Chapter 78 : Departure
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“───── With that being said, from tomorrow on… Erm… The round trip is going to take ten days and I’m planning on staying at Laserna for two days so, in total, I’m going to be away for twelve days. But I already prepped some meals and stored them in the refrigerator.”
“Okay. Thank you. Have a safe trip out there.”
“Yes!”
I was sitting side by side with Malik-san on the sofa, talking about our plan for tomorrow. I already made a lot of food and stored them in the refrigerator just like last time so I think everything will be alright.
When I informed Malik-san about all of that, he gently stroked my head in return. I liked being stroked by Malik-san because it made me feel safe.
“But still, the client for this request… You see… Ren’s husbands… Not only are their appearances top-notch, Fel’s and Chris’s social position is also pretty high. I’m pretty sure there will be more people like her in the future. Despite that, are you sure you’re going to be alright, Ren?”
While still stroking my head, Malik-san asked me in a gentle voice.
“…. To be honest, I do feel anxious. I do think the fact that everyone is choosing me as their fiancé is amazing itself but… Every day, the three of them always tell me their feelings without fail and I believe in them! Of course, I’m sure there will be times when I feel anxious but when that time comes, I will go and try to solve it with the three of them. If everything fails then I will come to Malik-san to complain about them!”
That’s right… This time it’s Sig-san but Chris-san and Fer-san are both very famous so surely the same case will happen to them. Maybe I’m going to feel anxious every time that happens but I still choose to believe in them. I mean, when someone always says you’re 「adorable」「beautiful」and that they「like」you, you can’t help but believe in their feelings. If all of that ends up being a lie, I think I’m going to lose my faith in humanity altogether.
“I see. I guess I was right to choose those three and introduce them to you. You can always come and complain about them to me. I will listen to you and thoroughly discipline them for you, alright?”
“Fufu~ I’m really grateful to you, Malik-san. But it’d be terrible if Malik-san has to discipline them yourself so I pray that time won’t ever come.”
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing when I saw Malik-san say that with a serious look on his face. If it hadn’t been for Malik-san, I wouldn’t have met with the three of them. I really couldn’t thank him enough.
But still… It had only been two months since I first met Malik-san and yet, he felt more like a parent to me compared to my real biological mother… I had completely forgotten about it but now I wonder, how was she doing with my absence over there? Well… I couldn’t check it myself either so there was nothing I could do about it anyway…
“But still, isn’t it a little too early for me to marry you off…? Those guys are moving way too fast. Who would’ve thought you’d ended up getting engaged as soon as you returned from Calhea?! I really didn’t expect to receive that kind of news this early in the game.”
With creased eyebrows, Malik-san grumbled. To be honest, I was surprised too.
“I do agree they’re a little bit fast with things but… Can I come to visit you often after I’m married…?”
Even after I got married and moved out from here, I still wanted to meet with Malik-san and come here often. I wonder if Malik-san would be alright with it? The distance between our houses was pretty close, about twenty minutes by foot. I wonder if Malik-san would feel annoyed if I came too often?
“Isn’t it obvious? Even if you’ve moved out of this house, you’re still my son. Well… Of course, I’ll feel lonely too. I’ll be sure to show my face in your new house too so be prepared, alright?”
Malik-san said, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yes! I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Malik-san had been living by himself all this time so I was sure he’d be doing just fine without me but I still wanted to come and check on him from time to time.
Fufu~ I can’t wait.
We then continued our talk until we fell asleep.
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“Be careful so you won’t get hurt!”
“I’ll be going!”
A little after 06.00, Malik-san saw me off in front of the house with a smile on his face. Francesca-san’s mansion was located across the street from their rental house so this time I’d be the one to come to their house and pick them up.
“I need to pull myself together… I hope we can reach Laserna without any incident.”
But I feel a little afraid now because saying things like that might raise a bad flag instead.
“Morning, Ren! You’re already up and going pretty early today.”
“Ah, good morning. I’m going to leave Pedrel today for an escort quest.”
As I walked past the market, an old lady I was acquainted with greeted me. She was getting ready to open her store.
