### Chapter 96: Carlos Is Leaving
I thought this guy would pull some sneaky trick to force me to comply. I had my defenses up and ready, but I could hardly believe my ears when he said this! I looked at his face, confusion brewing in my mind.
“Not going… is that okay?”
Carlos burst out laughing.
“Do you want to go?”
“Nope.”
“Then am I supposed to let you sulk while meeting Her Majesty the Queen? I’ll just go myself.”
“Wait, is that fine?”
“If there’s a problem, I’ll find a way to make it not a problem. What else am I supposed to do?”
“Oh.” I nodded, feeling a bit happy at the thought of not having to see that woman again. “Good luck!”
“Thanks much.”
Carlos shot me a glare, clearly unimpressed, and went silent. I sat quietly on the couch for a bit, then hesitantly spoke up.
“Carlos… are you leaving?”
“Yep.”
He leaned back against the couch, his hands behind his head. This pose seemed to be his signature move.
“Guess you won’t have to look at my annoying face for a long time. Are you happy?”
“Super happy!” I raised my arms in triumph, trying to make my smile even brighter. “Go on, go on! Please leave! I can do whatever I want alone.”
“Don’t you already do whatever you want? One careless move, and you’d charge into the Queen’s private residence.”
“That’s because I didn’t know!”
“You didn’t know, yet you’re so cocky… Just don’t do anything stupid, okay?”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Who’s going to do something stupid? You are!”
Looking back at it now, I realized the things I did were pretty foolish too. I got lured in by the singing and didn’t really think it through, just barging into a stranger’s house and trying to pry into their private life. It was definitely poor behavior, regardless of whether the person was rich or poor.
Even if I knew I was wrong, I would never admit it out loud.
I crossed my legs to change to a more comfy position, only to suddenly remember I was wearing a skirt! My heart raced, and I quickly uncrossed my legs, sitting up like a proper lady. I then pretended to casually glance at Carlos, who was now munching on some sausages, completely oblivious to what was going on.
I tilted my head.
“Carlos.”
“Hmm?”
“Where are you going?”
Carlos slowly swallowed his food and said, “Back to Winter City.”
That’s when it clicked! He had mentioned something to Lady… to my mother about heading back soon before he left.
“Is it because of the Gate of Truth?”
“Yep.” Carlos wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Things over there are quite dire and complex. Not to mention the Winter Moon situation…”
“Don’t wipe your greasy hands on my couch!”
I saw him reaching to rest his oily hand on the couch and instinctively yelled to stop him. My delicate voice echoed with all the volume I could muster, nearly causing Carlos to drop the half-eaten sausage.
He raised both hands over his head, looking at me as if I’d grown a second head, and his gaze made me blush a little.
“…There’s a napkin under the tea table. Wipe it off…”
“Why are you yelling like that? Trying to scare someone to d*ath? I thought a monster from the Abyss was coming… Technically, this house is still mine for now, you…”
But I trailed off as Carlos seemed to blank out for a moment, then suddenly caught on.
“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean you, I was just—”
I shook my head.
“It’s fine, I know.”
I flashed him a sweet smile, indicating I really didn’t care.
Seeing me genuinely not bothered seemed to relax him.
“Anyway, I hope you two get along well once I’m gone. She’s really a nice person… if you can overlook her temper…”
“Yeah, I get it.”
His doubtful look at my cheerful agreement was amusing.
“Really?”
“Pfft, you’re leaving anyway; why should I care?” I feigned indifference, turning my head away from him. A moment later, I asked, “When are you leaving?”
“In two days, after your enrollment process is all settled.”
I rubbed my nose, grumbling, “Two more days… You should just leave now.”
“Do you really want me gone that badly?” Carlos chuckled.
I sneakily turned to take another look at him.
I knew he was joking… I wanted to roast him some more, but the words turned into a soft, mushy whisper.
“Not really… I don’t…”
After saying it, I felt so embarrassed that I immediately looked down. Carlos seemed surprised by my response, and after a moment’s pause, he found it amusing and burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Little Shay, what’s with that reaction? Can’t bear to see me go?”
I shot him a glare as I lifted my head.
“Who would? That’s gross.”
“I remember someone saying that women are creatures who say one thing but mean another?”
“I’m not a woman!”
“Of course, I know. You’re not quite a woman, maybe just a girl at best.”
“I’m a macho man.”
“Pff— where’s the macho in that?”
“Everywhere, all muscle.”
“With your skinny arms and legs… do you look in a mirror when you lie?”
“I look every day! If you can’t see it, that’s your problem.”
“Stop it…”
Eventually, Carlos forced himself to finish the sausage.
“Next time, don’t even think about getting me to buy you food again.”
He said this with a pained expression, heading toward the guest room on the first floor.
Hmph, trying to scare me?
Well, you’re leaving anyway!
…………
A quiet night passed.
The cozy and familiar room gave me a good night’s sleep, and the next morning, I got up bright and early. I wanted to make something for Captain Gray to showcase my culinary skills to Carlos, but when I got to the kitchen, it was bare—nothing at all! After knocking on Carlos’s door and finding he was already gone, I was left with my plans in ruins.
On the tea table, I found a couple of Cankira Gold coins and a note.
[There’s a market west of the street. Go see what you want to eat.]
He must have headed off toward the Royal Palace.
So, I gathered myself and left, wandering to the grand iron gates of 2 Longdorr Street, peeking inside.
The place was eerily quiet, nothing but flowers and the wind rustling; nothing else was there.
After taking a glance, I lost interest.
I went to the market and bought some sweet pastries, then headed to the St. George Currency Exchange in the Royal City, where I exchanged all my Valen Gold for Cankira Gold. When I came out, I spotted plenty of tailor shops lining the street with beautiful dresses on display. I couldn’t resist; after a quick browse, I left with much less in my money pouch—nearly thirty coins missing. Off I went again, back to the exchange!
By the time I returned with my new clothes, the sun was high in the sky, and to my surprise, Carlos was back.
“Back already?”
“Am I supposed to stick around for lunch with those portly nobility?”
“…Fair point.”
He didn’t mention if he had run into trouble, but judging by his expression, things must’ve gone well.
We still had so many things to buy for our new home, like charcoal, candles, utensils—such tedious tasks! So in the remaining time, Carlos and I busied ourselves with all that. Especially in the kitchen; we got everything we needed.
By the way, honey and sugar here were way cheaper than in the Valen Empire, so sweet treats wouldn’t break the bank anymore. Buying them didn’t sting quite so much now.
That was the happiest thing of the day.
And then, came the day for enrollment.
