Cannot Escape the Devil - Chapter 24

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It was peaceful inside the wagon, running at a moderate speed, neither fast nor slow.

“Today, we will take a tour of Matthia Square, the largest of the downtown areas. There is a famous dress shop nearby. After shopping, we will have dinner. The timing will fit perfectly.”

Today’s schedule was very simple and neat just like Edwin himself.

It was indeed a concise and fruitful schedule. Asaya nodded with satisfaction.

“Think about what you want to do tomorrow.” Edwin asked.

“Are we going out tomorrow, too?”

“You can decide if you want to rest or explore around more.”

“Can’t you decide? You were planning today’s schedule by reflecting my opinion.” Asaya spoke.

“I think it’s only natural to use the vacation for you.”

Edwin’s casually spoken words were so commonplace that Asaya doubted whether she had misunderstood his words. Did she get it wrong? His remarks were interpreted as ‘I made time only for you’.  Wasn’t that terribly romantic? It really didn’t fit with his personality. Asaya felt embarrassed because of Edwin’s consideration.

‘You’re kind.’ Asaya whispered to herself.

Suddenly, Edwin asked suspiciously as if he heard something he wasn’t supposed to hear.

“Kind? I’ve never heard such a word in my life.”

“Oh? Why? I think you’re a kind person.” Asaya said.

Even though Edwin had a cold expression and a blunt personality, he was a caring person.

“You’re a very warm person to me.”

At Asaya’s words, Edwin started to think about his actions. It seemed to be true that he was generous to Asaya. He treated her differently compared to the others. Why did he do it? He wondered. Was it because she was special? Was it because she was willing to risk her life for others? Was that the reason why he worries about her well-being and happiness?

“I tend to be more generous with things I like.”

Edwin struggled to swallow the words that followed. With a light smile, Asaya opened the window of the carriage and looked out. It was chilly, the sky was clear without a single cloud. The soft sunlight and the chilly wind slightly touched the face of the two.

*****

Matthia Square, the largest of August’s downtown areas, was crowded with many people. A large fountain was located in the center, and the high- rise commercial buildings were densely packed. Numerous wagons came and went busily, and there were crowds of people gathering around the bard singing to appreciate the songs. Even though there were so many people, for some reason, Asaya felt quiet and relaxed rather than a noisy feeling.  Compared to the general private house, the towering buildings and the colorful signboards that dazzle the eyes created a grandeur that overwhelmed the surroundings.  Besides, there were many people in this place with extraordinarily gorgeous outfits with shiny jewelry. The atmosphere and feeling were different from the streets of Riverarden she saw the other day out. This was the place owned by rich and wealthy nobles.

“I was worried that my clothes were too fancy and that it would stand out. Now I see that it was a useless worry.”

Asaya looked at the people at the square in awe. The clothes of those nobles were truly remarkable. As Diana and Lucia said that colorful clothes were in fashion, it was very common for women to wear colorful dresses made of lace in abundance. Even wearing dresses that looked heavy, their walk was very neat and quiet.

The clothes of those who appear to be nobles were really amazing.  As Diana and Lucia said that fancy dress is fashionable, it was very common for women to wear fancy dresses made with rich laces.  Even when wearing dresses that looked heavy just by looking at them, their gait was very upright and quiet. Their footsteps moving steadily while maintaining a comfortable posture without shaking was unbelievable to her eyes.

“If you stand there with that expression, you will be laughed at.” Edwin said.

“Ah, do I look like a fool?”

Asaya laughed embarrassingly and closed her lips hastily. Then she hurriedly refined her expression. There were so many gorgeous people that she felt shy. Even though there was no reason to feel upset, her shoulders shrunk. She felt like a stranger who was dressed fancily but unable to blend in. Asaya once again recalled her origin in the scenery that looked closest to the ideal life she had longed for when she lived outside the wall.

“Why do you look so depressed? Relax.”

“I feel like a stranger.”

“Why would a stranger be scared to death? None of them would be able to fool around with the stranger I’ve put so much effort on.”

“I’m not afraid of being harmed. I feel intimidated. This is a completely different place from where I used to live. I can’t completely erase the gap.”

“The past is passed. Right now you are standing here as a prospective wife who promised to marry me. Accepting your new life is what you have to do in the future.” Edwin wrapped her hand. “Realize now and adapt, the life you have to live in the future.”

He led Asaya and stepped forward. His gait was more relaxed and confident than anyone else. He turned his steps only looking forward and not at anyone’s eyes. But so many eyes fell on him. Unlike Edwin, who walked with the gaze as if there was nothing to care in the world, Asaya was very concerned with the eyes felt from all sides. Whether Edwin was a lord or not, he was a man who would catch people’s attention anyway. His beautiful yet clean appearance, which was taller than average, would attract other people’s attention even if he was wearing rags. Though simple and neat, he was more glamorous than anyone else here. Without covering his whole body with shiny ornaments, without doing anything attractive, or brushing his hair carelessly, he was obviously an attractive man by nature.

“Try to walk without paying attention. In the future, we will receive even more people’s attention than this.”

