Chapter 21

The streets of medieval Europe are very enjoyable to look at.

During my single days, overseas travel was my hobby.

Since getting married, I've thought from time to time that I'd like to go again, but my passport has expired, and before I knew it, I had forgotten such dreams and was caught up in daily life... and then I got sick.

I wasn't originally the type to stay cooped up at home, so it's really nice to be able to go out like this.

I got off a carriage that wasn't very noticeable, and started walking through the town in slightly simpler clothes than usual.

I was told there was no need to hide, so I didn't particularly cover my eyes, but Rias was closer than usual.

I held Eidan's hand, and Rias held my waist.

—My waist.

It's true that doing this leaves one hand free, but I'm not used to walking like this, so I'm a bit at a loss.

Since the party, Rias has become completely accustomed to touching me.

I don't know if it's good or bad.

It was cute when he used to blush just from holding hands.

Now he just casually sticks to me.

A nursemaid is following behind in case Eidan runs off, and apparently a few knights are hiding and following us, but I can't see them.

"This street is lined with shops, right?"

We walked down the street that Rias guided us to.

As befits the capital, there are many people, but the streets are wide and paved.

After looking around toy stores, stationery stores, and children's clothing stores, it was already noon.

Especially at the toy store, Eidan was very excited and made a big fuss, saying he wanted this and that.

"Mine, Eidan's!"

Seeing him try so hard to make them his own, I really wanted to record it on video.

"Then, everything that child is holding—"

"Rias, Eidan is just playing right now."

Some of the items in the manor are similar.

"Then, from here to here—"

"Rias"

Is he bad at shopping?

It's not as simple as buying in bulk. Even if you have money and space, there might be no reason not to buy, but...

Rias isn't always like this. He buys what he needs when he needs it, and he doesn't seem to waste money.

Maybe he just doesn't know what to buy.

"I think it's better to treat one thing you like carefully rather than play with many things and throw them away."

"That's a wonderful educational policy, madam!"

The shop assistant also flattered Rias, who then turned to Eidan.

"Eidan, I'll buy you one. Choose one."

"One?"

"Yes, one."

Rias held up one finger, and Eidan, with a big smile, ran off holding a toy.

Rias and I looked at each other, wondering if he had a specific toy in mind, but he came back with a toy case. He threw about five of the toys he had been playing with into it.

Then, despite the case being full and the lid not closing, he pushed it forward, looking satisfied.

"Mine!"

"Oh... Eidan!!"

To be told to choose one and then to consolidate them into one...

Is this child a genius or something?

As I was lost for words in amazement, Rias began to explain in his usual solemn tone.

"Eidan, listen. This is not one. Let's count. One, two, — ah, Eidan—"

"No! Take it, take it!"

"Not taking. Just counting."

"Take it! Dad, bad! Take it!"

"Oh, Eidan!"

Eidan glared at Rias, who was trying to count the toys, and hugged them.

Toys that he couldn't hold were sticking out from under his small back. His round back was even rounder.

"Ugh... so cute."

I couldn't help but mutter.

Fortunately, it seems no one but the nursemaid heard.

"Eidan. I said one, right?"

"Dad said one! One, got it!"

"That's not one. Eidan, even if you gather many things together, it's not one."

"Dad, no! Go away!"

Oh, no, Eidan. That's the wallet.

I watched with a smile, but as Rias tried to persuade him and Eidan tried to protect his toys, they couldn't come to an agreement.

To prevent our outing from ending in disappointment, I decided to mediate.

"Eidan, if you keep pouting like that, Dad will be sad."

"No!"

"How about if Eidan asks nicely?"

"......"

Eidan stared at the toys, then at Rias.

After a moment, he squeezed the toys between his little legs to free his hands.

Eidan put his hands together and tilted his head.

"Dad, please, buy it!"

Guh...

Too cute. I couldn't help but feel my heart ache.

Rias, who I glanced at, had wide eyes and was covering his mouth.

"Rias?"

"Huh..."

Rias was laughing.

"Was it funny?"

"Like... a dog's trick."

Ah, that's something I taught him.

Is it bad for a duke's son to ask so easily? Is it wrong to teach him tricks?

"Isn't it Cynthia? When did you teach him this?"

"Maybe... naturally... imitating me..."

As I tried to dodge, Rias looked at me thoughtfully. With a soft expression, he touched my hair, took a strand, and gently stroked it back as usual.

"If you ask like that, anyone would do as you say."

—Huh? Why are we talking about my request?

"What do you think?"

Rias's smile turned into a wry one.

"Let's call it a win for Eidan's strategy today. Shall we buy them? What do you think?"

"Isn't that fine? It's not that many, and he worked hard to think of it."

A hand was placed on Eidan's head, and he looked up at Rias with his big, round eyes.

Generally, if you say "please," you get what you want, so his eyes were full of hope.

"I'll buy you a big one. I heard your cute request."

"Mine, Eidan's?"

"Yes, yours."

Eidan let out a cheer.

It seemed that Rias's stock had risen sharply today.

"Do you have any preferences for lunch?"

We had somehow ended up in a food district.

"Can we go into any place?"

"Yes, this area is relatively affluent."

Indeed, it seemed that both nobles and commoners were entering the shops.

"I'd like to walk around a bit."

"Aren't you tired?"

"I'm fine. Eidan seems fine too."

Eidan's energy was still high.

As we walked down the street, we saw many delicious-looking shops.

"Rias... they all look delicious, and I can't decide."

The food at the manor is also delicious, but the joy of dining out is in a league of its own.

"I didn't think you would like such places. I should have brought you earlier."

Pasta, seafood, steak... and a variety of international cuisines lined the street. The occasional scent of spices made my stomach growl.

"Let's come again."

I was happy that Rias said this.

I had no idea which shop to choose, and I didn't expect to find one today. After all, there are countless restaurants in the capital.

It was just my own satisfaction.

When I thought about visiting occasionally,

A little girl was playing with toys in front of a shop. She seemed to be the shop's child, and occasionally greeted customers with "Welcome!"

"Oh, there's a cute greeter."

"That's a stew specialty shop. It has a good reputation and many noble repeat customers."

"Have you been there before?"

"No, I heard from a subordinate."

Of course. He doesn't go out to eat. I don't know about lunch, but he's usually busy and doesn't leave the palace.

—Could he have researched this specifically for today?

"Is something wrong?"

"Did you, by any chance, research all the restaurants in the city?"

"No."

Of course not.

But then...

"Out of caution, I researched all the shops in the capital. So if you have any preferences, I can probably accommodate them to some extent."

"All...!?"

"Since security in the capital is part of my job, I already knew many of the shops."

Still...

I felt bad that Rias had taken on extra work just because I said I wanted to go to the city. I didn't say it lightly, but... knowing that he would do his best to protect me, I was only grateful.

"Thank you for researching so much and making this such a fun outing."

"Y-You're welcome. It's my duty."

Being thanked seemed to be unexpected.

He was more capable than I thought. Rias.

After raising three children and with plenty of help, Cynthia has a lot of leeway.

In reality, things don't work out this way at all.