Chapter 47

Of course, many shopkeepers were bewildered by the sudden suggestion to remodel.

But Rodella knew exactly how to entice them.

“When the Azure Knights get involved in a mission, buildings tend to get destroyed. But I’m sure a business owner of your level has heard the rumors,” she said with a subtle smile.  

“That buildings destroyed by the Azure Knights… are reimbursed by the Azure Knights.”

“…!”

Any sharp merchant would instantly grasp the meaning behind those words.

“We compensate business owners who suffer unintended damage while cooperating with our operations—it’s only natural.”

She glanced around the shop.

“Are there any parts of your shop’s interior that you’re not particularly fond of?”

The merchants instantly picked up on the opportunity.

“Well, first, this wall on the right—”

“Wait. Before you start.”

—flutter

Rodella pulled out a simple cooperation agreement form.

“Would you mind signing this one form first before we continue?”

***

As a result of Rodella winning cooperation in a way no one in the Azure Knights had ever imagined…

A “remodeling zone” map of the jewelry district was drawn up.

Rodella described the designated area like this:

“This is where we can break things.”

“Oooh!”  The knights cheered.

Understandably so. While they had trained to control their strength, it wasn’t perfect yet—and they’d all seen how much the last round of damage compensation had cost.

On top of that, Rodella’s previously mentioned “special measures” had made them even more cautious with their strength.

So now, they were being assigned a mission in a district filled with high-end jewelry shops—where even scratching a wall could mean mountains of compensation.

To them, Rodella’s “remodeling zone” sounded like a safe space to break things.

Finally—a place to breathe!

Naturally, morale among the knights soared.

“Of course, this is just a precaution,” Rodella added.

“The Commander said if anyone gets hurt, he’ll kill you himself.”

Aivert reinterpreted her message.

Of course, what Latine actually said was—

“Just try getting injured! I swear, I’ll wreck you! I’m not bankrupt yet, so if you think something’s going to break—you break first!”

Though it wasn’t quite the same, Aivert’s version got the message across well enough: Try to minimize damage costs, but don’t overdo it.

“Yes, ma’am!”

The knights saluted with renewed focus.

***

After that, under Rodella’s direction, the jewelry district began operating as naturally as possible.

Each shop had one or two knights posing as customers, blending in surprisingly well.

It helped that several of them came from noble families and actually were interested in jewelry.

Meanwhile, the owner of the shop Rodella had identified as the most likely target seemed visibly anxious.

Even if the Azure Knights had promised to cover remodeling costs…

“Whew… Are you sure this’ll be okay?”

“Trust me. When else will you get to spend government money like this?”

Rodella patted the merchant’s shoulder reassuringly.

It just so happened to be the same shop where she had purchased Cecilia’s gift.

“Ahem!”

This was the first time the merchant had ever received such a ‘legal favor,’ and his heart raced despite his anxiety.

“You two really don’t leave each other’s side, do you?”

The shopkeeper said with a bit more ease now.

Of course, he was referring to Rodella and Aivert.

“You’re quite the topic among us merchants. A passionate romance between a Duke and a Lady of a self-made family, they say.”

Passionate?

Rodella’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

But she knew it would just look like she was shy—so she didn’t bother correcting her expression.

“I knew there were rumors, but I didn’t expect them to be this widespread.”

She had expected the Duke part to get more attention, but hearing she was known as a Lady from a self-made family gave Rodella a quiet sense of pride.

It wasn’t easy to earn that kind of reputation while being associated with a Duke.

“You two make a perfect couple. If you ever need wedding gifts, don’t forget our shop. We’re quite skilled, you know?”

The merchant hadn’t forgotten to do his job either.

Rodella tried to give a polite, neutral response. After all, there wasn’t even going to be a wedding.

“Of course. I’ll keep it in mind.”

But before she could say anything, Aivert responded first—with a serious expression like he was planning to buy up the whole store.

Rodella poked him in the ribs.

“I’m the one getting the wedding gifts, you know.”

In noble marriages, it was customary—and fashionable—for the bride to prepare jewelry and accessories as gifts. It was a kind of social etiquette.

“I’ll do it.”

But such manners meant nothing to Aivert, who only cared that Rodella showed up.

“You’re not trying to make our house look uncultured, are you?”

“Who’s calling us uncultured?”

He looked like he was ready to cut down any noble who dared say such a thing.

Rodella blinked and snapped out of it.

‘Wait, why are we bickering over whose family provides the wedding jewelry again?’

“Haha… young love. How sweet.”

The merchant clearly misunderstood—and leaned even further into the misconception.

‘That’s not it, but I can’t exactly say otherwise!’

And then—

“You two are getting along nicely, huh?”

A familiar voice suddenly jumped in.

Rodella’s eyes widened.

“What are you doing here?”

It was none other than Cecilia.

Startled, Rodella instinctively stepped away from Aivert—like she’d been caught doing something suspicious.

“Came to see the capital’s favorite couple in action.”

Cecilia narrowed her eyes, tossing out a half-joke in a flat voice. It was hard to tell if she was joking or annoyed.

Rodella raised an eyebrow—but then Cecilia smiled.

“Just kidding. I was passing by and heard about it from the shopkeeper.”

‘Didn’t I tell you it was supposed to be a secret mission? You told her already?’

Rodella shot a sideways glance at the shopkeeper behind Cecilia.

Apparently, Aivert did the same—because the shopkeeper flinched and ducked behind Cecilia.

“I didn’t tell anyone else! Just her! She’s part of my trade guild!”

Cecilia waved her hand, as if to reassure them.

“Anyway, I heard you’re mapping out which shops to remodel. It’s not limited to jewelry shops, right?”

She lowered her voice as she asked.

“Because, you know… the fight could spill into other places.”

“True.”  Rodella nodded.

Cecilia smiled sweetly.

“Then here, and here…”

She pointed to several of her guild’s shops on the map—shops that happened to be especially old.

“These ones? Don’t worry about them. Break them all you want.”

Rodella and Aivert exchanged a glance as they stared down at the map.

If they really destroyed all those, their Commander’s expression would be priceless.

“Well, I’ll get going then,” Cecilia said with a grin.

“Enjoy your little love story, hmm?”

“R-right!”

There was no denying it now!

As soon as she left, the shopkeeper followed up.

“Then I wish you all the best in your love and your mission. Haha.”

He gave them a warm, gentle smile.

Rodella, flustered, let out a shy smile of her own and thought: ‘Oh, whatever! It’s not like we’re making an official announcement right now anyway!’

As Cecilia walked off and left them, she glanced back at the pair.

“Hmmm.”

She eyed her friend—who now stood close beside Aivert—with a different expression than before.

Was it still an act?

It had started out as one…

But why did it feel less and less like an act now?

They were a couple worth watching.