TAPGB - Chapter 21

TAPGB - Chapter 21

The Abandoned Prince's Ghost Bride

"You've waited a long time!"

Just then, an employee appeared, bringing the president with him. The president had a smiling face but was closely examining the two with hawk-like eyes.

"This is a cool t-shirt made with fabric that is great to wear in hot and humid times like these, so it doesn't stick to the skin. It's perfect to wear this T-shirt with knee-length shorts!”

"How about these clothes that are comfortable to wear?"

"Although the design is simple, the stitching from the sleeves to the neckline is meticulous, so it is more solid than other products and has delicate details."

"I think our master will look good in these clothes! You look very smart wearing suspenders!"

The president started business in earnest, speaking softly.

Lucian's eyes were rolling as he changed his clothes several times, but Caesar examined each item meticulously.

After finishing the selection, he pointed to the remaining items excluding the clothes that did not suit Lucian.

"Calculate everything."

Lucian was shocked when he saw the mountain of clothes. 

"There are too many!"

"Sweet, you stay still. Let's go wear that now. Throw away that clump of fluttering sleeves. What are you doing?"

 "I'm not calculating."

The velvet pouch that Caesar threw on the table was full of gold coins. The owner and employees swallowed their saliva when they saw the shiny pockets.

"Now, please wait a moment!"

The two first finished packing Lucian's clothes so that he could wear them and then began packing a lot of clothes.

"Huh..."

"I won't tell you to pay back, so don't talk nonsense. I'm paying with my own money anyway, so Leah won't say anything."

[Oh? You bought it? What's going on? Ohhohoho!]

I think she'll actually like it.

Caesar, who was thinking about Leah, shook his head. 

"Oh, you've waited so long!"

"A total of 24 gold. I will return the rest of the money."

"I have a lot of luggage, so I'll call a carriage and give it a go...?"

The employee was speechless for a moment. This is because Caesar put so many things into subspace in an instant.

Hiccup.

The waiter hiccuped. 

"Okay, let's go now. I have to buy shoes this time. Is there a good shoe store nearby?"

"Sho, shoes? The store right next to us is a shoe store. It's comfortable there and it's beautifully made."

After hearing enough answers, Caesar tried to leave, but the boss caught them.

"Wait a minute! Take this." 

What she gave me was a boy's hat.

"We didn't order this?"

"It's a service. Please be sure to stop by our store next time. At that time, I will repay you with better clothes. So, please be kind to me next time."

Caesar seemed to like the hat so much that he took off the hat Lucian was wearing and put it on.

"Remember that."

Rattle-

"Thank you! Come again next time!”

Two shiny, shiny faces disappeared beyond the door. Lucian followed Caesar straight to the shoe store.

"But I won't be able to go there next time?"

"why?"

"I don't have any money?"

"Ugh..."

"Then only buy it when I come. I'll buy it for you next time."

"Really? You spent a lot of money just a little while ago."

"If you knew how much money I have in my sub-space, you would turn a blind eye."

Lucian, who still didn't know that dragons were obsessed with gold and silver, tilted his head.

So the two went to the shoe store and had a second shopping war.

They ordered a total of five pairs of each type in a similar pattern to the clothing store. The only thing that was disappointing was that he couldn't wear the shoes right away because they were not ready-made shoes and had to be reserved.

"Next time, you will have to come and take it."

"Huh! I can do it alone! I even memorized the route!"

"Okay? Then I'll have to check if you memorized it correctly on the way."

The last thing left on the list was a wooden training sword. They asked people and went into the best weapon shop.

Inside, bulky men were looking around at the weapons. They glanced at the two people entering the store.

'It's a man and the little boy."

"How can you act like a man if you're so dishonest?!"

It certainly looks that way, but why does it give him chills down the back of his neck like this? 

The men instinctively crept away from Caesar.

The owner burst into laughter as the men, who had been talking noisily as if they had rented a place just a moment ago, suddenly quieted down. 

"This is a really big guy! How on earth can one live like that?"

The owner asked cheerfully, but Caesar had a sullen expression on his face. Of course, when other people saw it, it seemed like he had a straight face.

The owner laughed awkwardly.

"Haha...... So what's the matter, Sir?"

"Is there a wooden training sword that this child can use?" 

The owner came forward with his bulky body and was at eye level with Lucian. He touched Lucian's body here and there, visually checking his measurements.

"How old are you?"

"I'm eight years old." 

"You're the same age as Dio. You're a bit small for his age. Is your original body small?"

Thanks to Leah's care, he grew taller and plumper, but he was still small compared to his peers.

"But it looks like you're exercising regularly. Your muscles are gaining strength. Preferred black...! There won't be any. I'll give you something decent. D.I.O!"

"Why!"

At the owner's shout, a raven-haired boy called Dio suddenly appeared. For a moment, Lucian and Dio's eyes met.

"Bring a sword this kid can use."

 "Dad does that." 

" If I ask to bring it, please bring it."

"Humph, you always make me do chores." 

Dio grumbled, went somewhere, and brought back about five wooden swords for training.

They all had similar shapes, but the details were slightly different, and there were subtle differences in color as they were all made of different wood.

"Here."

Lucian awkwardly accepted the sword Dio held out to him.

Lucian had seen Caesar polymorph as a child, but this was his first time seeing a human his age.

Maybe that's why he kept glancing at Dio. Dio, with a sullen expression, felt Lucian's gaze and tilted his head.

"Why? What's on my face?"

"Oh, no. Nothing."

Lucian hastily turned his head. Caesar, who was watching this, narrowed his eyes.

"Lucian, quickly choose, and let's go. It will be done in a little while."

"Okay."

Lucian picked up each of the swords Dio brought with him. It was definitely easier to hold than the sword in the mansion. It could be held up and swung with one hand.

