“The capital is certainly big indeed.”

I looked around with sparkling eyes, like a country girl who had just come up from the mountains. The splendid streets that I hadn’t even noticed when I entered the capital a few days ago, worried about meeting Floria, now constantly captivated my gaze.

The Hilic Kingdom was a kingdom in name only, but in reality, it was no different from an empire. Thanks to the war-crazed First Prince who went around subjugating all the neighboring countries, its territory was quite vast.

Moreover, it had long emphasized trade and was open to exchanges with foreign countries, resulting in a mix of diverse races and cultures. Yet, the Hilic Kingdom maintained its own distinct traditions and identity. The capital was a concentration of these unique characteristics of the Hilic Kingdom.

“It’s much more impressive than described in the novel.”

Perhaps due to the upcoming royal marriage, the already bustling streets were even more splendid. Luxurious lanterns hung from every building, and the streets adorned with colorful flags were overflowing with vitality. It was worlds apart from the Violet estate, let alone Honolulu where we had moved to, almost as if exiled, after the family’s downfall.

“They say even ghosts who die after eating look pretty, so let’s fill our stomachs first.”

After eating tasteless bread for the past few days, I needed some stimulation. Among the lined-up restaurants and street stalls, spicy seasoned chicken skewers caught my eye. As I quickly got in line and waited for my turn, I heard chatter from behind.

“Did you see the Crown Princess yesterday? My goodness, I’ve never seen such a beautiful person in my life.”

“I know. The way she smiled so kindly while holding a scruffy orphanage child, I would have believed it if someone said an angel had descended.”

“They really are a well-matched pair. I can’t wait to see them ascend to the throne.”

“Hey, hush. The First Prince is still around, you know.”

“What good is someone who only starts wars? If he’s like this as a prince, imagine how much bloodshed there’d be if he became king. I think it would be much better if the gentle and benevolent Second Prince became king. Seeing how well he treats his wife, he’d probably treat the people well too.”

“That’s true.”

“Above all, the First Prince hasn’t even taken a princess consort yet. Considering his age, the fact that he’s not married must mean there’s some defect.”

It was a harsh prejudice, but thinking of the First Prince, it wasn’t entirely wrong. That terrifying personality of his was indeed a defect.

In the original work, the Hilic Kingdom was portrayed as a country that valued happy marriages and stable families above all else. That’s why the Cinderella story resonated so strongly with the people. Later, even the First Prince’s marriage to a princess from a neighboring country was due to this.

‘I should choose a country that doesn’t care about other people’s marriages to escape and settle down.’

I took a bite of the chicken skewer and made this resolution, having no intention of marrying in this life.

With a skewer of chicken deliciously grilled over charcoal in one hand, and milk fritters said to be available only in the capital in the other, I set out to explore the streets in earnest.

“Oh, Maida Bakery! It really exists.”

Maida Bakery, being the most famous bakery in the Hilic Empire, occasionally appeared in the original work, so I remembered it. Seeing a place from the story in real life was an interesting and novel experience.

Not just Maida Bakery, but as I busily wandered through the main street, absorbed in looking at familiar shops from the original work, I belatedly recalled the reason for today’s outing.

“You’re not in a position to be leisurely sightseeing right now.”

I lightly tapped my forehead with my fist and hurriedly began to search for my destination.

“I was told there’s a bookstore if you walk two blocks from Neire General Store and turn right…”

“…Even when reading it in the book, I thought this name was too carelessly chosen.”

I looked disapprovingly at the childish sign with a cute carrot drawing. Unlike the untrustworthy name, this was actually a bookstore disguising an underground guild based on trust.

“I didn’t want to come here if I could avoid it.”

Although it didn’t appear often in the original work, there were hints that it was connected to the First Prince. Moreover, given that it disappeared from the novel after the First Prince was exiled, it was highly likely that this was indeed the case.

I didn’t want to be involved with anything related to the First Prince, but since this guild was said to solve any request as long as money was paid, they might be able to find a clue to break the spell.

“It’s okay. They won’t recognize me.”

I’ve disguised myself just in case. I adjusted the wig that half-covered my face once more and entered the bookstore.

The interior was quite spacious and pleasant, matching its plausible exterior. A red-haired clerk who was shelving books turned to look at me.

“Welcome.”

I fell into contemplation as I looked at the clerk with a kind-looking smile.

‘If I abruptly say I’m here to make a request, wouldn’t that be suspicious?’

Based on my experience of reading novels, these guilds usually had a specific method for making requests.

But it wasn’t written in the original work, so I had no way of knowing. Hence, I came out today for light reconnaissance. I thought I might be able to see someone making a request if I waited.

