I Became The Extra King With Seven Wives

Chapter 80: Elise

I stared at the young woman, who stood visibly startled by my sudden appearance. She had flinched slightly, taking a hesitant step back.

"M—My Lord...?" Tom called out, his brow furrowing in confusion as he turned toward me.

"I am merely curious," I said, softening my tone. "What might be your name, beautiful lady?"

"Elise," she said, her wide eyes fixed upon me. But the moment our gazes met and I offered her a warm smile, she quickly darted her eyes away, a small flush rushing to her cheeks.

My own gaze, however, drifted briefly beyond her shoulder. A man stood lingering a few stalls away. For a fraction of a second, our eyes locked before he hurriedly looked aside, feigning deep interest as he began questioning the nearby merchant.

Dismissing the stranger for the moment, I returned my attention to the girl. "Elise. That is a truly beautiful name," I said.

"Thank you, milord," she replied, striving to quickly recover her composure.

Yet, I knew it was a difficult task. Having a nobleman standing in such close proximity was overwhelming enough for a commoner. Moreover, without wishing to sound overly narcissistic, my appearance, likely the most refined she had ever encountered, surely played its own intimidating role. The nervousness brought on by a sudden closeness to beauty was a universal affliction, affecting men and women alike.

Reaching out, I gently caught her wrist, taking her by surprise. I attempted to turn her hand to inspect her palm, but she instinctively curled her fingers into a tight fist.

"M—May I help you, my lord?" She stuttered, attempting a subtle retreat. She was careful, however, not to pull away with enough force to seem disrespectful.

After all, I was flanked by Eleanor, definitely a lady of high birth, and two knights. Elise must have felt trapped by the strict rules of status, terrified that a single misstep or perceived slight could bring ruin upon both her and her father.

"My lord, might I be of assistance?" Tom also intervened. His previously gentle merchant’s tone had vanished, replaced by a guarded wariness as he stepped protectively to his daughter’s side.

I could see the tension in his shoulders; he was fighting the paternal urge to simply rip my grip away from Elise’s arm. Yet, he was no fool. He understood that forcefully handling a nobleman of unknown temperament could spell disaster. Extreme patience was the only currency a commoner had when dealing with the aristocracy.

"There is no need for concern," I reassured him with a placating smile, making sure not to force Elise into anything against her will. Instead of inspecting her palm, I gracefully turned her clenched hand over, raised it to my lips, and pressed a light kiss against her knuckles.

Over her hand, my golden eyes flicked briefly toward the suspicious man a dozen meters away. He was still there, lingering at the adjacent stall. For a fleeting second, my charming smile faltered, replaced by a cold expression. But I recovered just as swiftly, returning my warm gaze to a bewildered and blushing Elise.

"Well, Elise, it seems the old legends were true after all," I said.

"L—Legends?" She repeated.

"Indeed. They say the most enchanting beauties are not always hidden away in grand, gilded palaces, nor lost within the crowded streets of the capital. Sometimes, they bloom in unexpected, distant towns, brimming with life and joy," I told her.

It was the truth. Compared to the suffocating political atmosphere of the capital, this provincial town possessed a vibrant, beating heart. Not that I could change the nature of my home; the capital and its high nobility were entrenched in their rigid ways, and I harbored no illusions about altering that reality.

At my flowery praise, Elise’s cheeks burned a rosy pink. "I—I... um. Thank you, milord," she let out. She then offered a rather stiff, awkward bow, clearly attempting to mimic the respectful curtsy of a noble lady. Her clumsy execution only made the gesture all the more charming.

I smiled gently and finally released her hand. Ignoring the speechless and bewildered stares coming from Eleanor and Mia, I shifted my attention back to Tom.

"You possess great talent, Tom, much like your lovely daughter," I praised. "Tell me, would you ever consider relocating your trade to the capital?"

"You must be jesting, my lord," the merchant replied, shaking his head. "We wouldn’t survive even a single day in the capital."

It figured he would feel that way. The ruthlessness of the market competition in the royal city was notoriously strong.

