Volume 3 Chapter 39 Whale And Octopus On A Cold Day
I stood in front of a stall selling cute Christmas decorations, looking closely at a wreath made of pine cones, fir tree leaves, red currants, and red ribbons.
I really like cute things. Maybe I love them.
That's why a lot of the plates and cups I use at Lobelia are cute too.
I try to make my life as cute as possible with the things I need. Even my new clothes are more cute than grown-up.
But this might be the first time I'm buying something cute that I don't really need.
"Pine cones don't look that cute when they're just lying around, but when they're made into a wreath, they look adorable. Which color do you like better, red or blue?"
There are blue and red ribbons, and just changing the ribbon color makes the wreath look really different.
The blue ones have glass beads and look more grown-up. The red ones feel warm and cute.
"I should buy both and decorate the outside door and inside too. Let me buy as much as I want, Lydia."
"...I feel like it's wrong to buy whatever I want."
"There's nothing wrong with it. I need to make it up to you."
"...No."
I looked down and let out a small sigh.
My breath came out white. My fingers felt a little cold.
I felt uneasy. I know Sir Stefan is feeling down, but I'm not angry.
I don't want him to make it up to me.
But... how can I tell him that?
I think that no matter what I say, Sir Stefan will just feel worse, and I can't find the words.
"...Lydia, this snow globe. It looks like you."
"...Huh, like me?"
"Yeah. Inside, there's a snow rabbit, a cat, a dog, and an angel. It reminds me of you and your friends. Can I give it to you?"
Sir Stefan held the snow globe with his slightly rough fingers, showing it to me.
Inside the water, there were tiny houses, a snow rabbit, a white cat, a white dog, and a little angel with wings, all sparkling like snow.
"Hehe, it's cute. That's Eir-Eir, Ms. Famine, and my dad."
"Yeah. And you, Lydia."
"...Oh, um, thank you. But I'm not that cute."
"You are cute, Lydia. More than anyone else. My... um, my precious ex-fiancée, Lydia."
"Sir Stefan... um."
"What's wrong?"
I have to say it now.
Sir Stefan is smiling at me right now.
If I don't, he might cry again.
Crying isn't bad, but I want Sir Stefan to feel better.
Things might not go back to how they were, but I hope he can feel a little better.
"I don't need you to make it up to me. I'm really doing well and I'm quite happy. Sir Ciel said he feels happy when he comes to my shop. Mr. Lucian tells funny stories while laughing... Sir Roxas sometimes breaks teacups, and Sir Rail, being a hero, comes in through the window... there are lots of things, but it's fun."
"...I see."
"So, I hope Sir Stefan can be happy like that too, like the day we all had dinner together and stayed up late, laughing and being angry. You don't have to feel guilty. I know you're really kind and care about everyone."
"Lydia... thank you. Can I also come to your restaurant sometimes?"
"Of course! Come anytime. I know you're busy, but if it helps you relax."
"...Can I also try hard to find a place by your side?"
"It's okay, Sir Stefan. If there aren't enough chairs, you can sit on the stool at the counter, and there's a living room upstairs, though it might be a bit cramped."
"Thank you, Lydia."
When Sir Stefan finally smiled, looking relaxed, I felt relieved and smiled back.
"...Brother, Lyd-Lyd, I hate to interrupt this nice moment, but the shop owner is in trouble."
"Lyd-Lyd, elder brother, I'm sorry. Um, I think we should settle the bill soon."
When Lady Emilia and Lady Anna called out to me, I suddenly realized I was holding a snow globe while holding hands with Sir Stefan, staring into his eyes.
What should I do? This is so embarrassing. I'm holding hands with someone who isn't even my boyfriend in public.
Sir Stefan was my ex-fiancé, but he's an ex.
This isn't good.
I need to be careful. Sir Stefan is going to be the king and will marry the right person.
I don't want any weird rumors to start.
Sir Stefan is nice to me, but I shouldn't get too comfortable.
"...Sorry. Shop owner, I want to buy the wreath and the snow globe. Do you think Lydia, Emilia, and Anna want one too?"
"I want one~desuwa, matching with Lyd-Lyd!"
"I want one. I like pretty things."
Sir Stefan gave me a snow globe as a gift.
When I showed it to Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine, they looked at the tiny snowflakes and the little town model inside with curious eyes.
Dad said, "Of course, I'm the cutest," looking satisfied at the dog figure inside.
I held the snow globe with both hands, thanked Sir Stefan, and he smiled a little brighter, squinting his eyes as if it was too bright.
After we finished shopping, we headed to the market.