“Are you looking for a particular book?”

The clerk asked with a gentle smile. I pointed to the densely packed bookshelves and replied nonchalantly.

“I’m just here to browse.”

“I see. Please feel free to look around.”

The red-haired clerk nodded slightly and resumed what he was doing. I slowly traversed the bookstore, examining the books. I had intended to just pretend to browse, but the surprisingly good selection had me unconsciously focusing before I knew it.

“‘Duke, I Can’t Take It Anymore’? What can’t they take anymore?”

Just as I was about to open the cover of a book with an intriguingly suggestive title, a book with a garish color scheme caught the corner of my eye.

‘I Hate Carrots’

‘Is this a children’s book?’

Judging by its thin thickness and title, it seemed like a book for young children. It was quite out of place among the other books with their solemn covers. Wondering why it was shelved here, I casually pulled it out, and at that moment,

Creaaak—

The bookshelf door rotated 180 degrees.

‘Huh?’

Why did this open?

Frozen in shock, I could only blink my eyes. The inside of the bookshelf, flickering with dim light, was dark. I swallowed hard as I stared at the gloomy staircase leading downwards.

‘This is definitely opening a secret place, right?’

I only planned to do some light reconnaissance today.

How did it come to this? As I was letting out a dry laugh while looking down at the book with a large carrot drawn on it, that’s when it happened.

“So you’ve seen it…”

Hearing the chilling voice behind me, I dropped the book I was holding and turned around to find the red-haired clerk, who had been smiling earlier, now looking down at me with a cold expression.

What should I do? As I rolled my eyes around, I thought this might actually be for the best.

‘Since it’s come to this, I might as well make my request right away.’

As I was contemplating how to broach the subject, I smiled nonchalantly.

“I was surprised when the storage suddenly opened. Oh, I’ll buy this book.”

Given that the bookshelf door opened and all, I wondered if the book ‘I Hate Carrots’ might be the key to making requests to the guild, so I tested the waters. The clerk, who had been staring down at me with a serious expression, suddenly smiled brightly. His face looked innocent, as if he had never had a stern expression.

“Are you a client?”

“Huh? Oh, yes, yes.”

“As it happens, our guild master is present. Shall we go?”

Is this childishly titled book really the method for making requests?

Even as I followed the clerk down the stairs of the secret passage, with him picking up the book I had dropped, I couldn’t believe it. How could it be so sloppy and haphazard?

‘Did I really come to the right place?’

I was suspicious of the situation that was unfolding so carelessly, lacking any semblance of meticulousness for such a notorious guild. Could this be an impersonation? I narrowed my eyes and glanced suspiciously at the clerk’s back.

Whether aware of my distrustful gaze or not, the clerk, who had been descending silently for a while, stopped in front of a tall black door.

“Master, a client has arrived.”

“Send them in.”

A low, cool voice flowed from inside. Contrary to my expectation of a harsh voice, it sounded quite young and proper. But somehow, it sounded familiar.

As I tilted my head in thought, the clerk personally opened the door.

“Please enter.”

Unlike the dim staircase, the room inside was so bright it was hard to believe it was underground. As I squinted my eyes at the sudden brightness, I saw a man in a black hood sitting crookedly in front of a desk.

Feeling an intimidating aura from his gaze that was staring straight at me, I quietly averted my eyes. Only now did I realize how carelessly I had come to a place of uncertain identity.

“Sit.”

The man nodded slightly. Thinking it wouldn’t be good to show fear as someone who came to make a request, I crossed the room nonchalantly. I could feel two pairs of eyes following me. Sitting on the sofa in the middle of the room, I turned to the clerk.

“Could I have a cup of warm tea, please?”

“Please wait a moment.”

The clerk bowed his head and left the room. As only the man and I were left in the room, tension crept in. It felt like a dark cloud was seeping out from the direction of the desk. I pretended to look around the room, deliberately wandering my gaze here and there. That’s when the man broke the silence and stood up.

Gulp.

Damn, the sound of swallowing was too loud!

As I glanced around surreptitiously, I saw the man who had been staring at me smirk. Even when he was sitting, I thought he had a good build, but standing up, he was even taller.

Looking at the man, I suddenly thought of someone. Come to think of it, even the voice sounded similar.

Just as I was thinking ‘surely not’, the man sitting in front of me curled his lips into a smirk. As I faced the familiar, annoying smile, a sense of unease washed over me, and at that moment, the man took off his hood.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Face to face with the familiar purple eyes, I swallowed hard.

Why is it that bad premonitions are never wrong? Damn it.