# 39
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The place we reached by carriage was Railton Street, the largest shopping area and the heart of the capital.
Because it was Saturday morning, people were already crowding at the entrance to the shopping district.
Even through the carriage window, I could see people stopping in their tracks and whispering when they saw the carriage bearing the crest of the duchy.
“You said you're not someone who cares much about other people's looks, right?”
"Yes."
"Good."
Because it seems like everywhere we go today, looks will follow us.
The carriage stopped, and Ian, who had got off first, extended his hand to me.
“Please, come down.”
“Thank you.”
After accompanying me once, he was starting to become very skilled now.
The place where the carriage stopped was the main square, the center of Railton Street.
As a result, I immediately felt like all eyes were on us and Ian when we showed up.
“Oh my God, they really are the Duke and Duchess.”
“Looking at the servants they brought, are they here to shop together?”
“I saw the news Arya and thought it couldn't be...”
“I saw them myf, at the season party last time!”
'Is this what they call celebrity life?'
I couldn't shake the feeling of being half-famous since the last time.
Unlike me, who was aware of all the looks, Ian acted as if he couldn't see them at all, and remained calm and collected. Then he asked me,
“Do you have a place in mind you want to go?”
“Hmm...”
I had no such plans.
The purpose of the day was to show up in the shopping area with Ian, attract enough attention, and teach him how to properly accompany me in public.
‘But seeing his behavior lately, he seems to be already ahead of what I intended to teach him….’
No matter how much of a scoundrel he is, he's still the main hero, right? I rolled my eyes and shrugged.
“Let's look around. It's been a long time since I came to the shopping district, and there seem to be many new things.”
“Let's do this.”
Ian nodded immediately.
A few steps behind us, Vivi and the other servants followed quietly.
“Normally, during an appointment, the Duke should take the lead, but I will take over today, so just follow me.”
“A date, huh.”
He muttered to himf, and looked at me from the corner.
“You always say we're not in a romantic relationship, yet you use words like that.”
“So what do I call it, a visit to the parents?”
What a joke, seriously. Just when I thought things were going well today.
Finally, Ian, who was looking at me as if he were confused after my “parents tour” comment, spoke up.
“…Let’s call it a date.”
“Specifically, it's a dating practice.”
Talking about something fun like dating is something to consider after making this guy fall in love with Diana and paving the way for her with flowers.
I waved my hand dismissively with a laugh
"But don't worry about it. It's not like I'm going to ask the Duke on a real date anyway."
At that, his steps slowed, and a hint of confusion appeared on his face.
“...You're not?”
“Of course not. From the beginning, the Duke and I… oh.”
I stopped in my tracks as I tried to respond, and my eyes landed on a place not far from the central square on Railton Street.
I spotted a four-story furniture store. As I stared at him, I turned to Ian and asked him,
“Doesn't this store look like it's in a great location? And the building is impressive, too.”
Ian, who was looking at me with a surprised expression, looked to where I was pointing.
He seemed upset by the sudden change of topic and answered reluctantly.
“This is because it is in an area with a lot of traffic.”
“Don't you? I think it would be great if he opened a shoe store there.”
I let go of Ian, who was looking at me as if asking what kind of nonsense I was spouting this time, and stared at the building with a satisfied smile.
‘This building will be Diana’s shoe store.’
Upon her return to the Empire, Diana will open a shoe store near the alley where Lady Zed's shop is located.
Naturally, since there were only a few people visiting the secluded back alley, I encountered a lot of difficulties at first.
‘To make matters worse, that motherfucker Ian didn’t even help her….’
But the heroine is supposed to find happiness in the end.
After going through all kinds of difficulties and achieving success, Diana finally heads to the central square of Railton Street.
The building that Diana would eventually buy was the furniture store located there.
I vividly remember the moment when Diana oversaw the rebuilding from start to finish and finally put up the sign.
'It was a special sight....'
This was almost the only part where the author, a long-time fan of Ian's, highlighted Diana's abilities.
My girl was even a building owner!
A feeling of pride overwhelmed me, and I couldn't help but smile widely.
Ian, who had been quietly watching me, cocked his head.
“Are you interested in starting a business?”
“Hmm? No, of course not. I was just saying that.”
I waved my hand dismissively, and Ian nodded and looked away.
"That's a relief. You're not cut out for the business at all."
He said it with firm conviction, without a moment's hesitation.
“Well, that's just...”
I had never really thought about starting a business, but hearing his response made me feel strangely upset.
After all, he was a swordmaster and a master of business, overseeing major projects in the empire.
'Hmph, however, the success stories the nobles talk about will all belong to Diana.'
I stared at Diana's soon-to-be furniture store, then turned my head away.
“Let's go there, then.”
Since the main goal was to show Ian and I together rather than to buy anything, I spent time dragging Ian around various supermarkets.
“I'm going to read a book, so come a little closer. Act like you're reading the book with me. Everyone's watching.”
“We are already close enough.”
“We're not close enough. Like this. Gently put your hand around my waist.”
“Why do we have to go to this extent?”
“What did I hear when you said it was dating practice? Normal couples go that far.”
Going to a bookstore, where there were a large number of nobles, and deliberately ecting books in a friendly manner.
"Here, carry this for me. It's not that heavy."
“You should ask the servants to do this.”
“Carry it for me yourf.”
“Huh.”
“I told you, the popular type are considerate men. There is no woman in the world who hates a man who carries things for her.”
“Stop complaining and take it now.”
I handed Ian shopping bags from the store we'd just visited, as if to make my point.
“Now, look. Which of these umbrellas do you think suits me best?”
“They are both similar.”
"They're different, okay? Don't choose anything. Think of it as giving a gift while imagining the other person."
“Wouldn't it be better to just buy what you want?”
“Do you know the meaning of the gift?”
“Pick one.”
Or teaching Ian how to choose the right gift for someone.
After wandering around for a long time, we collected a large number of things.
Aside from the two paper bags that Ian was carrying, Vivi and the other servants' hands were full of boxes and paper bags.
'I definitely planned to take a light stroll and show ourves....'
This was my first time seriously shopping without worrying about money, so I ended up spending a lot without even realizing it.
'I guess I can't help myf when it comes to money.'
After walking around so much, my feet, in high heels, started to hurt.
“Ah, my feet...”
I lifted my skirt a little and saw that the front trim of my shoe was half falling off. When did this happen?
Ian, who was looking at me while holding the bags in both hands, commented in an indifferent tone,
“You seem to be having a lot of fun with the training session.”
This was His Highness's characteristic indirect comment.