Volume 1 - CH 39

After that, the two talked for a while.

Alme talked about the process from breaking off the engagement to getting into debt, and Falk talked about the reason why he had changed his appearance until now and the town in the far north.

And so, when they had finished their ice cream and the teapot was cold and empty. Falk brought up another story that came to mind.

“I have seen people in the city tidying up along the street coming from the temple to here. Miss Alme, have you already finished cleaning up after the festival?”

“I almost forgot. I haven’t finished yet, but I thought I’d stop by the bank first and clean up in the afternoon.”

“I’m taking the day off today. Shall I help you? Wouldn’t it be better if you had a man to help?”

Due to Falk’s unexpected visit, her plans completely slipped her mind.

It is almost noon. She was hoping to be finished by nightfall, so she didn’t need any help with the cleanup.

……But if she can ask for his help, she would like to ask him to do something different.

“I don’t have a lot of luggage, and the cleanup is just rolling the cart, so I’m good, but it would be a great help if you could walk with me to the carriage stop on the way back. I’m…having a little trouble walking down the alley.”

“Are your legs still hurting?”

Alme immediately added words to Falk, who had a flustered look on his face

“No, my injuries are fine now, they’ve healed nicely! I’d like to go to the bank to deposit the proceeds from the festival, but I’m a little anxious about walking down an alley with a large sum of money…I know it sounds pathetic.”

“After what happened, it’s natural to feel uneasy. I will accompany you to the bank, not just to the carriage stop.”

“Thank you, I’m sorry I’m acting spoiled”

“I want to pamper you, so please go ahead and do so. Please tell me anything you want.”

He smiled sweetly at her, and Alme reflexively looked away.

Even though he has a dangerous smile even when he’s disguised, Falk’s original appearance–a beautiful white falcon–has even more offensive power.

If she accidentally looked directly at it, she might collapse from embarrassment, so she must be careful…

“When shall we go out? Shall we leave after this?”

“Yes, I’m already prepared, please. It’s just about lunchtime, and after the bank, we can have lunch somewhere if you like.”

“I’d love to!”

“Then, I’ll get the bag, so please wait a moment.”

With plans set for fun, Alme went upstairs to get her purse. She quickly slung her bag, which had been tossed on the sofa in the upstairs living room, over her shoulder.

She was about to go right back out when she suddenly remembered and opened the drawer of the accessory case.

She took out the flower hair ornament that she had put away in the back in the morning and put it in her hair. she checked it in the mirror and smile.

It looks like she’ll be able to wear this favorite hair ornament from now on.

When she returned to the first floor, Falk was already standing in the doorway. He had changed his appearance to brown hair and brown eyes, with a silver necklace on.

“Thank you for waiting, Mr. Falk.”

“Then shall we go?”

When she locked the front door and was about to walk out, Falk’s hand gently reached into her hair.

“I thought you wouldn’t wear it today, but I’m glad you did. That hair ornament really suits Miss Alme’s hair.”

“It’s already my favorite. Not only is it cute, but it’s also comfortable to use.”

“That is good to hear. It was a roundabout way of saying it on the day I bought it, but now I can say it directly. Miss Alme, you are so cute! So cute!!”

“‘Hey, hey, hey, ……! Please stop, you’re talking too loud!”

Falk was smiling broadly with a mischievous look on his face.

Alme quickly cooled the heat on her cheeks, which seemed to be burning unintentionally, with strong ice magic. Really…she should be more cognizant and careful with her reaction to comments such as this.

Alme and Falk were rocked by a carriage from the main street boarding area to the bank.

The bank is a historic building with a very fine structure. The walls facing the street are decorated with vivid murals, making this another popular spot for tourists to enjoy.

They got out of the carriage parked out front and walked through the large arched doorway. The heavy iron door was open, and people were busy coming and going.

She stepped into the atrium hall and took a quick look around. It was quite crowded, probably because today was the first day after the festival.

A large, long counter made of stone was in front of it, and many bankers were working behind it.

She walked to the reception counter at the end of the hall, filled in her business name, the procedure she wanted to request and her name, and hand it over to the clerk.

After registering, all that was left was to sit on a bench and wait for her name to be called.

The rows of benches are filled with people. She found a little space in the corner behind her and sat down to wait.

She was a little embarrassed to be so close to Falk without a gap.

“Miss Titty, you are next at number 276! Miss Alme Titty!”

Soon after, Alme’s name was called out loudly by the clerk at the front counter. Since it was only a deposit procedure, her turn came sooner than she had expected.

“I’m going.”

“Okay.”

She told Falk briefly and left her seat. While dodging people, she hurried to the bank clerk who was calling her.

She took a leather bag from her purse and placed it on the stone counter. She pulled out a bundle of money from inside, which, along with her account card, is checked by the bank clerk.

“Is this all you wish to deposit today?”

“Yes, all this, please.”

“Please wait while we confirm the amount.”

The employee who helped her was a young man. He looked like he’s in his teens, so maybe he’s a newcomer. With a brisk respectful hand, he put the money on the tray and went into the back.

Alme looked on with a smile, thinking, “You’ve got a good job for a young guy, keep up the good work.”

But the happy feeling was suddenly weighed down suddenly by a familiar voice behind her.

“Alme, did you come to deposit money into my account?”

When she turned around with a startle, there was Julio.

……Not only Julio, but also Campbellina wrapped around his arm, and Mrs. Beatos next to him.

It’s really a family affair… It may be a wonderful thing in the world, but it’s a close relationship that makes Alme feel sad.

She swallowed the retort that almost came out of her mouth and responded for the moment.

