𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗: 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚’𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠
The time was just before sunrise. Florenci was likely still asleep.
Before he woke, I would act.
I slipped my arms into the apron dress worn by the maid, and donned a cloak that covered me from head to toe. I wore a hood deep enough to hide my face.
ㅤ
As a precaution, I left a note for the maid saying that I would be out for a bit. I also added that if I didn’t return by noon, she should request a search.
With this, even if my absence was noticed, it wouldn’t cause a commotion.
ㅤ
The mansion in the early morning was eerily silent.
At times like these, I felt relieved that I had already dismissed the servants.
ㅤ
Unseen by anyone, I exited through the back door.
I had thought that there might be journalists sniffing around after my father’s death, but it was an unbelievably quiet morning.
ㅤ
I left through the back gate into the alleyways of the noble district, and headed towards the slums.
My destination was a general store known as “Forbidden Fruit”.
This risky place dealt with everything from human flesh to stolen goods and all sorts of drugs, claiming that nothing was beyond their reach.
In my previous life before time rewound, I came here under my uncle’s instructions to sell stolen goods from Queen Binemöer.
The location of Frutploiebeet was cleverly hidden, situated at the end of a dead-end street in the slums.
Behind a hidden door in the wall lay the shop.
Since it operated round the clock, I expected the shopkeeper would be ready for customers even in the early morning.
I unlocked the hidden door and stepped into the store.
The dim and eerie shop had a unique atmosphere, a blend of the smell of spices and antiques.
ㅤ
The shopkeeper at the back of the store eyed me with a wide-eyed stare and called out.
ㅤ
“Campo De?”
“Flores.”
ㅤ
These were codes exchanged only between those who were capable of dealing.
Because I had heard them from my uncle in my previous life before time rewound, I was able to answer without difficulty.
ㅤ
“What do you need?”
“Can I have two passports?”
“What’s the purpose?”
“I intend to take on the persona of that individual and seek refuge in Binemöer.”
ㅤ
The shopkeeper of Frutploiebeet had a remarkably tight lip. Probably because a fee for his silence was included in the price.
Moreover, even when I was executed, there was no one who could expose this shop.
Despite its shady business, it was reliable as long as I used it with a purpose.
ㅤ
“What kind of passport do you want?”
“Well, let me see.”
ㅤ
If possible, I preferred a mother and child of nobility. I had just come up with the idea of escaping from a husband and seeking refuge in Binemöer.
ㅤ
“How about this mother and child?”
ㅤ
The shopkeeper pulled out two passports with empty name fields.
Only the house name Dosa was written on them, and the name fields were blank.
ㅤ
“Why are the names not written?”
“It was sold. You can choose the name freely.”
“I see.”
ㅤ
Apparently, the passport holder, who had a gambling habit, was pursued by her husband’s debt collectors and had her son’s passport snatched away and sold to this shop. What a sad story.
ㅤ
“I understand. I’ll take these.”
ㅤ
The price was quoted, but it was within my expectations.
I paid from the money my father had left me.
Once the shopkeeper had carefully counted the gold coins, he said in a low voice, “Thanks for your business.”
ㅤ
“And, what will be the names?”
“Well, let me see.”
ㅤ
If I introduced myself as Graciela and Florenci, there was a chance my uncle would find me.
But I felt a bit frustrated about going to Binemöer under a different name.
ㅤ
At that moment, Ga-chan, who had been quiet until now, landed on my shoulder and chirped brightly.
[Nya Nya!]
ㅤ
That was the cry Ga-chan made when calling my name.
I guessed she probably wanted to call me “Lara”, the nickname for Graciela.
ㅤ
“Yes, let’s go with “Lara” for my name. And for Florenci, it will be――.”
[Nya!]
” “Ren”, I see.”
[Nya]
ㅤ
Ga-chan nodded as if to say that was correct.
Lara Dosa and Ren Dosa.
We would take a new step forward as mother and son.
I thanked the shopkeeper and left the store.
The sun had fully risen, and the sky was blue.
I briskly moved through the bustling streets and returned to the mansion.
ㅤ
The butler was waiting at the back door, and he apologized as he said.
ㅤ
“Graciela-ojousama, Young Master Florenci is awake.”
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Translator’s Blog
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