Chapter 19

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: The Princess Only Deals in the Real Thing 27

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공녀님은 진짜만 취급합니다

27화

따라온 당신 책임도 조금은 있거든요?

I almost said it out loud. But my forehead was throbbing, and first things first—I had to gather up everything that had spilled from my bag.

But Alter moved first.

He stared blankly at the self-defense magic tools scattered on the ground, then let out a sigh and scooped them back into the bag before handing it to me.

"Here."

"Pardon?"

"Let's go. Weren't you heading back to your pawnshop?"

True, but... why are you coming along?

Maybe worried I'd spout more nonsense, Alter added quickly.

"I'm tagging along because I have business to attend to."

"Business? With me?"

"Yeah. We've still got a bill to settle."

Ah, that?

"How much to borrow a customer for an hour?"

Remembering what I'd said at the auction house, I nodded.

Well, he's from the Intelligence Guild—they move for money, so no way he'd let it slide. I wonder how much he'll charge?

I took the bag with a quick bow.

"Thanks for picking it up. I was wondering why you were following me."

"Don't get the wrong idea. It's definitely not because I was worried and chased after you."

"I didn't say that."

"Your face was screaming it."

Not this time.

I shrugged and started walking ahead.

A voice came from behind.

"Something happen?"

"Something? Oh, you mean with me...?"

"I'm not asking because I'm interested in you."

"Then why bother asking?"

Alter furrowed his brow and sighed.

"You're lugging around a bag full of self-defense magic tools, that's why. You run a shop on Ashen Street, and I'm with the Intelligence Guild—so if something's up around here, I need to know."

Ah, got it.

It was a reasonable explanation. I answered nonchalantly.

"Nothing happened."

What good would it do to mention the thief who'd come and gone?

"But you bought a ton of self-defense tools?"

"Can't hurt to have them. You'll use them someday."

"Shouldn't you hope you never need them? Got enemies or something?"

"Enemies can pop up anytime. Better to have them ready than regret it later when you need one."

"From what I see, your biggest enemy isn't anyone else—it's yourself, not watching where you're going."

My biggest enemy is myself, huh.

Spot on. Nodding seriously as I recalled the spray incident, the voice from behind drew closer.

Alter, who'd been walking behind, had moved to my right side.

"Really nothing happened?"

"Hmm, now that I think about it, there was something."

"Spill it."

"Remember the day we ran into each other at the auction house? The morning it poured like crazy."

Alter's eyes narrowed slightly.

"...I remember. And?"

"I checked just in case, and water was leaking from the ceiling on the top floor. I'd paid to have it fixed, but I guess it couldn't handle a downpour. Had to rush out for materials and patch it up—total hassle. But now it's solid enough to withstand a typhoon..."

My footsteps halted mid-sentence.

Alter had stepped right in front of me.

'Did I bump my chin again? Why does this guy keep blocking the path? Just say it.'

Wondering what now, I looked up at him blankly.

Then Alter asked in a low, slightly husky voice.

"Is that pawnshop precious to you?"

The question caught me so off guard I laughed.

I was about to say of course it was.

He added,

"...Precious enough that even a little damage would make you weep?"

Alter's expression looked oddly complicated.

"Uh, yeah. Obviously."

Surprisingly imaginative—he was spot on. I pictured the pawnshop collapsing, just like he'd said.

Hated even imagining it, but if it really happened? I'd be bawling my eyes out, rolling on the floor in grief.

I nodded in agreement, but... why ask something like that?

'Probably gathering intel?'

I glanced up at Alter, still looking conflicted despite my answer. Our eyes met.

'Scary?'

Setting aside personal likes and dislikes, credit where due.

Not sure about scary, but he was pretty damn good-looking.

Staring for a bit, his ears seemed to flush a little.

"Why are you staring like that? Something different about me?"

Couldn't exactly say, "People say your face is scary, so I checked."

Judging looks isn't something you say out loud, good or bad.

So I kept it short.

"Just wondering why you're not walking."

"Ah, right."

Clearing his throat, Alter turned and strode ahead.

'His vibe's a bit different from usual?'

I eyed Alter's back.

Legs for days. Not sure if it's workouts or genes, but broad shoulders too.

That shirt looks a tad small on him, though?

Tilting my head, we arrived at the pawnshop.

"So, shall we negotiate? William said simple requests start at 100,000 gold. The auction house thing was quick, so with success fee, how about 200,000 gold?"

"One thing first."

I was opening with a defensive price when Alter cut in.

Trying to haggle by bragging about his efforts? Not planning to go above market rate, though.

Fine, let's hear it. I gave him a look.

"Go ahead. What is it?"

"The Intelligence Guild doesn't just handle information."

I didn't follow.

Not his words—I got those. Why tell me this?

Reading my confusion, Alter rubbed his face dryly and spoke.

"We handle requests, introductions, even manpower brokerage. Means you can hire us for protection or security."

"Oh..."

"Even for a busted pawnshop ceiling."

"Ah."

'Sales pitch, huh?'

William gave me free connections, so returning the favor with a simple request beyond rumors makes sense.

Favors go both ways, and to do business, you befriend fellow merchants.

Plus, Alter bringing it up means he listened to my story?

'Good worker. Even if it's promo, he cares.'

"Thanks. If leaks happen again, I'll call."

"One more. Didn't you ask William about an external consultant? Someone who knows weapons well."

"Yeah."

Recommending someone? I thought.

Ahem.

Clearing his throat, Alter crossed his arms smugly.

"I'll take that job."

"Pardon...?"

It was a recommendation.

Self-recommendation was the issue.

Taking my baffled retort as a challenge, Alter narrowed his eyes.

"You remember what I was looking for."

"Stolen goods."

"Other traits."

"A one-handed sword with pearls embedded in the hilt."

"I got that gig because I know weapons."

Without hesitation, head tilted, Alter said,

"We agreed to negotiate rewards. Mine's simple: you consult me on weapons. No choice for you."

He ended firmly, then stared at my face and added slowly,

"Not like... an excuse to come see you or anything."

"Of course not."

Alter froze at my words.

Blinking a few times, he nodded faintly.

"Right. It's not."

I think I got why Alter was acting weird.

'He must really want to see the second-floor weapon collection.'

Doesn't trust that I don't deal in stolen goods, probably.

Desperate to inspect the weapons himself, even if it means contracting with me. That's all I could figure.

His persistence didn't feel bad, though.

Like William, Alter's just doing his job. Intelligence Guild types dig in instead of taking my word—makes sense.

"You're taking too long. I said no choice, and it's not a bad deal for you. Better accept quick."

"True. No reason not to."

What can I do?

I've got my own work.

"So, I refuse."

I flashed a bright smile.