Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu - Chapter 9

Chapter 09: Heart to Heart

Wow ~~~! I inadvertently shouted in joy at the scene in front of me.

There were various multi-coloured vegetables, fruits, meat and fish being sold at the marketplace. There are also shops that looked like they specialised in mushrooms.

Besides ingredients, there were also shops selling bread and stalls selling food. The smell drifting about the place made my stomach grumble.

Although there are an abundance of ingredients, there cooking it like that. Things Ive never seen before were being sold so it was interesting.

There are various breads at the bakery and although there was only a small amount it looked like they also had white bread.

The white bread is small and the price is higher than the other breads. Is it treated as a luxury good?

The marketplace was also called the capitals kitchen. It was vibrant and crowed with people.

The roads in between the shops was big enough to fit eight people lining up but it was filled with people and difficult to walk through.

I walk through the road and was drawn to the interesting items on the shop displays so I look at them.

I was going to collide with the person in front of me.

Thank you.

When I thank the Captain, who was next to me, with a twitchy smile, he smiled sweetly back at me.

Hes still holding my hand as we walk even after we arrived at the marketplace.

The marketplace is crowded so I could get lost while looking at the stores.

Well, I kind of want to escape from reality in various ways.

I dont think Im that inattentive but if I stagger then I feel like Ill bump into the person walking in front of me.

The Captain casually released his hand and brought my shoulders closer to him

Fufufufufu

What kind of torture is this?

I wonder if God is testing the power of my heart.

Would he possibly hold my hands again after we avoid all the people?

Yeah, Im scared of getting used to it.

This repeated for several times.

Im not red anymore and my face may be twitching but I grew to the extent that I was able to thank him with a smile!

I think I tried really hard.

Should I be concentrating on the shops?

If I dont concentrate on the shops then Ill concentrate on other things!

Are you okay?

Ah, yes. Im okay.

Are you hungry?

Yes

It was still a bit early for lunch but we left early so Im a little hungry.

We walked for quite a while so my feet are also a little sore.

The Captain still seemed fine but this is hard for a shut-in like me.

There are food stalls at the marketplace but Im a little worried because the Captain is an aristocrat.

He wont eat something brought from a food stall, right?

Does he feel like entering a nearby coffee shop?

Im a bit hungry.

Then why dont we take a break and buy something from the food stalls?

Huh? The Captains an aristocrat, isnt he?

Im happy but are food stalls fine?

The Captain took me to a place where the wooden boxes were kept near the food stalls.

He asked me if there was anything I wanted to eat and I replied. Then he left me to go to buy food.

Isnt he too accustomed to this?

After waiting for a while, the Captain returned with several skewers and two fruit waters in a cup.

I receive the skewers and fruit water and the Captain sat down next to me.

It seems that youre used to buying things from the food stalls.

Because I used to come here with Johan a long time ago.

Is that so?

To my surprise, the Director and Captain often came to the marketplace when they were younger.

Do the aristocrats of this kingdom come to the marketplace?

When I ask about it in detail, he told me that they came to the marketplace dressed as young rich merchants.

I see.

Ah, come to think of it, how much was the food?

Dont worry about it.

Eh, but Thank you for the meal.

I feel apologetic about something and my words gradually got quieter.

Because the Captains laughing like hes troubled.

Well, itll be fine if I return the favour next time.

The skewers were only seasoned with salt but the salt was good so it was delicious.

There was a good portion of skewers and I ate everything.

I took a sip of the fruit water. It had a gentle fruity smell to it.

I was a bit thirsty so it was also delicious.

It would be good cold but ice is a luxury item in here.

Whats wrong?

I stared at the fruit water while thinking and the Captain made a dubious face.

No, its nothing.

Really? Does it not suit your tastes?

No. I just thought it would taste better if it was cold.

Fumu.

The Captain said and took my fruit water.

Whats he going to do?I thought and watched him. Then the fruit water in the Captains hands started emitting cold air.

Eh? Whatd he do?

He gave the fruit water back to me and I took it. Theres ice in the cup.

I was surprised and the Captain urged me to drink it with his eyes.

I took a sip and thought,ah, yup, its more delicious cold.

I complacently smiled and the Captain also smiled.

Its delicious.

Is that so? Im glad.

What did you do?

Magic.

!!

There are no refrigerators in this world, ice could only be left in the ice room in winter or made with magic.

There arent many people who could produce ice with magic so ice was very precious.

I heard that it could only be made with ice attribute magic, which was superior to water attribute magic, but I didnt think that the Captain could use ice magic.

Since hes called Ice Knight-sama, does that mean that its widely known that he uses ice magic?

