CHAPTER 014
There was a reason why I didn't go with Bella. When she appeared, real estate agents would get scared.
"You’re not planning to cheat my friend, are you?"
I really appreciated her trying to help, but the problem was that Bella's intimidation made the agents reluctant to deal with us.
Even when we went to see houses, things often fell through.
I hadn’t found a single house that I truly liked yet.
If the location was good, the price was an issue. If the price was reasonable, the house itself wasn't satisfactory.
I wanted to save on the cost of the house and keep some money for living expenses. When I received the money, it seemed like a huge amount, but it wasn't as substantial as I thought...
Today was no different.
"You don't have anything?"
"No, Miss. There isn’t any place in the desired location within that budget."
How could this be? I had visited several real estate agencies, and they all said the same thing.
I sighed as I left yet another agency.
"What should I do?"
My budget was limited.
I felt guilty about borrowing more money from Bella since I was already indebted to her, and I couldn’t stay at the duchy indefinitely.
I was pondering this while walking down the street.
"Miss Elsner?"
When I turned at the voice calling me, there was Charlotte.
"Oh? Miss Yanils!"
I greeted her warmly.
"It’s surprising to see you here, Miss Yanils."
"I was just on my way back from a meeting."
Charlotte and I exchanged simple pleasantries. I thought we would part ways after that, but no.
She glanced in the direction I had come from and continued.
"Did you just come from a real estate agency?"
"Ah, yes."
It seemed she had seen me coming out of the agency.
There was no need to hide it, so I told her the truth.
"I’m looking for a house."
"A house?"
"I’m only staying at the duke’s estate temporarily. But I haven't found a suitable house yet... I’m quite lost."
Charlotte seemed to think for a moment before speaking.
"I know someone in the real estate business. Would you like me to introduce you?"
"Oh? Introduce me?"
Charlotte had such connections?
I had only been thinking of going around and looking by myself. Since there was no reason to refuse, I asked,
"What kind of person are they?"
"Well..."
I listened attentively to Charlotte's explanation.
A few days later.
The day had come for Charlotte to introduce me to the real estate agent.
"You’re going alone again?"
Bella asked, watching me get ready to go out. She squinted, looking displeased.
"Sorry, Bella. I’ll be back soon. How about we have something delicious when I get back?"
"...What kind?"
Fortunately, Bella’s attitude softened quickly.
"I’ll buy it! How about blueberry cake from Nouvelle Patisserie?"
"Sounds good. Come back soon, okay?"
"Of course, of course!"
Promising to bring back Bella’s favorite dessert from a famous bakery, I left the mansion.
I met Charlotte at a quiet café in town. She was already there.
"Is the person you’re introducing me to...?"
"They’ll be here soon."
Shortly after, a middle-aged man appeared.
He was dressed in a way that exuded wealth.
Charlotte smiled and introduced him.
"He’s someone my father has known for a long time."
"I’m Mark Thompson."
After a brief introduction, he showed me documents saying there was a house that could fit my budget.
"Charlotte asked, so I’m showing it to you specially."
"Wow, thank you!"
Luckily, it was within the city!
It wasn’t too far from the duchy, and the price was reasonable. Perfect!
"If you’d like, we can go see it. Just looking at the papers isn’t enough."
"Shall we?"
Just as I was about to go see the house,
"Are you moving?"
A familiar voice suddenly interrupted.
...No way?
"Marquis?"
I turned to see Lewis standing there.
"Marquis, what are you doing here?"
"I was looking for a place to have coffee. This place seemed quiet."
Oh no...
I had chosen this quiet place to talk without interruptions, only to run into Lewis, who dislikes noise.
Next time, I should pick a noisy café.
Behind Lewis was a man I didn’t recognize.
Ignoring him, Lewis asked me,
"The others didn’t mention it. Have you been looking for a house?"
"Ah... I started preparing to move recently. I can’t stay here forever-"
"And you didn’t tell me?"
Huh? I was confused but quickly realized.
Lewis didn't know. He only knew I was staying temporarily at the duke’s estate!
"Now that I think about it, I didn’t tell you, Marquis... I started preparing to move a while ago."
I explained belatedly.
But why did this matter?
"I didn’t tell you because we’d still be seeing each other even after I move. Nothing’s changed, right?"
