Chapter 13: A little snooping

That day, she clearly remembered the familiar face of Cashim in the Baquet Hall, and with Akan's information satellite overview, well, even without it, as she asked him, Akin already knows. 

"That insignificant one. Indeed, there's no need to remember him." 

 No, it's 'Ett' who knows him. 

"Who was he again?" 

The novel did not mention Cashim, only his organization referred to as an information guild. In novels, the head of an information or spy association or organization would be one of the love interests. Besides, if she calculates the female's age and Cashim…well. He is young, maybe in his early teens. 18? 19?

Ett wouldn't even know that he was the leader of that guild if he hadn't shown his face and the respectful gestures of his men when she went to the House of Isolet. 

"He is the son of the Count of Montcraso, the blackseed of the family. Her Ladyship may not remember, but he was abandoned in the streets, and when they discovered his capability, they brought him back. " 

"After that, he used the Count's title to his advantage?" 

Ett questioned. 

"Yes, that man was quite greedy." 

"It's good that he hasn't gone ahead of us yet." 

"I've made it so until the Dowager desires for him to be dead." 

Ett waved her hand. 

"Just keep an eye on him." 

"As the Ladyship wishes." 

"Before I forget, assist me in gathering the information on these single ladies." 

Akan was taken aback, then let out a wearied sigh. 

Well, that was unexpected. As royals, their hands were already full of a pile, and now they had to figure out how to carry another. Your Ladyship, why are you in a rush? 

"Are we going prioritize the Emperor's potential bride, Your Majesty?" 

"It's your choice." 

The earlier he finishes all his tasks and lessens the burden on his shoulders, then the more he can do it later. 

"What kind of potential fiancé do you have in mind, Your Ladyship?" 

"Someone that's not bound by feelings and too much kindness, quick-witted, intelligent, and can tolerate my son's temperament, yet boldly points out when he is wrong." 

If there was someone like that, it would greatly help Guren, and then Ett could live a comfortable life. 

Akan fell deep in thought; his mind was already working.

"Alright then, is there any more you would like to order, Your Ladyship?" 

"No, I'll call for you when in need." 

"Yes." 

Ett plopped on her bed when the door closed, throwing her shoes without care. 

It's always like this: she always stays in bed, never leaving the room, and only when necessary. She was just like her old self. 

"But no anime to watch, no internet for surfing, nothing to read." 

Boring, extremely boring to the point it makes her depressed. 

Before she dies from depression, Ett needs to find a wife for this son and make sure he won't turn into a certified pro-black-bellied black lotus. A woman who will accompany him till death, smart enough of her own accord, and someone he'll love deeply. No, they should develop feelings for each other along the way. 

Who needs a doting partner who will say yes to all of your requests? 

What Guren needs is a partner who will criticize him in a good way, pull him when he is down, and correct him if he thinks he is truly right when it's not, and both can realize their mistakes in which they know how to apologize to each other and vice versa. 

On earth, she had a doting lover who did everything for her and cared for her and everything; when she says it's right, even if it's left, he would agree with her. If she says it's his fault when she was in the wrong, he would admit that it's his wrong. 

It's not bad, it's too good. It was too good for Ett to avoid a bout of fights, but she realized it was a love everyone wanted but not her. It's not her perspective of love. It became boring and repetitive until her love for him gradually faded.

It was not toxic, as well as she had not been beaten up. His love was just too much for him. She can't reciprocate his overwhelming love to the point that it gradually turns into guilt. 

Though she was grateful for his feelings, a strong and deep relationship should also point out the wrongs of her partner, work things together, have some arguments, and fix them together while knowing how to concede and apologize to one another, and vice-versa. 

Well, she would apologize for making concessions, but ugh, it's just. 

"It's not her cup of tea."

She doesn't want to be reminded of him again. Anyway, it shouldn't be all just sweet. Too much is overloaded, and it overwhelms her greatly. 

As impossible as it is, the female lead is automatically out of the option, but if it turns into a twist in the future, she'll help Guren from the shadows. She may think about his relationship and have a plan for it; nonetheless, if he chooses someone of his own accord, then let's see to it first. 

Ett will support him from behind as long as she still lives to that day. 

In short, these are just thoughts; no action has been taken yet. There's more on the list. 

The kid had gone through far enough to lose someone he would show his affection for just to be snatched away. No, that boy is going through enough, and I, the mother, is the same. She can't add more heartaches and blackening to this child. 

Right, she'll just help him a little because of a mere whim, whether it's a soft spot for villains like him, just a whim. 

 "Get a hold of yourself, Ett. You're not going to assimilate the good mother role type, okay? Are you going to break your character now?" 

Disguise, disguise. All must be for pretending.

"Right, the vial." 

Ett would have to take another tour again. 

Tying her hair in a simple fishtail braid, Ett opened the secret passage in her bedroom, taking the eye-drop. 

"Atchitsetse." 

That still stings. 

Going past the forest, Ett wandered the marketplace, looking at whatever they sold. Now, this second visit made the world feel more real. Strangely, there are more people on this day than when she came before. What's with these decorations hanging from above as if there's a festival going on…? 

"Excuse me, I'll buy two apples." 

"That'll be six copper, child." 

So, three coppers per apple. 

"Thank you. May I ask what's happening?" 

She noticed a flicker of surprise in the seller's eyes as they made eye contact. 

"Might I ask if you are not originally from this place?" 

"…I just came here." 

I'm a hikikomori, sorry. 

"Oh my, here I thought you live here. Your cadence of speaking is what I naturally hear from all the high-ranking nobles." 