“Oh, hello. Everyone’s all here. Um, I just came to deposit money in my account… what is it?”

“It looked like you deposited a lot of money? Isn’t it a repayment of the debt to our family? You haven’t paid for this month yet.”

“Yeah, well…it’s not the end of the month yet–“

“If you have a lot of money, you should let the Beatos family know first. Since you are in the position of borrowing money from someone, why don’t you be a little more considerate?”

Julio’s petty words started again. Alme didn’t expect to wind up in this embarrassing situation in public.

Speaking of which, it’s not uncommon for people in the district to bump into acquaintances at places where people gather, such as banks, temples, libraries, and carriage stops, but… above all, what is this timing?

Alme thought she’d say something nice and get through it quickly, but the clerk came back before she could say anything to Julio.

The bank staff glanced at the gathered people, but in order to carry out the work, he handed out a copy of the paper with the deposit amount written on it.

“Thank you for waiting. Please confirm the amount.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Well, you’re depositing so much!”

Mrs. Beatos stepped in from the side and quickly snatched the copy of the paper. She didn’t have time to protest before Mrs. Beatos squealed.

“If you have such a large sum of money, you should have accelerated the repayment! What is this insane girl doing, lining her own pockets!? Are you even aware that you are in debt!?”

“Even if you say so, I still have the money I need to live, so I can’t use all of this amount to repay…”

“Don’t be so naïve! You must pay back what you borrowed as soon as possible! Even a child can understand that, right? That’s why I don’t like little commoner girls who don’t have any common sense. I’m glad I got rid of her before she came into the Beatos family. –And now we have a daughter-in-law of respectable status. Goodness, that was a close call.”

“Oh, mother-in-law, if you don’t mind, I am very happy to get engaged with Julio!”

Mrs. Beatos spat out, half-talking to herself. Perhaps turning up her nose at Alme, Campbellina grinned and rubbed against Julio’s arm as if to show him off.

In a high-pitched voice that made Alme want to cover her ears, people around started taking notice of the situation. Alme’s shabby identity as a “broken-down debtor woman” has been exposed.

“Now I want you to withdraw the money this girl deposited. She owes us money. If you trace it back to the source, it’s like our money.”

“Ha, ha… um, I can’t do that. You have to go through the necessary procedures–“

The young bank employee refused with a puzzled look on his face. It was a natural response. However, the Beatos family did not back down.

Mrs. Beatos’s high-spirited sarcasm must have taken offense, and Campbellina also took an overbearing attitude and began to speak unreasonably to the bank clerk.

“Please withdraw the money. This is an order from Baron Desmond’s daughter. My father does a lot of business at this bank, right? If you disrespect me or neglect me, I’ll tell my father.”

“No, um… I’m in trouble, customer.”

“I’m sorry, young man. Please don’t worry about these people and finish the procedure. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

Alme cut in and bowed to the troubled banker. For the time being, she wanted to free him from this troublesome dispute…

At the moment she apologized for thinking so, Campbellina next to her pushed her on the shoulder as hard as she could.

“Hey! Stop talking about us like we’re a nuisance!”

From the side, they are definitely annoying people, but as she stumbled backward she braced herself for the impact of hitting the floor.

–She thought – but it didn’t happen. She just took a half step backward and her body immediately stabilized.

A body larger than Alme’s braced her back and provided support.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, um, yes. Thank you.”

Alme didn’t know when he walked up to her, but Falk is standing behind her providing support.

The bench Falk was sitting on was quite a distance from the counter, but Mrs. Beatos’ squealing voice could only be heard and she might have noticed in the situation.

Falk says, standing alongside Alme, looking around at the faces of the Beatos family in turn.

“Don’t make loud noises in a public place. What are you doing here, causing trouble and squabbling?”

“Huh!? I’m not making a fuss, huh…”

Campbellina glared at Falk, but the momentum of her words disappeared. She looked dumbfounded, and she stared up blankly.

When they first met, Alme also saw Falk’s face and was impressed with how well it was arranged. Maybe Campbellina is in the same situation right now.

Julio came forward to push away Campbellina, who had stopped moving.

The good-humored expression on his face is gone, and he says to Falk with a somewhat hardened expression on his face.

“You… we meet again. With all due respect, since it’s an issue between the Beatos family and the daughter of the Titty family, it has nothing to do with you. Isn’t it rude to intervene in the affairs of someone else’s family?”

“Please don’t be so dismissive. Disputes are better resolved if a third party enters the arbitration.”

In contrast to Julio, who has a harsh voice, Falk is extremely calm. Like a cool breeze, he responds with a smooth demeanor.

Alme felt relieved to see Falk’s unflappable attitude. Her tense feeling eased a little. It was a fleeting thought.

In the next exchange, Alme’s body stiffened at Julio’s words.

“I don’t know your name and I don’t know you. Don’t be ridiculous. It seems that you want to favor the girl, but if that is the case, why don’t you reveal your identity in a dignified manner? If you don’t mind exposing your name and embarrassing yourself in such a public place for the sake of an insignificant commoner’s daughter.”

“I’m not playing lowly, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’m late to introduce myself, but my name is Falkert Raltoze.”

Falk said his name cheerfully, as if it were nothing. At that moment, the people around them, who had been glancing at the dispute, all turned to look at them.

Even the hard-working counter staff stopped working.

Julio froze with wide eyes, while Mrs. Beatos and Campbellina opened their mouths wide open.

“Now, is this all right? Now that I’ve revealed my identity, can I ask you about the details of the dispute? I have plans to have lunch with her after this, so I would like to settle this matter as soon as possible.”

Falk put his arm around Alme’s shoulder and said in a cool voice.