Merchant Noble is out (3/3 chapters for today)
Marie and Festival (4)
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“Money. Give us money.” (??)
The men came threateningly. Arc had no idea why such a thought would arise just from bumping into someone, but anyway, they were demanding money.
“It was just a bump. I’ll apologize for that, but money has nothing to do with it.” (Arc)
“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to that woman over there.” (??)
The men ignored Arc, who was standing between them, and threatened Marie. One of them, after eyeing Mary’s body up and down, grinned lewdly.
“Oh, I see. If you don’t have money, you can pay with your body.” (??)
If someone who knew Marie’s true identity had heard that, their head would have been decapitated. Marie had undoubtedly never heard such vulgar words in her life. However, right now, Marie was not a princess but just an ordinary person. With little chance of someone stepping out from the crowd to help, Arc had to resolve the situation on his own.
“I’ve been saying from the start, where’s the need to pay money? It was just a bump.” (Arc)
“Choose between money or your body.” (??)
“Hey, don’t ignore me.” (Arc)
“Shut up, you’ve been noisy since a while ago! You keep quiet!” (??)
Arc spoke to the man who persistently ignored him and kept addressing Marie. This ‘ignoring being ignored’ seemed to infuriate the man. Turning suddenly, he glared at Arc and swung at him. As planned, he directed his attention towards Arc. Now, using this situation to beat them up…
“Oh?” (Arc)
Arc was blown back to where Marie stood behind him. He managed to deflect some of the force, so there wasn’t much pain, but the impact was strong. The opponent might be an adventurer or a gladiator, far stronger than expected. But that wasn’t the only problem. Arc’s body was becoming sluggish.
He should have mastered some self-defense as a merchant, yet he was blown away. The plan to counterattack after taking the hit was a complete failure. Seeing Arc got blown away so easily, the men’s expressions turned to mockery.
“What’s with you, you’re really weak.” (??)
“Well, thank you.” (Arc)
The men decided to deal with Arc first. They approached with grins on their faces. Arc whispered to Marie, who was hiding behind him.
“Marie-sama, if that’s the case, we should run now.” (Arc)
“Run? I was just about to call the guards.” (Marie)
Marie seemed intent on calling for security. If the guards came, at the very least, the men would give up their harassment. If any of the guards recognized Mary as the princess, the situation could be turned around instantly.
Indeed, calling for the guards might be the best option in this situation. However, if it became known that he took the princess to the festival and got into trouble, it would be bad. Very bad in a noble sense. Arc had to avoid that at all costs.
Arc grabbed Marie’s hand.
“No, let’s run.” (Arc)
“Hey, what are you two discussing over there…” (??)
As the men closed in, a metal pot flew through the air. Arc had grabbed a pot of soup that was being sold at a nearby stall and hurled it at them.
“Aaaarghhh!!!!” (??)
The boiling soup hit the men, making them scream in agony. It was undoubtedly very hot, likely causing burns. Arc tossed a gold coin to the stunned female stall owner, who had watched her pot get taken.
“Sorry, Obaa-chan! Please accept this coin! Keep the change.” (Arc)
“Hey! This isn’t enough at all!!” (??)
With the stall owner’s angry shout coming to his senses, Arc pulled Marie along and started running.
“This way, Marie!” (Arc)
“Y-yes!” (Marie)
Not wanting to draw attention by using an honorific in the crowded street, Arc silently apologized in his mind as he called her by name. They dashed through the alley, dodging bystanders’ cheers, and kept running through back streets and across other people’s yards. The men, still shouting, continued to chase them.
” Marie?” (Arc)
“I… I can’t run anymore.” (Marie)
After a while, Marie ran out of stamina and collapsed to the roadside, her face drenched in sweat, her breathing heavy. The men’s angry shouts, which had faded, started to grow louder again as they closed in.
There’s no other choice.
Arc lifted Mary. It was more like he heaved her up rather than gently picking her up, but he started running again. Carrying a person was quite heavy, but Arc was used to lifting heavy loads.
“Arc-sama!? What are you…?” (Marie)
“Piggyback ride.” (Arc)
Marie struggled on Arc’s back.
“I’m heavy! This is embarrassing.” (Marie)
“Stop squirming. You’re making it even heavier.” (Arc)
“Aah! You said I was heavy!” (Marie)
When Arc admitted the truth, Marie complained again. Though she was protesting, her voice had a somewhat happy tone. She seemed embarrassed by the close contact and clung to him awkwardly, which made her feel even heavier. When he pointed this out, Marie fell silent for a moment before clinging tightly to him. A refined, pleasant scent wafted from her hair. Her chest was surprisingly soft and large. However, Arc had no time to enjoy the scent or the feel of her chest at that moment.
