I Became the Secret Mastermind in a Romance Fantasy Novel

All sorts of people were seen at the festival. Nobles, merchants, and commoners, even beggars, were not uncommon.

They didn’t go around begging from passersby, but smiles blossomed on their faces.

Even the beggars, who always wore gloomy expressions. Something weird made their arms and faces look surprisingly clean, so they must have taken some measures.

This world, while stuck in the medieval ages, was strangely sensitive about hygiene.

“Hee hee.”

“Goodness, you look particularly cheerful today.”

The passing merchant said this as he tossed a coin into the beggar’s bowl.

“Oh, thank you, sir.”

The commoners, feeling festive, didn’t hold back on giving them money. I never thought I’d see such an atmosphere in this world.

Maybe it’s thanks to Abel’s exceptional abilities. I heard that the revitalization of the night market was due to his policies.

Well, not everyone looked cheerful. Some people frowned and clicked their tongues, clearly displeased with the scene.

Judging by their old-fashioned clothing and mannerisms, they seemed to be nobles.

Yet, they couldn’t do anything since this was Abel’s duchy. Abel is quite the irregular amongst nobles.

“Hey, that looks delicious!”

“Yeah, let’s check it out.”

Lily pointed toward a vendor. They approached a stand surrounded by expensive-looking tents, unlike the others.

The vendor, seemingly a member of the mage tower, was donning a purple robe. The sign indicated that he sold ice cream.

Did they use warmth spells or freezing spells to make it?

Due to the existence of magic, the level of development in this place was incredibly unbalanced. Selling ice cream in the middle of a medieval market?

Ironically, the bathrooms didn’t look much different from the medieval times.

“What’s that?”

I pointed to the ice cream displayed in the glass case and asked the vendor.

Finally noticing me after quietly reading at his desk, he hurriedly stood up.

Clearing his throat, he began explaining the ice cream.

“This is a type of dessert made from ice.”

I waited for his explanation to continue. It seemed he misunderstood my reaction, as he hurriedly added in a panicked voice,

“Ah, we did use magic to make it, but we definitely removed the mana, so you don’t have to worry.”

Indeed, removing the mana is crucial. If not done correctly, leftover mana could explode inside someone.

The mage tower was especially careful to prevent such incidents.

After all, whoever got permission to sell from the mage tower would know that much.

“I see.”

“Wow… is all of this ice?”

Lily stared at the ice cream with sparkling eyes. I chuckled at her expression and pulled out my wallet.

The vendor came toward me with a joyful expression. Judging by his reaction, it seemed he didn’t have many customers.

“One is 1 silver.”

1 silver for one…

100 coppers equal 1 silver. So basically, I could buy one ice cream for the price of 12 skewers of grilled squid.

Looking at the price, it made sense that it wasn’t very popular. While there were plenty of nobles, they couldn’t compare to the number of commoners.

Not many would pay 1 silver for a treat that fits in one hand.

“Wait a minute…”

I counted the leftover coppers in my wallet.

Since I had awkwardly leftover coppers, I couldn’t afford it. Well, I had been eating and enjoying myself for over two hours, so I had spent quite a bit.

I came with coppers and gold, but I hadn’t brought any silvers, and I didn’t expect this to happen.

‘100 silvers equal 1 gold…’

This made me feel a bit sorry for the vendor. But I didn’t have any other option.

I’d have to offer a gold at least.

“Then I’ll take 2, please.”

As I handed over one gold, the vendor looked flustered and started rummaging through his bag. He was calculating his change and soon had a gloomy expression.

“I’m sorry… I don’t have enough silver right now…”

Most of what was in his wallet was gold. Well, he probably only dealt with nobles, so he’d only received gold.

If I’d known this would happen, I would have brought some silver too. But going back to the Duke’s Residence now would mean the festival would be over.

Lily had her own plans for tomorrow. She was returning home for a long-awaited family vacation.

If I didn’t buy it today, I could tell she would be truly disappointed.

While I was lost in thought, trying to figure things out, a familiar face approached me.

“Oh, Adele. Hello!”

