[Chapter 7] FLEX!

At my suggestion to go out, the air around Meril changed. It felt like flowers were blooming brightly around the young girl.

“Miss! I’m so happy! I’ll go tell the Head Maid right away.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

‘While Meril is gone, I should take a bath.’

When I finished bathing and came out, Meril was preparing a dress for me to wear.

“Miss, I brought a pastel-colored sky-blue dress. What do you think?”

“I like it. I’ll wear that one today.”

“Hehe, it’ll go perfectly with a frilly headband set.”

“Right, that’s perfect.”

“I’ll add your golden beryl brooch, the one that matches your eyes, here!”

Meril pinned the brooch to the chest of my dress and adjusted its fit.

“How do I look, Meril?”

At my question, Meril shielded her eyes with her palm as if dazzled.

“Aah, Miss’s beauty is making me swoon!”

“Thanks. Meril, calm down, and let’s head out now.”

I finished getting ready and headed toward the townhouse’s front gate.

When I mentioned I was going out, Sir Walter was already waiting by the carriage.

‘Oh, he’s well-disciplined.’

“Good morning, Sir Walter.”

“Good morning, Miss.”

“You’ve gotten used to it, huh? Very good.”

“Yes.”

“Sir Walter, today we’re heading to the city center. I’m going shopping.”

I finished speaking and looked around for Meril, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly.

Meril was standing behind me, exuding a sinister aura.

“Sir Walter, what did you do to the Miss yesterday? I’ll bite you if I have to!”

Meril was glaring at Sir Walter and seemed to be on the verge of exploding.

“…Pardon?”

“Meril, Sir Walter was just doing his job as my escort. And don’t bite anyone. Break something instead.”

I quickly calmed Meril down, trying to protect the bewildered Sir Walter. After my swift intervention, Meril returned to her usual lively self.

“Hehe, Miss, I just went to the Head Maid and got permission to buy something at the boutique.”

“Great! Today, we’ll eat something delicious and go shopping with Meril and Sir Walter.”

“Meril is so happy!”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s get going.”

“Giddy up!”

Everyone boarded the carriage, and with the coachman’s call, it started moving.

After about 10 minutes of leaving the townhouse, the carriage slowed down.

“Whoa, whoa.”

We arrived at the boutique district in the city center. After parking in the nobles’ carriage parking area, I got out.

“Miss, have a pleasant time.”

The coachman bid me farewell.

“Yeah, I’ll probably be a while, so you can eat and rest.”

Meril, Sir Walter, and I entered the boutique street. We wandered around the shops and soon found one that caught our interest.

‘Angel’s Touch?’

“Meril, Sir Walter, let’s check that place out.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Understood.”

Ding!

“Welcome!”

‘Wow.’

As soon as we opened the door, we were greeted by a woman in her early twenties, with long hair that cascaded to her chest, wearing a goddess-like dress that could’ve come straight out of a Greek-Roman mythology comic, and a fancy headpiece made of flower petals.

‘…Did we enter the right shop?’

“Oh my, what an honor to have such a beautiful lady visit our shop.”

“Oh, the dress is so pretty.”

Meril, who had been looking at the clothes hanging on a rack, spoke up.

“Of course, a servant serving a beautiful lady must have an eye for beauty.”

The designer took out the dress that Meril had admired and handed it to her.

“All the items in this shop, including this one, are masterpieces made with the touch of an angel like me!”

Swish!

“Silk, touched by angels, is so soft that even angels fall asleep in its gentleness! Its smooth texture, glossy finish, and no irritation to the skin—so elegant! The corset and petticoat don’t suit the luxurious fabric that the gods have gifted us! Why bother with such things that disturb the natural beauty of the outfit? I can create elegant and glamorous clothing without them!”

The designer passionately explained to me.

I touched the dress. Just as she had said, it was soft, and for someone like me, who values comfort and practicality, it was a perfect fit.

‘The designer is eccentric, but I really like the clothes.’

I looked at the dresses hanging on the rack.

“I’ll take everything from here to there.”

I indulged in a little luxury, just like in the novels.

‘Buying out the whole shop might be a bit much.’

“I’d also like to buy a custom dress. Can you take my measurements?”

“Oh my! Of course, Lady! What an excellent choice!”

“I’d love it if you could design a rococo dress that can be worn with just a petticoat under it, something trendy.”

“Of course, of course. A lady who knows fashion, such wise words!”

