Before the Departure 2
Somehow managing to persuade Allen and Elena who wanted to quickly return to make steamed buns, we headed to the Fiji Company next, where we told Stefan-san that we are leaving on a trip .
He was feeling down that we were leaving the Capital, but knowing that we are adventurers, Stefan-san had already contacted branches in other towns, so he told us to “Drop by anywhere as you please . ”
Shopping was included, but Stefan-san implied to “Come to Fiji Company, not other stores if I get some novel idea” . Well, if I want something made, I already know the Fiji Company’s disposition, the conditions are also good and they treat us favorably, so I nodded to him, thinking that there was no need to expressly go to another store .
“Before I forget, Stefan-san, I have a frozen sweet called shaved ice, if you—”
“Shaved ice! Frozen sweet!! Takumi-dono, what kind of thing is that!!”
Next, I tried talking about the shaved ice, but the moment Stefan-san heard the name, he opened his eyes wide and urged inquiringly .
I tried to explain, but he didn’t let me .
“This is it . Please, give it a try . ”
“Hooh! So this is shaved ice, I see!”
I wanted to explain in words, but thinking it would be faster if he tried it, I handed the shaved ice I brought with me to him and Stefan-san stared at it fixedly .
“The ice is finely shaved, I see . Additionally, is that boiled fruit on top?”
“… Stefan-san, it’s going to melt, so you better taste it first . ”
“Ohh, that’s right! Well then, here I go . ”
When I urged Stefan-san who was staringly observing to eat, he finally put the shaved ice into his mouth .
“Ohh! This is nice! Takumi-dono, this will sell!”
Stefan-san who ate a mouthful of shaved ice vigorously raised his voice .
“Ah~ the magic tool store’s Grandpa Sol said same, he said he would like you to sell it . ”
“Is that fine!?”
“Err… what might be?”
“I was wondering whether it was fine for me to sell this shaved ice?”
“Ah, yes, I don’t mind . It’s just that I will be leaving the Capital soon, so the decision-making would have to be left completely to you and Grandpa Sol, so——”
“Please leave it to us!”
Again! Why won’t he let me speak until the end!?
I remember having a similar experience before, but… was it Stefan-san before as well? Was it someone else? Well, either one is fine~
“… Then, I will leave it to you . ”
Stefan-san already started planning this and that, so after telling him to talk it through with Grandpa Sol, we left the Fiji Company .
Following that, we went to receive the mortar and mallet we ordered, and also the pearl jewelry at the Jewellers .
Although we have already received the butterfly hair ornament Elena wanted, I thought of dropping by before leaving the Capital . The people from the store would always come to the Ruven mansion, so I have never seen the store myself~
“This is it . ”
“My, my, isn’t it Takumi-sama! Thank you very much for coming!”
“Hello . I have nothing in mind, but may we take a look around?”
“Of course! Please take your time . ”
A familiar merchant greeted us when we entered and guided us to the shelves with goods on display .
“Heeh~ this is quite incredible . ”
“Sparkly~”
“Fuoha~~~”
Beautiful jewelry made with multicolored gems were lined up in great number on the shelves .
Excited expressions formed on the children’s faces when they saw the glittering articles, but their expressions had different meanings .
Allen just seemed to show interest in the sparkling and glittering things, while Elena clearly showed interest in the jewelry itself .
“Onii~chan! So amazing!”
Elena rushed to the lined-up goods and intensely stared at them .
“Ojousama seems to be fond of these . ”
“Yea, they are pretty~!”
Elena showed a whole-faced smile .
“Do you have something kids could wear every day?”
“Let’s see . There will be fewer if you exclude young noble ladies and daughters of wealthy families, but I will prepare them right away . ”
“Sorry, but please do so . ”
The merchant understood what rank of goods I had in mind, so he immediately prepared several articles .
“The price of these is considerably lower, so I believe there won’t be problems with Ojousama’s usual activities . ”
What the merchant showed us were articles that didn’t use gems but were mainly focused on the craftsmanship .
“Heeh~ there’s many designs . ——Elena, how about it? I will buy it for you if there’s something you like . ”
“Really!”
“Yeah . But, only one, okay?”
“Yea!”
Elena earnestly observed the jewelry one at a time .
“How about you, Allen?”
“N~? Don’t need~”
I tried talking to Allen while Elena was deciding, but he seemed to be satisfied just by looking, so he watched Elena choose in silence .
“That so? Then, would you like to have a look at the Weapon’s store next?”
“Weapons~?”
“Right, weapons . Do you have an interest in swords or things like that, Allen?”
“Swords! Want! Like Al-sama’s!”
The two’s appearances are very similar, but their interests have recently been branching off .
Even if they say “I love ice cream”, Allen prefers chocolate while Elena’s favorite is the Ichi-flavored one . Picture books too, Allen loves books about adventure, while Elena apparently likes books in which princesses appear .
That being the case, when I tried asking Allen about swords, his expression immediately changed .
“Like Al-sama’s sword? N~ that kind of sword might be too early for you . But, how about we look for a sword that you can practice with?”
“Yea!”
As expected, it would be dangerous for Allen to wield a long sword meant for adults, so it would be better to look for a short sword with a dull blade .
“Onii~chan, I decided~!”
In the meanwhile, Elena apparently decided on the jewelry .
“You did? Which one?”
“This one~”
What Elena chose was a brooch in the shape of a snow crystal .
“Oh, you chose a cute one . ”
“Ehehe~”
Not only cute . She did not choose a necklace or hair ornament, but a type of accessory she didn’t have yet… as expected of her .
“Then, we will take this one please . ”
“Yes, thank you for your business . ”
Elena wanted to wear the brooch right away, so when I fastened it to her chest, she slowly turned around with a very nice smile .
Her expression that said “How do I look?” was truly adorable .