They ran through the castle town in all directions. Before long, the men’s voices had faded away. It seemed they had successfully shaken them off. They were out of immediate danger, which was a relief. Before they knew it, they had reached the city walls. Since the festival was being held in the center of the capital, they had run quite a distance.
Surprisingly, there were no soldiers near the city walls. Perhaps they were slacking off and had gone to the festival. Given that nobles from all over the country were in the capital, it would have been preferable for the guards to be more diligent.
Taking advantage of the situation, Arc decided to climb the city walls. As expected, being the walls of the capital, they were tall and solidly built, and the view from the top was undoubtedly splendid. They climbed the stairs attached to the wall. Since the height was slightly greater than a three-story building, falling would result in serious injury. Arc carefully supported Marie with both hands as they ascended.
After reaching the top and sitting down to take a breather on the wall, Arc sighed deeply and looked at Mary, who was trembling.
“What’s wrong? Your face is all red.” (Arc)
As soon as Arc spoke, Marie burst out, her words tumbling out rapidly as if his remark had ignited her.
“Of course it is!! I’ve never been called ‘Marie’ so casually in my life! And I’ve never been given a piggyback ride either!” (Marie)
“Never in your life? What does your father call you?” (Arc)
“Marie-tan!” (Marie)
“Oh, I see.” (Arc)
The serious and strict King calling her that? Not something I want to imagine.
“The soup you threw at those ruffians splashed on me too! Look!” (Marie)
“Oh, it did. Haha.” (Arc)
“What’s so funny! You’ve got some on your face too, Arc-san.” (Marie)
Marie took out a small hand mirror. After running through the alleyways, Arc’s face was a mess of dirt and sweat. Marie’s face was just as bad.
“Oh, you’re right. We look like commoners now. Like a couple of adventurers doing odd jobs.” (Arc)
After Arc’s casual remark, silence took over. Perhaps Marie was offended by the comment that she looked like a commoner. However, Marie was silent because of a different comment that had nothing to do with Arc’s concern.
“Like a couple… Yes, that’s right.” (Marie)
Marie repeated the word with a pleased tone.
“To others, we probably do look like a couple.” (Arc)
A princess sneaking out from a banquet to secretly enjoy a commoners’ festival. Arc thought it felt like a story straight out of a novel, Arc thought. Given Marie’s apparent strong desire for such experiences, he hoped that tonight’s events would become an unforgettable memory for her. Looking at Mary’s face, Arc thought this… irresponsibly.
Suddenly, something exploded right above them. The sound was so loud that Arc thought his heart might stop, but when he looked up, he saw it was fireworks. That explained why there were no guards around.
“Kyah!!” (Marie)
Marie screamed in surprise at the loud noise and clung to Arc. A moment later, she realized it was just fireworks and noticed she was clinging to Arc. Blushing with embarrassment, she met Arc’s eyes.
“Pff.” (Arc)
“Ahahaha.” (Marie)
Arc couldn’t help but burst out laughing, and soon they both laughed heartily. It was just a misunderstanding about the fireworks, but it was enough to make them laugh together. They both seemed to need something to laugh about, filling them with a good feeling.
“What happened? You were so surprised.” (Arc)
Arc teased Marie while holding her. Marie just laughed in his arms without answering. Then, a happy silence enveloped them. Marie was the first to break the silence. She spoke as if it were nothing, but her voice trembled slightly, suggesting it took some courage.
“Hey. Will you hold me?” (Marie)
Arc froze at the unexpected words. At that moment, a second firework exploded above them.
“What happened? You were so surprised.” (Marie)
This time it was Marie’s turn to tease, repeating Arc’s earlier words back to him.
Maybe she was joking, riding the atmosphere. Or perhaps she was using the firework explosion as a cover. Yes, that must be it. After all, Marie was engaged to a high-ranking noble. It wouldn’t be proper for her to invite another man.
Arc tried to rationalize it, recalling Marie’s integrity and dignity, but then he found himself pushed down.
“I want to remember this day forever.” (Marie)
As the moonlight glowed dimly with the smoke from the fireworks, Marie’s two eyes on her dark, backlit face looked down seductively.
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