Chapter 29

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 29

Chapter Title: Why Didn't I Think of This Until Now?

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Why hadn't I thought of this until now?

I'd already endured similar agony once back in Salt, so it was downright frustrating that the idea had only just hit me.

'At first, I just went with an eyemask.'

But the cheap eyemask pieced together from discarded monster hides was way too thick. It left my face feeling stuffy, and without fail, pimples would sprout all over by the next day.

So the next best thing I'd settled on? Blackout curtains!

Not only did they block out every scrap of light, but their wind-blocking was top-notch too. They became a saving grace amid my dreary slave days.

The only drawback was how they looked.

'I mean, cobbling together scraps of discarded hides made it kinda embarrassing to even call it a curtain.'

Back then, it was just for me, so looks didn't matter.

But now? People I genuinely wanted to gift them to sprang to mind. Bonita, Aide Liam, even my shady employer...?

Anyway, point was, I didn't want to half-ass it like before.

I couldn't hand over a "gift" and tell someone to hang rags in their room, now could I?

'...Isn't there something better out there?'

Bonita's worried voice reached me as I sat frozen, staring at the steaming soup.

"Not hungry?"

"Bonita, you know any cheap, thick fabric around?"

"Huh? Fabric?"

Her eyes went wide at my random tangent.

"Fabric... no clue. But there's tons of leather."

"Ah, right—Brail Duchy has all those monsters, yeah? Any leftover byproducts or anything?"

"Hmm..."

She mirrored my serious look, pondering deeply, then suddenly brightened like she'd remembered something.

"Like Pollreta hide?"

As expected, she never failed to deliver.

"Pollreta hide?"

"There's a herd nesting at the base of the Iskard Mountains. They wander down to villages sometimes, wrecking crops or snatching livestock."

Pollretas were your run-of-the-mill magical beasts, common even in Salt.

They weren't powerhouse individuals, but packs made them nasty. Herb gatherers venturing into the mountains during breeding season often came back injured... or not at all.

"A few years back, their numbers exploded, so we cull them regularly now. But the hides and byproducts? Total disposal nightmare."

"Really? What's the hide like?"

"No stretch, and zero breathability."

"Zero breathability?"

Curtains had to block wind too. Fabric that let drafts whistle through? Big problem.

So Pollreta hide sounded promising from everything I'd heard so far.

A lightbulb practically flashed over my head. Face lighting up, I pressed on.

"Pattern?"

"Oh, the pattern? Used to fetch decent demand for rugs—real luxurious vibe. But better stuff's everywhere now, so nobody wants it."

"Nice. Where can I check some out?"

"Miss, finish your soup first!"

Bonita shook her head, holding me back as I nearly bolted upright.

"And His Grace the Duke would know this best anyway."

"...Even stuff like this?"

Leather collecting couldn't be his hobby.

I mulled over the Duke's hidden quirks for a sec, then nodded at her follow-up.

"Obviously. His Grace leads the subjugation squads."

"Ah."

New info.

Should I just go straight to him?

Post-Magic Tower, we'd barely chatted beyond comic business bits. No real hangouts.

If I nailed these blackout curtains, it might even help him out. Worth a shot.

"Thanks, Bonita."

I smiled at her while spooning up the perfectly cooled soup. She grinned back, dark circles dragging down to her chin.

'...Am I that bad too?'

Her pitiful vibe tugged at my heart.

Talk about a pitch-perfect ad for blackout curtains.

"Why the sudden interest in Pollreta hide?"

His voice screamed exhaustion.

And his face? Worn to the bone.

Facing the Duke's wrecked state after ages, I skipped the rush to business and scanned the room slow.

Figured he had spare time since he humored my snap meeting request. Nope. Document towers loomed everywhere.

This level of chaos? He was probably just buttering me up for the cash I raked in.

My gaze drifted back to him, laced with pity now.

'Still hot, even like this.'

Sleep deprivation had shadowed his complexion, but somehow it deepened his vibe.

A long silence slipped by unnoticed. Then his voice cut through again, nose-deep in papers.

"Princess?"

"Ah."

Weird embarrassment hit as I realized I'd been gawking wordlessly.

"Sorry. Got lost in my head..."

"Lost in your head with me right here."

Technically Duke thoughts, so not other thoughts—but no way I'd say that. Hands flailed in panic.

"N-No... sorry..."

"Whatever. Asking again: why Pollreta hide?"

Nothing weird about quizzing on common monster scraps, but he clearly wondered why me.

Straight answer this time, no delay.

"Heard it's worthless surplus in the Duchy. Wanted to see if I could... repurpose it or something."

"We've got excess. Tell Liam to hand over leftovers. But for what?"

"Uh..."

Obvious, really.

You're sleepless. I'm sleepless. Everyone here is running on fumes.

Making blackout curtains from Pollreta surplus. Easy peasy... yet my mouth stuck shut.

Didn't want him clocking my nosy do-gooder act?

I shook my head, backing off.

"Not ready to spill yet..."

"Not ready?"

Brows twitched at that.

"Y-Yeah. Just brainstorming."

"Can't share a brainstorm?"

"My rule's no hype till it's solid—don't wanna get hopes up."

"......"

"......"

"Sigh. Fine. Your call, Princess."

Hm?

Hmm?

'What?'

Usual flat tone, but it landed... pouty?

I chalked it up to vibes and dipped my head awkwardly.

"Th-Thanks."

"Dismissed."

Lingering awkwardness as I turned—then his voice again.

"Hold up."

"Y-Yes?"

Strange look on his face. He spoke slow.

"...Once it shapes up a little, you'll tell me then?"

Back-to-back odd moves from him. Hid my confusion, shook my head.

Gift drop post-finish. Exception time.

"Mmm, probably not?"

"...Right."

Lips clamped tight, he went mum and dove back into papers.

Out in the hall, I froze by the door, weird thoughts swirling.

'Disappointed?'

Brain said nah, but that droopy tone nagged my gut.

Still...

'Nah, imagination.'

Shrugged off the oddness, hustled to find Liam.