# 12
### Chapter Twelve
The situation was quickly resolved after that. The human traffickers, aware of the Baisen family's reputation, immediately surrendered and were taken away by the knights.
I watched them being dragged like a bundle of sausages, tied tightly, when I felt someone beside me. I turned my head and saw Harold with a raised eyebrow. His expression was a mixture of calm and annoyance, which sparked a strange warmth in my heart.
"Diana, we have a lot to talk about... Wait, are you crying? I haven't said anything yet, have I? Or have these men hurt you?"
Harold's voice was thick with worry, and I quickly shook my head.
“No, I'm not injured. I tripped, but I'm fine now.”
“So, did I really say something?”
Again, I shook my head. Harold said nothing. But…
“It's just… I feel comfortable because you're here. I was so scared.”
Although I distanced myself from Evil Fate through successful deals, the time I spent living on the streets in fear that things would not go according to plan left a profound impact on me.
When I encountered the traffickers, and even when I fell and tried to confirm that I was the Duchess, I was terrified the whole time. I tried hard to maintain my composure, but deep down, I was afraid that all my efforts would be in vain and things would unfold as the story dictated.
Then Harold appeared. His approach seemed like a dramatic scene, slow and unreal.
Harold was the first relationship I'd had since taking this body. I was aware that there might come a time when he would ask me for more than our contract, perhaps even to take advantage of my abilities. But now, he was on my side, and that's all I could ask for.
“Tsk. Why did you come to a place like this alone?” Harold muttered, fiddling with his jacket. He didn't find what he was looking for, and his expression became more annoyed.
“It's okay. I don't need a tissue.”
"…Good."
I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, but the tears continued to flow uncontrollably. This was confusing; I've never cried like this before. I was probably more emotionally exhausted than I realized after being in this body.
Harold put his hand on my back but quickly pulled it back, looking confused. I looked at him curiously, his expression like that of a disturbed puppy.
“Didn't you say you had a lot to talk about?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“...I said so.”
“Come on. I'm still crying, but I can listen better.”
I winked playfully to show him I was okay. Harold sighed and rubbed his face in annoyance.
Wasn't he the one who looked like he had something urgent to say earlier?
“It's nothing too serious. Anyway, it's cold, let's get into the carriage.”
"Good."
I followed Harold towards the carriage. On the way, he picked up my discarded robe, which was now covered in muddy footprints from where the traffickers had trampled on it trying to catch me.
After a quick walk, we reached the carriage and sat down opposite each other.
I called out to Harold, who was looking out the window.
“Harold?”
“What's wrong?”
“I was just wondering...why are you here?”
“I was passing by on my way to something else.”
“I see. Then I was lucky.”
I thought it was an unlucky day when those bastards were chasing me. But if Harold had not passed, things could have been much worse.
This thought cheered me up a little, and I smiled.
“You were crying a minute ago, and now you're smiling?”
“I am a simple person. I used to smile whenever the sun was warm. I was that kind of person.”
“Hmm. Hard to believe. And you said ‘you were’.”
“Yes. I learned the importance of money. People cannot live on sunshine alone.”
“You sure love money.”
Harold laughed, a lazy smile curling his lips before he looked back out the window.
He seemed lost in thought. The silence was a little uncomfortable, but instead of speaking, I turned my head to look elsewhere.
My quiet contemplation did not last long. Harold broke the silence.
"Do you have any plans today? I already know you don't."
"I don't have."
“So, how about a little date?”
“Huh?”
an appointment? Out of nowhere?
“Appearances are important, aren't they? I don't want any rumors about our relationship.”
“If that's the reason, sure.”
When I agreed, Harold knocked on the carriage window. The carriage, which was heading towards Basin Estate, stopped. Harold gave a simple command to the driver, and the carriage smoothly changed direction, heading toward a new destination.
* * *
The place we arrived at was a jewelry store. According to Diana's recollections, it was popular enough that customers had to book in advance. But for someone like Harold, reservations were apparently unnecessary, as we were ushered in straight away.
