The Art of a Brilliant Political Marriage - Chapter 7

Earl Zikkeldocra had told her not to steal anything, but a person can do nothing on an empty stomach. Even Cielin, who prided herself on living simply, was no exception to this rule. The family probably wouldn’t mind if she died, but since dying of hunger would interfere with her goals, she couldn’t allow it. Therefore, she gratefully accepted Litte’s “assistance.”

After a quick breakfast of bread and a small amount of fruit that Litte had snatched, Cielin changed into plain clothes and headed into the city on foot. It was just before noon. Under the bright sky, the city was full of life. The people moving through the streets had an energetic pace.

Cielin pushed forward onto the main street without hesitation. Just as she found what she was looking for and tried to cross the road, Litte, who was following behind, grabbed her hand.

“Hey, that’s actually dangerous!”

“Oh, sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

A grand carriage sped past right in front of Cielin’s eyes.

“I wondered what was going on when you suddenly started getting ready right after breakfast. What on earth are you so focused on? Oh, I see. That.”

In the direction Cielin was heading, a young man was shouting at the top of his lungs, holding up a gossip paper. Cielin turned back to her maid, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

“Today is the release day!”

“Ah, I’ve been so busy lately I forgot. You have a good memory for this. Anyway, I get it, so calm down. You can’t read anything if you get run over by a carriage.”

“Litte, I think you should change your tone of voice when you’re in that form.”

Hearing a boy’s voice come out of a beautiful maid’s mouth was incredibly strange. Besides, the rough way of speaking didn’t suit that appearance at all.

“My Lady. It’s not going to sell out, so please take your time, look around, and then make your purchase.”

Litte pouted, speaking this time in a girl’s voice.

“You’re right, it doesn’t look like it’s selling out.”

The main street was lively, lined with market stalls. However, the young man shouting on the street had already lost his energy. Usually, he sold them at a furious pace, but today was different. Cielin carefully crossed the street and spoke to the young man selling the papers.

“Are there no popular stories today?”

“Ah, young lady. Thank you as always.”

Since Cielin came to buy a copy every release day, she was on familiar terms with the young man.

“That shouldn’t be the case, though. Saves, the son of Earl Zikkeldocra and the popular, cold-hearted Assistant to the Prime Minister, is featured prominently. He’s on the front page. I didn’t write it myself, but it’s a guaranteed hit! Usually, it sells out instantly. Truly, making a hit article is difficult.”

The young man was a seller, but primarily a reporter. Cielin knew he had written several articles himself. Litte tilted her head as the young man scratched his head in defeat.

“Even though you were so confident?”

“I would dearly love to hear the thoughts of such a passionate regular subscriber like you, Miss.”

“Oh. Well then, I’ll take one.”

She had intended to buy it even without the recommendation, but hearing him push it so much made her curious. She had heard her husband’s name, after all. Cielin handed the coins to the young man. Taking them, he gave a wry smile.

“Thanks. I have confidence in it, but it seems it just didn’t catch much interest this time.”

The young man muttered as he handed a copy of the gossip paper to Cielin.

“I wonder why? After all, the son of Earl Zikkeldocra is very popular, isn’t he?”

She always enjoyed reading articles about her husband. Because he was popular, he was always on the front page. She knew he usually took up a large amount of space. Feeling puzzled, she stared at the front-page headline and suddenly gasped.

“Li… Litte… l-look at this…!”

She pulled on the sleeve of the maid standing behind her and held up the front page with trembling hands.

“Wow…”

Seeing Litte’s expression, Cielin spun back to the young man with great energy.

“I’ll buy more! Give me ten more copies!”

“Eh? Are you sure? Thanks for the business!”

The young man happily handed a bundle of gossip papers to Cielin. The front-page headline featured the sensational line: “The Beautiful and Cold Assistant to the Prime Minister Finally Marries,” followed by the news that his partner was the daughter of a wicked moneylender.

In other words, an article about herself had been published.