Amira desperately pretended otherwise. She had come out wanting to be a support for Ariella, but she couldn’t afford to be the one who was more timid.
Still, thanks to Ariella’s consideration, she managed to relax somewhat. Just knowing that there wouldn’t be a rollover accident lightened her heart. Her trembling body began to calm down.
However, that was short-lived; as the carriage began to enter a more secluded alley, her fear returned.
“Miss. Is this really the right direction?”
Adam, who was riding alongside, seemed to sense something strange as well and opened the window to ask.
“The fitting shop said so. Considering it’s the shop David introduced… it’s probably a trap.”
“Yes. As you said, it was wise to bring several knights with us. However, since we don’t know what kind of trap it is, it’s still dangerous. What will you do?”
He asked whether they should proceed straight ahead knowing it was a trap or turn back.
“Of course—”
Ariella, who was about to answer without hesitation, suddenly hesitated. Her lavender-colored eyes slowly turned.
What came into view was Amira, looking around with a worried expression.
‘Is it really okay to involve this innocent child in danger?’
Despite having been informed in advance, it was Amira who insisted on following. So, there was no need to hesitate because of her.
Even while thinking that, strangely, my lips wouldn’t move. A corner of my heart ached as if it were being poked.
“Of course you should go, Miss! That’s why you came out! Henrik! Don’t stop, keep going!”
It was Amira who answered instead. Gone was the trembling, and she now commanded the coachman with the poise of a true master.
“Hurry, Miss. I don’t want you to not do what you intended because of me. I came to help, not to be a hindrance.”
“…Alright, let’s keep going.”
As Ariella nodded, Adam stepped back from the window and resumed driving the carriage.
Thus, the carriage of Bedford continued down the dark and gloomy path. The alleys had an atmosphere that made it seem impossible to find a tailor.
And about ten minutes later.
Hee-haw!
With the sound of a horse, the carriage came to a stop.
“Miss! The road is too narrow to go any further! Fortunately, the destination isn’t far from here, so you’ll need to get down and walk a bit. Is that alright?”
The coachman, Henrik, opened a small door of the carriage and spoke loudly.
Looking out the window, I could see that, as he said, the road was too narrow and disorganized for the carriage to proceed.
“Understood. I’ll walk to the tailor, so wait here.”
“Yes, Miss!”
Ariella got down from the carriage with Adam’s help.
Seeing the atmosphere of Declan Street with her own eyes, without the filter of a window, it was hard to believe it was only a 30-minute distance from the city center.
Half-finished buildings exuded a desolate vibe, and leftover materials like bricks and boxes were scattered messily everywhere.
Perhaps due to the tarps hanging here and there, the street was mostly shaded. Because of that, the already unpleasant atmosphere felt even more eerie.
‘At least the Marylebone Poorhouse felt like it had people living in it.’
It was messier than here, and the atmosphere was tense due to competition for food, but it still had more vitality.
If one could consider hitting someone from behind to snatch food as vitality.
“Sh-should we go?”
Amira, clutching her club tightly, asked while looking at the map. Ariella nodded once and began to walk, flanked by the knights.
It would take about ten minutes to reach the place where the tailor was located. It seemed wise to have worn comfortable shoes in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
The knights guarding her, including Adam, numbered four in total. It was quite a large number for a short outing.
It was fortunate that she had made a good impression on the duke during the last theft incident; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to have this many knights accompany her.
“Is there really a tailor operating in a place like this? Even if there is, I’m worried if it’s a proper one. To make something well according to the schedule, the fitting skills need to be good…”
As they walked for about five minutes surrounded by the knights, perhaps her fear had lessened, or perhaps her obsession with making her lady look beautiful had surpassed her fear, Amira began to worry about the dress instead of her own safety.
“We won’t know if the tailor is open until we arrive, but I don’t think the seamstress David introduced is that skilled. We can only hope to avoid the worst.”
“Ugh, it’s ridiculous, but wouldn’t it be nice if some kind-hearted lady suddenly gave up her reservation at the Corcos tailor?”
