The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 24

As soon as day broke, Yulania prepared to go out.

Under Vanessa’s worried care, she dressed so warmly that her shoulders felt heavy. She fastened the fur mantle over her thick fur coat and called for Bean.

Joel had finished his conversation with her and returned straight to the clinic. He said he was scheduled to meet that woman, Samantha, again sometime today.

Yulania left the castle to meet with an informant connected to the southern part of the kingdom. Because it was a matter she couldn’t share with anyone, she headed directly to the streets outside the castle with only Bean accompanying her.

The sky was full of clouds outside, but fortunately, it wasn’t snowing.

She walked along the now-familiar streets. The place she was looking for was in an alley where small shops gathered. The exterior was an ordinary, unremarkable clock shop.

Stopping in front, Yulania turned to Bean.

“I’ll go in alone.”

“That won’t do, Princess.”

“……?”

Bean spoke at once, as if Yulania had said something impossible. He couldn’t rashly touch her body, but he positioned himself diagonally and expressed his strong will. He didn’t add long words, but his eyes showed his stubbornness.

“I apologize. It was the Lord’s command.”

Yulania stared for a moment at the knight who faithfully carried out Santia’s orders. It would be more comfortable for her to go in alone, but it wasn’t something to keep secret from Bean.

“Then come in and see, and then we’ll think about it.”

Yulania didn’t drag out the argument and turned around. The reaction of the shop owner inside would make him understand. As she opened the door and entered, a clear chime rang.

And immediately, the shop owner recognized her, bent her knees, and greeted her politely.

“……!

It’s been a while, Miss.”

The owner was a woman of dazzling beauty who didn’t match the shabby shop at all.

“Angela, how have you been?”

“Yes, I’m still the same. I heard you came to the territory, but I didn’t expect you to visit. I’m so happy to see you after so long.”

With her long, wavy red hair, she greeted Yulania with a friendly smile that anyone could see. Seeing her welcoming face, Yulania also relaxed and gave a loose smile.

And then she turned to Bean, asking what he thought now.

“I’ll wait right in front.”

He obediently lowered his eyes and left the spot.

Between the clear chimes that rang once more, the cheerful voice of the red-haired shop owner, Angela, mixed in.

“I heard you went through a lot, but you’re still beautiful.”

“You’re quite the talker.”

“Oh, I don’t say empty words. You know that.”

At her affectionate tone, Yulania chuckled as if she couldn’t help it. She liked her personality, which always made her feel comfortable. Angela never brought up a topic that would make her uncomfortable first, even though she knew more information than anyone else.

“How did you come? Is there anything I can help you with?”

She was always the one who gave help, but she was grateful that she said this.

She was one of the few channels that didn’t reach her father’s hand. It was a result of carefully cultivating the social world with great effort while marrying Santia.

“I need to find out something in the capital.”

“Secret work for our Miss is always welcome.”

Yulania briefly told her the story she had shared with Joel and asked about the connection between Nutswood and the royal family. She had a dense network of information nationwide, regardless of nobles or commoners.

Finding the new owner of the land where Avoli flowers grew wouldn’t take long, and if they approached carefully, they could also expect a clue about the distribution network.

Angela readily accepted the request and brought up another topic.

“Miss, have you eaten? Since you’ve come all the way here, I’d like to treat you outside if possible. A nice place has opened up nearby.”

“What kind of place is it? I haven’t eaten yet.”

It was a welcome suggestion. It had been almost a month since she had come up to the territory, and she hadn’t been to the downtown area.

“It’s a place that makes unique soups, perfect for the cold weather. Of course, if you’re busy, we can postpone the date to next time.”

“Really? I’m getting curious. I have time, so let’s go.”

When Yulania readily agreed, Angela clapped her hands with a snap and smiled brightly.

As the two left the store and started walking side by side, Bean naturally followed behind. The place Angela recommended appeared after passing two alleys.

