Barkas, who had been staring at the bright red jewel as if it were burning for a moment, approached the merchant and paid for it.
I looked down at the ruby brooch in my hand with eyes filled with a sense of defeat.
Barcas asked in a nonchalant tone.
"Anything else?"
It must be a meaningless word, but why does it feel like it's floating inside me?
I forced my gaze back to Moonstone.
"No need. It's all so-so."
The merchant's face was distorted.
Pretending not to see it, I turned towards the entrance, and Barcas followed behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. It seemed to be trying to support, who was swaying.
As I came out of the shop, accepting the familiar hand, I saw other vassals waiting besides Darren Drew Sheerkan.
One of them approached and posted a report.
"We have completed all the market inspections. The supply and demand of materials are stable, and the trading of main items seems to be active. However, there have been quite a few complaints that the security is somewhat unstable."
Barcas, who was passing through a noticeably deserted passage, turned to him.
"Is there anything wrong with the security forces?"
"Rather than a problem with the security forces, it seems to be due to the recent rise of bandits. They said that there was a series of raids targeting traders."
Barcas's eyebrows were finely wrinkled. The man added cautiously.
"To discuss the matter, the lord of Dorkaen requested a meeting. What would you do?"
"... Yes. Let's meet the lord first."
Barcas, who was touching his chin, nodded sharply. I, who had been peeking at the scene, glanced back.
The jewel I had left behind flashed in front of me as if I were throwing it away.
I thought it was enough to have trivial jewelry like moonstone, but my regret did not go away. By the time I left the exchange and got into the carriage parked on the side of the road, I was even nervous.
Maybe I will never find a jewel of that color again. Sitting in my seat and looking down at the ruby dissatisfiedly, I looked out the window.
Barcas was discussing something with his vassals. It seemed that he was conveying the decision made a while ago to the knights.
Feeling like he was about to leave, I rummaged through the carriage cabinet.
After scrambling through Barcas's belongings, I was able to find a leather pouch containing gold coins. I put it in my clothes and carefully went outside.
The soldiers seemed busy loading the wagons with wedding gifts from the city's powerful men. I, who was watching them, soon crossed the side of the road.
When I entered the trade exchange again, I saw merchants cleaning up their stores.
I pressed my hood deep and made my way through the crowded streets. Perhaps the sudden movement was a burden, and the pain spread to the pelvis as the calf muscles stiffened. Ignoring it, I ran into the jewelry store and walked to the front of the stall.
A jewel resembling Barcas's eyes was emitting a soft glow from the red cushion. I picked it up and stared at it for a while, then turned my head towards the merchants.
"I'll buy this jewelry."
The man who looked at me with a surprised expression had a big smile on his face.
"After all, you have eyes to see. This moonstone is a rare item with a very unique color and pattern. Originally, I should have received 35 soldem, but I will give it to Your Highness the Grand Duchess for 30 soldem."
I listened to the merchant's chatter and opened my leather pouch. At that moment, a blunt voice came from behind me.
"This is a pure scammer. What kind of gold coins is one moonstone?"
Turning my head, I spotted Lucas Raedgo Sheerkhan and opened my eyes wide.
He looked down at the jewel in my hand and grinned.
"I won't even give you five gold coins."
"What, what nonsense is that!"
The man raised his voice as if he were wronged.
"This moonstone is a rare specialty! Do you know where things with such colors and patterns are common?"
"No matter what, it's not 30 Soldem."
"30 Soldem is also a low price. If you put it up for auction, it might be even more expensive than that...!"
In front of the merchant, whose face was red, I poured gold coins in front of him.
With a clattering sound, coins printed by the imperial family were piled up on the shelves. At first glance, it seemed that there were more than 30 of them.
I shoved the jewelry into my pocket and said arrogantly.
"It's troublesome to count one by one. Take care of yourself."
Then I turned around and walked out of the store.
In front of the store, mounted warriors with stern expressions were waiting.
I raised my head and walked past them. However, within a few steps, Lucas caught me.
"Hey, if you go around like that...!"
"Hey?
When I shot a fierce glance, the boy angrily backed down and lowered his eyes.
It was the result of diligent work over the past few days.
The boy corrected it with an expression that seemed to suppress his annoyance.
"You can't go around without an escort, sister-in-law."
"I was going to go back soon."
"Still, you have to tell me. What if you sneak out?"
I slammed my hand on his shoulder rather fiercely.
"I am not a prisoner of the Sheerkhan family. I have no obligation to report my every move."
"That's not what I meant. What if something big happens...!"
I listened to the presumptuous nagging and turned to the square.
In the meantime, all the knights were sitting on horses, as if they had finished preparing for departure.
I hurriedly approached the carriage. Then, Barcas, who was talking to a nobleman nearby, gave me a cold look.
I swallowed my dry saliva.
Did he get angry that I disappeared without saying a word?
I was very nervous, but Barcas, who let out a small sigh, shook his chin lightly.
"Ride. I have to go on horseback."
Then he walked towards the knights. I let out a small sigh of relief and climbed into the carriage.
After a while, the stopped carriage began to move along the main road.
I took out the jewel I had tucked away from the inside of my coat. The silvery-blue mineral glowed pale in the dull shadows.
Like someone who had a jewel for the first time in her life, I looked at it for a long time, then pushed it back into my arms and looked out the window.
A light gray cloud was embedded in the sky, which had been bright just a few hours ago. The cold air, now completely gone from the heat of summer, mixed with the scent of dry grass. Judging from the humidity of the air, it seemed that it would rain soon.
As I expected, as the carriage left the city center and exited the castle, thick clouds poured out drizzles.
I pressed my cheek against the cold window and looked ahead.
A rather rudimentary citadel rose above a gentle hill covered with rain. That place seemed to be a center in Dorcaen.
"Thank you for coming!"
When we reached the gate, a man with a bear skin on his shoulder ran out of the building. He was a middle-aged man with a bushy black beard.
He bowed respectfully to Barcas, who was in the lead.
"Nice to meet you, Your Excellency. My name is Uzan Darken, and who is in charge of the management of this area."
Barkas jumped off the horse and accepted his welcome with a dejected expression.
"It's Barcas Raedgo Sheerkhan."
The man, who was looking at his new monarch with curious eyes, had a gentle smile.
"You have had a lot of trouble coming a long way. Now, let's go in. I have prepared a grand dinner for Your Excellency."
"Thank you for your attention."
Barcas, who was polite with a proper greeting, handed the reins to the servant and approached me.
Standing far away in the drizzle, I shrank my shoulders. Barcas unfolded the hem of my cloak and created a veil over my head.
Uzan, who was looking at him with interest, spoke to him carefully.
"I see that this beautiful lady is the Grand Duchess. I see you for the first time, Your Highness. Please feel free to call me Uzan."
I replied with a flick of my head.
The man, who had been showing a slightly unhappy expression, quickly returned to his smiling face and dropped his father's face.
"It is an infinite honor to welcome you as a precious person. We will do our best to make your stay without any inconvenience."
"You've said hello, so please show me to my room. How long will I leave you in the rain?"
When I shot it coldly, the man hurriedly stepped up the stairs.
"Ugh, I'm sorry, Your Highness, the Grand Duchess. Now, come this way."
As I followed him into a huge stone building, the smell of burning wood and candies pierced my nose.
I leaned against Barcas's side and looked around the dreary castle.
As if the building were built during the time of the nations, the inside of the old castle was filled with thick darkness and damp moisture.
"You can use this room."
The lord of the castle led them to a room on the second floor. It was a well-decorated bedroom that was quite cozy.
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