“Haah… I can’t believe you’re really an adventurer… Even though you’re still so young…”
“Geez… How many times do I have to tell you that I’m already 21 years old…”
Even now, this old lady still never believed I was already 21 years old. She always treated me like a child and worried about me.
“Well, I guess you’d be fine since you have three strong husbands with you. They’re coming with you, right?”
“Yes. I’m on my way to their place now…. Or rather, they’re not my husbands yet.”
“Haha~ They’re going to be your husband soon, right? I always see you holding hands with one of them every time you’re going shopping. It’s good to see you guys have such a close relationship. Here, take this!”
The three of them often accompanied me when I went shopping so almost every attendant in this market was well aware that they were my fiancés. Because of that, the people here liked to tease me by calling me madam or referring to them as my husband. I couldn’t say anything to refute it since physically speaking, I was fit to be called a ‘wife’ and so were the three of them as my ‘husband’….
But! We were still in our engagement stage so I still tried to refute the old lady’s teasing banter. Although she only laughed it off nonchalantly while giving me two pieces of fruit that looked like peach but tasted like strawberry.
“Huh? Is it alright if I take this?”
“Yes, it’s a gift for you. I had already decided I’d be giving this as a freebie to my first customer for today. You can have them as a snack during your quest.”
“Whoa… Thank you so much! Well then, I’ll get going now!”
“Be careful out there!~”
I liked this fruit so I gratefully accepted the gift and put them in my magic bag. Though I ended up talking for too long with this old lady so I had to bid my farewell to her now. I was a little worried I’d be late so I picked up the pace and ran toward my fiancés’ house with the old lady’s last greeting trailing me from behind.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting!”
“Ah, Ren-kun. Good morning. You’re always here early so I was getting a little worried… Did you run here? Your hair is…”
“Ah, thank you. I’m sorry, I was talking with someone I met in the market so…”
I was five minutes late when I arrived at their house. Fer-san was getting worried about me since I usually always arrived earlier than our promised time. Seeing as my hair was a little disheveled, Fer-san gently brushed my hair and fixed it for me.
After I returned the greeting, Fer-san brought me for a hug and kissed me on the cheek. I lightly kissed him back in return.
“Morning, Ren. Ren, you’re pretty popular, huh?”
“Good morning. I’m not popular in any sense at all. They’re just curious about me since I’m an otherworlder. Sig-san, please lean down and look to the side… Mwah.”
Because I’m a rare character. I think they will probably treat me like this forever?
“Hm… We were curious about you too at first.”
“But that’s not all there to is, right? Fufu~ Good morning. Come on, me too~ Mwah… Okay, shall we go now?”
“Yes, Chris-san.”
I kissed Sig-san and Chris-san cheek as I did with Fer-san. I was able to reach the other two’s cheeks on my own but I had to ask Sig-san to lean down to kiss him because I couldn’t reach him no matter how I tip-toed on my toes.
I wish I could be 15cm taller… Well now, we don’t have much time left to talk. We need to go soon.
“Today is Viktor’s turn to ride with you.”
“Yes. Viktor, it’s been a while since I last saw you. We didn’t get many chances to ride together. Please treat me well, okay?”
This time as well, we’d be riding on these three magical horses for our round trip. Fer-san’s favourite horse, Viktor, his fur was so beautiful today. His white fur looked so shiny as it reflected the sunlight. If you talked to him while stroking his mane, he’d come and rub his cheeks against you. He was so adorable.
“Let’s go. I will lift you up.”
As always, I couldn’t reach Viktor’s saddle on my own so I had to have Fer-san carry me in his arm and lift me up. Fer-san got on behind me and after making sure I was properly secured, he nudged Viktor to start walking.
It was still early in the morning and there weren’t many people walking on the streets at this time of the day so it was safe for us to ride these magical horses through the city. Well actually, as long as you didn’t let your horse run wild in the city, it’d be alright to ride it but all four of us often walked side by side with our horses in tow. We had never ridden our horses in the city before so it felt a little strange to be riding them like this.
“Everyone!”
“Ah, Mel-san. Good morning!”
“Yeah, morning. I’ll be in your care for today.”
“Yes.”
We gave our greetings toward the guards who had been waiting for us in front of Francesca-san’s residence. There were four carriages standing by near the gate but I didn’t see any sign of Francesca-san in either of them. I guess we weren’t late yet.