With silvery hair that shimmered like moonlight and sparkling golden eyes, Estelle von Louis greeted me with a smile.

“Oh, it’s been a while, Estelle.”

“Yes, it certainly has.”

Estelle smiled kindly, a hint of a mysterious charm in her expression, but I let it slide.

I had doubted her before, but now those misunderstandings were all cleared up.

“But is there a problem?”

“Oh, it’s just that I only have gold left… and I’m having trouble with the payment.”

“Ah, I think I understand what’s going on.”

Estelle nodded, as if she could relate. Being a noble lady herself, she seemed to sympathize with me.

Of course, commoners would probably see us as an incomprehensible race.

Honestly, if I were a commoner, I would probably have reacted similarly.

“Ahem, how about I help you?”

“Huh? How…”

“Hey.”

Saying that, Estelle snatched the gold coin from my hand and handed me a small pouch with her other hand.

I was taken aback by her sudden action as she pointed to the pouch with a finger.

“Why don’t you open it?”

“This is…”

Inside the pouch was overflowing silver. Just a quick glance told me there were over a hundred coins.

Is she really going to exchange 1 gold for this? I asked Estelle with a slightly trembling voice due to my surprise.

“The number seems off, though?”

“Shh. You’re coming to the festival tomorrow, right?”

She placed her finger to her lips and asked. I found myself nodding without thinking.

“That’s true, but…”

“Then you can repay me then.”

Estelle said with a big smile.

Her playful demeanor made me chuckle, and I thanked her.

“Thank you. If it weren’t for Estelle, I would have had a rough time.”

“You should make sure to bring enough silver next time, Adele.”

“Got it.”

As I responded, Estelle nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something and came closer to me.

Before I even had a chance to react to her sudden closeness, Estelle whispered to me.

“I saw your great efforts in the Monster Extermination War, Sir.”

“..Huh?”

Before I could respond properly, she just smiled and turned away.

I wanted to ask what she meant by calling me “Sir,” but by the time I turned around, Estelle had disappeared into the crowd.

How did she even know about my performance in the Monster Extermination War?

As I struggled to understand Estelle’s bombshell of a statement, she had vanished among the throngs of people.

While I stared blankly at her retreating figure, Lily turned to me.

“You seem pretty close with her?”

“..Yeah, it just happened that way.”

I felt sympathetic toward the Crown Prince’s antics from over there as well.

On my end, I harbored no ill will toward her, so I was able to get closer.

For Lily, who had probably only seen me bullying her, this might have been a bit of a strange sight.

‘I guess I’ll ask about the Monster Extermination War later.’

I thought, shaking my head to clear my mind.

First off, I needed to place my ice cream order. Staying here too long would inconvenience the people passing by.

“I’ll have two ice creams, please.”

I said as I handed over two silvers. The vendor hurriedly accepted them and immediately started making the ice cream.

It came out in the shape of a cone. After a few uses of magic, soon, two ice creams were revealed.

“Here you go. Thank you, miss.”

“Thanks. You’ve worked hard.”

I took the two ice creams and handed one to Lily.

She took the ice cream and stared intently at the cone.

“What is this?”

“It’s a snack. They probably made it so you can eat it together.”

“Oh, how interesting.”

Turning the ice cream around, Lily took a bite.

She flinched at the surprisingly cold sensation but quickly swallowed that bite.

Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she looked at me.

“It’s delicious!”

“I’m glad.”

I followed her lead and took a bite of my ice cream.

A familiar yet strange taste swirled in my mouth. It was cool and flavorful, but rather than being creamy, it felt more solid.

Well, I guess they still wouldn’t have the means to make soft ice cream yet.

Still, the taste itself was not bad. It felt like a hard ice cream in a cone or something.

One silver did feel a bit on the expensive side, but it was comparable in taste to ice cream from my previous life.

At least I didn’t regret spending the money.

“What about you, Miss Adele?”

“Um, it’s tasty.”

“Just as I thought, right?”

Lily chattered brightly, expressing how this was her first time trying something like this. I couldn’t help but smile at this delightful sight.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to just wander around like this together sometimes.

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