Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 313 Princess Diary

Miss Princess was quite decisive and straightforward about discussing Gold Pounds. Explore more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"How about a base pay of 5 pounds?"

He stretched out five fingers and wagged them:

"I'll give you 3 pounds before we leave, and 2 pounds at the end of the night, with potential for additional pay depending on the situation. As for my goal, I just want to stroll around Coldwater Port City and meet a few trustworthy people involved in the black market trading of special items."

Although 5 pounds seemed a lot, if she could really introduce Shard to places like Black Raven Library or Old John's Pawnshop, then the broker's fee was quite low.

The girl with blonde hair and green eyes looked at Shard, tapped the armrest of the chair, and shook her head gracefully:

"A flat rate of 10 pounds, 3 pounds upfront, and 7 pounds in the evening. If you're not satisfied, we can discuss the remaining payment tonight. I've already brought you to my usual residence in this city, so you needn't doubt me."

The price was acceptable, and Shard had already planned to make Coldwater Port his regular trading spot:

"No problem."

Miss Princess's smile flickered across her face but only for a moment.

Afterward, Miss Princess brought out a very expensive-looking silver-gray metal case with a handle from the bathroom. The box was rectangular, the surface covered with patterns of branches and flowers. The patterns were golden, as if gilded. But considering Miss Princess's income level, Shard probably thought too much.

She slowly pulled the handle, opening the case. As the lid rose, shelves inside unfolded layer by layer, allowing Shard to see the cosmetics arranged inside.

Metal screws connected the different metal layers, with brass-colored nuts, springs, and bearings ensuring the smooth unfolding of the shelves inside the case. Although no high-end steam technology was used in this makeup case, the era's clever mechanical craftsmanship was evident.

"Don't move, I'm going to apply some makeup on you."

The young lady had already started taking out bottles and jars from the makeup case. It seemed she did not mind sitting face-to-face with a stranger during the makeup process. This was not to say that Miss Princess was a very casual girl, but Shard felt she had a particularly high regard for him, familiar with his facial features as she began applying his makeup.

It took her only ten minutes to complete Shard's disguise. Looking in the bathroom mirror, he could still recognize himself. However, for those unfamiliar with him, the subtle adjustments made using simple makeup techniques would make it difficult to equate John Watson with Shard Hamilton.

"Ladies' makeup skills are indeed impressive."

He touched his face in the mirror:

"Why does she trust me so much? Does this lady not have any guard up? Or does she want to gain my trust this way?"

[Why not other possibilities?]

A whispered voice rose at his ear, tinged with amusement.

"Like what?"

[She likes your face.]

"Is this the first time you are joking with me?"

Her laughter seemed to intend to end the conversation, though she never greeted before speaking. Except for the day Shard first arrived in this world, she always spoke at just the right moment without seeming abrupt.

"I'm really getting used to her more and more."

Then, Miss Princess shooed Shard out of the bathroom, as the blonde sorceress needed the mirror to apply her own makeup.

She asked Shard to wait about half an hour. Shard wasn't one to snoop through other people's belongings, so he simply sat quietly on the sofa waiting.

While still pondering about Miss Princess, his eyes moved to the coffee table aiming to pour himself some tea. The table was cluttered with many items, among them a notebook opened next to the teapot. When he had entered, although the table was messy, that book was not there, presumably flipped through by Miss Princess while he was in the bathroom.

Shard didn't intend to look, but the notebook was too close to the teapot.

[December 23, 1852, Slumber Moon]

This was the first line written on the right side of the notebook, a date from last December, meaning, Shard was looking at Miss Princess's journal from last December.

Having seen the date, and with his eyesight fine, he naturally also saw the line below.

[Who are you?]

"Huh? Of course, I'm Shard."

He thought to himself, then realized the sentence in the journal was not meant for him. This line occupied three lines in the notebook and was bolded in blue-black ink, as if the writer was expressing intense inner feelings.

"Did Miss Princess lose control last December? What does this mean?"

Shard was puzzled and looked toward the direction of the bathroom. The apartment's bathroom was very narrow, barely enough to accommodate three people standing at once. He could see the beautiful blonde girl's profile; she was focused on applying her makeup in front of the mirror.

"I don't want to pry too much into others' privacy."

