The Ugly Lady’s Secret Pouch

“…Young master.”

Henry called out to him, ungraciously.

“It’s just you and me, so what the hell.”

Michael looked out the carriage window at the street. It was harvest time in the capital, and the markets were bustling.

He muttered to himself.

“I thought the North was already preparing for winter…”

“Yes, the harvest season is probably already over.”

“Uncle and Lila will be leaving soon, too. They’ve already been away for so long that they can’t be in the capital anymore.”

“Yes, the Duke has a big role to play.”

Michael remembered Lucas, who had come to him alone a few days ago. After handing over a large amount of gold coins, magic crystals, and all of the magical texts in the Duke’s secret storeroom, his uncle said something unexpected.

[When Henry and I come out for the holidays, stop at Tenebris Company Branch 3 and pick up some groceries, just in case, and make some more communication tools. That should be enough for now, right? Oh, and don’t go just because someone calls you. I’ve got my people around, just in case, you know, in case of emergency.]

Michael, who had been thinking of Lucas, who was tapping the earring of the communications trinket he had made for him, said to Henry.

“I need to make a quick stop at the Tenebris Company Branch 3, was that inside the market?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Henry tapped on the window connected to the coachman.

“We’re going towards the market.”

“Okay.”

Michael looked at Henry and then looked away. He was going to the market to buy some of Lila’s favourite bread.

At Lucas’s insistence, he stopped first at the company and was handed a subspace bag. He wasn’t sure how much groceries were in it, but he handed it over to Henry.

He also took a look at the beauty cream that Lila was preparing. At the office, she was busy preparing for the beauty cream business.

“Hey, honey! I need you to put this box over here.”

“Okay, okay!”

“Karin, the lady sent us separate creams.”

After a nonchalant look at Karin and Amanda, Michael turned to Joshua.

“Well, thank you.”

“Sorry for the mess, as you can see.”

Michael said to an apologetic Joshua.

“Just let me know if there’s any trouble. Lila’s been working hard on this, and I’d hate to see it disrupted.”

He pulled out one of the communication gadgets he’d made earlier.

“This is a communication device that can contact me directly, so keep it with you.”

“…A communication device?”

“Well, here we go.”

Hearing someone else speak of Lila made him miss her even more.

Michael would have hurried back to the carriage. If only he hadn’t spotted the pale pink hair.

He spotted Chloe entering the bookshop, and his steps moved towards her.

“Young master?”

Henry called after him. Michael looked at Chloe through the glass window of the bookstore.

She was still looking through the books, her large glasses hiding half her face.

“You stay here.”

Michael said to Henry and quickly walked into the bookstore. As soon as he entered the bookstore, he could smell the fragrant scent.

He went to Chloe’s side and pretended to look at a book.

“Huh, Little Duke?”

Chloe, who was about a foot taller than Michael, noticed the chocolate-colored hair and feigned acquaintance.

Michael pretended to be surprised that he had heard of it.

“Huh… What, you’ve been here too?”

“Yeah, I’m a regular at this bookstore, I come here a lot.”

“Really? I’ve been here a few times.”

He had never been here before. He had no business being in this neighbourhood in the first place. Chloe smirked at Michael’s cheeky response.

“Well, it’s nice to see you. Uh, are you interested in the book?”

“Huh? Uh, sure.”

Michael pulled the book from the shelf, not even realising what he was holding.

“I like that book, too.”

“Oh, really?”

When Chloe said she liked it, Michael went to the checkout without even looking at the title.

Chloe followed closely behind him and placed the book she was holding on the counter.

After paying for their books, they stood in front of the bookstore and talked.

“Well, it’s been a pleasure, then. Take care, Little Duke.”

“Yeah, um, ah, right. I hear there’s a famous bakery around here.”

Regretting the quick parting, Michael asked if he knew where the bakery was.

“That’s right. I really like their bread.”

“Yeah? My aunt loves it, too, so I’m going to buy some for her.”

“In that case, would you like me to take you there?”

“Would you like to? If so, thank you…”

Henry looked at Michael suspiciously as he rambled on with a reminiscent look on his face.

“Let’s go, Henry. She knows where the bakery is.”

Knowing a little about Michael’s personality now, Henry nodded in agreement.

“I see. I’m sorry about this.”

“No, I had to pass by there anyway.”

“You said you like bread. Will you buy some?”

Michael asked as they walked away. Chloe pushed her glasses up with both hands, embarrassed.