Cadence what?

"I shall consider that as a compliment, madam." 

"Hoho, no need to be formal. Well, yes, it will be the Rasami Celebration." 

"Rasami?" 

Was there such a thing in there, oh, Rasami Celebration! The day the male lead met the female lead, who was hurt from worrying about Guren's well-being being overtly workaholic when the person involved didn't care about her efforts to help him. That son of hers is such a snob. Haiyst. The female hallo receives a +999 damage. 

"Indeed, it is where couples gather, and individuals commemorate special occasions. Above all, it is to warmly welcome the summer season." 

"Oh, I see. Thank you." 

"There are many children who await when it's nighttime. There will be songs and different lamps that will fill the heavens." 

That's nice.

When I think of it, the female lead is alone on some bridge with her lamp when the male lead sees her. As she held it reluctantly before she let it fly in the air, the lamp's warmth captured the FL's current emotion, as if a troubled and somber beauty. 

A lonely swan floating alone on the river. That's how ML saw her at that time. The FL was alone on the bridge, so maybe that's where the logic came from. 

"Thank you, I'll bear that in mind." 

"Then come buy apples here again." 

"Will do."

"Lovely, dear. May you find your own enjoyment in this celebration." 

"And to you as well, madam." 

While munching the apple, Ett saw several crowds in another area of the streets. "The store." 

Ett closely followed the people, curious about what they were rushing for. Ett made his way to the store by carefully following the trail, crossing several streets, and noting every twist and turn. It was a two-story house, not a business establishment at all. Ett double-checked her map four times to confirm she was in the right place. 

Knock. Knock. Knock. 

A second later, the door opened, and an old lady, all wrinkled, looked at her with a soft smile. "What brings you here, child?" 

Ett looked at the old woman before looking back at the map and discreetly showed the vial in her pocket. "I need one." 

Hiding the surprised look, she looks good at her stature. The old woman spun to look at their surroundings before opening the door wide, revealing an old house of an old lady. "Come, child, you should have told me you were my grandchild." 

Roleplaying activated. 

Ett nodded. "I was trying to surprise you, Grandma." 

"Surprised, surprised. Come, let's go inside." 

Indeed, this is the right place. 

"Come sit here, dear client." 

"Thank you." 

The old lady sat across her, her wrinkled hands folded in her lap. 

"That vial. Can you show it to me again?" 

"Here." 

As Ett gave the vial to her, she looked around. 

Ordinary. 

This house is simply typical and old. It's as simple as it can be. However, she saw a picture frame of an old lady and a young man. It was an old picture frame, and judging by the old lady's face, it might have been a decade ago, so the young man must have probably grown into a fine lad. 

"Oh, that's my son. Quite the handsome one, isn't he?" 

Ett turned back to the old lady. She had the urge to thumbs up for a second. 

"Forgive me for my rudeness." 

"Hoho, that's fine. You're the first to stare at our picture in a long time." 

So, the old Ett didn't seem interested in anything except the product this woman gave her. Well, of course, she won't. That's 'Ett.' 

"Yes, your son is quite a looker." 

"Oh, looker. I've learned something new from you." 

That's slang; some of her words from the modern era stuck with her. Good thing she didn't say a hooker which befits her son more. 

"This vial is the most precious thing I've ever made and was only done for that person. I assume you're one of her people?" 

Ett nodded, praising the old woman, and snickered while she thought about her first encounter with Cashim. 

"I thought you were her child." 

Um. I take that back. 

"I am just a servant of master." 

"Hmmm. Then perhaps she needs another reserve?" 

"My master will be away for too long and won't have the time until the used vial runs out." 

"I see." 

The old lady stood up. "Let me give you some treat, dear. Oh, would you prefer milk or tea?" 

"Milk." 

Ett answered. Frankly, she missed drinking milk. So what if she's an adult who misses eating milk? She's in a child's body anyway, so there's nothing wrong with it. 

"Alright. Allow me to give it to you first, after which I will retrieve the recently produced vial." 

"Sorry for the trouble." 

"No trouble at all." 

Since the living and kitchen rooms were not divided, Ett could see the old woman as a busybody. It's nice to get some information while she's at it. 

"The master asked if a hundred thousand gold would be enough?' 

"Oh, my! That's too much!" 

The old woman exclaimed, shooting her head. 

"Master said she doesn't know how long she'll be gone. Considered the remaining as her reservation when she comes back and for your kindness in helping her." 

Ett doesn't know much, but judging by this place, it seems this vial is done secretly. The herbs must be extremely expensive or rare to get. This looks like a rundown house, too, according to Ett's suspicion; it may just be the old lady keeping a low profile or a branch of something bigger. 

"Still, that's too much." 

"The master was aware of your likely response and thus proposed a deal of ninety thousand gold. Unless you raise the normal price of the vial a dozen times." 

"Child, that would be beyond the hundred thousand golds you offered." 

"Her last resort is if the honorable madam can ask anything. She will agree to it as long as it's within her grasp and her principle." 

Funny, does Ett even have a moral principle? The old lady was silent as she made Ett's milk and tea. She didn't say a word. 

"Please have this milk, I'll get the vial." 

"Thank you." 

Let's just give her some time to think and observe this place. Maybe something unordinary would pop out. 

 "Eh?" Ett narrowed her eyes, drawing closer, and staring at a picture frame. She didn't notice it a while ago. 

This… 

Why does the picture frame appear to have a distinct layer beneath it, giving the impression of a picture within a picture, as if another image is concealed behind the visible one?