Chapter 745 – 745. The Severed Connection (1)
As expected by Eunhyeon and Eleanor, shortly after the three returned, an invitation from the royal family arrived at the Duke of Armitas.
It is a banquet to praise the achievements of arresting Earl Eprate, who had been conspiring with the devil, and subduing the sudden appearance of a basilisk.
Of course, the protagonists were not only Eira and Cha Hanseong, but also Erin.
So, Eun-hyeon and Eleanor were enjoying shopping in the duchy to match Erin’s new banquet dress.
“Sorry. It’s a long-awaited break.”
“No. I like it.”
Eleanor didn’t mind at all.
After most of the problems in the Holy Kingdom of Erenia were resolved, Eleanor was able to afford her own in a matter of weeks.
“For the time being, it was decided that the priests and temple officials from Agnesim’s side would be in charge of the state administration of the Sacred State.”
It can be said that all the problems that can be solved by using her status as the next saint after Agnes have been neatly settled.
So, being able to spend time with Eun-hyeon and her other family members like this now made Eleanor happy.
“Voila!”
Eventually, the curtains in her dressing room were pulled back, revealing Erin inside.
The place Erin visited with Eunhyeon and Eleanor was a clothing store called Milenea’s Clothing Room.
The Millenea Dressing Room, the largest in the Duchy of Armitas, boasts luxurious designs and fabrics that are as large as its scale, and the price is also very expensive.
It is difficult to purchase with ordinary income, so it quickly emerged as a dressing room frequented by the noble ladies of the kingdom.
As befits a territory where large-scale goods and goods are concentrated, among those who visit the dukedom, noble ladies who visit this dressing room also play a part.
“How is it. Hyuna? Matches well?”
The light blue dress reminded me of bright flowers and matched Erin very well.
She had tried a few banquets in a dress, but this time something was different.
I used to feel very awkward, probably because the dress that nobles wear didn’t fit me, but now I’m used to it, and that awkwardness has disappeared.
She is very lively, and if she corrects her innocence, she might look like a well-educated aristocratic woman.
And more than anything else, what caught her attention was her body, which shed off her youthful selves and matured day by day.
Her bare shoulders and smooth collarbones revealed with her off-shoulder are intense enough to steal her attention.
“Huh. Very pretty.”
“Hi-Hi.”
At Eunhyun’s candid praise, Erin smiled and covered her face with both hands.
Watching her embarrassed face covering her blushing cheeks with her palms, I thought that she hadn’t shed the girlish traits yet, but somehow it felt more cute that her pure side still remained.
“Erin. Stay still for a moment.”
Eleanor, who was smiling happily while looking at Erin’s dress with Eun-hyeon, took out her jewelry from her jewelry box, which her dresser had brought to her.
He personally wore a necklace crafted with a sapphire jewel that harmonized with the blue color around Erin’s neck.
“Huh. Very good.”
“Hi-Hi. Thank you. Miss Eleanor.”
Originally, considering her manners and culture, she should be careful with her lightly smiling attitude, but if it was Erin, she could not help it, so she compromised.
Erin’s bright and bright smile is enough to make her think that she has a demonic spirit that naturally makes her feel better.
Perhaps there is something like a pheromone that unknowingly seduces others due to the magic of the divine beast.
Her charm, which made even Eleanor, who had normally taught Erin the culture and etiquette of a nobleman, stand out day by day.
“Check please.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Eun-hyeon took ten gold coins out of her pocket and handed them to the staff at her dressing room.
The price is too expensive for a single dress, but considering the brand value of this dressing room and the fabric, decorations, and jewelry used in the dress, it is a reasonable price.
Of course, it was a level of waste that could be called the end of luxury that ordinary people wouldn’t even look at, but it wasn’t such a burdensome price to Eun-hyeon.
In the first place, Eun-hyeon is the eldest hand in funding Jis, the largest business in the duchy, and the man with the second largest asset in the duchy after the duke’s family.
He wouldn’t be in a situation where his wallet would be staggered just by buying a dress.
“Hi-Hi. Thank you! Hyuna!”
As she was finishing her checkout, Erin, who had changed into her casual clothes and came out, crossed Eunhyun’s arms and smiled brightly.
Erin also worked as a gold-tier adventurer, and she saved quite a lot of money, so her wallet was thick, but she seemed happy to receive a gift from her husband.
Above all, it was like receiving an award for subduing the basilisk and killing the devil, so how could I not feel good?
Erin was a hundred times better to have her praises from her eunuchs than to have her medals and awards bestowed upon her house of Fernias for her own merits.
“I hope the day to attend the banquet comes soon!”
Erin was already looking forward to going out to the banquet wearing the dress Eunhyun had bought her.
The banquet will be held in about three weeks.
This is because invitations to announce the banquet were sent out throughout the kingdom, and various preparations were required, from the time it took for the nobles to arrive in Pernin, the capital, and the food materials and manpower needed for the banquet.
Above all, since it is an event held directly by the royal palace, it is necessary to prepare thoroughly and meticulously so that it is as splendid and grand as possible, and that no flaws are visible.
“It’s good to have expectations, but you shouldn’t put so much energy into it already.”
Eleanor calmed her Erin with her wry smile.
“Hmm… But the dress that Hyun bought me. I want to try it on soon.”
Her eagerness to quickly use what she received reminded her of the innocence of a child receiving a new toy, but somehow she didn’t want to point out that attitude.
