Re: The Villainess Does It With Class

"Retreat for now. I'll handle the investigation myself." Lukas then resumed his walk after dismissing him.

"Yes."

Lukas's original plan was to check around the capital but then diverted his steps towards the destination of the inconspicuous bookshop. His purpose this time was to probe the identity of that silver-haired woman who seemed familiar yet unfamiliar to him at the same time. 

Ylmer had gone back to monitoring Nadia's steps and so without anyone with him, marched forward. When he finally arrived at the shop, the counter was empty much to his disappointment.

"Good Afternoon!" Another voice cheered behind him.

Lukas's eyes went to the owner of the voice who seemed surprised to see him.

"Your grace?" Estelle gasped out loud, her jade eyes widening just a fraction.

Lukas regarded the gaping woman in front of him. She was here the last time too. What was her name again? He remembered that Nadia had introduced her to him but he could only vaguely recall what Nadia called her.

Without fretting over that issue, he asked a different question instead.

"Where is she?"

Surely, this woman understands what he is talking about, right?

Estelle was confused at first but immediately caught on after a few seconds.

"She? T-the… You mean, Nine?" 

'Wait, is he asking about Nine or Nadia?'

"Yes. The owner of this shop." Lukas was looking down at her which was quite a literal pain in the neck. The lady in front of him was two heads shorter than him and so he doesn't have any choice but to suffer a little.

That wasn't the case when he was with Nadia. That woman's height reaches his chin just fine. So there is no issue talking to her at all.

Estelle shyly played with the frill on her sleeves and averted her gaze. She can't keep looking at those intense eyes without getting intimidated.

Lukas noticed it and internally snorted. Was he really that scary? 

"O-oh, she-- she went somewhere," Estelle stammered.

Nine had been dealing with some things these days but she never tells her what they are.

'She went out?'

But why hadn't his men seen her leave this place? 

Estelle must have seen his frown and thought that he was upset so she added almost instantly.

"S-she wouldn't be too long though!"

Lukas fell into thinking as he swept the whole place with his eyes. Even though there are only books as far as his good eyes could see, he felt strangely drawn in this place, and yet he can't find the reason why. 

Under Estelle's supervision, he then started snooping around without a word. He could sense magic all around the establishment. Though he couldn't pick out what they were, his intuition was telling him that it's a complex type. 

Magic in such an ordinary place like this is suspicious. He could already tell that there is something more here.

Could she be connected to those artificial mages?

Is she perhaps a hidden royal? No. That is impossible. He would know if she's one or not.

Even though she exudes an imposing aura, it's still widely different. He recalled the woman named Nine. She gives him vibes that resemble that weird magician from the tower but is much distinct. At least, she doesn't piss him off, unlike Janus. 

Estelle's large jade eyes followed Lukas, curiosity written all over her face.

'Why did his grace come here? Does he perhaps have some business with Nine?'

She hesitated for a moment, her mind whirring with varied thoughts. She continued to observe him so closely as Lukas casually walked around, sometimes touching a book or two. 

After a while, Estelle stepped forward, still looking so timid.

"C-can I help you?"

Lukas didn't answer right away and had continued scrutinizing each and every corner of the shop. He then tilted his head towards her.

"You work for her?"

Estelle nodded.

"Yes, your grace. I help around when I'm free."

He paused for a second and hummed the next.

"Hmmm… How long have you known her?"

'Might as well not waste my time and opportunity.'

He'll just get information from this seemingly gullible woman.

Estelle started counting in her mind.

"Uhmm three years?"

'Or was it four?'

"Have you noticed something different about her?"

Lukas wasn't really good at interrogating people with such a nice method. His usual skills are more than effective but are not, as he said, amiable. So he doesn't know if he's doing alright or if he's giving anything away. After all, he's not used to playing nice.

It's a good thing that Estelle is gullible enough to not suspect him of anything. Given his duke title, it's truly hard for someone like her to doubt his words.

"What does his grace mean?" Estelle returned with a question on her own.

And one more thing about her is that she's oblivious to some extent so she didn't immediately get what Lukas meant nor caught on to his purpose.

Lukas pondered his question and thought twice before opening his mouth again. He's contemplating whether to continue digging some information from this woman or not. He then concluded it would be such a pain to press her on so he decided to just drop the idea off.

He would think of something else instead.

He could try touching her and read her mind. If he tried hard, he could definitely pick out particular thoughts. But…

The idea of touching someone immediately riled his anima and disgusted him. 

'Ah, nevermind.'

The only person he could touch without worrying about trivial things is Nadia.

'Why am I thinking about that woman...'

"Forget it," Lukas sighed and turned back to studying the magic layout inside. His eyes then gravitated towards a black furry figure that suddenly leaped on top of the counter.

It was a cat.

His gaze turned sharp, narrowing at the figure of the furry being who was also staring at him. He finds the cat odd but he can't put a finger on why.

'What's with this situation? Why am I suspicious even at a feline?'

He must be nuts.

Both of their eyes met. An endless black hole against a glowing purple. The cat swished its tail behind him while Lukas frowns.

If one sees this picture, they would certainly find it strange.

Estelle, on the other hand, had bit her lower lip as she stared at Lukas. She then looked at the floor in concentration, lost in her thoughts. Nobody knows what she's thinking but she appeared pensive.

She then shook her head and let out a dry smile. 

'It's nothing. I'm sure everything will be fine. Because the future has changed now.'

A lot has already diverted from the dream she had. The bleak future filled with sufferings...

It is better this way.

She doesn't have to do anything now. 

'This peace… I will protect it.'

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