Among the carriages, there was one smaller but beautifully decorated carriage. I wonder if Francesca-san would be sitting in that carriage? That carriage was really standing out compared to other carriages though. It was obvious to see someone important would be sitting in there. I wonder whether it’d be alright for Francesca-san to be exposing herself like that?
“I will be helping you down, okay?”
“Yes please.”
Fer-san helped me get down from Viktor as we waited for Francesca-san.
“Sigurd-sama! Good morning! I look forward to working with you today.”
“Yeah.”
“You really are a shy one, aren’t you, Sigurd-sama?~”
“……….. Haaa…..”
Before long, Francesca-san emerged from the residence but as always, she only had eyes for Sig-san. On the other side, Sig-san only gave her a curt reply and didn’t even bother looking her way.
To think she’d be able to view Sig-san’s cold attitude as being shy… I really admired her mental fortitude.
Looking at Francesca-san’s relentlessness, Sig-san only sighed heavily in return.
“Madam, this way…”
“Haa… Sigurd-sama, will you allow me to ride with you on your magical horse today?”
“Only Ren gets to ride with me. Just hurry up and get to your carriage.”
“Wha-?! …….. I will take the carriage. Hurry it up!”
When the butler was about to help her to her carriage, Francesca-san didn’t even spare the butler a glance and immediately asked Sig-san if she could ride with him. Which reminded me… The day before yesterday, she said she wanted to ride the horse together with Sig-san…
Francesca-san seemed at a loss for words when Sig-san said he’d only let me ride with him. While trembling in anger, she glared at me maliciously. She then scolded the maids before she went into the carriage designated for her.
Seeing our client was already getting into her carriage, Fer-san helped me again to sit on Viktor.
“Well then, let’s go!”
「「「Have a safe trip!」」」
At Mel-san’s sign, we all began to move.
Apparently, this move was not a permanent one. Francesca-san was only visiting her husband, who had been working in Laserna for a business. Some of the employees would remain in the mansion while Francesca-san was away. The remaining employees saw us off as we began our journey to Laserna.
Chapter 78 : Departure
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“───── With that being said, from tomorrow on… Erm… The round trip is going to take ten days and I’m planning on staying at Laserna for two days so, in total, I’m going to be away for twelve days. But I already prepped some meals and stored them in the refrigerator.”
“Okay. Thank you. Have a safe trip out there.”
“Yes!”
I was sitting side by side with Malik-san on the sofa, talking about our plan for tomorrow. I already made a lot of food and stored them in the refrigerator just like last time so I think everything will be alright.
When I informed Malik-san about all of that, he gently stroked my head in return. I liked being stroked by Malik-san because it made me feel safe.
“But still, the client for this request… You see… Ren’s husbands… Not only are their appearances top-notch, Fel’s and Chris’s social position is also pretty high. I’m pretty sure there will be more people like her in the future. Despite that, are you sure you’re going to be alright, Ren?”
While still stroking my head, Malik-san asked me in a gentle voice.
“…. To be honest, I do feel anxious. I do think the fact that everyone is choosing me as their fiancé is amazing itself but… Every day, the three of them always tell me their feelings without fail and I believe in them! Of course, I’m sure there will be times when I feel anxious but when that time comes, I will go and try to solve it with the three of them. If everything fails then I will come to Malik-san to complain about them!”
That’s right… This time it’s Sig-san but Chris-san and Fer-san are both very famous so surely the same case will happen to them. Maybe I’m going to feel anxious every time that happens but I still choose to believe in them. I mean, when someone always says you’re 「adorable」「beautiful」and that they「like」you, you can’t help but believe in their feelings. If all of that ends up being a lie, I think I’m going to lose my faith in humanity altogether.
“I see. I guess I was right to choose those three and introduce them to you. You can always come and complain about them to me. I will listen to you and thoroughly discipline them for you, alright?”
“Fufu~ I’m really grateful to you, Malik-san. But it’d be terrible if Malik-san has to discipline them yourself so I pray that time won’t ever come.”
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing when I saw Malik-san say that with a serious look on his face. If it hadn’t been for Malik-san, I wouldn’t have met with the three of them. I really couldn’t thank him enough.
