Chapter 28

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: The Princess Only Deals in the Real Thing 35

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What? It wasn't broken?

Once the magic tool actually worked, my brain froze.

What was I supposed to do with this massive thief now?

I crept closer and tugged on the ropes. They were incredibly tough.

'Emma said this won't come undone unless you use the special release tool or holy water spray.'

The thief was wearing a robe without pockets.

With his hands tied up tight, he couldn't pull out a pocket knife or anything. That put me a little more at ease.

"Worried it might come loose?"

"A bit."

"Don't worry, it won't. No way it'd come undone in front of the boss."

How was he so nonchalant?

This guy...

'He's a professional thief?'

The thief rolled around a few times before smoothly lying on his side.

He acted like he was in his own bedroom, completely relaxed.

"Mind if I ask what you plan to do now that you've got me tied up?"

"I'm about to do something you can't even imagine, so get nice and curious."

"Looking forward to it. First time for everything."

'And he's totally sane on top of that...'

I shook my head and slammed the button to lock the door first.

Then I dragged the thief over and propped him against the wall.

The thief, who had awkwardly straightened up, tilted his head.

"Locking the door first makes you seem ruthless, but sitting me down like this is kinda humane. Weird way to hold someone captive."

"If you stop with the nonsense right now, you'll get by on that face of yours alone. Can't have you straining and popping a vein, now can we? I'm sensitive about property rights."

"...Uh, not sure if that's considerate or creepy."

The thief blinked his pale green eyes.

Truth was, I just couldn't stand seeing him sprawl out like he owned the place, but it almost seemed like I'd scared him for real.

"Why'd you come here?"

"I told you. To keep my promise."

"Did you make that promise with me?"

"Hmm, looking back, it was kinda one-sided. Anyway, how's the spot where you sprayed me? They say it stings like hell."

"Curious? I can give you a free demo."

The thief paused, then squinted one eye and grinned like a wink.

"Ooh, I'd rather skip that if possible..."

"Then answer properly this time. Why'd you come back?"

"Fine, fine."

The thief tried to raise both hands but remembered he was tied up and just lifted his face instead.

"Our first impression wasn't great, right?"

You know that and still pull this? Really?

I bent one knee and scooted closer.

Must've looked pretty thuggish. The thief cleared his throat awkwardly.

"So I came to clear up the misunderstanding and apologize. I'm really not a thief."

"You said it yourself, thief..."

"Sure, not many thieves admit it. Anyway, I came to return what I took before I actually became one. Sorry about that time. I was in a rush."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

He seemed sincere... but maybe not.

Noticing my doubt, the thief flashed a grin.

"See that bag? I washed the towel I borrowed real good..."

"Stole outright."

"...The towel I stole outright? Dried it nice and fluffy. Even hung it by lilacs for a nice scent. Bet you'll wanna untie me once you see it."

'Hmm. Minus the pointless pretty-boy charm, seems genuine enough.'

Nothing to lose, so I decided to check the bag.

'If he's not really a thief, I can ask where he got that Golden Music Box.'

Then maybe I could buy the holy artifact fair and square.

As I unbuckled the bag, the man started chattering.

"Untie me and let's grab some tea and chat. I've got tons of questions for the boss."

"Like what?"

"Like how you appraised that Golden Music Box so fast. Mind explaining? I was dying to know your secret."

I paused pulling out the towel and opened my mouth.

"Why are you so curious about that?"

"Not industrial espionage or anything, don't get me wrong. Uh... call it academic interest?"

"Ahh. I see. Academic interest."

"...Yeah?"

"Guess this is academic interest too, huh?"

What I'd pulled out was an old snow globe from under the towel.

Not just any snow globe, of course...

"Where'd you swipe this holy artifact snow globe from—?!"

Another holy artifact.

"Sw-swipe?! I didn't swipe it! For real!"

The thief shook his head furiously, then suddenly stopped.

"Wait. ...That's a holy artifact too, right? You sure?"

"If you didn't even know that, what 'academic interest' are you talking about?!"

"...You spotted it at a glance again. How?"

I glared coldly at the thief muttering seriously to himself.

Feeling my sharp gaze, he jerked his head up.

"Ah, anyway, I didn't steal it!"

"Then show me. Receipt, certificate, auction record."

"Don't have any! I'd have shown them already!"

"Fine, then explain how you got it. Inherited? Or what, found it on the street?"

"I-I found it on the street."

"Tell me the street. A place where holy artifacts like music boxes and snow globes just roll around? Now I'm academically interested."

"See? You won't believe me even if I tell you!"

"You haven't even told me properly from the start!"

"Okay, fair, but I had my reasons...!"

I huffed, caught my breath, and scooted closer.

The thief flinched at the proximity and looked at me.

I sighed softly and asked quietly.

"Look. I could just drag you off like this, but I'm asking because I want to give you a chance."

Memories of those three years in the Rugenoht Duchy flooded back.

The three years when no one believed me because I had no status or decent clothes.

"I'm not enjoying suspecting you. Got it?"

I stared straight into his clear pale green eyes.

"So give me evidence I can buy. At least tell me who you are or vouch for your identity. How can I believe you if you dodge every question and just say no? Right, Cresens?"

The thief, staring blankly at me, asked.

"You remember my name...?"

"That's not the point, dude..."

"Ah, right."

The thief—no, Cresens—cleared his throat.

Then he glanced at me cautiously.

"...It's a secret."

"Say that again? I think I misheard."

"It's a secret. Can't tell you now."

"..."

"Not good enough, huh?"

Yeah, right...

I'd given him plenty of chances. I'd done my part.

I shook my head, stood, and packed the snow globe with its padding.

"Wh-what are you packaging it for? Where are you taking it?"

"Gonna hide it good and toss it in some soup later."

"What? You're joking, right? Right?"

"Who knows. Joke or not."

I smirked at the startled Cresens.

"Taking what you stole back where it belongs. Happy?"

"...You're taking it to the temple? Not keeping it for yourself?"

"Yeah. Don't even dream of profiting off it."

"Uh..."

Cresens deflated oddly at the mention of the temple.

Sheesh, scary temple when it's time to steal, huh?

"And stay put till I get back. You're in for some real punishment!"

I grabbed my stuff, left, and locked the door.

After one last glare at the dumbfounded Cresens, I headed to the temple.

Sure, things were desperate for holy artifacts like he said, so keeping it crossed my mind for a second.

But just for a second. I'd thought of a better way.

'This might actually work out great.'

Returning this snow globe would get the temple to approve my holy artifact loan request!

Left alone, Cresens blinked vacantly.

"At least she's taking it to the World Tree Temple. That's a relief."

After all, she was doing a cardinal's job for him.

"Still impressive, though. Shop's barely reopened, she could've been tempted by the money, but Michele trained her well."

Cresens furrowed his brow as he muttered.

"...She spotted another holy artifact at a glance. What's her deal?"

His original plan had been to clear the misunderstanding, have some tea, and ask her to appraise the snow globe.

Test her skills and pry out her appraisal secret.

The snow globe he'd brought had only recently been confirmed as a holy artifact.

'It was ambiguous, took nearly half a year to conclude. Thought it'd be tough for her to spot right away.'

The first music box could've been luck.

Maybe she just assumed it was holy because it looked valuable.

But...

'If she nails the second one too?'

Not luck anymore.