The feeling of standing in the pouring hundreds of gazes must be uncomfortable, but it was nothing for Edwin. Asaya thought if she showed her sloppy appearance beside him, Edwin would get criticized. Then, Asaya raised her head with her back as straight as possible. The pouring gaze and the gossiping voices were uncomfortable, but it wasn’t enough to get scared or anxious from. If she was alone, she might not have been able to withstand it, but it was quite worth it because she had Edwin’s firm hand.

“You tend to care a lot about people’s attention.” Edwin said.

“It wasn’t like this from the beginning, but it’s a habit created by living outside the wall. As I looked at people, I observed them. But this place seems to be far from the ordinary I thought. The buildings are too big and colorful, and the majority of people are upper class.”

“Because it is the largest commercial district, it is unavoidable that there are many rich people here. It’s the most glamorous and sparkling place in August, and it’s one of the places that anyone on a trip must visit. That’s why I chose it, but I think I chose the wrong place.” Edwin said.

“No, I was a little embarrassed, but I like it. It’s definitely cleaner and more colorful than any other place I’ve ever seen. It’s fun to the eyes. It’s definitely a new experience.”

Certainly there was a lot to see and everything was magnificent. Not only everybody’s outfits were dazzling, but the tall and high-rise buildings were so colorful and sparkling that it almost hurt the eyes. In addition, various objects and food were also worth seeing. Not all of them were of the size that could be found in the general market, and there were a lot of tourists with exotic appearances and rare items that seemed to have been airlifted from abroad. Walking along the streets, Asaya looked at various items, merchandise and even food. She gradually stopped paying attention to people’s judgemental stares. However, it was uncomfortable to walk because there were many people. Edwin, who caught her first fall, stood next to her and turned around to protect her from others. After a while, they got to the dress shop. When they were about to go in, they met a mother-daughter duo outside the shop.

“I see we’re all here. Lord Kabelheider.” The middle-aged woman, who seemed a little older, greeted Edwin with politeness. The young woman standing next to her hurriedly looked at Edwin and showed him courtesy as well.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lily Rosemante.”

Edwin alternately looked at the middle-aged and the young woman who introduced herself as Lily. Then the middle aged woman spoke.

“This is my daughter, sir.”

“Oh, is she the one who got engaged not long ago?” Edwin asked.

“Yes, we are preparing for the wedding next year, so I came to see the dress my daughter would wear. May I ask who the lady next to you is?”

“This is my fiancé.” Edwin said without hesitation.

“Ah It looks like the rumors of your engagement were true.”

The middle-aged woman was embarrassed, but she was polite, and she gave Asaya a brief greeting. Then, Lily grinned as if she were browsing through Asaya. It was a very short moment, but it was definitely ridiculed.

“Are you here to pick out a wedding dress?”  Lily asked.

“No, I’m here to tailor a dress for the National Day celebration.” Asaya responded.

Lily’s face was briefly distorted at the words National Day celebration. Meanwhile, the middle-aged woman standing next to her looked at Asaya and Edwin with anxious eyes.

“Does your fiancé need an etiquette teacher, Lord Kabelheider? I heard she came from outside the wall, she probably needs some basic etiquette.”

“My wife is very polite and smart. It’s not about your concern or anything to interfere with.” Edwin said annoyingly.

“Grand Duke, I know that you are not worried, but the National Day celebration is an important event. The loss of honor of the person representing the province is the same as the loss of August’s status. I am truly worried.”

The duo’s polite manners suggest that they were very influential family members within the estate. Asaya slowly looked at the mother and daughter. Asaya knew they were pretending to worry about August’s honor but the reality was a mockery of Edwin, who has a lowly outsider for a wife-to-be, and that was a shame.

However, regardless of the intention contained in their speech, it was a concern that Asaya fully understood. Nobles receive a general education that was directly connected to life. Manners, gait, language, art, academics, etc. This courtesy education was very strict, so it was possible to distinguish the status by just walking. In the meantime, it was unpleasant for them to take the uneducated person from outside the wall to a place where the distinguished guests gathered together. This may be a kind of gateway to living in this strange land as a stranger. Asaya was willing to accept this gateway and set out to take care of it.

“I fully understand what you are concerned about. If so, what can I do? Can I show you that I’m not the level of your concern?” Asaya said to the middle aged woman.

“What and how do you prove it?”

Despite the obvious ridicule in the eyes of the two mothers and daughters, Asaya opened the door of the dress shop.

“After we’re done here, would you like to have supper and chat with us?” Asaya said.

“Yes, it’s been a long time since I had dinner with Count Rosemante. It would be nice to invite the Count and have a meal together. What do you think, madam?”

At Edwin’s question, Mrs. Rosemante and her daughter, Lily, were embarrassed and looked at each other. Mrs. Rosemante, who had been contemplating for a moment, replied in a calm voice as much as possible with her facial expression corrected.

“He’s just around here. I’ll send a servant to ask if he wants to join us.”

“Yes, then we’ll shop while waiting for the servant to return.” Edwin spoke.

Mrs. Rosemante replied with her head upright at Edwin’s words.

“Alright. Let’s go in.”

The mother and daughter entered the dress shop in a sour mood. Edwin and Asaya followed. There was a grim tension in the dress shop that resembled a battlefield.