Silver Lining Yesterday - Chapter 14
“Young, Young master, is it really you? When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
“Couldn’t you at least let me know you were coming, young master?”
Nix, who had been carefully looking around, paused as he rummaged near the counter. His fingers, wrapped in black leather gloves, gently pushed aside scattered receipts, pulling out a single piece of paper from the bottom.
It was a wanted poster from Nix’s younger days.
“…That damn old woman. She never lets me down, does she?”
Nix waved the poster and chuckled.
The woman hastily snatched the wanted poster from his hand, crumpling the paper without hesitation as she tried to explain herself.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not selling you, young master.”
“What do you even have to sell?”
Nix responded indifferently, before turning back to search the wall’s molding, the display cabinet, and the clothes hanging on the rack.
The woman followed him anxiously and continued to speak.
“Are you here for tomorrow’s party? Does your family know?”
“No. I’m here to surprise them.”
“You know they won’t be happy to be surprised like this. It might be better if you go straight to the castle and properly greet them… But more importantly, young master, what exactly are you looking for?”
“A recorder.”
“Excuse me?”
“I heard Madam is dating Hendrick lately.”
Hendrick is a member of the Steel Lion Knights under the Heidegger family.
The woman whispered sharply as her face turned red.
“What on earth are you talking about?!”
“No? Luke said so?”
“What?!”
“Oh, here it is.”
Behind the wall clock was a small device, the size of a palm.
Nix pulled out the device, inspected it for a moment, and then without hesitation, dropped it and crushed it underfoot. He then rolled his eyes over his sunglasses and glanced around the shop.
“Anything else?”
“My God… cursed Marcus Hendrick! How dare he plant this in my shop?!”
“You said it wasn’t anything.”
With a nonchalant sneer, Nix received a deadly glare from the woman.
He paid no mind and leaned casually against the shelf.
“Anyway, I need something to wear for tomorrow’s party.”
“What, something to wear for tomorrow?”
“Two outfits. It’d be great if you could help with accessories and styling too.”
“Accessories and styling? Are you joking, young master?”
“Why are you so uptight?”
Nix tilted his head, looking confused, before suddenly sighing. He took the woman’s hand and placed a respectful kiss on her hand.
“It’s been a while, Madame Aubert.”
The woman’s face instantly turned as red as a tomato.
Nix, narrowing his eyes as he watched her reaction, hesitated and then let go of her hand.
“…It’s not it?”
“My goodness, may Saint Septimius bless us… Is this how you’ve led such a reckless life, enticing young ladies this way?”
“Yes. But I think I messed up. Doesn’t seem to work on you, Madame.”
Nix crossed his arms and lowered his head in a feigned manner, only to lift his eyes and meet Madame’s gaze.
“Help me.”
“……”
“You know. You’re the only one in this damn city who will help me.”
Madame, gazing at Nix silently, let out a troubled sigh.
Even though he had grown into a towering figure with a muscular physique, his eyes when asking for help remained just as they were ten years ago.
“…The party is tomorrow. Custom-made clothes are impossible.”
“I didn’t expect them.”
“That’s fine for you, young master, but what about that lady?”
Madame, who had been trying to pull the coat off the hanger with difficulty, paused as she looked at Jean.
“…She’s your partner, right?”
Nix stared at Jean, whose body was slumping, with a dry look in his eyes. Then, just as suddenly, Madame seemed to snap back to life, as though energized by some unseen spring.
“I’m a bit worried. Other young ladies who are attending tomorrow’s ball have been preparing for nearly a month. You, young master, would shine even in a simple cloak, but what about the lady standing next to you in such a rushed outfit?”
“Enough with the nonsense, just give me that one.”
Nix lazily moved away from the shelf and pointed to the dress displayed in the center of the store.
Madame’s face froze in an instant.
“Young Master.”
“The shoes should be white.”
“Young Master Nix.”
Madame blocked his path with a stiff expression.
“Perhaps you’ve forgotten since it’s been so long since you’re back, but that dress is a keepsake from my mother. I’ve never allowed anyone to try it on for fear of it being ruined. And…”
“…”
“You know very well who will be compared to whom if that dress is worn.”
“Compared? Who would be compared to whom?”
Nix raised one corner of his mouth, giving a cheeky grin.
Before Madame could respond, he quickly crossed the store and approached Jean.
Jean, who had been struggling, suddenly glared with sharp eyes.
“Nix, you…!”
Her frantic kick cut through the air, but Nix, with a slight shift of his body, avoided the awkward kick easily and swiftly grabbed the coat from the hanger.
Jean, unable to land properly, collapsed into his arms.
“If I ever get Atrox back, I’ll never forget the suffering of today… Nix?”
Without hesitation, Nix removed the coat from Jean, then knelt at her feet to remove her loose boots.
He sensed Madame approaching from behind.
“Young master, you really can’t take that dress. Instead, I’ll find something stylish and modern that suits you…”
As Nix delicately adjusted the outfit, he gently stroked her flushed cheek with his thumb, then cautiously brushed her hair behind her ear before stepping back.
Once Nix, who had been blocking the center, disappeared, the two women found themselves facing each other.
Confused, Jean looked at Madame, then glanced at Nix for an explanation.
Meanwhile, Madame was frozen, as though struck by lightning, unable to speak. Her pale face muscles twitched in distress as she muttered in a strained voice.
“…Jean Rohrbach?”
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