169. Bear and Leopard (2)
Parlor at the top of Berk.
Two women and a man sat across from each other at a luxurious table.
Lydia, the 3rd princess of the Leon Empire.
Christina, princess of the Bakal Kingdom.
And even I, a mere baron knight….
‘Ha….’
Why is Christina the general manager of Mithril exports?
Why did Lydia provide the warehouse?
I was nicely caught between the two rulers.
“I’ll bring you a cup of tea first.”
I stood up, suppressing my distraught heart.
Thanks to this, only the two noble women remained.
“….”
Befitting the best merchant in the empire, there is a cheerful piano playing in a corner of the drawing room.
But.
Is it because of the two women who look at each other coldly?
The living room is like a cold Bacal glacier.
The atmosphere was still grim, like the desolate desert of Samad.
“I’m sorry, I had no idea you were the princess.”
The white-haired princess opened fire with mature eyes.
She looked relaxed as she sat with her legs crossed in a dress that clung to her body.
Leah’s skirt was stretched tight due to her equally sensual body.
“No, we only met once for a diplomatic meeting, so that’s possible.”
Lydia crossed her arms alone and gave a saintly, merciful look.
She also wore a cheongsam that showed off her body.
She sat with her legs crossed the same way, but her dress was open at the sides, exposing her fair thighs.
Princess Tina looked at this and laughed.
“I never imagined that the princess of the empire would wander around her city in such a ‘freewheeling’ manner.”
Her eyes seemed to belittle her own small stature.
This was Lydia, whom I quickly noticed because she often received it from other nobles.
“Okay… ?”
However, she did not give in to this.
She responded resolutely with the spirit of a local monarch.
“I almost didn’t recognize them either, but they ended up in a draw.”
Lydia held her chin upright with her arrogant eyes.
She tilted her head slightly and spoke as if she were criticizing Tina.
“It would be hard for you not to recognize me-. “It’s not common to see people with white hair.”
As the white-haired princess spoke with a chuckle, Lydia cut her off.
And, she answered as if she were the best in this field.
“No, not the head, but the body. “Do you think even the royal family wears such ‘explicit’ outfits these days?”
Tina looked puzzled for a moment at the sight of Lydia, who was tall despite her petite stature.
Then, as if she had figured out her tendencies, she smiled.
“hehehe…. “We at Bakkal do not bother to hide our ethnic superiority.”
A princess gracefully passing her white burri knife to her side.
She tilted her head towards the imperial princess and spoke confidently.
“I show off everything with confidence.”
As she tilted her body, the imposing skin of the northern people caught Lydia’s eyes.
At this, the 3rd princess pursed her lips with an uncomfortable expression on her face.
Like a nimble black leopard growling in front of a huge white bear.
“….”
Tina paused for a moment.
Still, she was the princess of an allied empire, but she calmed her voice as if she had teased her too much.
“Hmm- Still, Her Royal Highness’s outfit is really beautiful when viewed by our people who like to show off.”
“Really?”
Lydia raised the corner of her mouth at the compliment that hit her.
And, she had a look in her eyes that made her want to say something.
“Yes, especially this gorgeous dragon embroidery, the material, and it’s very beautiful.”
Tina’s gaze went all the way up along her petite and voluptuous pelvis.
However, the gaze soon stopped on Lydia’s somewhat flat upper body.
“But, it seems like the clothes are a little big?”
Her chest, which should be tight like her pelvis, was a bit loose.
“What…?” ?”
At this, Lydia’s red eyes lost focus.
She stared at her foreign princess who had offended her.
“Isn’t it? “Is this your original style?”
I flinched at the brutal feeling of death that could be felt even from afar.
And then, before they destroyed the living room, he hurriedly returned with a teacup.
“Tea, it’s here…. “Jasmine is perfect for calming her down.”
“Oh my, thank you. Veil.”
“….”
Unlike Tina who happily received the teacup, Lydia is still upset.
I sighed deeply and sat down.
‘If we keep going like this, let alone a contract, we’ll end up in a war….’
I glanced at the pianist who had quietly stopped playing.
She was crushed by Lydia’s fierceness and urged him to play again.
‘Be as bright as possible! Something like a waltz!’
――――――.
A bright and cheerful melody.
And even the fragrant scent of tea.
Only after Lydia took a sip did she open her expression again.
He quickly adjusted his expression as expected of a ruler of a region.
“Thank you for your hard work, Bale.”
“Not much to say.”
The sound of cheerful music.