The service was noticeably different compared to the Garcia family's visit. If the real Diana, who was worried about missing her appointment here, were in my place, she would be angry.
The jeweler enthusiastically presented each shining jewel, explaining its features. The stones were large, had a wonderful shine, and was a lot of fun to browse through.
Moreover, Harold was the type who did not hesitate to spend money on his beloved wife.
“I'll take it.”
“But, this gemstone…”
“I'll take it.”
“And this...”
“I'll take it.”
The jeweler's face lit up with a wide smile, and I found myself smiling just as brightly.
But the shopping doesn't end at the jewelry store. After that, we bought clothes—a whole wardrobe—and I changed into a new outfit, even got a new hat. Harold, just like in the jewelry store, did not hesitate to buy everything I liked.
‘How much does all this cost?’ I asked, suppressing a greedy smile. Shopping with someone else's money was the best feeling.
Dressed in my new clothes and hat, I smiled from ear to ear.
Harold, standing outside the store, took a look at my expression and gave me a lazy, satisfied smile. His eyes crinkled slightly with pride.
“Feeling better now?”
“I used to feel good, but now I'm happier! Are you sure you don't have angel wings sprouting from your back?”
“I have no plans to die yet.”
“You know I didn't mean it.”
"Know."
I was about to say that I felt relieved when I suddenly became curious and asked, “Did I seem upset earlier?”
I had been feeling good for a long time now, but seeing Harold checking me over made me wonder if my expression betrayed me, so I tilted my head. I don't always consciously manage my expressions, so I touched my face and felt the corners of my mouth turn up.
“You can easily put on a smile whenever you want,” Harold said, wearing that typical arrogant aristocratic smile.
“But I was really feeling good.”
“People's desires cannot be simply satisfied, but I will take your word for it.”
He didn't seem to believe me at all. Or maybe he just didn't trust that type of personality.
Harold handed me a beautifully wrapped velvet box. Meanwhile, the man who usually maintained eye contact shifted his gaze in embarrassment and spoke quickly.
“Diana, even if you are really kidnapped, there is no way I can’t save you. So if you find yourself in that situation again, don’t cry for those bastards; just wait for me to come back.”
I stood there, stunned, processing what he had just said. Harold was telling me...
"Wait! Let's go together!"
After I finally regained consciousness, I quickly ran after Harold, who was walking away.
I grabbed his coat collar. With a strong tug, Harold stopped but did not turn. I held on tight.
He covered the back of his neck with his hand. After a moment, he frowned and turned his head to look at me, and I gave him a big smile.
"Thanks for the reassurance! I'll be careful to avoid dangerous situations, but if something happens, I'll remember not to cry."
“…Yes. It would be best if you didn’t go out alone like today.”
"Of course! I'll try to take someone with me most of the time."
Even when going to the guild, I planned to inform the guild master and take some guild members with me in the carriage. Harold seemed satisfied with my answer and smiled.
"Let's go back now. We have a schedule to stick to."
As Harold looked straight ahead, the back of his neck was exposed to me. He tried to cover it with his hand, but the skin was a little red between his fingers. I suppressed a smile at the clumsy but sincere anxiety towards me.
At that moment, a strong wind blew and blew my hat into the air. I reached out my hand to grab it.
"My hat...! Huh?"
But before I could reach her, a large hand snatched her out of the air.
He walked forward, and I was amazed at how quickly Harold's reactions were. I looked at him with wide eyes.
“Didn't you say you loved that hat? Be careful not to fly off,” he said as he placed the hat back on my head.
His dark blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight between his flowing black hair. The way his bangs cast a shadow complemented his features perfectly, making him look more beautiful than all the gems I'd seen today.
I was fascinated for a moment.
“You'll stare until you poke a hole in my face.”
“…!”
Realizing that I was staring too hard, I felt embarrassed and quickly looked down. But Harold's sarcastic smile had already returned to his face.
“What's wrong, Diana?”
He leaned closer.
“Do you like my face?”
His face was so close that I could see his thick eyelashes.