OCDRF 07

Chapter 7

I Take Advertising Seriously

I stopped in front of an old standing sign placed in the alley.

The name on it matched the business card I had taken from the diary.

Cosmos Pawnshop.

Things had worked out surprisingly well.

The pawnshop happened to be located on the outskirts of the capital, safely beyond the Grand Duke’s reach.

On top of that, I had looked into it separately and learned that it was a newly opened establishment.

It couldn’t have been more perfect.

Betty glanced at the bag containing the things I intended to sell and asked cautiously,

“Are you sure we shouldn’t keep at least a few of them?”

Somehow, Betty seemed even more reluctant to part with these things than I was.

Even if Liviat somehow regained control of her body someday, there was no reason to keep such creepy possessions around.

I grabbed the bag firmly and said decisively,

“Betty, it’s best to get rid of everything belonging to an ex-boyfriend—or, well, ex-fiancé.”

“Have you really given up on having things work out with His Grace the Grand Duke?”

“Well, yes.”

After giving her a suitably vague answer, I pushed open the shop’s old wooden door.

Creeeeak.

Despite its shabby exterior, the inside of the shop had a surprisingly cozy atmosphere.

However, since the business had only recently opened, the display cases meant for items entrusted by customers were completely empty.

A masked man emerged from behind the counter and greeted me.

“Miss, we’re closed today due to personal circumstances.”

“I’ve brought some items to leave here. Is it really impossible?”

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but the moment our eyes met, the man seemed to startle.

He said he would go ask the owner and disappeared into the back.

They’re more polite than I expected.

A short while later, I heard a loud crash, followed by a young man rushing out.

He looked far too young to be the owner of the shop.

“Ah, h-hello! I’m Soltis, the owner of Cosmos Pawnshop!”

“Are you open?”

“Of course! Even if we weren’t, we’d have to be! You’re a very important customer!”

…………A very important customer?

At the moment, I was wearing a hat that concealed more than half of my face.

Wondering if perhaps he knew Liviat, I glanced at Betty.

Betty shook her head firmly.

I studied the red-haired young man wearing a mask before asking,

“Do you know me?”

“Haha. I suppose I phr