𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟐: 𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐠’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬
At a slower pace than in the morning, we continued south along the river, and while I dozed off, we managed to cross the border.
From here on, it’s the neighboring country of Fumble.
We’re currently in a port town called Azour. Large ships dock at the port, and it’s said to be a bustling city that serves as a haven for merchants from different lands.
“Wow! It’s such a lively town!”
“Yes, this is a bustling town with many merchants coming and going.”
The brick-made town looks like something out of a picture book, adorable and vibrant with colorful flowers blooming.
The public safety is relatively good, and during the daytime, even women and children can walk alone.
However, the good public safety is maintained by driving the poor out to neighboring villages and towns. If you can’t pay the tolls or stay taxes, you’ll be driven out.
The backside of this beautiful town is quite dirty. . .!
“Welcome to Azuor!”
We paid the toll at the city gate and obtained the right to temporarily stay. The bustling town even has cheerful gatekeepers.
We planned to stay at an inn in this city tonight and pass through two more cities in one go starting tomorrow morning.
We got off our horses, holding the reins, and entered among the crowd of people.
“Let’s buy inconspicuous clothes and change before we move on.”
The people of Fumble wear clothes in shades of blue, green, and black. Cid entered a clothing store first and bought a blue dress for me.
Merchants and travelers from foreign lands are wearing their own country’s costumes, but we didn’t want to stand out, so we wanted to blend in as much as possible with the people of Fumble.
“It suits you well. You look like a noble lady of Fumble.”
“That won’t do. I need to look like a commoner.”
“I can’t dress Vi-sama in shabby clothes. Ethan-sama would kill me.”
Cid smiled wryly and casually touched my hair. He also bought a hairpin that goes well with the dress.
When I looked in the mirror, a round, translucent blue stone was gently placed at the knot, giving it a somewhat ephemeral atmosphere.
“Thank you.”
I turned around on the spot, checked my appearance, and thanked Cid. He seemed satisfied, crossing his arms, and didn’t seem to buy clothes for himself.
While I had underwear and innerwear packed in my bag, I only had two sets of clothes, including the spare.
But he doesn’t seem to mind. He can use purification magic, so he doesn’t need to wash them, and two sets are enough.
“Cid, don’t you need to buy anything?”
“No. This robe can be reversed to black when turned inside out.”
A reversible one, of all things!
The robe is dark gray on the outside and black on the inside, a convenient item.
And since he originally wears black clothes underneath the robe, there’s no problem.
Except for the brown leather boots, Cid is dressed all in black. It’s fine because his face has a refreshing look, but if other young men dressed like this, they might not be allowed to pass.
When we left the shop, there was still time before sunset, and there were many people on the main street. There were also many wagons, and the working men pushing the carts passed by with cheerful smiles.
I held my bag and walked next to Cid.
“Vi-sama, what should we do?”
“What?”
He suddenly said it with a serious face, so I became a little wary and furrowed my eyebrows.
I wonder if he got lost on the way. When I look up, he murmurs softly.
“I’m worried because you’re too cute. Every person we pass by seems like an enemy to me.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
This guy. . .!
As someone who is being completely deceived, I want him to stop making my heart skip a beat! What if I have a heart attack?!
Although I’m pretending to be calm, my eyes were swimming uncontrollably.
If it were a social event, I could laugh it off and respond with a polite “Well, thank you,” but why is it that whenever Cid is involved, I always end up responding with an ungraceful retort?
Before I lose my patience, I have to tell him I love him.
This issue is reigniting within me.
“Today, I’m wearing these clothes to conceal myself, but next time, please let me wear a proper dress.”
“A dress? But you have no plans to wear it anywhere anymore, right? You’re now a fallen noblewoman.”
Rather than a dress, I should buy everyday clothes or an apron. Depending on the lifestyle, I might need clothes for farming work. Maybe I should get some gardening gloves too.
As I stare at him in surprise, Cid shows a bright smile.
“It’s obviously for a wedding dress.”
“A wedding?!”
“Of course, I’ll wait until I have Vi-sama’s heart, but if you fall in love with me, I want to get married in an instant. Let’s start making the dress now.”
“So soon!”
What’s with that determination! Are you already thinking about marriage right after confessing?!
I think your decisiveness is admirable, but marriage is a lifelong commitment, so I think you should think about it more!
“I believe it’s better to be quick in everything.”
“The power of the purple spinel is amazing. . .!”
Somehow, I feel like even if I don’t have a blue dress, I’ll manage somehow if I find one. Is this actually a honeymoon trip and not an escape from the country?
Wait, did I just say “I love you”?
Could it be that I said it unconsciously?
Otherwise, it’s strange for the word “marriage” to come up, right?!
As I hold my head, Cid smoothly changes the topic.
“As for today’s plan, let’s first go to the inn. Then we’ll visit the stalls and gather information.”
A sudden change to a serious topic. He said something incredibly serious.
Being played around by him, I weakly lower my head and just reply, “Yes.”
“Well then.”
Cid’s large hand grasped my right hand. When I thought about being able to walk hand in hand, I felt happy and squeezed his hand tightly, causing Cid to momentarily freeze.
“. . .Vi-sama. I was going to take care of your luggage.”
“Oh.”
The leather bag containing my changed clothes. Maybe, just maybe, Cid was trying to take it from my hand. . .
Can I jump into the sea right now?!
I quickly let go of his hand, and Cid turned his face away and chuckled.
I feel so embarrassed I could die.
I frowned and covered my face with both hands, and it was even more shocking that his hands smelled like horses.
“Well, shall we go?”
Cid hung my bag on the saddle of the horse and started walking, holding the reins.
I lightly grasped the hem of his robe and followed him, hiding behind his back. Repeating in my mind that I can’t get separated is just an excuse.
“When we arrive at the inn, should we contact Lord Ethan?”
“Oh, I forgot!”
The makeshift communication set was inside my bag. When I opened the square compact, When I open the compact square, I can have a conversation with my brother using a small amount of magic.
It only connects to Onii-sama, and although I can’t see his figure, I can hear his voice perfectly and have a conversation.
Even with my special condition of being unable to emit magic, I can use this communication set without any problems. When Onii-sama was in Duke Marcus’s territory, we communicated every night using the communication set.
If it were a conventional communication crystal, the other person’s location could be pinpointed, so this is better for me while I’m on the run.
“I wonder if Cid is angry because I didn’t contact him this morning~.”
“Why me?! Ah, but that prediction is probably correct.”
Since Onii-sama wouldn’t speak ill of me, unfortunately, I think Cid will be scolded. Let’s apologize together. It’s mostly my fault after all. . .
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