“Shall we go get some cake?”
“Yes!”
Erin readily accepted Eleanor’s invitation.
Grabbing Eunhyun and Eleanor’s arms by one side, she walked between them with a smile on her face, probably because she enjoyed shopping and dating after a long time.
The three of them headed to the dessert cafe they had made a reservation in advance.
As they walked through the duchy’s shopping district, the three of them caught the attention of many.
The saintess and lord of this domain, Eleanor, was already a very famous person in the duchy.
Even though she was a precious person who might not see her once in her lifetime, all the people of her duchy liked Eleanor.
Moreover, as an adventurer, Erin, who often snacked on her snacks while walking around the streets, is a mascot loved by the people of her shopping district as much as Eleanor.
Eun-hyeon, who doesn’t usually show herself, made people think about it, but when Eleanor and Erin are together, Eun-hyeon is the only one that comes to mind.
“I-I’ll take you this way.”
When the three arrived, an employee of the dessert shop waited for them from the door at the news of Eleanor’s reservation.
As soon as I found them, I hurriedly approached them and started guiding them.
His hesitant and stuttering manner showed how nervous he was.
Seeing the employee’s attitude, Eleanor said with a wry smile.
“Don’t be too nervous. I just came to spend time with my family today.”
“That, uh, yes…”
Even if he said that, there was no way the staff’s tension would be relieved.
However, since he knows that it is impossible to complain directly with his mouth, it was best for the staff to answer in a clear manner.
“Hello! I came today too!”
Erin greeted the nervous staff.
“Haha. Okay.”
When Erin spoke to her kindly, the staff member accepted her greeting with a slightly relaxed expression.
This is a very popular dessert shop even within the dukedom, and Erinn is a regular.
Erin, who loves sweets, used to buy her own cake before going home after finishing her quest at the Adventurer’s Guild.
The reason Eleanor reserved this dessert shop was also for her Erin.
Some of the employees smiled and bowed their heads when Erin appeared in the store, as if a fairly thick bond had formed between the staff and Erin.
The interior of the store was quite ornate.
Gorgeous flower decorations, luxurious tables, and tableware are full of things that are worth a look.
Most of the people sitting at the table enjoying tea and cake were full of noble ladies and young girls dressed in luxurious dresses and accessories, so Eun-hyeon wondered if it was okay for her to be here.
“I think I’ve heard that it’s a place that sells desserts to commoners at commoner prices.”
“There are many cheap cakes. Instead, if you eat a lot, it will feel a bit greasy and bite you.”
“…”
At Erin’s words, Eunhyeon managed to endure the fact that she almost unconsciously said, ‘If you eat too much of anything, you’ll feel greasy.’
If I said this, it is certain that Erin will vomit.
I don’t know why she had such a feeling, but it was her unique feeling when dealing with her wives.
The staff, who was quite relaxed, led the three of them to a room with reserved seats that had been prepared in advance.
“The most expensive and confident one.”
It would not be an illusion to feel the luxury and elegance of an aristocrat at the same time for some reason in the words of Eleanor, who flexed her order right away.
The cake and tea were served quickly as if they had already been prepared.
“Come on, Erin. Oh, do it.”
“Oh~.”
Eleanor fed her homemade cake into Erin’s bashful mouth.
It was an action that Eun-hyeon or her had often given her childish attention, and it was hardly an action that would be given to an adult woman just over 20.
It was an unimaginable act for Eleanor, who taught Erin etiquette and culture, but today is a special occasion as it is a day to reward Erin for her efforts in this case.
“Hi-Hi. It is delicious!”
Both of Erin’s cheeks swelled as the whipped cream melted in her mouth and the puffy cake dough filled it.
“You can’t put food in her mouth and talk.”
She pointed out the uncultured manners, but unlike him, Eleanor’s mouth was smiling.
The time passed quickly for her to be rewarded with a lot of kidding and saying good-bye.
As she finished her shopping and was walking down the street at sunset to return home, Eun-hyeon felt her eyes on them.
“… Hyuna.”
“Okay. Know.”
Naturally, Erin also felt this and looked at her Eunhyun.
This was not a look of hostility or intention of attack.
To be precise, when there was an urgent matter to be reported to Eun-hyeon from Heilangdan, she was like a sign to inform Eun-hyeon of her existence.
Eunhyun moved to a deserted alley with Eleanor and Erin.
It was because it was not a report worthy of being revealed in a place where there are many eyes to see.
Eventually, after confirming that there was no other person in the alley full of dark shadows, Eunhyeon said.
“Come out.”
“Excuse me.”
Then, someone wearing a hood appeared from the dark shadows.
It was the voice of a woman Erin was familiar with.
A pair of beast ears on her head caught Erin’s eyes as she took off her hood and knelt on one knee on her floor, politely bowing.
As the right-hand man of Runan, the leader of the Heilangdan, he was an informant and former assassin who was the equivalent of a high-ranking officer.
Erin belatedly remembered that her name was ‘Lana’.
“What happened?”
“Yes. An urgent matter to report… Please… I came to see you like this because I have something to ask of you.”
“Please…”
Lana swallowed and became nervous at Eunhyun’s muttering over and over again.
Originally, they were not in a position to do something like a request, just as they were alive with the mercy of him and the duke’s family.
But even so, she had a reason to go out and visit Eunhyeon like this.
“The captain is in danger. Please… Please save our captain.”