Encouraged by this, I made a cautious suggestion.
“Would you like to go out for a moment and get some fresh air?”
As if you were massaging the back of a black panther.
“Anyway, the merchant is bringing a wagon to carry the mithril, so you’ll have to wait longer. “In the meantime, I’ll show you around Cornell.”
I suggested with a grin, and soon Lydia steadied her voice.
“Hmm, I guess so… ? “I’m also really frustrated here.”
Lydia stood up from her seat first.
And then, she led the way to the front door.
‘Whoa…’ .’
I was relieved and looked at her back.
The beautiful curves of her wing bones can be seen in the cheongsam that clings to her body.
The small and cozy line running down her teeth caught her eye.
‘Have you been here looking like that?’
I approached her pelvis, which moved strangely every time she walked.
And….
“It’s a little chilly outside, Your Highness.”
I took off my jacket and placed it over her shoulders like a cape.
“Please wear it and go.”
When I smiled, Lydia’s expression got much better.
She glanced back at Princess Tina and raised the corners of her mouth.
“Thank you, Veil.”
Feeling strange, Christina looked at one of Lydia’s cloaks lying on her chair.
Intentionally not wearing it and secretly folding it in a corner.
In other words, I realized that the veil was intended to cover her own shoulders with her jacket.
‘What do you think?’
Lydia smiles arrogantly while looking at Tina.
At this, the Northern Princess burst into laughter.
‘Ha, it’s pretty good. A child.’
Tina looked at Lydia, who was giving Veil her dirty eyes.
Then, she followed her and went to see the city together.
“Let’s go together. “I also wanted to see Leon without an escort.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
We came down from the top building of Bourke together.
Afterwards, I walked along the quiet Cornell Street.
Fortunately, the market was quiet as people were busy working.
In addition, I was able to avoid eye contact by covering up Lydia’s gorgeous oriental cheongsam with a uniform jacket.
“The buildings on the outskirts of the capital are definitely cozy.”
Tina spoke leisurely, with her back to her.
Then, Lydia answered proudly.
“It will probably be very crowded in about a year, because development is in full swing right now.”
Lydia was looking around curiously.
She stopped in front of a particularly luxurious general store.
「Royal Market.」
One of the few high-end stores in Cornell.
It seems that the colorful sign caught my eye.
“Do you need anything?”
“No, now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever bought a souvenir since I came to Cornell.”
Normally, when nobles go on inspection or pilgrimage.
We often take symbolic items from that place as souvenirs.
Lydia probably thinks so too.
“Then I will choose one.”
“Really?”
The Empire’s 3rd princess’s eyes lit up when she heard that I would personally buy her something.
Then, he glanced at Tina, who was standing next to her….
“That’s amazing, it’s rare for you to give me a gift first.”
“This is the first time since I wore a tie pin.”
“Yes, various things happen in life.”
The princess is giggling while covering her lips with my jacket.
But, well… I’m glad you feel better.
“Then, please wait here for a moment. “I will get it right away.”
“I look forward to your insight, Michail.”
I entered the store.
And, I thought for a moment about what to buy for her.
‘No matter how much I wear my jacket, that cheongsam still stands out….’
“Is there anything here that has the magic to reduce awareness?”
“If you want that magic, check out the accessories section.”
A middle-aged man wearing glasses kindly guided us.
He mainly introduced necklaces with artifacts.
“If you look here, the items with this black crystal in them sell the best.”
The item he especially recommended was a choker that looked more like a leash than a necklace.
“The design is unique.”
“The performance is solid, especially the black crystal, which effectively erases presence to the extent that it was mainly worn by assassins.”
It is certainly plausible.
No matter how much Cornell is developing now, it is still a dangerous city.
If Lydia walks around alone dressed like that in a place like this, an accident might happen.
“Then, please give me this.”
“It’s an excellent choice, and I’m sure the recipient will like it.”
‘Guy… ?’
I tilted my head and put the necklace in the jewelry box.
Then, I leisurely came out and faced the two women who were waiting.
“So, what did you go and buy?”
Lydia asked with a grin.
“This is a necklace imbued with the magic of reducing awareness.”
“Decreased awareness? “Do you not like me standing out?”
Lydia said in a disappointed tone.
Then, I smiled broadly and responded to her.
“Yes, it’s because I don’t want to share Lydia’s beautiful appearance with others.”
“….”
The 3rd princess, who was trying to play a prank on me, blinked her eyes for a moment.
