After saying goodbye to the tower lord, I returned to my room – to find Bonita immediately dragging me into the bathroom.
She seemed unusually enthusiastic, and my half-hearted resistance was easily ignored as she enthusiastically began her version of a “doll dress-up” session.
The result of her efforts was now before me in the mirror: a strange, unfamiliar woman.
“Wonderful…”
When I saw my stunned reaction, Bonita beamed like a warrior who had just won a glorious battle.
“Ufufu~ As I expected, you are naturally beautiful, my lady. It is a pleasure to dress you!”
"truly…?"
I stared awkwardly at my reflection in the mirror.
As Bonita said, I barely recognized myself. The transformation was so radical.
“It's been a long time since I put in this much effort.”
My hair, which I usually left down for ease, was now up in a stylish high bun, giving me a surprisingly mature look.
Even the blue diamond necklace on my neck matched my eye color perfectly. It was almost suspicious of his suitability for me.
Did I even own a diamond this size?
It confused me a little, but I nodded, admiring the perfect makeup she had on today.
“It's nice, but doing this every day would be very hard work...”
Now that I thought about it, I realized that the last time I was properly dressed was when I had an audience with the Empress. It was such an impulsive meeting that I showed up in the first dress I could find.
So technically, that was the last time I put any effort into my appearance.
But what is the occasion today?
“Bonetta, why did you go so far? It’s just dinner with the Grand Duke. Isn’t this a bit exaggerated…?”
"Ohhohohohohohohoho! Ma'am, indeed!"
Bonita let out an ominous laugh from behind her hand, but her face turned very serious immediately afterwards.
"This is a proper formal dinner. A sumptuous meal requires perfect attire! A well-prepared noblewoman should know that!"
“Ah... I see...”
Instead of agreeing, I found myself reminiscing about the past.
Didn't I attend most of my meals with the Grand Duke in casual clothes?
“Wait, do I even own a dress like this?”
I avoided delving into the topic, and quickly changed the course of the conversation.
I hated to admit it, but this cream dress fit me perfectly. It suited my skin tone beautifully, bringing out a natural warmth that could have easily been lost with an inappropriate color.
The flared skirt and open neckline added unexpected elegance to my slender figure.
“Have I had something perfect like this in my closet all this time?”
“Nohoho~ The Grand Duke sent it. Actually, this morning.”
“This morning?”
Why suddenly?
Noticing the puzzled expression on my face, Bonita pulled out a jewelry box I didn't even know existed and opened it in front of me.
“Maybe it was because he was hosting the Tower Master tonight. Although he didn’t attend dinner in the end...”
“Right. I hope this isn't a waste of money...”
Wait...can this be part of my accommodation expenses?
No, don't do that. Just pretend it's a gift. Insist it's a gift!
While I was trying hard to convince myself, Bonita handed me a letter written on fine paper.
Wait, did he find these gems while fighting monsters?
Monsters don't drop loot like RPG monsters...
Did he defeat a monster eating princesses from a neighboring kingdom or what?
Doubts piled up, but I didn't want to dig any deeper. Something told me I was going to end up with a serious misunderstanding.
There is no room for illusions. Close this topic.
I quickly pushed away the sparkling pink daydream that was blooming in my mind.
Since most of the Grand Duke’s work was related to the “Safety Rules of the Duke’s Haunted Palace,” I said to myself that this was just a reward for another job well done.
At least I was sure this was not part of my accommodation and living costs.
With that reassuring thought, I slowly made my way to the dining hall.
“Are you here?”
The Grand Duke, Blair, was already waiting for me.
“Yes...”
Then I froze in place.
Not because it was too early—
“It seems… different here?”
—But because the entire dining hall seemed to have completely changed.
Just yesterday, the place was in keeping with the stately and ancient atmosphere of the palace. Now...it looked more like a marriage proposal place.
'Why...?'
I pretended not to notice the lavish flower arrangements and glowing candlelight, and took a few cautious steps forward.
“I just wanted to change the atmosphere a little bit,” he said.
“Wait…did you give the order yourself?”
"Yes."
Maybe it was all to thank the Tower Master for his efforts? A little celebratory gesture?
If so, what a pity. The Tower Master was distracted by a pioneering idea and left before dinner had even begun.
While I was lost in thought, the Grand Duke spoke again.
“Please have a seat.”
“Oh, right.”
I didn't notice what he was wearing until after I sat down.
He had just returned from eliminating a massive wave of monsters – or so I was told. But looking at him now, he didn't look like a man who had just left the battlefield.
Whatever thoughts came to his mind, they made him more elegant and well-groomed than usual.
Even the smell of the candles was so wonderful, that I forgot all about my schedule and just took a moment to soak in the atmosphere.
I did not regain consciousness until after the appetizers were served.
“Oh my god...”
There was something strange in the air.
I pretended not to notice the intense tension, and blanked my mind. There was good news to share, and I needed to get to the point quickly.
After a series of setbacks, news of the beam projector project was downright miraculous.
And the fact that the Tower was offering to help – for free, no less?
Considering how much of our work is tied to safety regulations for haunted locations, one hit on the comic book project could have brought everything else down.
But now, we have something new. Something revolutionary.
“I have something I want to tell you,” I began.
"What is this?"
“Well, today I spoke with the tower master… about a new business idea. It’s called a ‘beam projector’…”
I explained everything we had discussed, and even added a few little details about how wizards were obsessed with invention.
The Grand Duke listened silently, his arms crossed. When I stopped to catch my breath, he asked me:
“So you're starting a new business. What about the cost?”
“I already arranged that!”
With a triumphant smile, she let out a slightly evil laugh.
“I told the Tower Master that I didn’t have any wish tokens left, so he offered to help me for free!”
My cheerful voice rang throughout the dimly lit dining hall.
It didn't quite fit the soft background music, and I felt a little embarrassed – but it was too good a result to underestimate it.
Because now—
“This means not having to worry about housing and meals anymore! Even if the project fails, we will not face any major expenses.”
In other words, I can finally save money and maybe, just maybe, buy that cozy little suite I've always dreamed of... and move in on my own.
I thought the Grand Duke hadn't thought about this part yet.
I expected him to express his support for starting a new project with almost no financial risk.
But instead—
“Don't you have to worry about housing anymore...?”
His reaction was... strange.