Chapter 80
I was still furious thinking about those slave traders who had kidnapped me and Franz.
Those people professionally kidnapped shapeshifters and supplied them to nobles.
I heard that Karden and the Northern Knights had captured them all and imprisoned them according to military law. But they never caught the masked man who tried to forcibly take me away.
I heard that even though the Northern Knights traced his trail to the end, and Yudis, who had an information network in the capital, stepped in, they couldn’t reveal the masked man’s identity.
Karden strengthened the security of the northern castle afterward, but fortunately, nothing unusual happened.
If there are shapeshifter slave traders in the capital, wouldn’t it be possible to uncover the masked man’s identity?
Berdin passed by me, went to the bookshelf, and selected several books.
“You might want to read this book as well. It contains records about the lifestyle of shapeshifters living in the capital and their traditional folklore.”
“Ah, thank you, Duke.”
It was a thick book wrapped in old leather covers. I wondered if this book would have records about the Ulpes tribe.
I held the book to my chest and looked up at Berdin standing beside me.
Even though we had just met, this man, Berdin, felt familiar and comfortable, as if I had known him for a long time.
Why don’t I feel cautious about this person?
For a moment, the air seemed to stop, becoming completely still.
Berdin slightly lowered his head toward me as I leaned against the bookshelf. When I met his golden eyes, I momentarily couldn’t move my body.
I felt like a butterfly caught in a spider’s web, unable to budge.
Why did I think of a spider that lures its prey with brilliant and beautiful light?
Was it because of the subtle yet deep lily fragrance emanating from him? It was a sweet scent that could instantly enchant one’s heart.
Perhaps due to my developed sense of smell, I seemed to be more drawn to that scent. At the same time, my head felt dizzy, my body weak, and I even felt languid.
He really uses a unique and intense perfume. It seems stronger because the library is enclosed.
I slowly closed my eyes. For a moment, I concentrated my mind and created coldness to wrap around me like a protective shield.
Though it was difficult to exert power with cold air or blizzards as strongly as when I was a fox, I could create a shield enough to wrap around my body.
Of course, it was a transparent shield completely invisible to others.
The scent that had even made my head throb instantly disappeared.
When I opened my eyes again, Berdin had straightened his posture and was looking at me with a gentle face.
A strange light briefly flashed in his eyes and then disappeared.
“Miss Shuvelia, if you can’t find the shapeshifter tribe you’re looking for in that book, would you like to visit the shapeshifter shelter?”
“The shapeshifter shelter?”
“Yes. Since various shapeshifters stay at the shelter, you might be able to get information from them.”
Berdin went to a desk at one side of the library. Paper and quill pens were prepared on the desk.
He picked up a pen and wrote something down on the paper. It was beautiful and flowing handwriting.
Berdin handed the paper to me.
“This is the address of the shelter. Please visit anytime.”
I hesitated as I was about to take the paper.
“I’m grateful, but is it appropriate for me to receive such kindness when I’ve just met you today, Duke?”
Did I show my suspicion too blatantly? But I’m a person who knows absolutely nothing about social etiquette.
It was easier for me to ask honestly than to beat around the bush.
Berdin showed no sign of displeasure; rather, his eyes curved into a smile.
“Please think of it as wanting to help a friend with whom I’ve shared my thoughts.”
“Friend? Excuse me, but I’ve just met you today, Duke.”
“I believe the depth of friendship is not proportional to the length of time spent together. Though it’s been a short time, I really enjoyed having such an open conversation with you, Miss Shuvelia.”
Berdin smiled elegantly as he said his last words.
That smile was so beautiful, like a flower, that I nodded, completely enchanted without realizing it.
“Ah… I also think I had a meaningful conversation with you, Duke.”
I folded the paper he gave me in half and inserted it between the pages of the book.
I went to the library checkout counter with the book held to my chest and borrowed it. The ID card Yudis gave me was a great help.
As I was about to pick up the book again, Berdin, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward.