“Here it is.”

The shop, built of reddish-brown bricks, seemed popular, as it was crowded with customers. As customers came and went, opening and closing the door, the savory smell of spices wafted out.

Yulania hesitated for a moment at the place with more people than she had expected, but she trusted Angela and stepped inside. She headed to the back of the store with familiar steps and took a seat in a place not visible from the main area.

Angela, who was friendly wherever she went, seemed to be on familiar terms with the owner as well. She greeted the owner in a friendly manner and placed a simple order.

“Would you like to eat too, Sir Knight?”

“I’m fine.”

“Okay, then please give us two servings.”

As Yulania sat down, Bean carefully surveyed the surroundings and remained vigilant.

Soon, soup in unique ceramic bowls came out. Steam rose from the soup, which was full of various vegetable ingredients. Yulania usually enjoyed soup. She started eating with a pounding heart at the outside food she was having after a long time.

“It’s a really unique taste.”

“Right? It’s unfamiliar at first, but it becomes more and more appealing as you eat it.”

Angela smiled pleasantly at Yulania’s admiration. They melted into the natural atmosphere and continued their trivial conversations. They shared lighthearted stories about each other’s recent events, and laughter occasionally bloomed.

After a short but enjoyable meal, she noticed that the clouds in the sky were layered even more darkly. It seemed like a heavy snowfall was about to begin sometime today.

Leaving Angela behind, who said she had something to talk about with the owner, Yulania came out with Bean first and looked around the surrounding streets. As they moved away from the store, the surroundings became deserted, and the surrounding air felt cold.

After looking around for a while, she turned back towards the soup shop. Just then, she spotted red hair opening the restaurant door.

At that moment, a black figure quickly approaching Angela caught her eye. The moment she thought she had recognized it, Bean reacted quickly.

“Princess, please stay back.”

He immediately drew his sword and rushed towards the alien being. It was a movement close to reflex for him, who was familiar with battles against demons.

He kept his distance so that the battle wouldn’t affect Yulania and swung his sword at the demon. White haze rose from the tip of the sword of the elite knight who could use mana.

Yulania hid under the shade of a large tree and watched the scene. As he moved, his dark gray hair fluttering, Santia naturally came to mind. She had never seen him use a sword, but wouldn’t it be such intense yet restrained movements?

Bean dealt with the demon without much difficulty. The black figure gradually faded with his continued sword strikes, and it seemed that the battle would soon be over.

At that moment, Yulania turned her head at the sudden, intense gaze she felt.

‘A cat?’

About ten steps away, a jet-black four-legged animal was staring intently at her. The animal, which came up to her knee height, maintained its distance, lifting and lowering its front paws as if gauging her intentions.

Perhaps it took her eye contact as permission. The animal took one step at a time very slowly and approached her. And as the distance narrowed, the animal’s form became more detailed.

It wasn’t just a cat.

“A demon?”

Unlike ordinary furry animals, the surface of what she saw up close rippled like a shadow. From a distance, it looked like fur fluttering in the wind.

It was a completely different, smaller figure from the demon Bean was fighting. It even felt cute, so Yulania couldn’t easily be wary.

Then the jet-black demon tilted its head and approached her as if curious about Yulania.

“Squeak?”

Her tension eased at the sight of it looking like a harmless herbivore. She slowly reached out one hand towards the creature approaching one step at a time.

Eyes darker than its black face rolled around, examining her.

When the demon’s face and her hand came within touching distance, the demon continued to move its head from side to side, examining the palm spread out before it.

And finally, the moment the demon was about to touch her.

“Princess!!”

As Bean’s scream-like cry was heard, she felt the surrounding air sharpen for a moment.

In the next moment, the demon, which had been gently rippling and approaching Yulania, changed its atmosphere completely and began to grow in size. The demon, which had begun to ripple wildly as if sparks were flying, menacingly cast its shadow over her.

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