Chapter 22

It's been a while since I've gone out into the city. Today, I'm alone.

Of course, Shriggan is guarding me from a little distance away.

It's not like I'm going to get kidnapped or anything. I'm dressed as a common child laborer, so I don't look like a kid who would be worth kidnapping.

Walking around the city at eleven years old isn't actually dangerous. There are plenty of children in the city, mostly as laborers.

The security is good. There haven't been any kidnappings or child abductions in the city in recent years. It's evidence that the king's reign is going well. Thanks to my older sister's orphanage, the number of homeless children in the city has drastically decreased.

On the other hand, the reality that many children can't go to school and are working is a big challenge that needs to be addressed in the future.

As Cerea says, we need to establish compulsory education and get all children to attend school. It's a policy that will take several decades to implement. There are private schools that wealthy commoners can attend, but the quality of education varies greatly.

The newly opened convenience store is deserted.

There aren't many products, and they're a bit expensive, so there's no one who would go out of their way to buy from such a store.

It doesn't seem to be a threat yet.

...No, it's pointless to come in the middle of the day. The store's selling point is "from early morning to late night." You might not be able to tell how popular it really is unless you come during the early morning or late night when other stores are closed.

The child who seems to be the one who came up with the idea wasn't there.

I thought they would at least come to inspect the opening, but they might be busy.

I go to a bookstore and buy a romance novel, a bit embarrassed.

You see, I'm not very good at reading girls' feelings. I'm aware of that.

To be honest, I want to get closer to Cerea and be affectionate with her. But I don't know how to do it. I can't deny that I'm still a kid. Asking Shriggan wouldn't help. He's not popular at all.

I bought a popular book.

From the synopsis, it's about a common girl who turns out to be a baron's illegitimate child, enters a noble school, and despite being discriminated against and bullied for her commoner background, she bravely lives her school life and captures the heart of an earl's son. It sounds like a story I've heard before.

...Is this kind of thing interesting?

The new fried chicken shop is very popular.

It seems that the child isn't there either. The store is so crowded that they've set up tables and chairs outside, turning it into a small café terrace.

When I order at the counter, they bring it to me. I order fried chicken and fruit juice and wait at a table.

Wow, so sweet!

No, the book!

Flipping through it, there are lots of lines like "I love you..." and "The stars in the night sky are jealous of your beautiful eyes" and "I can only see you..." and "Gently embraced and kissed softly." Wow...

What is this? Is this what people like? Do I have to say these lines to Cerea?

"I'll definitely protect you" or something like that, I want to say, "Stop it!" when I see lines I've said to Cerea before.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

I look up in surprise, and it's the child!

The child is standing there with a small basket containing the chicken and fries and a cup of juice I ordered! With her translucent pink hair, white skin, big blue eyes, and incredibly cute face!

...Well, I was somewhat prepared, but to meet her here.

"...Huh? You're not an employee, are you? You're not wearing a uniform."

I try to play it cool.

"I'm from the store, don't worry. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?"

"You seemed a bit off. Hahaha!"

I must have looked pretty strange, sitting there and reading a romance novel. I need to reflect on that.

However, I don't feel the same sudden attraction to her as I did the last time we met. I don't feel the game's forced attraction. Thank you, goddess. I'm glad I married Cerea.

She sits down at my table, in the chair in front of me, and places her own basket and cup. It seems she intends to eat with me.

"I was just about to have lunch, so I thought I'd join you."

She smiles with an incredibly cute smile. The heroine's power is formidable. She rests her elbows on the table and puts her hands to her face, tilting her head in a coquettish pose and looks at me.

"Ah, that book is the popular romance novel, right? I read it too!"

Ugh, this is embarrassing!

"No, I was just about to start reading it. I haven't even read the first page. I was just flipping through it."

She says dreamily, "I thought it was a beautiful love story with an impossible social gap..."

Her ability to change expressions so quickly is charming, but this much service with a smile is a bit much. I prefer someone more reserved, like Cerea.

"I think nobles are pitiful."

"Why?"

"Because they end up getting married without ever knowing true love. Arranged marriages, political marriages between families, there's no love in that, right?"

That's rude. There are plenty of couples who love each other in arranged marriages. Cerea and I are one of them, so don't generalize.

"Isn't it happier to be married to someone you truly love and build a relationship with?"

"...I think so too."

"Really!? You think so!?"

"Yeah."

"It would be nice if there were more nobles who think that way!"

What is she talking about?

"...I don't know about that."

"Really? You're not much older than me, yet you're reading such an adult book. Maybe you're a good boy from a wealthy family!"

Ah, that's right. It's still rare for a child like me to be able to read and write in this country.

"...You said you read this too."

"Using a dictionary and studying while reading."

"Me too."

"Is that so...?"

Damn, she's sharp. I can't help but think she knows I'm a prince and approached me. Damn it...

"Are you not eating? It's delicious! Our store's pride and joy, fried chicken!"

She says and starts munching cutely. She sips her juice through a straw.

"What's this straw?"

"It's a straw. You drink through it. Don't you know?"

"...I drink normally."

To drink juice, you stick a straw in and suck it up? What's the point of that? You can just drink from the cup.

"Actually, I want to put ice in. It's more delicious when it's cold."

Ice is only available in winter. By the time it's available, no one will want cold drinks. Making ice or using ice magic is not something a common store can afford. It's impossible right now.

As we talk, Shriggan suddenly sits down in an empty seat!

"Sorry to keep you waiting, little brother. Here, your share."

He hands me an open paper bag and a juice, and takes my share for himself.

Ah, right, I need to check for poison.

The child is terrified by the sudden appearance of a very scary-looking man!

I eat the chicken that Shriggan has already bitten into without hesitation.

"Y-You're the, um, older brother?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't think you look alike at all..."

"That's rude, miss. We clearly look like brothers, look, we even have the same face."

Shriggan, don't put your arm around my shoulder. Your face is too close!

"Y-Yes... I'm sorry."

After that, we all continue to eat in silence...

Shriggan's mere presence is incredibly intimidating.

"Thank you for the meal..."

Saying that, the child quickly gets up and goes back to the store.

"Thanks, bro."

"I've never been thanked like that before. More people say eating with me makes the food taste bad."

"Being told that to your face is surprising."

"Of course, anyone who spends time with me will see that I'm a good guy."

...Is that true? Bell seems to understand.

Shriggan has friends who can say such things to him. That's kind of enviable.

"Who was that girl?"

"A girl from the fried chicken shop."

"Wow, little brother, you're popular. Girls come to you even when you're not doing anything."

"That's just a nuisance. I already have a wife."

"What a waste... As a prince, you could have a harem if you wanted."

You know, having a harem isn't really useful.

"If you're going to read, try this one!"

He puts a book in front of me.

"It's about a super strong adventurer who keeps adding women to his party and ends up with a harem. He's very popular."

That's wish fulfillment, Shriggan.

"...I'm surprised you read books..."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Okay, okay. Shriggan, you should be more selective about what you read. Reading that kind of stuff will make Bell dislike you.

Next time: "22. Different Views on Love"