"Brother! It's so light!"

"It seems so."

The owner and Dio watched the two people in inner surprise. 

"Hey, it looks like you're stronger than I thought. Right, Dio?"

"... I know."

In fact, the wooden swords that Lucian is choosing all have iron cores embedded inside them, so most children cannot easily swing them.

Dio was trained while helping out at the weapon shop with his father, allowing him to carry it around with ease, but wielding it without shaking is a bit different.

Dio became curious as he saw the smaller guy swing the sword so easily.

"Which of them do you like best?"

"Hmm... I do not know. I think they're all similar."

All of the swords were light and fit well in Lucian's hand, so he had no idea which one to choose.

When Lucian could not make a decision, Caesar stepped forward. He lightly lifted the sword and swung it, choosing the fourth sword.

"Do this. This one is light and sturdy."

"Oh oh? Sir, you have eyes to see. It's made from Tiori oak, so it's lighter than the others and much more durable. However, the price is a little higher."

"Doesn't care. Pay with this."

"Is there anything else you need? If you're just learning swordsmanship, you probably need protective gear, right?"

Caesar glanced at Lucian and chose expensive leather gloves again.

"Even this."

"You're welcome! It's 2 gold for everything."

Lucian handed over 2 gold. Since Caesar bought all of his clothes and shoes, he still had 1 gold left after buying his wooden sword.

"I have money left, so can I use it to buy something delicious?"

"As you wish."

Lucian's face widened. Lucian recalled the snacks he saw at the market a little while ago.

Before he knew it, Dio appeared holding a packed wooden sword and gloves. Dio looked Lucian up and down and handed him the item.

"... If you need anything, come again."

"Okay. It is only for children under 10 years old, so the sword should be changed when I grow up to a certain extent."

"Please stop by again when the sword starts flying or gets smaller." 

"All right."

Lucian answered bravely, then glanced at Dio and spoke hesitantly.

"...I'll come back later."

Dio wrinkled his nose and turned around. Lucian's shoulders slumped at the cold action, but the owner laughed heartily.

"Boy. I guess he liked you."

"He doesn't hate me?"

"He doesn't hate you. If he really doesn't like you, Dio don't tell you to come again."

Maybe it's because Dio is embarrassed. There aren't many kids around here learning swordsmanship, so come often. 

"It would be better if you come and be friends with my son."

The owner said it was a service and gave them oil used to maintain wooden swords.

This time, instead of putting the item in subspace, Lucian had him carry it directly on his shoulder. This was done because he wouldn't hold it tightly in his arms.

Judging by the bright expression on Lucian's face, he seemed to like it quite a bit. He doesn't know if the reason is the wooden sword or the new friend.

There is more than one strange thing about Lucian.

Although he didn't know much about humans, he could at least know that Lucian was not familiar with human society.

Does it make sense that he's not even a newborn, but he's 8 years old and has never been to the village?

Moreover, looking at his appearance when he was polymorphed into a younger form and when he saw a child named Dio, it was clear that he wanted to become friends.

Looking at things he didn't see when he came here 4-5 years ago, it seems like it hasn't been long since he came to the mansion...

"There's something bothering me about asking where I'm from.'"

Given his personality, I could have asked him a long time ago. But for some reason, he couldn't do the same to Lucian as usual.

Should I say it's like the dew that disappears when something touches it?

"Brother! What do you want to eat, brother?"

"I have no desire to eat, so eat as much as you can."

"If there's anything you want to eat, tell me. I'll buy it all!"

You stick it on someone's nose with just 1 gold.

Caesar grinned and followed Lucian.

***

Leah sat on the steps in front of the mansion's main entrance, waiting for Lucian and Caesar to arrive.

Four hours have passed since the two left.

I knew that nothing would happen because Caesar was there, but it was my first time being away from Lucian for such a long time, so I couldn't help but be worried.

"Why are they so late?"

I regretted that I ordered a lot of things at once for no reason.

"Lee~ah~~~!" 

I jumped up from her seat at the familiar voice. And I hurried and I  got right in front of the fence.

From far below, I saw Lucian holding something in his hands and smiling. Next to him, Caesar had several skewers in his hand. Huh? Stick?

"Leah! Look at this! I bought everything with the money I had left!" 

Lucian showed off what he was holding. It was all food. I was momentarily dumbfounded and looked at Caesar, who was expressionlessly mumbling his skewer.

"I have 1 gold left. They went out of their way to use it all." 

[...How do I buy 1 gold worth of food?]

1 gold isn't that small of a sum. PIus, he bought it really generously. Skewers, bread, candy, jelly, juice, and even fried food.

It didn't look like he was going to eat it all in one day.

"Good job! I spent every penny!"

It was as if he was asking for a compliment. If it had a tail, it would definitely be shaking.

[It's okay if you have to spend all the money. Rather, it's better to leave it behind.]

Lucian paused. I guess he misunderstood that he had to use whatever money I was told to use.

As Lucian's expression darkened, I spoke in a panic.

[Oh, no! Good job! If you store candies and jellies well, you can eat them for several days.]

"Right!"

Lucian regained his energy and entered the mansion, saying he would put down some luggage. I, who was looking at his back with a smiling face, immediately erased my expression and looked back at Caesar.

[What did you do instead of stopping me next to you?]

"If you haven't seen him, don't say anything. He was so excited that he was running around here and there. Even when I told him to stop, he said he wanted to eat it all."

[...]

I was at a loss for words for a moment. Yes, it was Lucian's first time going out, and it must have been full of surprises.

Moreover, there are limits to the dishes I can cook, and there will be some things he can only eat when he goes out.

Every time I went out, I was worried about whether I should give him extra pocket money for snacks.

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