Then, she cleared her throat and held out her palm.
“That… Let’s see what it looks like.”
I handed her the jewelry box proudly.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Now, let’s see…” .”
Lydia opened her box with expectant eyes.
And, the moment she checked the gift.
Her round red eyes widened.
“What, what? This… ?”
Because the gift I encountered looked like a dog collar.
“How can you wear such a vulgar thing around your neck?!”
Her face turned red.
She stuttered and asked me.
“Your tastes are truly frivolous!”
“Yes? “Is this a vulgar design?”
I answered her question hesitantly.
Because she didn’t know much about women’s things.
“I’m sorry, I’m unfamiliar with this kind of thing….”
Then, she stretched out her hand to retrieve the gift.
“Please return it, we will refund you…” .”
Lydia looked blankly at my hand asking for it to be returned.
Then, as if she had a good idea, she rejected my touch.
“Oh, no. “How can you refuse a gift that has already been given to you?”
She turned her head as if she had a good idea.
And then, she raised the corner of her mouth and smiled.
“For your sincerity, I will keep it special for you, Mikhail.”
Lydia put her necklace into the jacket I gave her.
Tina looked at that with disapproval.
“Well, just by looking at it, my purpose is impure…” .”
I left the satisfied Lydia behind and looked at the princess.
Then, she immediately took control of her expression and smiled at me.
“Bale, could you please pick out a souvenir for me? “I want it too.”
When Lydia heard those words, she stared at me.
However, I calmly responded without realizing this.
“Okay, I can’t make a mistake this time, so would you like to go together?”
“Then.”
Tina smiled and held out the back of her hand to me.
I held her hand politely and started to climb the stairs of her general store.
“Your Highness. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay….”
Lydia stared at me climbing the stairs with the princess.
She looked worried that she might be planning to gift the princess with such a symbolic item like herself.
“….”
The moment she and I finally went inside.
She quietly took out the choker she had kept in her pocket.
In fact, Lydia knew the purpose of this choker.
A necklace worn by upper-class nobles on their favorite beasts of prey.
However, sometimes it is worn by humans.
As her diminished awareness reflects her ability, her men often give gifts to their mistresses.
Because I did it.
Rumor has it that special games are also possible.
Of course, gifting this to her virginity was close to s*xual harassment.
However, Lydia could not refuse the gift because she felt anxious for some reason.
“Whoa…” .”
The princess swallowed her saliva deeply.
And, with her eyes strangely half-closed….
“Ugh….”
He started secretly wearing her choker around his neck.
Like a cat claiming to be on a leash.
“Wow, it’s definitely tight.”
When I put it on my neck, I felt like I was suffocating.
Still, thanks to this, others were unable to sense her pretense of popularity.
“Bale guy, I never thought he would have this kind of taste….”
A man who only gave me a choker.
Because he was the only one who could feel.
“Still, the design itself isn’t bad. “It’s definitely effective.”
Lydia rubbed her fingers at the choker that was constricting her neck.
And then, she quietly waited in front of the general store for Tina and Veil to come out.
But.
“….”
Even after more than 10 minutes, Tina and Veil did not come out.
Then, the choker that was constricting Lydia began to become increasingly itchy.
“What…?” “Why are you so late?”
The princess began to gradually become anxious.
With unfocused eyes, she stared at the door of the general store.
“Could it be that you are buying me a more bizarre gift than me?”
The third princess is increasingly having all kinds of delusions.
She swallowed deeply and waited for the two to come out.
――――――.
How much time has passed?
Soon Christina and I came out of the store.
Then, Lydia quickly raised her head and looked at her princess’s neck. She made sure
She wore a choker just like him.
But.
There was no necklace around Christina’s neck.
“Do you like the gift?”
“Yes, it’s definitely soft and comfortable.”
What I gave as a gift were just ordinary UGG boots.
“I bought it so that it would be comfortable when I return to Bakal.”
“Thank you so much, Veil, for thinking that far.”
Tina stuck out her foot as if showing off my thoughtful gift.
And then, I looked at Lydia.
‘What do you think?’
This time she took it upon herself to provoke her.
However, Lydia stared blankly at her ordinary Hardy shoes.
“Foot.”
I laughed at Tina as if all my worries had disappeared.
With a bewitching look in your eyes like a small devil.
“It’s a beautiful gift, princess.”
Lydia still has a stuffy choker around her neck.
However, the princess played with her choker as if the feeling of being confined was not bad.
As if he was enjoying that constricting feeling.