Chương 28: Chapter 27

Life settled into an unexpectedly peaceful routine. Master Hemmingway continued expanding his newspaper business while occasionally passing along rumors gathered from around the city. One of the more interesting pieces of information concerned the Saintess, who had apparently begun searching for someone. Unlike before, however, the search happened earlier than Nina remembered, and with far greater secrecy. Even Hemmingway could uncover very little.

At most, he managed to learn that they were searching for at least one person, and that one of the targets appeared to be female. Beyond that... Nothing. Nina could only shrug. It was different. But not dangerously different. The Hero's Party was still forming. The major events had not shifted. Everything still appeared to be moving toward the future she remembered. Which meant she could continue focusing on growing her business.

After all, now that the troublesome establishment owner was no longer causing problems, she could finally begin accepting commissions from wealthier clients without worrying about unnecessary interference. Unfortunately... The wealthy clients apparently came looking for her first. As Nina approached her stall that afternoon, she immediately noticed an elderly gentleman standing patiently before it. She blinked.

"... If you're here for business," she called while walking closer, "the stall is closed for the day." The old man slowly turned. Before Nina could say another word... He dropped to his knees.

"Please." His voice trembled.

"I beg you." Nina froze.

"I need your help." He lowered his head.

"I will pay whatever price you ask. Please... save my daughter."

"... Sir?"

"My daughter has an important ball tonight. She became ill only days ago, and if she cannot attend..." His hands tightened.

"... she will lose an opportunity she may never receive again."

"I'm sorry..." Nina rubbed the back of her neck.

"I don't accept same-day commissions."

"I can pay ten silver tales." Nina stopped thinking. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. Nina froze where she stood. Ten whole silver tales. During the entire past month she had only managed to earn one thousand silver pieces, the equivalent of a single silver tale, and after secretly spending half of it to hire a low-level healer for Jake's mother, she did not even have one full silver left to her name.

Yet the old man standing before her was calmly offering ten whole silver simply for a single day's work. Ten silver. Ten thousand silver pieces. The System immediately sounded an alarm. [Host. More urgent problem.]"...?" [You currently have an influential merchant kneeling before your stall.]"..." [If people misunderstand this situation, your reputation will explode in entirely the wrong direction.] Nina finally looked closely at the old man. Then her eyes widened.

"... Mr. Roosevelt?" The merchant blinked.

"You know me?"

"I-I know of you!" She nearly dragged him to his feet.

"Please don't kneel!" Relief flooded the old merchant's face.

"Then..." Nina inhaled.

"... Tell me everything."

"My daughter is supposed to attend a night ball."

"A ball?"

"Yes." He looked desperate.

"But she has fallen ill." Nina waited.

"What kind of illness?" The man hesitated.

"Pimples." Nina blinked.

"... Pimples?"

"A terrible condition." The merchant spoke with complete seriousness.

"Her skin is no longer as fair as it should be." Nina stared. The system remained silent. Even it seemed unsure how to respond.

"And tonight's ball is extremely important," Roosevelt continued.

"Her Royal Highness, the Empress Dowager, will be attending." Nina's eyes widened slightly.

"The Empress Dowager?" Is she not dead yet? Nina thought silently. This is bad.

"Her headmaid, actually." He corrected himself quickly.

"The Empress Dowager's headmaid will attend. Due to the Dowager being ill." He looked at Nina. Nina did not realize he was looking at her. All she was thinking about was that this must have been the way they stopped empire-wide panic over the woman's death.

"This is an opportunity my daughter cannot lose." Mr. Roosevelt spoke impassionately.

"... Why?" Nina came to, but she still did not understand the reason she was needed.

"Because if she leaves an impression on the headmaid, there is a possibility she may eventually meet the Empress Dowager herself." Nina understood. Connections. Nobility. Opportunities. A single meeting could change someone's future. The merchant grabbed his hands together.

"You must help me." Nina looked at him.

"Sir, you understand I am a commoner, correct?"

"Yes."

"My status matters."

"Yes."

"Helping someone connected to royalty could result in my death."

"It is only one night."

"Still."

"Twenty silver."

"I..."

"Thirty."

"Sir..."

"Fifty." Nina stopped. Fifty. That was 50, 000 silver pieces. Nina somehow found herself sitting inside his carriage. She stared blankly out the window.

'... Today was supposed to be my half-day off.' She buried her face in her hands.

'... Lily.' Silence.

'... Lily, please.'

'I don't want to.'

'... Please?'

'No.'

'It's fifty silver.'

"..."

"..."

'... Fine.' Lily sighed dramatically in her consciousness.

'But if I'm wearing elegant clothes not of my choosing for other people, I'm holding a grudge.' Nina nearly cried with relief.

'Deal.'