But still… It had only been two months since I first met Malik-san and yet, he felt more like a parent to me compared to my real biological mother… I had completely forgotten about it but now I wonder, how was she doing with my absence over there? Well… I couldn’t check it myself either so there was nothing I could do about it anyway…
“But still, isn’t it a little too early for me to marry you off…? Those guys are moving way too fast. Who would’ve thought you’d ended up getting engaged as soon as you returned from Calhea?! I really didn’t expect to receive that kind of news this early in the game.”
With creased eyebrows, Malik-san grumbled. To be honest, I was surprised too.
“I do agree they’re a little bit fast with things but… Can I come to visit you often after I’m married…?”
Even after I got married and moved out from here, I still wanted to meet with Malik-san and come here often. I wonder if Malik-san would be alright with it? The distance between our houses was pretty close, about twenty minutes by foot. I wonder if Malik-san would feel annoyed if I came too often?
“Isn’t it obvious? Even if you’ve moved out of this house, you’re still my son. Well… Of course, I’ll feel lonely too. I’ll be sure to show my face in your new house too so be prepared, alright?”
Malik-san said, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yes! I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Malik-san had been living by himself all this time so I was sure he’d be doing just fine without me but I still wanted to come and check on him from time to time.
Fufu~ I can’t wait.
We then continued our talk until we fell asleep.
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“Be careful so you won’t get hurt!”
“I’ll be going!”
A little after 06.00, Malik-san saw me off in front of the house with a smile on his face. Francesca-san’s mansion was located across the street from their rental house so this time I’d be the one to come to their house and pick them up.
“I need to pull myself together… I hope we can reach Laserna without any incident.”
But I feel a little afraid now because saying things like that might raise a bad flag instead.
“Morning, Ren! You’re already up and going pretty early today.”
“Ah, good morning. I’m going to leave Pedrel today for an escort quest.”
As I walked past the market, an old lady I was acquainted with greeted me. She was getting ready to open her store.
“Haah… I can’t believe you’re really an adventurer… Even though you’re still so young…”
“Geez… How many times do I have to tell you that I’m already 21 years old…”
Even now, this old lady still never believed I was already 21 years old. She always treated me like a child and worried about me.
“Well, I guess you’d be fine since you have three strong husbands with you. They’re coming with you, right?”
“Yes. I’m on my way to their place now…. Or rather, they’re not my husbands yet.”
“Haha~ They’re going to be your husband soon, right? I always see you holding hands with one of them every time you’re going shopping. It’s good to see you guys have such a close relationship. Here, take this!”
The three of them often accompanied me when I went shopping so almost every attendant in this market was well aware that they were my fiancés. Because of that, the people here liked to tease me by calling me madam or referring to them as my husband. I couldn’t say anything to refute it since physically speaking, I was fit to be called a ‘wife’ and so were the three of them as my ‘husband’….
But! We were still in our engagement stage so I still tried to refute the old lady’s teasing banter. Although she only laughed it off nonchalantly while giving me two pieces of fruit that looked like peach but tasted like strawberry.
“Huh? Is it alright if I take this?”
“Yes, it’s a gift for you. I had already decided I’d be giving this as a freebie to my first customer for today. You can have them as a snack during your quest.”
“Whoa… Thank you so much! Well then, I’ll get going now!”
“Be careful out there!~”
I liked this fruit so I gratefully accepted the gift and put them in my magic bag. Though I ended up talking for too long with this old lady so I had to bid my farewell to her now. I was a little worried I’d be late so I picked up the pace and ran toward my fiancés’ house with the old lady’s last greeting trailing me from behind.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting!”
“Ah, Ren-kun. Good morning. You’re always here early so I was getting a little worried… Did you run here? Your hair is…”
“Ah, thank you. I’m sorry, I was talking with someone I met in the market so…”
I was five minutes late when I arrived at their house. Fer-san was getting worried about me since I usually always arrived earlier than our promised time. Seeing as my hair was a little disheveled, Fer-san gently brushed my hair and fixed it for me.
After I returned the greeting, Fer-san brought me for a hug and kissed me on the cheek. I lightly kissed him back in return.