“Let me carry it for you. If you don’t mind, may I take you home in my carriage?”
“What? No, thank you. There’s a carriage waiting outside.”
This is troublesome. I didn’t want to get involved with Duke Berdin any further.
While I was wondering how to refuse, a middle-aged man who entered the library saw Berdin and was startled.
The middle-aged man hurriedly ran over and greeted him respectfully.
“Your Grace, Duke Alred, welcome to the Royal Library. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Director Joseph. This isn’t necessary.”
“But it’s been a while since you visited. Would you like to have some tea…”
The director kept offering tea to Duke Berdin, and Berdin smiled, appearing somewhat troubled.
Taking advantage of their conversation, I quietly slipped out of the library.
“Excuse me, Miss Shuvelia?”
I heard Berdin calling me from behind, but I pretended not to hear and ran out to get into the waiting carriage.
“Miss, is something wrong?”
When I got into the carriage with the urgency of someone being chased, the coachman asked in surprise.
“Ah, no. Please hurry to the dressmaker’s shop. Lady Yudis will be waiting.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll depart now.”
The carriage began to rattle quickly down the main road.
I leaned against the seat and examined the books I had brought. But I couldn’t focus on the books because I was thinking about Berdin.
A noble family that takes the lead in shapeshifters’ human rights and protection. I should ask Yudis to tell me about the Duke Alred family.
When Duke Berdin mentioned the shelter, I thought of the Ulpes tribe. After coming to the capital, my biggest worry was how to meet them.
If I went to the shelter where various shapeshifters lived, I might be able to meet the Ulpes tribe… perhaps even Franz.
***
On the way from the Royal Library to the dressmaker’s shop by carriage, the scenery of the capital passed by like a painting.
I could see the fountain square made of splendid statues, flower trees decorating the main street, and ladies and young noblewomen in bright dresses taking leisurely walks.
The carriage stopped in front of a classic mansion on a quiet downtown street. It was Madame Selene’s boutique, the dressmaker’s shop Yudis had mentioned.
This boutique was said to lead the capital’s fashion trends, to the extent that even the royal family placed orders here.
It was said that noble young ladies would fight over dresses made here.
As I entered Selene’s boutique, an elegant middle-aged woman in a black velvet dress greeted me with a smile in the entrance hall.
“You must be Lady Shuvelia? I’ve been waiting. I sincerely welcome your visit. I am Madame Selene.”
Madame Selene led me to a lavishly decorated drawing room.
As soon as the drawing room door opened, Yudis welcomed me as if she had been waiting.
“Shushu, welcome. Did you have a good visit to the library? I was discussing with Madame about dresses that would suit you.”
In the drawing room, there was a luxurious sofa, and on the marble table, about a dozen dress designs were spread out. Across from it, I could see a rack with various dress designs and a large mirror.
“We received special instructions from Lady Yudis. I have prepared dress designs that would suit Lady Shuvelia. Please take your time looking around and let me know.”
There seemed to be more than twenty dresses hanging on the rack that Madame pointed to.
All the dresses were splendid and beautiful, but I felt breathless the moment I saw them.
When am I going to try all of those on?
Suppressing the urge to run away, I was grabbed by Yudis and forcibly sat on the sofa.
“Now, Shuvelia, shall we try this outfit first?”
“Um, Master Yudis, do you know Duke Alred?”
“Huh? You mean Duke Berdin Alred? Why him all of a sudden?”
When Yudis heard Berdin’s name, her expression changed instantly.
If her eyes had been those of an older sister adoring her younger sister until just now, they had suddenly changed to the sharp gaze of a cold-blooded businesswoman.
“Well, I happened to meet him at the library.”
Yudis put down the dress catalog with interest.
“You met Duke Alred at the Royal Library? Hmm, I’ve heard rumors that the Duke frequents the Royal Library. What did you talk about?”
“Ah, he helped me find books related to shapeshifters. He operates a shapeshifter shelter and told me to visit anytime.”
Yudis’s gaze sharpened once more.
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