“… It’s just a simple assistance job. Office work.”
In the end, the lie came out of her mouth. Liv averted her gaze, pretending to sweep her hair up, because she couldn’t bear to face Rita.
“Well, you must be capable of doing such a job because you have a good academic record.”
Fortunately, Rita accepted Liv’s lie without question.
I guess my educational background is also useful when I lie.
Laughing bitterly, Liv asked Rita again in a firm voice.
“Anyway Rita. I know your intentions, but I don’t want you to do anything like giving Coryda sewing job. I’d rather increase my work than that.”
“Yes, yes. All right.”
Liv was about to give a lengthy explanation of how a single needle could be dangerous to Coryda, but Rita quickly gave up as if she had realized Liv’s intention. Then she narrowed her eyes and asked in a subtle way.
“But Liv, are you sure you really didn’t go to Hyslop?”
“I didn’t.”
“Oh, I thought someone in our neighborhood had finally seen Hyslop.”
Rita sighed regretfully, and soon shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, nothing good will happen to us even if we go. We won’t even be able to get in with this outfit.”
Liv looked back on her outfit after listening to Rita’s words. An old coat, tattered hat strap, and muddy shoes.
Oh, so the problem was my outfit.
Liv burst out laughing. She had roughly guessed it from the gaze of the doorkeeper, but her appearance was more disastrous than she thought. It was no wonder that the doorkeeper, who only dealt with the messengers of aristocratic families, had no choice but to ignore her because she went to such an imposing store and claimed to be a guest with such an appearance.
The only time she wore the cleanest, most modest clothes she owned was when she went to Millian’s class. Perhaps if she had dressed like she did for work, she would have been less humiliated, but was there any point in that?
She had a feeling that even if she dressed up moderately and entered the store, she wouldn’t get anything.
“Anyway, I have to go and return this basket, so I’m leaving now.”
“Yes.”
Rita, looking up at the sky, said goodbye as if she was busy and turned around. Liv, who had been staring at Rita, who was busy walking away, also continued her paused steps. Liv, who was about to go to Pommel right away, suddenly looked down at the snack bag in her hand.
She recalled that there was a rumor saying her situation was getting better.
She didn’t think Pommel wouldn’t know the source of this bag of snacks. Liv turned home for now. She decided to leave the bag behind first.
But, for better or worse, just before she got home, she ran into Pommel carrying a bag at his side.
“Look who’s here!”
Liv closed her lips with a grim face at the sight of Pommel exaggerating his happiness to see her.
He glared so fiercely when she couldn’t pay the rent, but he changed his attitude so quickly just because she had paid it. She stayed because she had no other place to move, but she really couldn’t feel close to that landlord.
“Liv!”
“Hello, Mr. Pommel.”
Pommel approached with a big smile as she reluctantly greeted him.
“Why does it feel like I haven’t seen you in such a long time?”
“Because I paid my rent.”
“Ouch, why are you being so cold? Can’t we see each other even if it’s not for the rent? We have to get along with our neighbors.”
Liv became wary of Pommel, who acted suspiciously friendly. It was not just once or twice that there was a change in his attitude before and after the payment, but it was suspicious that he changed so much like a different person.
Pommel must have noticed the emotion in Liv’s eyes, but he tapped Liv’s arm, pretending to be close, not caring at all.
“Tell me whenever you have a hard time.”
“I think it’ll be less difficult if you don’t care, Mr. Pommel.”
Pommel burst into laughter at Liv’s bitter reply. Then he came close and raised his hand slightly.
“Ay, Liv. At least I’ve touched this in this neighborhood.”
Liv frowned at Pommel, who rubbed his thumb and index finger and whispered in a subtle voice.
“When people suddenly have a lot of money, they don’t know how to manage it and they just spend it recklessly. I know how to invest in this way.”
“… What on earth are you talking about?”
“Liv, I heard you’ve been living well lately.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Pommel. I don’t know what you heard or where you heard it, but it’s not true. If my life had improved, I would have moved right away.”
Liv shook her head firmly. Pommel narrowed his eyes and threw out a sly remark. Liv, however, just shook her head and walked past him, unperturbed. She could feel Pommel’s intense gaze following behind her back.
What kind of rumors are going around the neighborhood that even Pommel has that attitude? Anxiety crept up in Liv’s mind.
The way home, which she had gotten used to as she always walked through it, somehow, felt especially unfamiliar.
***
If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know via our discord so we can fix it as soon as possible.
RECENTLY UPDATES
