Volume 8 Chapter 2 Stall And Spicy Chorizo Pie
On a bright Saturday, the spring sunshine felt really nice.
"What should we do? If I hold Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine, I can't hold Dad..."
I was totally stuck.
Since there would be street stalls at the bamboo shoot digging festival, I had put a little money in my bag.
I was going to dig for bamboo shoots, so I kept the money in a leather waist bag that was attached to my belt.
Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine could fit in the waist bag, but Nel-Nel was a bit of a bigger bunny.
Even though she wasn't heavy, holding her would leave my hands full.
"Fried horse mackerel..."
Nel-Nel looked a bit down.
"Lydia, she can walk. No problem."
"But, but, she's such a cute puppy... It would be terrible if she got snatched while walking."
"She won't get snatched."
I put Eir-Eir on my head, wrapped Ms. Famine around my neck, and held Nel-Nel as I left Lobelia.
Dad was following closely beside me.
"First of all, I'm not a puppy. I'm like this because Lydia wanted me to look like one. I can take any form you wish. For example, a penguin."
"A penguin...! Penguins are cute too, but Dad, you're fine just the way you are..."
"I could grow bigger and let the kids ride on my back."
"That would be cute too, but... oh! Sir Roxas, hello!"
As I was locking the door of Lobelia, I noticed Sir Roxas approaching.
He looked me up and down as I greeted him, frowning slightly.
"Ah. Lydia, are you sure you're okay going into the forest dressed like that?"
"Is Sir Roxas okay dressed like that? You might get dirty..."
I was wearing a black dress for the first time in a while, paired with a white apron for ease of movement. I also had on thick tights to protect my legs from the grass, along with knee-high boots.
I thought I looked perfect for digging!
Sir Roxas looked as perfect as ever, dressed in a fancy jacket, vest, and scarf, like a true nobleman. It was as if he was ready for a ball or something.
"I wore clothes that won't get dirty. But honestly, any of these outfits could handle a little mess. I have plenty of similar ones."
"Rich guy..."
"Lydia, just so you know, I'm Duke Girard. I officially took over the family title from my father recently. I think the real problem is not having enough money."
"That's true, but..."
He didn't look like he was dressed for digging up bamboo shoots. But if Sir Roxas was okay with it, I thought it was fine, so I decided to head to the Biaraba bamboo grove with him.
"By the way, you were talking to some animals, right?"
Walking side by side with Sir Roxas under the bright sunlight. I had a bag for carrying the bamboo shoots in my waist bag, I had money, and I didn't think I forgot anything.
When Sir Roxas asked, I nodded.
"Since Nel-Nel has grown, I've been thinking it's a bit tough to hold her. Eir-Eir fits between my chest, and Ms. Famine either rides on my shoulder or snuggles in there too, but Nel-Nel is too big to do anything but hold."
"Don't put her between your chest. You should cover up a bit more."
"It fits well, though..."
"I feel like we've had this conversation before. Eirnelys can just walk."
"...fried horse mackerel."
"Pumpkin pudding!"
"Tarte Tatin!"
Nel-Nel let out a sad sound, Eir-Eir flapped away and crashed into Sir Roxas's face, while Ms. Famine glared at him with a grumpy look.
Poor Sir Roxas, he really got the cold shoulder. It's not that they hate him, but Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine quickly go to Sir Rail or Sir Ciel, yet they won't even try to sit on Sir Roxas.
"Still as aggressive as ever, you round dumpling..."
"Nel-Nel wants to be held too. Everyone else is getting cuddles, and it's lonely for Nel-Nel to just walk."
"Roxas. I wouldn't mind being carried you, you know. I don't particularly like or dislike you."
"That still hurts, Dad."
Sir Roxas honestly hugged his dad. "But being told you're liked is complicated," he mumbled.
"You must be happy to carry cute me, Roxas. Just be careful not to trip."
"Dad, I'm not a kid. I won't just trip on an empty road."
"Sir Roxas, I can totally picture you tripping on an empty road..."
"...Maybe once every 2 weeks, Lydia."
"That's quite often..."
So he really do trip on empty roads. He looks calm and collected like a Duke, but still.
Anyway, the Bialaba bamboo grove is really close to Fetoru Forest, where you can find lots of mushrooms.
If you go through the alleys of Arsubania and head out to the main street, you'll start to see fewer houses and more fields and pastures.
As you walk along the path next to the fields, you can see a banner that says "Bamboo Shoot Digging Contest," and a delicious smell wafts through the air.
There are stalls lined up, and on the barbecue grill, round pieces of lamb and onion skewers are sizzling away.
You can also find grilled sweetfish on skewers, pastry-wrapped chorizo, strawberry milk, berry tea, and coffee being sold.
"Looks delicious... The food from the stalls looks so good."
I like eating the food I make myself, but I also enjoy eating food made by someone else.
Eir-Eir's eyes are sparkling as she looks at the stall food.
Nel-Nel is also curiously gazing at all the different foods. Ms. Famine is calm, giving off a big sister vibe.
"Is there anything you want to eat, Lydia? I'll buy you anything. I wouldn't mind buying all the dishes."
"Th-That would bother others, so... how about we eat something small before the bamboo shoot digging? Should we get chorizo, grilled rice balls, and round lamb skewers?"
"Got it. Then let's eat first."
Sir Roxas bought food from the stalls.
The stall owners, both uncles and aunties, looked a bit surprised at Sir Roxas, who looked like a noble from any angle.
"But I've gotten pretty used to Lyd-Lyd walking around with someone of high status," they said, laughing.
Mr. Lucian often walks around town, so they don't seem surprised when they see him.
Sir Rail is also active as the Fox Mask, so that's fine too.
But it seems they're a little surprised by Sir Roxas, Sir Stefan, and Sir Ciel.
At first, they were shocked by Elder Brother Chrisrain's flashy appearance, but they got used to it since he casually wandered around the market and hung out in cafes and restaurants.
While chatting about all this, Sir Roxas and I sat down at the prepared table and ate the street food.
Eir-Eir and Nel-Nel, who had chorizo pie, exclaimed, "Pumpkin pudding!" "Fried horse mackerel...!" making sour faces.
It seems it was spicier than they expected since it was made for adults.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)