"Well, I can provide you with the necessary gold and the proper means to put your considerable talents to good use. You could continue your work in handmade jewelry, and perhaps expand your trade in silk," I suggested. I cast an appreciative glance over the beautifully designs woven by hand into the nearby fabrics. The craftsmanship was stellar, but the cheap, poor-quality materials they were forced to use simply did not do justice to their amazing skill.

That was the harsh reality for so many gifted individuals back on Earth. Countless skilled artisans there never received the chance to showcase their true capabilities, simply because they lacked the necessary coin or the right connections to open doors.

I was merely offering to sponsor them because I really found their craftsmanship eye-catching. It was a risk, certainly, but one well worth gambling on their potential for growth.

While I did not possess the keenest eye for such delicate matters, Eleanor certainly did. Years of traveling alongside her father had honed her tastes, and if someone of her refined standard showed open admiration, then these commoners were worth taking a chance on.

Hearing my bold words, Tom and Elise froze in shock as well. Clearly, they had never anticipated such an unprecedented proposal from a passing nobleman.

"A couple thousand gold coins to start," I offered seriously, "along with any materials you might wish for, ensuring you work only with the finest quality available. What do you say?"

"M—My Lord... I truly do not know what to say," Tom stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"You do not care for the idea?" I asked, raising a brow.

"No... no, far from it. It is just..." He trailed off, casting an anxious, protective glance toward Elise.

"Sigh...I see. You do not trust me," I concluded plainly.

"T—That is not it at all, my lord!" He replied quickly, though it was blatantly obvious that was exactly the case.

And honestly, I could not blame him. A high-ranking noble appearing out of nowhere and offering a small fortune was deeply suspicious. If anything, it spoke well of his character that he remained so wary.

"Very well, then how about a compromise?" I proposed. "I will purchase the finest silk and raw materials for you, and in return, I will commission a selection of products from your hands. You simply do what you do best. Once finished, bring the pieces to the royal capital for my examination, and we shall decide on a permanent arrangement then. What do you think? You have nothing to lose in this endeavor."

He looked stunned by the generous compromise, but after a moment, he nodded his head vehemently. "I—If my lord truly trusts us with such a task... I do not know how to express my gratitude."

"Then say nothing," I replied, before shifting my gaze to my guard. "Mia. There should be reputable merchants around Helianth who trade in premium silk and rare minerals. Accompany Tom and Elise, and procure whatever supplies they might require."

"Your Maj—My Lord... I cannot leave your side," Mia protested, catching her slip of tongue just in time.

"I will be perfectly fine, Mia. Now, will you obey my order?" I asked, hardening my tone.

Mia glanced toward Oliver, who offered her a subtle, reassuring nod. Defeated, she released a soft sigh and bowed her head.

"Of course, my lord."

"Do not be shy with the royal coin, both of you," I instructed Tom and Elise. With that, I turned and walked away, leaving a dumbfounded father and daughter in Mia’s capable hands.

Rejoined by Eleanor, Leilah, and Oliver, I resumed our leisurely exploration through the bustling market streets.

"Your Majesty... were you truly serious about that offer?" Eleanor asked in a hushed whisper, having remained completely silent until we were safely out of earshot.

"I was," I confirmed. "Do you not agree they possess remarkable talent?"

"Indeed... I was quite impressed," she nodded. "But raw talent alone is rarely enough in the capital..."

"Do not worry, we are merely testing the waters. We shall see soon enough if their skills are worthy of being nurtured," I replied easily. "Besides, Elise is exceedingly pretty. I truly have nothing to lose in this venture."

"Your Majesty," Eleanor sighed, her tone dripping with quiet disapproval.

"Yes, Eleanor?" I asked, flashing her a teasing smile.

She merely looked away. Despite her perfectly composed expression, I could tell she was sulking just a bit at my frivolous comment. I felt a strong urge to laugh at her reaction, but I held my silence.

My demeanor shifted as we continued our walk, the playful air vanishing.

"Did you notice them, Oliver?" I asked quietly.

"Indeed I did, Your Majesty," the knight replied, his voice equally low.

"How many?"

"Three so far, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, given the crowd, I cannot act upon—"

"Do not worry about acting just yet. Just keep watching," I said.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he nodded, his eyes scanning the bustling market with sharp, hidden vigilance.