Lionel continued looking through the catalogs calmly. For him, it was normal for a boutique store to have multiple clients at the same time. However, the woman’s gaze remained on him.

It was strange.

Cecilia slowly walked inside while her guards remained behind her. She quietly narrowed her eyes while looking at Lionel from afar.

Lecilia was the daughter of Marquis Valecrest, one of the most influential noble families in the empire. Their family owned several lands near the eastern territory and had close ties with many important nobles in high society.

Not only that, but Cecelia’s mother was also a very famous socialite in the capital.

Marchioness Valecrest was known for hosting luxurious tea parties and noble gatherings almost every month. Because of that, Cecelia had already been introduced to high society since she was young.

That was why she knew almost every young noble in the capital, especially those from high-ranking families. But this young man in front of her looked completely unfamiliar in her eyes. Not only that, but his face and mannerisms also did not look ordinary at all.

Even the way he sat inside the boutique gave off the feeling that he was used to luxury.

"Hello, Sir," she suddenly called out to him. Lionel was about to ignore it, but he could clearly see that her eyes were pinned on him.

’Hah...’ Lionel took a deep breath at that. He was so down to ignore the people around, but it seemed like the people didn’t want to make that happen.

Lionel pressed his lips together before he lifted his eyes.

"Yes?" He asked politely.

Cecilia quietly looked at him before speaking again. "I don’t believe I’ve seen you before in the capital."

What does this girl want? Lionel’s forehead creased at that.

"Is that so?" He answered plainly.

"Yes." Cecilia slightly tilted her head. She was slightly offended by how the man talked to her, but she kept it to herself for a moment. "May I know your identity?"

The moment Cecilia asked that question, Rylan and Eiden immediately became alert from the side. The two instinctively looked toward their young lord.

Rylan was already about to step forward toward Lionel’s side when Lionel casually gave him a glance. He immediately stopped moving with that. Even Eiden, who was also about to follow, instantly stiffened too.

The two quietly looked at each other before slowly stepping back again beside the attendants. They could only watch from afar, but they became much more alert now.

At the center of the boutique, Lionel calmly closed the catalog in his hand before finally answering Cecilia. The woman looks like she wont leave him alone at all if he just ignored her.

"My identity?" he repeated lightly.

"Yes," Cecilia nodded slowly. "Who are you?"

Lionel almost sighed out loud after hearing that. This girl was surprisingly persistent. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"I’m afraid there’s nothing much to know," he answered casually. "My family simply does business outside the capital."

"Business?" Cecilia repeated quietly.

"Yes." Lionel nodded calmly. "We’re merchants."

Merchant family? Cecilia stared at him for a moment.

"I am Lady Cecilia of House Valecrest," Slowly, a smile appeared on her lips at that. It was actually rare for her to meet such wealthy merchants who weren’t nobles. But still, it happens.

"How about you? What’s your name, and from which family did you come?"

"I don’t think my identity is important enough to mention," Lionel answered lightly.

Lady Cecilia’s brows lifted slightly at that answer. Most people would immediately introduce themselves after hearing who she was. Yet this young man looked completely indifferent and unbothered by it.

Her curiosity only increased because of it.

"You’re not from the capital, are you?" she asked again.

"No, it’s actually our first time visiting here properly."

"I knew it," Cecilia murmured softly. There was no way she would fail to recognize someone from an important noble family.

Lionel didn’t know if he would be offended by that. Instead of speaking up, he just kept his mouth shut so this girl wouldn’t bother him further.

Cecilia quietly looked at Lionel for a few more seconds. Honestly, even if she knew his background already, she still found him suspicious.

But seeing how uninterested he looked in continuing the conversation, she could only press her lips together lightly before eventually stepping back.

"I see," she answered calmly.

Lionel only nodded politely at her.

Meanwhile, Cecilia’s attention soon went toward the clothes displayed around the boutique. Since Lionel clearly did not want to entertain her curiosity any longer, she decided not to push the matter further.

Soon, one of the attendants quickly approached her side respectfully.

