Is that what you're curious about? My unique ability?"

"Yeah."

Rohan nodded.

He was, of course, a little curious. But more importantly...

'I have to know what her ability is if I want to make the best use of her!'

Anyway, until they went to Silvaren together, she was willing to act as his right hand(?).

When else would he have the chance to command a Silvarenian Blood Elphyrian as he pleased!

Rohan wanted to make the most of this opportunity.

He didn't care if she later called him a scheming human.

That was how desperate he was.

"My unique ability is...."

"Your ability is...?"

"It's a secret. I can't just reveal it to a human."

"..."

How disappointing.

But he understood.

After all, the Silvarenians were the true strength of the Prana Union.

That's also why the surrounding human nations didn't dare treat them carelessly.

"By the way, you seem awfully busy these days. Are you at odds with that Marquess Paibang, or whatever his name is?"

"Paibang?"

Ah.

"You mean Marquess Fabian?"

"Yeah, anyway, that marquess fellow."

"And how did you know about that?"

When Rohan asked in surprise, Retina gave him a chilling smile.

"If I want to take you to Silvaren, I need to deal with any obstacles here as quickly as possible, don't I?"

"Heh, is that so?"

She was someone whose face he rarely saw, even here in the Imperial Capital.

But it seemed Retina had been busy investigating Rohan's affairs in her own way.

"Anyway, I have a solution for you."

"A solution?"

Rohan, who had been sipping his tea, tilted his head at the sudden suggestion.

"That marquess fellow—I'll kill him for you."

"Kh—koff, koff!"

Rohan nearly spat out his tea.

"If he's the biggest obstacle, I can kill him without anyone knowing. I'll clean up everything—perfectly."

Retina smiled sweetly, and before he knew it, had pulled a dagger from within her clothes.

The curved blade gleamed in the sunlight.

"Uh, well. That's certainly... a novel approach."

Rohan managed to compose himself and cleared his throat.

"I'm joking. I just wanted to say I'm just as desperate."

Retina pouted her lips.

Rohan couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Haha. Well, you certainly have the ability. But even if you really could do that—"

He shook his head.

"The opponent isn't someone to be taken lightly."

"...What do you mean?"

"Marquess Fabian's shadow. He has quite a formidable expert at his side."

"Hmm. Someone even better than me?"

"Perhaps."

Retina's face grew complicated.

"A human with that kind of skill? Who?"

Rohan shook his head.

"I don't know. Not the name, not the face. But that person always follows Marquess Fabian like a shadow and shows up whenever there's danger. So, don't do anything reckless."

"Hmm..."

At Rohan's words, Retina shrugged her shoulders.

"I was just saying. In truth, a Silvarenian can't just kill or maim humans at will. Using force for personal matters is forbidden."

"Really?"

"It's kind of like Silvaren law."

"Ho, that's quite interesting."

This was news to him.

'Well, with powers on a different level...'

Rohan smacked his lips.

If they ever started intervening among humans, it was obvious some sort of balance would collapse.

For the Elphyrians who serve the World Tree, Yggdrasil, killing and destruction would be contrary to their long-standing ideals.

Therefore, the idea that Blood Elphyrians drank blood was just nonsense.

"Anyway, since helping your mother's rehabilitation means the 'time' will come sooner, I'll do my best. So you have to keep your promise, too."

At Retina's continued words, Rohan nodded.

"Of course."

Rohan was also extremely curious and a little uneasy about what role he would have regarding the World Tree.

It was certainly no ordinary situation.

"I'll be counting on you for a while, Retina."

Still, it was certainly lucky to have such a dependable ally by his side.

***

After meeting with Retina.

Rohan headed to the capital's streets with Martin.

The city was bustling, perhaps because the Emperor's birthday was approaching.

The shouts of merchants filled the air, and laughter bloomed throughout the streets.

"It's nice to walk through the city again after so long."

Rohan was heading to Lucretia's shop.

It was because of her letter, in which she insisted he choose some accessories she was preparing for his mother.

Lucretia had wanted to arrange a date for his visit, but Rohan had insisted on coming in person.

Just like now.

He wanted to feel the vibrant life of the street.

Ding!