“Morning, Ren. Ren, you’re pretty popular, huh?”
“Good morning. I’m not popular in any sense at all. They’re just curious about me since I’m an otherworlder. Sig-san, please lean down and look to the side… Mwah.”
Because I’m a rare character. I think they will probably treat me like this forever?
“Hm… We were curious about you too at first.”
“But that’s not all there to is, right? Fufu~ Good morning. Come on, me too~ Mwah… Okay, shall we go now?”
“Yes, Chris-san.”
I kissed Sig-san and Chris-san cheek as I did with Fer-san. I was able to reach the other two’s cheeks on my own but I had to ask Sig-san to lean down to kiss him because I couldn’t reach him no matter how I tip-toed on my toes.
I wish I could be 15cm taller… Well now, we don’t have much time left to talk. We need to go soon.
“Today is Viktor’s turn to ride with you.”
“Yes. Viktor, it’s been a while since I last saw you. We didn’t get many chances to ride together. Please treat me well, okay?”
This time as well, we’d be riding on these three magical horses for our round trip. Fer-san’s favourite horse, Viktor, his fur was so beautiful today. His white fur looked so shiny as it reflected the sunlight. If you talked to him while stroking his mane, he’d come and rub his cheeks against you. He was so adorable.
“Let’s go. I will lift you up.”
As always, I couldn’t reach Viktor’s saddle on my own so I had to have Fer-san carry me in his arm and lift me up. Fer-san got on behind me and after making sure I was properly secured, he nudged Viktor to start walking.
It was still early in the morning and there weren’t many people walking on the streets at this time of the day so it was safe for us to ride these magical horses through the city. Well actually, as long as you didn’t let your horse run wild in the city, it’d be alright to ride it but all four of us often walked side by side with our horses in tow. We had never ridden our horses in the city before so it felt a little strange to be riding them like this.
“Everyone!”
“Ah, Mel-san. Good morning!”
“Yeah, morning. I’ll be in your care for today.”
“Yes.”
We gave our greetings toward the guards who had been waiting for us in front of Francesca-san’s residence. There were four carriages standing by near the gate but I didn’t see any sign of Francesca-san in either of them. I guess we weren’t late yet.
Among the carriages, there was one smaller but beautifully decorated carriage. I wonder if Francesca-san would be sitting in that carriage? That carriage was really standing out compared to other carriages though. It was obvious to see someone important would be sitting in there. I wonder whether it’d be alright for Francesca-san to be exposing herself like that?
“I will be helping you down, okay?”
“Yes please.”
Fer-san helped me get down from Viktor as we waited for Francesca-san.
“Sigurd-sama! Good morning! I look forward to working with you today.”
“Yeah.”
“You really are a shy one, aren’t you, Sigurd-sama?~”
“……….. Haaa…..”
Before long, Francesca-san emerged from the residence but as always, she only had eyes for Sig-san. On the other side, Sig-san only gave her a curt reply and didn’t even bother looking her way.
To think she’d be able to view Sig-san’s cold attitude as being shy… I really admired her mental fortitude.
Looking at Francesca-san’s relentlessness, Sig-san only sighed heavily in return.
“Madam, this way…”
“Haa… Sigurd-sama, will you allow me to ride with you on your magical horse today?”
“Only Ren gets to ride with me. Just hurry up and get to your carriage.”
“Wha-?! …….. I will take the carriage. Hurry it up!”
When the butler was about to help her to her carriage, Francesca-san didn’t even spare the butler a glance and immediately asked Sig-san if she could ride with him. Which reminded me… The day before yesterday, she said she wanted to ride the horse together with Sig-san…
Francesca-san seemed at a loss for words when Sig-san said he’d only let me ride with him. While trembling in anger, she glared at me maliciously. She then scolded the maids before she went into the carriage designated for her.
Seeing our client was already getting into her carriage, Fer-san helped me again to sit on Viktor.
“Well then, let’s go!”
「「「Have a safe trip!」」」
At Mel-san’s sign, we all began to move.
Apparently, this move was not a permanent one. Francesca-san was only visiting her husband, who had been working in Laserna for a business. Some of the employees would remain in the mansion while Francesca-san was away. The remaining employees saw us off as we began our journey to Laserna.