The market was back to normal, with vegetables and fish everywhere.
Since it's winter, there were lots of root vegetables like daikon radish and carrots, and also cabbage and broccoli.
I looked around, thinking about what to make. The market ladies greeted me, saying, "Lyd-Lyd, it's been a while!" and "Lyd-Lyd, I heard you're a saint now, that's amazing!" They praised me like I was a little kid and gave me lots of candy like usual.
"Oh, Lydia. Long time no see. I thought you wouldn't come to the market anymore since you've become such a big deal."
"Mr. Tsukuyomi! Hello. Aren't you cold...?"
Mr. Tsukuyomi's shop was full of dried goods and lots of octopus.
"Sea men are tough against the cold. Just kidding, I keep a fire stone in my pocket. It's pretty warm."
"I see... You should wear some clothes."
"If I wear clothes, everyone will miss seeing my muscles, right?"
Mr. Tsukuyomi was wearing his usual octopus-patterned kimono, with his chest exposed.
He looked cold, but he said he wasn't because he had a fire stone in his kimono. I think Mr. Tsukuyomi has a pretty impressive build, but it still looks chilly with his chest out.
"How are Hyomon and Whale No. 1? I was wondering if they're okay since the sea is cold."
When I asked, Whale No. 1 popped its head out of the water near the pier by Mr. Tsukuyomi's shop.
Hyomon slowly climbed up from the water onto the pier and came over to us.
"Octopus..."
"Octopus..."
"It's an octopus."
Sir Stefan and the others are meeting Hyomon for the first time.
It's definitely surprising; Hyomon is a huge octopus. I screamed and cried the first time I saw him too.
"Lydia, it's been a while. I'm glad to see you're doing well. Don't worry, I swim in the icy northern sea, so I'm fine... that's what Hyomon says. It's rare to see a girl with you today, Lydia. Shopping?"
Y-yes, I have a girl with me. Um...
"Introducing myself is fine, I'm just a merchant. Want to buy some octopus? Winter octopus is really tasty."
Mr. Tsukuyomi said this as I looked at the nice octopus lined up.
Octopus. I cooked a lot when Sir Roxas asked me for help.
I made hamburgers for Sir Ciel, and octopus dishes for Sir Roxas and Sir Rail. Mr. Lucian got meatballs.
It might be nice to serve the dishes that everyone said were delicious.
Octopus might not be cute, but even if the food isn't cute, if the shop is cute, girls and kids might be happy.
"Wow... I've never seen a man so exposed before."
"This is a whale. I've seen it in books, but this is my first time seeing a real one."
Lady Anna looked at Mr. Tsukuyomi with dreamy eyes.
Then, she nervously poked Hyomon and said, "I touched an octopus for the first time..." sounding really impressed.
Sir Stefan looked a bit worried as he glanced at Lady Anna.
Lady Emilia walked over to Whale No. 1 and reached out to it with interest.
"Hey girls, be careful not to fall into the sea."
"Hey girl...!"
Mr. Tsukuyomi warned, and Lady Anna held her chest.
Sir Stefan looked back and forth between Lady Anna and Mr. Tsukuyomi, then said, "Mr. Tsukuyomi... I feel like I've seen you somewhere before," looking deep in thought.
"Ah... well, that makes sense. I came to this country when Your Highness was still little. I was quite young back then too."
"...Sir Stefan, do you know Mr. Tsukuyomi? ...Mr. Tsukuyomi, do you know Sir Stefan's face? Your Highness, right now..."
"I guess I didn't tell you. I was called a prince in Wakoku country. I became king, but got bored quickly, handed everything over to my brother, and now I'm here. It's not like I'm hiding it, but I don't go around telling everyone either."
"...Mr. Tsukuyomi, the king...?"
"Long ago."
"Mr. Tsukuyomi, who wears octopus-patterned clothes and loves octopus...?"
"Well, it's fine to love octopus. If Your Highness Stefan here loves round sheep, it wouldn't be a big deal, right?"
"Sir Stefan, do you really love round sheep...?"
"Not really. In fact, since I was attacked in the palace, I'm a bit scared of them."
"...Oh, um, I'm sorry about that time."
"I don't mind. It's okay, Lydia. I said something unnecessary, sorry."
I finally got to apologize for what happened in the palace, and I felt a bit relieved.
Still, Mr. Tsukuyomi used to be the king. There are so many different lives people can lead.
I thought I could never quit being a king, but there are all kinds of ways to live.
Sir Stefan quietly muttered, "I'm a little jealous..."
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)