Its very delicious. Thank you.

Im glad that it pleased you.

The cold fruit water was very delicious and I quickly drank it all.

After I finished drinking, I thanked the Captain and he smiled.

When you looked at him like this, he didnt look like someone who would be called the Ice Knight-sama.

Hes always smiling and somewhat sparkly.

No, him being sparkly has nothing to do with this.

He wasnt wearing his usual Knight uniform today. Hes wearing normal clothes but his aura was showing. He didnt look like a commoner.

When I saw him this morning, I thought that he looked like a commoner but now that Ive mingled with real commoners, I can see the difference.

Is it because they grew up differently?

The appearance of the fruit water I drank was also very beautiful.

If he dressed up as ayoung rich merchantthen he might be able to deceive people but if he dressed up like a commoner, then theres no way he would be able to deceive them.

Was it because I was carelessly staring at him? Hes titling his head.

I flustered and shook my head. I told him it was nothing before averting my eyes.

Please dont look at me with such gentle eyes.

I really want to run away.

After we finished eating, we left the marketplace and walked along the street while looking at the shops.

The streets were mainly filled with quality items and they were expensive. I was a little hesitant to enter.

So I only looked at the shops but the Captain stopped in front of a certain shop.

Sorry, could we go in here for a bit?

I dont mind.

Weve only been looking at the things I wanted to look at so I didnt mind.

Commoners could also enter the shop that the Captain had stepped into but it was a somewhat luxurious accessory shop.

The inside of the shop was decorated with various accessories for both men and women.

The Captain went to the back of the shop alone and I walked around and looked at the items on sale.

There were hair clips and hair strings lined up near me. The hair strings stored in the boxes have a beautiful seven colour gradation.

I was so busy with work that I didnt have time to cut my hair. Even when I was summoned here, I just let my hair grow out so its quite long now. It was half-way down my back.

Its a little expensive but I want to tie my hair up in this heat. I wonder if I should buy this hair string before going home.

While I was browsing, I found a hair clip that I really liked.

It was an elegant piece made out of silver metal, there are blue gems inlayed in some of the fretwork.

The hairclip looked delicate and was very beautiful but it was also very expensive so I was a bit hesitant to buy it.

If there wasnt any gems then it would probably be cheaper. While I was browsing the Captained returned.

Sorry for making you wait. Did you find anything you like?

No, I didnt.

I liked the hair clip but it was a little bit over my budget and its also bad to make the Captain wait so I gave up on it this time. Ill search for it again next time.

Then shall we go?

Yes.

I follow after the Captain as he left.

I came out a bit later than him but he held my hand again like it was the most natural thing to do.

One way or another, I was able to slowly explore so I had a good time. We find the carriage and return to the royal palace.

Its been awhile since Ive walked and Im mentally exhausted.

The carriage was swaying and before I knew it, I fell asleep.

I could hear someone calling my name and slowly opened my eyes. The carriage had stopped.

I faintly look up at the captain and softly smiled.

Have we arrived?

Ah. You seemed tired and slept really well.

No way, did I use the Captain as a pillow?

I stared at the Captain and his smile grew wider.

Ah, I did it, didnt I?

I used him as a pillow.

I can tell he saw my sleeping face.

I feel like I cant escape from this. I blushed and casted my eyes down and then I heard a puffing sound.

Woooah, I think I received the most damage today.

I groaned and glanced sideways, like this morning the Captain got out of the carriage first.

I couldnt stay in the carriage forever and when I got ready to get off, the Captain lent me his hand.

We walked towards the research institute while talking about the marketplace and my impressions of the shop.

Various things happened today but it was fun.

When we arrived at the research institute, I turned to the Captain and bowed.

Thank you for taking me out today.

No, it was fun.

The Captain was in a really good mood today even though hes called the Ice Knight-sama.

Hes always smiling.

Of course, today as well.

I felt as if I dragged him around quite a bit but not once did he complain.

Hes such a good person.

It was also fun for me. Goodbye.

Ah, Sei, here you go.

When I tried to return to my room, the Captain stopped me and gave me a big box.

Whats this?

I cant tell what it was just by looking at it, so for the time being I received it with both hands.

What is this?

Please use it. Wait until youre back at your room before opening it. Bye.

Eh? Wait, Hawk-sama!

He ignored me when I tried to stop him and left.

It was probably better for me to chase after him but Im tired from today. I dont have the energy.

Cant be helped, Ill open it when I get back to my room.

If theres something wrong with it, then Ill return it to him tomorrow.

I soothe my feelings, return to my room and opened the box.

Inside was the fretwork hairclip that I liked from the shop.