Having already apologized in front of the Duke, I never imagined it would come to this.
“What kind of map is this?”
Does this person have no shame, no sense of decency, or any awareness at all?
Ione’s expression was one of sheer disbelief.
Penelope used the ‘apology’ as an excuse to come by every day, clinging to Ione relentlessly.
Ione had hoped Penelope would give up if she ignored her, but that was a naive thought.
Penelope kept asking questions until Ione finally responded.
In the end, Ione was the one who lost.
“This is a map of the Duke’s residence.”
“What do these markings mean?”
“They’re places I’ve been.”
“Oh?”
At the faint sound of admiration, Ione instinctively grew wary.
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s fascinating. There are no rules.”
“Rules?”
“Usually, maps mark out key points or directions. But look here, Your Highness. You’ve marked all sorts of strange places.”
“That’s because those are the places I’ve been.”
“Who marks corridors they’ve walked through? The gardens and castle towers too.”
It feels like you’re listing everything you’ve done.
It was probably a careless remark said without much thought, but Ione felt a pang of guilt.
She had assumed the map was for her eyes only and marked it freely—was that a mistake?
Listening to Penelope, the map in her hand suddenly looked suspicious.
“Looks like even personal maps need to be marked properly, with an eye on who might see them.”
Ione quickly snatched the map from Penelope’s hand.
If she left it alone now, she would definitely get caught.
“I’m sorry. I tend to speak too freely when lost in thought. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Ione worried Penelope would press further, but surprisingly, Penelope handed the map over without protest.
That was a relief.
“But Your Highness, why are all the marks only inside the Duke’s residence?”
“Because I’ve only been inside the Duke’s residence.”
Just as she took a sip of tea, Penelope tilted her head with a smile and held out her hand.
“Would you like to go sightseeing outside the Duke’s residence with me? I come here often, so there’s nowhere I don’t know.”
“Why would I?”
Ione didn’t welcome the sudden suggestion.
Her sharp response came reflexively, but she didn’t regret it.
The woman before her had multiple personalities and sometimes scared her.
“You’ve been in the Duke’s residence so long that you must feel trapped.”
“Don’t you know why I’m only inside the Duke’s residence?”
“Oh, because you said you couldn’t imprint your seal due to magical abnormalities? But how did you, someone who isn’t even a mage,…”
“I warped twice the day I arrived at the Duke’s residence.”
“Why did you want to die?”
At Penelope’s question, Ione gave a bitter smile.
Unlike the polite servants of the Duke’s residence, Penelope’s words held no hidden emotion—only pure curiosity.
That was when Ione truly realized how close to death she had come.
She finally grasped how mercilessly she had been treated.
Not only was there no consideration, but even basic human rights had been denied.
Her insides itched and ached at the realization.
“I was ignorant and didn’t know.”
Her inner feelings burst out in front of the suspicious woman.
“Oh.”
Penelope clicked her tongue at her recklessly.
A long sigh escaped.
No excuse worked on Penelope.
When Ione said she couldn’t leave the Duke’s residence because her bodyguard, Seton, was in a meeting, Penelope insisted she would handle the monsters herself.
The unexpected answer left Ione momentarily speechless and hesitant.
“I have things to live for, so I have to go out anyway. Besides, it’s no big deal for the Duchess to get some fresh air.”
“But…”
“Are you doubting my skills?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then why can’t you go out?”
Caught off guard by Penelope’s smooth words, Ione ended up nodding.
“Ah…”
That was the situation Ione found herself in—‘
before I knew it, it was too late!’
But she didn’t dislike it.
“Why did you want to die?”
Penelope’s question suddenly made her chest feel clear, like a breath of fresh air.
It would have been more satisfying if Penelope had said, “
Why did you try to kill yourself
?” but still.
Ione smiled quietly to herself, then quickly fell into step behind Penelope in the changed scenery.
“So, where are we going now?”
Ione called out as she hurried to catch up with Penelope, who was moving swiftly through the crowd.
Because this was a secret outing, they had agreed to act naturally, so Ione’s tone was friendly and casual.