Although he thought this way, concerned about the possibility of Miss Princess losing control, Shard still carefully turned the pages of the diary. He did not flip to the second page but rather skipped five pages ahead.

It was still one day per page, and the time had reached the end of December last year, written in beautiful cursive letters:

[Don't! Don't ask my Maid strange questions!]

Shard pursed his lips, growing even more worried about Miss Princess's mental state. This monologue style of diary writing made him think of many horrible things.

Having restored the diary to its normal condition, Shard did not continue reading. While Miss Princess spent half an hour applying makeup to herself, which made subtle changes to her facial features, people unfamiliar with her would definitely have difficulty linking the two appearances together.

"So, here's to our pleasant cooperation!"

Before leaving the apartment, the young lady paid no heed to the opened diary, and Shard reached out his hand again. Miss Princess shook hands with Shard, but after a slight shake, she found that he hadn't let go.

Surprised, she looked at Shard, who appeared to be bewildered for a few seconds before finally releasing her hand:

"Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about something else."

[No problem, she didn't lose control.]

This was the answer Shard risked being seen as inappropriate to obtain.

Miss Princess wasn't angry but reminded him:

"In the future, you can't do this to strange ladies. I am a person with a good temper, but if you encounter someone with a bad temper, you could be in trouble."

She then raised her right hand to hold her naturally hanging left arm and asked shyly:

"Mr. Watson, what do you think about my appearance now that I've made myself look uglier?"

She really was a girl with a pleasant personality.

Without lingering much in the city, they took a carriage back to the Dock Area. On the way, with nothing better to do, Miss Princess discussed some political topics with Shard.

This also proved to be the best pastime during a dull moment. Seeing Shard looking out at the street scenes, the young lady asked:

"Mr. Watson, what do you think of Coldwater Port City?"

"Although the maritime trade has made this city earn a lot, the current mode of development is not very sound,"

Shard said, looking at the children running outside, barefoot, chasing after an iron hoop:

"This city appears prosperous, but relying solely on maritime trade as the main source of profit is too one-dimensional. The current prosperity is based on the premise of developing the New World, which I know could continue for hundreds of years, but Coldwater Port's position is not irreplaceable. It has seized the bonus of an era but merely borrowed the status of the old times. If the city's administrators do not realize this, it's really hard to say how long this chaotic prosperity under the city can last."

The management of the Dock Area by Coldwater Port City Hall was actually very negligent. Smuggling, illegal immigration, and dangerous goods trading were rampant in the Dock Area. The chaotic flow of people and the interference of nobles and wealthy businessmen in maintaining order made the port management of Coldwater Port extremely disorderly. This was certainly a boon for ambitious individuals looking to venture out to sea but not a good thing for the city's development.

"Oh? That's quite a fresh perspective. What do you think Coldwater Port should do then?"

Miss Princess asked again.

Shard shook his head:

"I'm just an ordinary person, and I don't have any specific opinions. I guess it would involve leveraging the convenient transportation conditions to develop some other industries, allowing transportation, fishing, and finance... cough, I mean banking, to integrate. Perhaps the Draleon National Bank could take advantage of the seasonal nature of fish and commodity trade... I don't have much of an opinion."

Realizing he had spoken too much, he smiled sheepishly. Miss Princess also laughed, her serene smile without showing teeth making a strong impression:

"Mr. Watson, did you study urban management or something similar in the past?"

"Certainly not."

"But you are quite outstanding."

Miss Princess's voice was very soft.

After a short trip, the two got off at a cobblestoned street next to the docks. The lady, seeming very familiar with the area, led Shard into the "Seven Brooms Tavern" with a sign hanging a freshly bleeding pig's head.

Signaling Shard to speak less, Miss Princess, wrapped tightly in her relatively neutral black coat, walked ahead through the rowdy tavern crowded with sailors and idlers to the bar. Tapping the counter with her finger, she threw out a red coin that Shard had never seen before:

"I've brought a new friend."

The bartender, spinning the coin on the countertop and looking at it under the gaslight, pushed the coin back to the woman who spoke:

"Entrance fee, 1 shilling for you. He's a stranger, 5 shillings."

Miss Princess looked back at Shard with a nod, and Shard conscientiously pulled out his wallet, extracting a banknote and placing it on the bar.