“I don’t have any money with me, so I can save it for another time.”

They quickly arrived at the bakery, which was not far from the bookstore. Michael felt a pang of regret at the thought of having to part with her again.

So he suggested.

“Why don’t you pick out a loaf of bread that you think my aunt would like?”

“Me?”

She looked surprised, and Michael tried to sound nonchalant.

“Yes. I’d love it if you did…”

“You would?”

Seeing Chloe’s affirmative response, Michael couldn’t help but smile.

Leaving Henry behind, the two walked into the bakery together. It was her favourite, and Chloe was quick to recommend it.

This bread is soft, this bread is savoury, this bread is sweet… Michael bought every loaf she mentioned.

And then he repurchased and packaged the same bread. As they walked out, Michael held out a paper bag, oblivious to his flushed cheeks.

“You eat this, it’s a treat.”

“What?”

“My arm hurts, take it quickly.”

“Ah, okay.”

Chloe winced as she accepted the paper bags in her arms.

“Oh, and just in case, take this.”

He slipped the highest quality of the communications device into her hand.

Because of the paper bag in her hands, Chloe didn’t know what it was, but she clutched it tightly and thanked him.

“Thank you, Little Duke. I feel like I’m always getting help.”

“You helped me first, so I’m paying you back. What do you mean?”

Despite his tone, Chloe raised the corner of her mouth. She saw the flush on Michael’s face.

“If I call you, you must answer.”

Chloe, who didn’t know about gentle communication device, just nodded without understanding what he was saying. Because she didn’t hate this kind Little Duke.

Just then, someone interrupted.

“Michael?”

Lucas, who had come to see the porcelain impostor in person, had stopped in his tracks when he spotted the familiar face.

His eyes narrowed at his nephew’s strange behaviour.

He had to intervene. There was a very interesting scent.

Chloe looked up at Lucas and opened her mouth slightly. A cool scent washed over her, and though she couldn’t identify it, it was wonderful to behold.

The striking resemblance to Michael made Chloe pause, then bowed.

“The Du, Duke, no, Monte…”

Lucas said, turning to Chloe, who blushed bright red.

“It’s fine. I’ll spare you the greetings.”

“… My apologies.”

“What’s my uncle doing here?”

“And what business do you have here.”

“I’m… just stopping by the company like Uncle told me to?”

Studying his nephew’s face, which was filled with embarrassment, Lucas rolled his eyes and looked at the device in Chloe’s hand.

“Hmph.”

He sniffed at the faint scent emanating from the girl.

“Hmmm…”

Lucas chuckled to himself and turned to Michael. Michael blushed bright red and stomped his foot in embarrassment.

“What’s your name?”

Chloe bowed slightly in response to Lucas’ question.

“Chloe El Kleist.”

“I see. I hope to see you again.”

“My pleasure…”

Chloe’s heart skipped a beat. Lucas’s handsome smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and she felt her face flush beneath her glasses.

“Henry.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Escort the lady directly to her home. Michael can ride with me.”

“Yes, Duke. Please follow me, my lady.”

“Ah, yes.”

Hurrying to follow Henry, Chloe turned and waved to Michael.

“Little Duke, I’ll see you later, and that book, you’ll have to tell me about it when you read it!”

“…Uh, bye.”

Michael replied weakly and unnecessarily glared at Lucas. Lucas pinched Michael’s cheek, one corner of his mouth twitching upward.

“Not studying as your supposed to, just doing trivial things.”

“Ah no, you’ve ruined it for me!”

They climbed into the carriage, shuffling, and didn’t speak for a while. Lucas, however, could not suppress a bark of laughter.

Glaring at him, Michael muttered darkly.

“Just tell Lila.”

“I’m not going to tell her. You tell her.”

“Then I won’t even make you a communications device!”

“Eh, okay. Okay. I won’t tell my wife. She’ll be sad, won’t she?”

“…Yes, do you think she’ll be sad?”

“Hmm, well, I don’t mind.”

Lucas was rather pleased with himself. Michael and Lila were so close that it would be annoying if they grow even closer. And Michael having a mate was something to celebrate.

“When you get your own mate…”

After staring out the window for a moment, Michael turned his head at Lucas’s words. Mint-coloured eyes met pink ones, and he spoke earnestly.

“One way or another, you have to make her yours. Do you understand, Michael?”

This wasn’t his uncle, who usually spoke in playful platitudes. Michael smirked at his words.

“Make her what?”