"Lady Cecilia, the new designs from the western empire arrived earlier."

"Show them to me," Cecilia answered calmly.

Like that, she finally walked away together with her guards and attendants.

The moment she was finally far enough, Rylan and Eiden immediately walked toward Lionel’s side. They walked to him quickly.

"My lord..." Eiden lowered his voice slightly while glancing toward Cecilia’s direction. "What was that?"

"Why was she so interested in you?" Rylan also asked quietly.

Lionel only shrugged his shoulders lightly at that.

"Let her be," he answered casually as he sat up straight, "She’s not important."

Rylan and Eiden quietly looked at each other before eventually nodding.

"Understood, my lord."

Honestly, they still felt that the young noblewoman’s attention toward Lionel was strange. But since their lord himself did not care, they also decided not to think deeply about it anymore.

Soon enough, Lionel finally stood up from the couch.

"Are we done here?" he asked while glancing toward the attendant who was helping them.

"Yes, Sir," He immediately stepped forward with a bright smile. "Everything has already been listed down properly."

Stacks of papers containing measurements, selected fabrics, and designs were now organized neatly on the table. Lionel glanced over them briefly before taking out a pouch filled with gold coins.

"I’ll pay now."

The attendant’s eyes instantly brightened at that. Soon, the sound of coins echoed across the boutique as Lionel paid the entire amount fully in cash without hesitation.

Even the attendants who were already used to wealthy customers could not help but become slightly shocked internally. Sometimes, even nobles asked to partially pay first, then send in weekly payments after.

But the young man in front of them didn’t care about it at all. He just paid for everything immediately. After finishing the payment, the head attendant politely bowed toward Lionel again.

"Thank you very much for your patronage, Sir." He smiled professionally afterward. "To which household shall we deliver the finished clothes?"

Lionel paused for a moment after hearing that.

Right... I forgot that. For a brief second, he thought about it carefully. However, if they just say that they should deliver it on the Exelio estate, then why did he even hide his identity in the first place?

"There’s no need to deliver it."

"Pardon?" The attendant blinked slightly.

"We’ll personally pick them up here instead," Lionel answered.

This time, the attendant looked visibly surprised.

Usually, customers who ordered this much would ask for personal delivery straight to their estate or mansion. Especially rich nobles. But this young man actually chose to return personally just to claim the clothes himself?

It was so weird...

"If that is your wish, Sir," he nodded politely. "The clothes should be finished within three days."

"Alright." Lionel nodded lightly. "We’ll pick them up by then."

"Understood, Sir."

After settling everything, Lionel finally glanced toward Rylan and Eiden again.

"Now then," a small smile appeared on his face afterward. "Let’s head to the warehouse."

"Yes, my lord." Eiden and Rylan both answered. They started walking towards the door, but just as the three of them were about to leave, a familiar voice suddenly echoed from the other side of the boutique.

"Do you think His Highness Cassian would like this color?"

Lionel’s footsteps paused instantly at that.

Not far away, Cecilia was currently looking through several fabrics together with her attendants and maids. One of the maids carefully held up a cream-colored cloth in front of her.

"I think His Highness would prefer darker colors, Lady Cecilia," the maid answered politely.

Cecilia lightly tapped her fingers against her chin.

"Hmm... maybe. But this one feels too dull." She frowned slightly before pointing at another fabric. "What about this? It looks more elegant."

"His Highness has attended mother’s tea parties several times already," she continued to speak casually while looking through another set of fabrics. "If I give him something low quality, my mother will definitely scold me."

Lionel’s eyes narrowed slightly after hearing the familiar name.

"Lady Cecilia is thinking about His Highness again."

"That’s normal," Cecilia answered confidently. "There are many noble ladies interested in him."

Cassian? Lionel frowned at that.

So this girl actually knows Cassian? And it looks like they’re even close to each other.

"What a small world," Lionel quietly muttered to himself.

"Hm? What is it, my lord?" Eiden tilted his head.

"Nothing." Lionel shook his head lightly afterward before continuing toward the exit again. "Let’s go."