How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 19.2
A brief, awkward silence passed, but the price the young shopkeeper offered was low enough that we could purchase the fabric in bulk even with our small and precious budget. The problem was volume. It seemed there wouldn’t be enough space to load all of it onto the ship.
Even so, I decided to be greedy.
“We’ll load all of this onto the ship.”
Gehardt sighed and muttered in disbelief.
“Where are we supposed to put all that?”
“There won’t be any room left.”
Ignoring their complaints behind me, I completed the contract without issue.
Just as we were about to leave the store, the shopkeeper hurried after us and hesitated before speaking.
“Um, may I ask where such noble guests have come from? Will you be visiting again in the future, perhaps…?”
At that moment, Tristan quietly stepped between us. The previously timid young man flinched and took a step back at Tristan’s sudden approach.
Tristan spoke in a low voice, his tone oddly cool.
“My spouse is frail and likely won’t be able to come in person next time. The road is long and rough, so either someone else will come or I shall come in his place.”
“Pardon…? That means…”
The young man trailed off, blinking in confusion, before realization dawned on his face. His eyes darted between Tristan and me before his expression stiffened.
“Ah… So, you’re his… spouse… I had no idea. I sincerely apologize. Of course, of course. You do look rather delicate, sir, you should be resting indeed.”
The shopkeeper stepped back, sweating nervously. Tristan, unbothered, folded his arms and gestured with his chin toward the contracted wool.
“Thank you for your concern for my spouse. In that case, you can arrange for these goods to be delivered to the harbor.”
“Y-yes…? Ah, yes! Of course! I’ll handle it personally with the utmost care!”
He bowed deeply, unable to meet Tristan’s eyes. In the end, we managed to get the transport service added to the deal for free. I couldn’t help but be impressed. I hadn’t realized Tristan could be this shrewd.
“Thank you,” I said to the shopkeeper. “You’ve been a great help in making things go smoothly. Could you also recommend another store nearby that sells good merchandise?”
“Ah… yes.”
His tone sounded slightly deflated, but he nodded and directed us to a nearby liquor shop.
❖ ❖ ❖
Imperial nobles usually enjoyed fragrant fruit wine. However, the liquor shop recommended by the fabric seller offered something entirely different.
Since fruit didn’t grow well in this region, they sold a clear spirit distilled from grain. True to the cold climate, just one sip made my body burn with heat, as though my insides were on fire.
“…Isn’t this the kind of liquor sailors drink?”
Sir Mildred murmured after sampling it. The others also looked visibly displeased. I felt a little uneasy but ignored it. The thought had come to me because in the original story, more than ten years from now, people of the Rubyere Empire were often depicted drinking this very liquor. That was why I bought it. Of course, I couldn’t explain that to anyone.
I glanced at Tristan, but his expression remained calm throughout.
After signing the contract for the liquor, we had no budget left. I walked quickly toward the harbor, uneasy. The rain had stopped, and the sky was clearing, but the air had grown even colder. The chilly sea breeze cut sharply into my collar.
As we walked, I kept sneaking glances at Tristan. My mind was tangled with questions. In the end, I couldn’t hold them back.
“Are you not uneasy? Why do you trust my words so easily?”
Tristan paused for a moment and looked down at me. Then he turned his head slowly in my direction. A fleeting mix of emotions crossed his composed face. For an instant, he looked conflicted.
But he soon averted his gaze and began walking again.
By the time we neared where the ship was docked, I heard his low voice, barely audible over the wind.
“Didn’t I say I would take responsibility?”
Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks.
It took me several seconds to realize that his words were an answer to my question. And that he was referring to what had happened that night.
I had thought we had both agreed to leave that matter behind. But it seemed Tristan had taken it differently. He must have his own idea of what “taking responsibility” meant.
A strange ache spread through my chest. Lost in an emotion I couldn’t name, I silently began walking toward the ship once more.
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