NOVEL NEXT 5: Let's Go Out to the Castle Town
After the beastman left, I thought I’d look for a hiding place while stuffing the dresses into the closet, but…
“What is a comfortable life, I wonder…”
Several dresses were prepared in the closet. They were clearly human-sized, so they must have been prepared especially for me.
In the dresser drawers, there were several pieces of jewelry prepared. They were better quality than the items I had brought from home, thinking I might sell them someday. The attached gemstones were small, but the designs were tasteful. It was very different from our country, where large stones were flaunted and compared.
However, I couldn’t understand the mindset of casually storing such fine items in a dresser. I didn’t want to be blamed for touching them carelessly, so I decided to pretend I hadn’t seen anything and closed the drawer.
The dresses in the closet were the same. For now, I decided to wear the dresses I brought to gauge Bistonia’s reactions. My alchemy set and other items remained in my travel bag, placed where I could easily retrieve them.
Back then, I was genuinely cautious.
It didn’t last three months.
Now, I confidently perform alchemy in my room and even have the freedom to slip out to the castle town every few days.
“The wind direction has changed. It feels like it’ll rain around the transition from evening to night.”
I only go out on days when the wind is blowing towards the castle town.
Strong winds are no good; they’ll blow me away. On windless days, using wind magic to sneak out would alert the keen-eared beastmen with suspicious sounds.
A day like today, with a light breeze, is just right.
I strained the concocted medicine and poured it into bottles. The round-bottomed bottles I bought five days ago were all filled with healing potions. The flat medicine cases contained three each of salve for scrapes, antiseptic ointment, and antidotes made yesterday.
Though I still have some stock, I want to sell it soon.
I’ve gotten used to making medicine in this room, and my production pace has increased. It’s time to get another medicine box for storing more bottles.
Considering the replenishment of bottles and materials, today’s income will all be spent.
I was also thinking I needed to buy winter clothing soon.
The clothes I wear to the castle town were given to me by a commoner saint as a farewell gift when my marriage was decided. They reluctantly handed them over, saying they were old and fine to get dirty, but they were perfect for blending in and I cherished them. The alterations and patches gave me the appearance of a village girl bringing medicine to the royal capital.
Though I thought I wouldn’t have trouble with clothing, I must prepare for the cold. Bistonia’s winters are short but sharply cold.
I could avoid going out during that time, but I heard that special warm sweets appear in the market during the cold season. Knowing this, I couldn’t resist trying them.
To be prepared for any situation, I had selected a few coats at a secondhand shop. There were no human-sized ones; the ones that fit me were children’s sizes for beastmen. After buying, I’d need to sew up the tail holes. I had a sewing kit but needed to gather some fabric for patches.
Thinking this way, today’s expenses would be significant. My carefully saved escape funds, now repurposed as food money, would be depleted.
However, today’s expenses are an investment for the future. Increasing production will also increase costs. I told myself this as I put away the alchemy set and mat. Instead, I took out my stealth robe, an essential item for trips to the castle town.
After changing into my stealth outfit, I slung the magic bag over my shoulder. Wearing the stealth robe completely concealed me.
Jessica, who entrusted me with alchemy items, never imagined I’d use them for sneaking out to earn pocket money. Neither did I.
Despite being called a hostage, the surveillance was surprisingly lax, and after three months, I found that I could sneak out quite successfully.
As long as I returned before dinner, I wouldn’t be caught. The maids, fearing the head maid, kept unnecessary contact to a minimum, and I only saw Prince Silva from a distance.
While creating a thick board with wind magic just outside the window, I saw the third prince. He seemed to be taking a break after sparring.
With a towel around his neck, he looked up at my window and moved his mouth slightly. Though I couldn’t hear him from this distance, I could guess.
Complaints about being forced to marry a hostage.
I knew before the marriage that the prince was very handsome, with a smooth silver coat. He always shone when I saw him from the window.
He was very popular with women and highly supported by the citizens and servants. Even as the third prince, he wasn’t someone who should marry a saint sent from a hostile country. It would have been more appropriate for him to marry a noble lady or the daughter of a dignitary.
I understood why the head maid led the others in harassing me.