# Chapter 14
"Yes!"
Edmund was holding a cup of coffee and leaning his head behind me.
“List of foreign doctors’ licenses?”
He tilted his head as if wondering why I was looking at this, and took a piece of paper from my hand.
“There are more doctors than I expected, but they are all old.”
“Yes, right.”
“But why are you looking for this?”
Edmund looked at me out of the corner of his eye as he waved the paper.
“And you didn't eat lunch.”
“…How did you know I didn’t eat lunch?”
Whatever you think, Edmund...
“This...”
“Did you…?”
When I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, he avoided my gaze.
As I expected.
"Do you still think I'm a spy for Prince Lucid? Stop watching me! If I were a spy, would I have helped you? I would have kept quiet!"
I sighed and explained my reasoning.
“The spy stays quiet and collects information without attracting attention, and it's not like me, making a fuss like this.”
“...You seem to realize that you're making a fuss.”
“Of course, I know myself well.”
I shrugged and took the paper from his hand.
“Hmm, then why are you looking for this?”
“…Nothing, I’m looking for someone.”
“Among the foreigners?”
His eyebrows twitched. Am I forbidden to know a foreigner?
“Anyway, he's not there, so it doesn't matter.”
I couldn't find who I was looking for. Looks like I'll be going to Umpha this weekend.
***
“There she is!”
I got used to the work and started doing it without referring to the instruction manual.
“I thought His Highness was the only monster in this world.”
Natasha mumbled, and Dante nodded, looking at me.
“Me too. Who would have thought anyone would finish this work on time but you?”
Edmund reviewed the papers I had submitted and sealed them without comment.
Nothing needs to be modified.
“Your Highness, I love you!”
“…What’s today’s schedule?”
Edmund asked Dante, who looked at me warily as he handed over the papers.
He still ignored my direct attacks, but he no longer showed a sullen expression. This is great progress.
“Okay, work is done for today.”
Everyone responded lazily with a “yes” to Edmund’s words.
Tomorrow is finally the long awaited weekend.
How long have I waited for this day to search for that man from the festival.
Maybe I'll leave early today? I have things to check. Let's enjoy the employee's right to be out on time!
“Oh, Olivia, leaving early today?”
When Natasha saw me carrying my bag, she opened her eyes in surprise. I haven't left early since I started work.
“I'm looking for a house.”
“Home? Is your family home far away?”
I rubbed my neck in embarrassment.
“No, it's not, but I live in the temple.”
“Temple?”
Her eyes widened even more. I wasn't going to leave the temple. The priests were always good to me, and after 15 years, the temple has become comfortable.
But this decision came suddenly because of a conversation I overheard yesterday between the High Priest and others.
The High Priest replied with a smile:
I know the situation of our temple very well.
Priests spend donations on slums, leaving a bare minimum for living. With the broken windows and rickety floors, I felt like a burden since I was not a priestess.
I was upset by what the priests said, but when I thought about it in my room, I realized that I was no longer a child. I can't stay in the temple forever. After 15 years, how much will my food cost? I suddenly felt like a burden.
“I was living there because of my circumstances, but it is time for independence.”
Today, I will check the prices of houses that suit my conditions, and tomorrow, when I visit Umfa with Mr. Ruan, I will search for a house too!
I entered the real estate agency and took out a piece of paper with a design.
My list of house conditions that I carefully considered was:
[- Close to bakeries (and a cafe if possible)
-Close to the palace
– Safe area
- Preferably new
-Reliable homeowner
– Water saving]
"500 kroner? That won't be enough. Rents in the capital start at 2,000 kroner."
“Even the monthly rent?”
“Even rent requires a deposit of at least 1,000 kroner! With this amount, you will only find it in Umfa.”
I couldn't even open the paper and left the agency.
“More expensive than I expected.”
I didn't know that while I lived in the temple.
House prices in the capital are exorbitant. Well, this area is like the city center in Korea, so naturally it can be expensive.
With my small savings, I have no hope. My salary is 100 krona, so even if I save everything, it will take me two years to make rent. This is dangerous.
“Haha, and this world has no bank loans.”
She sighed sadly and kicked a pebble on the ground.
“What are you doing there?”
I heard a familiar voice.
I looked up and saw Edmund. Why does it appear here?
“Your Highness? Why are you here?”
“Shh.”
He looked around and adjusted his hat to cover his face.
“I'm here secretly, so be quiet.”
Oh, that's why he was covering his face. Looks like he's on a losing mission.
“Alone?”
“No way. Felix is guarding me.”
I looked around, but didn't see him. Why does Felix always hide? Are all knights like this?
“Where are you going?”
Edmund replied in a dull tone: “What about you?”
Just tell me, will it hurt you? I wanted to hit his head, but I didn't have the courage.
“Can I accompany you?”
He frowned at my question.
“I might be useful!”
“Just the entrance.”
Maybe I get clues about my master, I should follow him.
The place Edmund arrived was Umfa.
In modern times, it is considered a slum area where illegal activities are common. Most of the capital's foreigners and debt-ridden imperials live here.
“What brings you here?”
“Why should I answer you?”
Why should I answer you? I cursed him internally and smiled with difficulty. I will shut up.
"… the home."
"What?"
“I'm trying to solve the problem of houses.”
Home problem? Why does Amir worry about houses?
Yes!
“Houses for merchants?”
I remembered the novel. The Umfa area, which is crime-ridden and has the worst security, has always been a problem.
As trade begins, hundreds of people from Nikita and Aryan come to the empire. So, the Emperor decided to use Umfa to provide housing for the merchants.
Although the Emperor tolerated foreigners, deep discrimination prevented them from working or buying homes even if they had money.
“You know everything.”
Edmund muttered, surprised by my hunch. Well, I know the story from the beginning of the novel.
"Lucid said he was going to build wards. I came to get ideas."
In the novel, Edmund came to Umfa secretly with Ikla to solve this problem. But I didn't see Ecla.
“You came...alone?”
“I said I had Felix with me. Your memory is bad.”
He looked at me with disdain and snorted. I'm not a goldfish! Why don't I see Ecla? Did the story change because you were not with her at the festival?
But they met, so I expected them to be together.
“Did you find a home?”
“No. I can’t even pay the rent. They said I needed at least 1,000 krona, and even that for Umfa.”
I sighed and grumbled. When she mentioned Ompha, Edmund frowned as well.
“Even if it's cheap, you shouldn't live alone in a place like this.”
“I know. But even there is beyond my scope now.”
I was sad about my financial situation. I thought I had saved a fair amount.
“But how did you know I was looking for a house?”