The designer took my measurements and brought out a sample dress for me to try on. She pulled pins from the pin cushion on her wrist, which was full of them, and pinned the dress accordingly.

“All done, Lady.”

“I also want to buy something for Meril and Sir Walter. Can you help with that?”

“Miss!”

“……!”

“You two should wear nice clothes as well. You’ll need at least two sets. Take them.”

The designer quickly measured Meril and Sir Walter’s sizes and finished everything.

“Thank you for your hard work. Please send the clothes to the Marquis of Elach. Someone will come and pay for them.”

The designer’s smile didn’t fade even after she finished writing the receipt.

“Thank you! Beautiful lady, please visit us again next time!”

She was so happy that she even came outside to send us off.

“Now, let’s go look at shoes and accessories.”

I thoroughly searched through the boutique street and bought shoes and accessories. Custom-made shoes and accessories, all neatly done. Meril and Sir Walter’s hands were full, unable to hold any more shopping bags and boxes.

“Miss, I’ll take these to the carriage.”

“Thanks, Sir Walter, Meril.”

“Miss, I’ll go drop them off quickly.”

“Okay, we need to eat now, so come to the plaza.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Step, step.

When we reached the plaza, there were people gathered in a circle.

‘Oh, what’s this?’

Curious, I approached and found that a puppet show was going on.

From the looks of it, a person was controlling the puppets from behind, while a bard nearby provided simple explanations and background music.

‘By the way, I’m so hungry…’

I looked around to see if there was any food nearby.

‘Currywurst!’

If tteokbokki existed in my country, then currywurst existed in The Iron-Walled Princess.

‘I really wanted something spicy, this is a win.’

I said to the vendor,

“Three spicy currywurst, please.”

I bought some for Meril and Sir Walter as well.

“Here’s the money.”

I handed over one silver coin.

In The Iron-Walled Princess, currency was divided into gold, silver, bronze, and coins. Gold was worth 50,000 won, silver was worth 10,000 won, bronze was worth 1,000 won, and coins were worth 100 won.

“Gasp, for someone as noble as you, this isn’t expensive at all. One bronze coin is enough.”

“It’s okay. It’s a tip.”

“Ah, then I’ll give you as much as you’ve ordered.”

And so, I was handed 30 currywurst.

‘…That’s too many.’

I picked up one currywurst and sat down in a spot where I could see the puppet show.

‘I’ll leave the rest beside me.’

I placed the bag full of takeout beside me and focused on the puppet show.

The bard started playing the lyre.

Ding-ding.

“Long, long ago, in the beginning, there were the first saints and the first magicians.”

[Magician, I’m so happy you were born. I’m just grateful for the love of the gods.]

[First child, hello. I am the second child. I’m glad to meet you.]

“Those born of love were demi-gods and humans, and because they were both gods and humans, emotions began to arise.”

[Magician, you’ve always been with me, but lately, why haven’t you come? Am I not the only one for you?]

[Saint, I love you. But we are the ones who hold the sacred power of night and the magical power of day. We must love each other equally for the world to work well. We were once one, but split into individuals to know ourselves.]

“The saint wanted the magician to love only him. That’s why he caused an incident.”

[No! Just as I exist for you, you must exist for me! We were originally one, right? Then come back to me.]

[No! Saint! This is not what you truly want! This is not what the gods want!]

“Thus, the saint took away all of the magician’s magic. He walked down an irreversible path. And then the saint realized.”

[You were right. Magician, I was wrong. What am I without you? I, too, must let go of everything and disappear.]

“He released both the magic he had taken and the divine power he possessed. And he returned to the state of a spirit. The power he lost turned dark, and a monster was born.”

Ding-ding.

“Then, a savior appeared in the chaotic world, the First Emperor Dominique, who founded the Dominique Empire.”

[The gods have given us the power of creation! So I created the aura! We can move forward with the aura! Follow me!]

“Thanks to the First Emperor Dominique, we were able to live in a stabilized world.”

Ding-ding.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

Applause erupted from the surrounding crowd.

‘Ah, it’s the founding myth of the Dominique Empire.’

At that moment.

I felt something touch my chest, and I suddenly felt empty.

“……!”

I looked down at my chest and realized the brooch was gone.

Just in case, I glanced to the side, but the bag full of 29 currywurst was also gone. When I turned around, no one was there.

‘…Pickpocketing after the sucker punch!’