Passing through the market and entering the upscale shopping district, Rohan opened a large door and stepped inside.

"I've been through the back entrance before, but this is my first time coming in from the front."

At Martin's words, Rohan smiled softly.

"True. It feels different in broad daylight."

Lucretia's boutique was truly magnificent.

"Welcome!"

After a brief wait, a shop attendant greeted them with a bright face.

"Are you here for a fitting?"

"No. I'm here to see Lucretia Finch."

The attendant looked him up and down.

"Hmm... did you make an appointment?"

"No."

He had come as soon as he received the letter, so he hadn't set up an appointment.

"Hmm, I'm sorry, but if you don't have an appointment, you can't meet Miss Lucretia. And, of course, those who are not of age cannot have clothing fitted without a guardian present."

At her firm words, Martin stepped forward.

"Do you know who this is...?"

But Rohan stopped him with a gentle smile.

"It's my fault for not making an appointment. Then, may I at least look around?"

"Ah, yes. That much is fine. Then I'll be on my way, 'adorable' young gentleman?"

The attendant winked playfully and hurried away.

She might have seemed rude at first glance, but Rohan found the attendant's boldness amusing, as it reminded him of Lucretia herself.

Like boss, like staff, he supposed.

Looking around the shop, Rohan spoke up.

"I didn't expect it to be this crowded."

The boutique was lined with beautiful dresses and clothes.

On one side, maids and servants awaited their masters, and the staff bustled by with armfuls of fabric.

Martin answered with an awkward face.

"Indeed. Still..., shouldn't we let her know you're here? You did take time out of your busy schedule."

"It's fine. She's so busy, why bother her? Let's go."

After making a round of the boutique, Rohan started toward the exit.

At that moment.

Smack!

A sharp, splitting sound made Rohan's head snap around.

"You never do anything right! What are you going to do about my dress?"

A woman's shrill, furious voice.

And in front of her, collapsed on the floor...

"A child?"

Rohan's eyes widened.

Lying on the floor was a skinny little girl with awkwardly cropped short hair.

"I told you to ask for a 'daisy pattern'! And you bring me this gaudy rose motif on my expensive dress? Did you do this to humiliate me? Ugh!"

The woman in the dress stamped her foot in a rage.

Her sharp heel looked ready to strike the child's side at any moment.

Thud!

"Kya!"

A sudden kick sent the woman staggering and she promptly fell over.

"W-what the—? Who dares!"

She whipped her head up, searching for her assailant.

"You... who are you?"

There stood a boy, impossibly young and blue-eyed, staring back at her.

It was Rohan.

"Kicking someone with those heels is using a deadly weapon."

"What? Ha!"

She laughed in disbelief.

She sprang up.

"You! Do you think you'll get away with this? How dare you kick me? Do you even know whose daughter I am?"

Whoosh!

This time, her hand shot toward Rohan, not the child.

Thud!

"I'd think twice before you do something you'll regret."

Of course, her wrist was caught by Martin.

"Ah, aaagh! Let go of me!"

Leaving the woman struggling to free herself, Rohan helped the child up.

"Are you alright?"

"Cough, cough. Y-yes... Th-thank you."

The girl bowed her head, coughing hoarsely as if she had a terrible cold.

Clench.

Rohan's fist tightened.

"Is it a habit to hit anyone who displeases you, regardless of who they are?"

What a wretched habit that woman had.

"Hmph, you kicked me first!"

"No, to be exact, you hit this child first and tried to injure her seriously with your sharp heel. Isn't that right?"

"You must be joking. I'm punishing my own maid—what business is it of yours? Let go!"

As voices rose, a crowd began to gather.

The waiting attendants, as well as nobles trying on clothes inside, came out, unable to restrain their curiosity.

"Who is that kid, anyway? Does he even know who Lady Reditch is?"

"Just looks like some nobody's child... Tsk tsk. Now he's made an enemy of House Reditch."

"Lady Reditch, are you alright?"

And just then.

"What's going on here?"

Hearing the commotion, Lucretia came out.

She looked around, and her eyes met Rohan's.

With a delighted expression, she spoke.

"Oh? Your Highness the Prince? What brings you here?"

At her words, the inside of the boutique fell instantly silent.