But Penelope’s expression was subtle.
A faint, fleeting joy crossed her face.
However brief, she returned to her usual bright smile and asked again,
“Where else is there to go but the market?”
“Is there a festival or something?”
I know that much!
Confidently, Ione replied, but Penelope snorted.
“I just told you. There’s nothing else but the market here.”
The Preses Territory was a land of extreme cold but also a stunningly beautiful city.
Unlike the capital, the entire city was filled with refined beauty, every inch meticulously designed.
“What do you want to see?”
Penelope pointed toward a row of shops.
The shops had thick glass windows and sold everything imaginable.
From fresh fish and meat to clothes and shoes, the street was so clean and stylish it felt wrong to call it a mere ‘market.’
“This isn’t a market.”
“It is a market. The south must look different.”
How would I know?
Ione responded awkwardly with a smile.
“I’m only out for a little while, so today, let’s just stick to the market. Next time, I’ll show you the proper shopping district when I have more time.”
It was strange to be shown the northern territory by the western tower lord, but Ione quietly nodded.
“Any shop is fine.”
“Is there somewhere you want to go?”
Of course not.
Ione swallowed the sarcasm that was rising in her throat and smiled, saying, “
Nothing I need.”
“Well… then I guess I have no choice. Let’s start with my shop.”
Penelope frowned slightly before choosing a direction and starting to walk.
Where else but to the magic goods store?
Before Ione knew it, they were standing in front of the door, then inside the store.
“Oh!”
Ione murmured, fascinated.
She had imagined the magic goods shop would be filled with bubbling beakers and magic wands.
Instead, there were strange items: a tooth from an unknown beast, a single feather, mysterious footprints, and a glass bottle filled with a bright green liquid that seemed highly magical.
Every item was bizarre.
“What on earth is this...?”
Though initially appalled, Ione quickly found herself captivated, wandering the store.
A wrinkled hand suddenly grabbed her.
“This isn’t something to touch carelessly.”
Startled by the rough voice and the blunt, unsharpened dagger in the hand, Ione jumped back.
“Wh-who are you?”
“The owner.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
The owner carefully cleaned the dagger, which had no blade or decoration.
To Ione, who didn’t understand, it seemed worthless, but the owner treated it with great care.
“What is that?”
“It’s a sword used when offering sacrifices.”
“….”
The word sent a chill down her spine.
The owner had been cleaning a dark stain on the tip of the dagger.
Maybe because of the mention of sacrifice, the things Ione had been admiring suddenly looked creepy.
“So, be careful.”
“Yes, I will.”
Trying to avoid the owner’s words she didn’t understand, Ione stepped aside, but the owner grabbed her arm first.
“This is for you.”
“Eh?”
“You must have been startled. I’ll compensate you. That’s enough, right?”
“No, it’s fine. I wasn’t really startled…”
“No, take it.”
Honestly, Ione felt no pull toward anything in this strange, decaying place.
After being warned to be careful, she lost all interest, and everything here seemed suspicious.
She felt uneasy about taking anything from this place.
She tried to refuse again, but the owner was stubborn.
“I don’t need it.”
“You can’t refuse.”
“Refusing is up to the recipient.”
“This is…”
“Just take it.”
Had Ione raised her voice too much?
Suddenly, Penelope appeared beside her and whispered encouragement.
“But…”
“Take whatever it is. The things here are truly hard to get.”
“If you really don’t want it, just take it and give it to me.”
Her sly grin made Ione sigh.
“It feels like stealing from an old man.”
“Come on, no way. That man’s richer than you, Duchess, so don’t think like that.”
“What did you say?”
The owner was an old man.
His clothes were shabby, and his hair was unkempt.
But richer than Ione?
Penelope had no reason to lie about that.
Resigned, Ione finally spoke.
“Is there anything like a lightning-proof magic tool?”
“Lightning?”
The owner’s eyes went wide, and he suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“Ha ha ha ha!”
“Ah ha ha ha ha!”
Their laughter echoed oddly, as if two people were laughing together.