"Is that why you were meeting with those people?"
Lewis nodded toward Charlotte and Mr. Thompson.
They seemed bewildered by his sudden appearance.
Mr. Thompson nervously asked,
"Miss Elsner, who is this...?"
"Oh, this is Marquis Bloomberg. Sorry for the late introduction. It was sudden for me too."
After introductions, I tried to subtly hint to Lewis that we were in the middle of something.
"Excuse me, Marquis."
"What?"
"I was discussing something important..."
"So? Continue your discussion."
But Lewis didn’t seem inclined to leave easily. Why was he acting like this?
"You have company too."
"Do I?"
Lewis glanced at the man who was with him, and he quickly left the café.
Lewis turned back to me with a smile.
"I don’t have company now."
"...It seems you don’t."
Judging by the man's quick departure, he was probably a mage working under Lewis.
I could imagine how tough working conditions at the tower were without even seeing them.
Lewis, having sent his companion away, casually sat beside me and stared at Mr. Thompson.
Since hearing that he was the Marquis of Bloomberg, Mr. Thompson had started sweating profusely.
I understand. Anyone in the empire would know how intimidating the Tower Lord is.
Lewis didn’t just stare; he started questioning Mr. Thompson.
"Were you planning to show her a house?"
"Y-yes?"
"We’re friends. I almost didn’t know my friend was moving because of you."
"Hey, it's not Mr. Thompson's fault."
I tried to smooth things over, but it didn’t seem to help Mr. Thompson much.
"Ah, well..."
Mr. Thompson, sweating, said,
"There was a property, but it’s gone."
"What?!"
"I’m sorry, Miss Elsner."
* * *
"You came back quickly."
Bella greeted me as I returned to the garden.
"Weren’t you supposed to see the house?"
"Yeah, but..."
I sighed inwardly as I placed the cake box on the garden table.
Why did I come back so soon?
"You said you had a property just for me."
"It was already sold, and I made a mistake."
"What about other houses..."
"There are no vacant houses. Nothing coming up for contract either."
"But that’s absurd-"
"I'm sorry!"
Mr. Thompson apologized before leaving the café in a hurry.
This can’t be! This is no different from when I went with Bella.
Ugh. I sighed again and shook my head.
Can I even find a house?
Soon, Lewis appeared before us.
Bella, who had been curious when she saw me, pointed at him.
"What? Did you meet him? Why did you come back together?"
"We met by chance."
Lewis was calm. He had followed me naturally.
"She’s looking for a house, right? I wanted to make sure she wasn’t getting taken advantage of."
Lewis looked at me skeptically, his grin mischievous.
"What if she got scammed?"
Wasn’t he just being petty?
I didn’t know why Lewis was interfering, but as a small citizen, I tried to go along with it.
"Haha, right..."
Sometimes, I hate how meek I can be. Sigh...
Then Lewis suddenly asked Bella,
"Did you give her a hard time? She’s been looking for a house on her own."
"What?"
Bella tilted her head, confused.
"I knew about it."
"What?"
"You’re the only one who didn’t know. Mikael and I were aware."
At her words, Lewis turned his gaze to me.
I flinched and took a step back. Lewis looked displeased.
"So, I was the only one left out?"
"Yes. Even my mother knows."
Bella, don’t pour oil on the fire!
But it was too late. Lewis's expression darkened further.
"Aren’t we friends?"
He spoke as if he really considered me a friend.
Did he pull the 'friend' card every time he wanted to pressure me?
But I couldn’t deny it. I was the one who suggested we be friends!
"It’s not like I haven’t seen you. We’ve been meeting, but you didn’t mention it? I didn’t expect that."
"Marquis, it’s not that..."
Seeing me flustered, Lewis's smile deepened. He seemed to be enjoying teasing me.
Such a mean person...
"I'm sorry!"
To end this quickly, it was best to go along.
"If the twins know, I should know too."
Lewis demanded confidently.
"If my aunt knows, I should know too. We're friends, right?"
"I won’t forget from now on!"
After answering earnestly, Lewis finally stopped pestering me.
"Why are you looking for a house so soon?"
He asked seriously as if he didn’t understand.
"The duchy isn’t in such bad shape that it can’t accommodate you."
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