Merchant Noble is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Marie and Festival (3)
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“Would you like to sneak out with me?” (Arc)
“Even if you suddenly say something like that…” (Marie)
Marie hesitated at the sudden proposal. This was completely understandable. For Marie, who had been raised as a ‘good girl’, any permitted form of rebellion was limited to complaining. The idea of sneaking out to join a commoner’s festival would likely never have crossed her mind as a member of the royal family.
Arc continued to persuade her.
“Even though you’re royalty, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the festival.” (Arc)
“If I’m missing, it would cause a commotion.” (Marie)
“Everyone is engrossed in the banquet, so it should be fine.” (Arc)
“Are you saying that no one would notice if I were gone?” (Marie)
Marie puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction at Arc’s words. She seemed to have high self-esteem, responding immediately to the suggestion that no one would care if she disappeared. This was quite surprising.
“It’s not quite like that…” (Arc)
Arc called out into the dark night.
“Yuna! Yuna!” (Arc)
“…Here.” (Yuna)
A shadow leaped up from outside the balcony and landed next to Arc.
“Yuna, you heard our conversation, didn’t you? Please bring two sets of simple clothes that will blend in with the festival crowd.” (Marie)
“…” (Yuna)
Since both Arc and Marie were currently dressed in elegant attire for the banquet, they needed clothes that would make them fit in with the commoners’ festival. However, Yuna did not move. She stared at Arc as if she had something to say.
“What’s wrong? Hurry up.” (Arc)
“…I will report this to Minerva-sama.”
“Yuna.” (Arc)
Arc was exasperated.
Why did Yuna have to report this to Minerva?
It was as if Arc was doing something wrong. Indeed, if Minerva knew that they were going out to the festival, there was no telling what she might do. However, Arc wasn’t doing anything wrong. It wasn’t a crime, nor was it a moral transgression like an affair. Nevertheless, Arc felt unfairly accused and found it hard to accept that he would be reported to Minerva for something so minor.
“You are my subordinate, not Minerva’s. Therefore, you have no need to report unnecessary things to her.” (Arc)
“…Minerva-sama will be sad again.” (Yuna)
“It’s not like I’m having an affair. This should be forgivable, shouldn’t it? Or is it that if you have a younger sister, you can’t go to a festival?” (Minerva)
On the surface, Arc had the upper hand. Logically, he had no fault.
“…I will bring the clothes.” (Yuna)
Yuna finally relented and, albeit reluctantly, nodded.
The town festival was even more lively than the pre-festival. Many stalls that hadn’t been open the previous day were now set up, and the crowd was even denser than before.
“Wow. Amazing… it’s amazing.” (Marie)
Marie, who had likely never been in such a crowd due to security reasons, was wide-eyed and excitedly looking around at the stalls. However, it would be troublesome if she got lost in the crowd. Arc extended his hand.
“Uhm.” (Arc)
“Eh.” (Marie)
Marie was surprised by the suddenly extended hand. It seemed she had never been pulled along by someone before.
“We don’t want to get separated.” (Arc)
“Oh, yes! We mustn’t get separated!” (Marie)
Marie hesitantly took Arc’s hand. It was warm and a bit soft, like a child’s hand. While Arc enjoyed holding her small hand for a moment, she bashfully said,
“It’s the first time I’ve held hands with a man… I’m sorry! My hands are all sweaty.” (Arc)
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” (Arc)
They continued to browse the stalls, visiting accessory shops, food stalls, and places with performances. Yet, there were so many stalls that they couldn’t possibly see them all.
“I’m usually served by attendants or maids, so I’ve never had the experience of buying things myself.” (Marie)
“With so many shops lined up, it’s hard to decide where to go.” (Arc)
“Can we check out that shop?” (Marie)
Marie seemed to be getting more and more into the experience, eagerly looking around. It must have been a series of new experiences for her. Marie, having found something she liked, tugged Arc’s hand and led him into a store. It was a shop selling inexpensive accessories. She picked up a red ribbon from the shelf, which looked a bit childish.
“This ribbon is so cute!” (Marie)
“Do you like this kind of design, Princess Marie?” (Arc)
It seemed a bit childish, but seeing Marie’s beaming smile, it did seem to suit her.
“Let me buy it as a souvenir.” (Arc)
“No, that’s too much. I should pay for it.” (Marie)
Marie said this and placed her hand on her body, but realized she didn’t have any money. It was expected that a princess wouldn’t carry a purse.
“I’ll pay.” (Arc)
Arc spoke to the shopkeeper, paid for the ribbon, and when he left the store, he found Marie waiting outside with a dejected look.
“I’m sorry. In the end, you had to pay for it.” (Marie)
“It’s fine. Are you happy with this ribbon?” (Arc)
“Yes! Thank you so much. I’ll treasure it.” (Marie)
Marie accepted the ribbon with a genuinely happy expression, and Arc walked on, listening to her cheerful humming. However, Arc was suddenly jolted by Marie’s small scream.
“Eek!” (Marie)
He turned around to find Marie had collided with a man. She must have been distracted by adjusting the ribbon in her hair and wasn’t looking where she was going. It was her fault, but the man she collided with had a bothersome demeanor, resembling a disgruntled customer from Arc’s days as a merchant. As expected, the man began to hassle them.
“Hey, that hurt. What are you doing bumping into me?” (??)
“I-I’m sorry.” (Marie)
“Sorry. The road was narrow.” (Arc)
Ark stepped in front of Marie, who was apologizing in a frightened manner, and intervened. But this only complicated things further.
“This isn’t something that can be settled with just an apology. It’s about money, you know.” (??)
“Hey, hand over some compensation.” (??)
The man and three other people he was with joined him and demanded money.
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