Chapter 8

It had been about 20 days since I met Jin and the others, and we finally arrived at Aile Town.

Twenty days by carriage... It was a long, long journey.

You might think it was easier because we didn't have to walk. Indeed, it was much easier than walking. The carriage ride was definitely more comfortable.

But please remember, Kirihito and I were exiled. It was already approaching autumn when we were exiled, and the mornings and evenings were getting cooler.

From there, it took half a season to get through the Glass Forest, and another 20 days by carriage.

In other words, it was deep into autumn, and winter was just around the corner. And yet...

I only had short-sleeved summer clothes.

We were allowed to take personal belongings when we were exiled. I only had two outfits, and I always wore the holy maiden's robe over them for the battles. I didn't really mind not having many personal items. But that holy maiden's robe was taken from me when I was exiled.

I was the third prince's fiancée, and I wasn't even given proper clothes. I was supposed to be provided with food, clothing, and shelter, so I didn't get a salary, but I wasn't given anything at all. Food, clothing, and shelter.

It was a terrible situation. I absolutely don't want to go back to that country. Two outfits for a girl of marriageable age? Unbelievable.

The old man's peddler goods were mainly food, like fruits. There were no clothes for girls.

So, even in the carriage, it was cold. Kirihito tried to lend me his only jacket, but I refused it desperately. Kirihito didn't have many clothes either, and if he lent me his jacket, he wouldn't have anything to wear!

So, I basically spent most of the time in the carriage on Jin's lap, wrapped up in his jacket. I don't really understand how it came to this, but when I sneezed in front of Jin, he got very worried and wrapped me up in his jacket and held me tightly on his lap. What a humiliation. I could have just borrowed his jacket, but his lap was warm. Cold comes from below, you know. Jin, the muscular lion, has a high body temperature, so it felt good... mmm.

Kirihito tried to carry me, but I felt bad because he's not much bigger than me, and Jin didn't allow it. Why not? "It's not heavy, so it's fine" is not a good reason, Jin.

So, I was eagerly hoping we would arrive at Aile Town soon. I wanted to buy new clothes and a cushion there. Then I could escape from being held on Jin's lap. If I wasn't cold, Jin wouldn't complain.

I'm 25 in my previous life and 15 in this one, making me 40 in total. It's embarrassing!

"Wow, it's a normal town. There are shops!"

We passed through the town gate, which was not very high but surrounded by a wall, and I looked around the town like a tourist. My hands were firmly held by Kirihito and Jin. To prevent me from getting lost, I guess. But it was so much fun that I didn't mind.

"Kirihito, that shop has clothes. I want to go see them!"

"Shina-sama, we should make money first. We need to sell the materials first."

I was reminded by the responsible Kirihito and realized I was wrong. I had plenty of monster materials and herbs but no money. Kirihito had a little cash, which he had saved from his salary. It's good to be practical!

We heard from the guard adventurer that the best place to sell materials was the Adventurer's Guild. There is an Adventurer's Guild, huh? So it's a fantasy world.

"So, Shina-chan, you want clothes? Which ones? Let's go buy them."

Jin lowered his eyes and tried to drag me to the clothing store. Wait, Jin. I don't have money. Let me sell the materials. I want to go to the Adventurer's Guild.

"Don't worry about money, I have it."

"I'll buy my own clothes! And I'll buy Kirihito's too!"

I made it clear to Jin, who seemed to think it was normal to buy my clothes, and I also tried to stop Barry, who was secretly trying to buy Kirihito's clothes. I know you're trying to flirt with Kirihito, Barry.

"Shina-sama, I don't need clothes."

Kirihito was confused, but I didn't give in.

"You need them. I want to dress the cute Kirihito in cute clothes and think he's cute!"

I feel bad for imposing my desires, but I won't give up.

Kirihito's cheeks turned red, and he blushed. The cool beauty blushing is cute. Barry is smirking, which is creepy.

Jin, with his eyebrows furrowed, was staring at me. Even with that face, I'm buying my own clothes. What happened to the adventurer's non-interference? I'm not an adventurer yet, so don't make excuses.

"Since they're offering to buy them for you, why not accept it?"

Barry said this, probably because he was tired of Jin's dejection.

"I have no reason to accept. If I buy clothes and a cushion, I can sit in the carriage by myself! I won't be a burden to Jin anymore."

Kirihito and I were going to ride in the carriage to the fortified city of the Marita Kingdom, where the old man's trading company has a branch. The old man's second son is there. Kirihito will be part of the guard during the carriage ride.

Jin looked shocked. No, how long did you plan to keep me on your lap? I'll buy winter clothes, a cushion, and a cape to be fully prepared for winter!

Jin pulled me close and hugged me. What kind of embarrassing play is this in the middle of the street? Put me down!

"Shina-chan, you sit on my lap in the carriage, right? It's cold, isn't it?"

People passing by are watching us with smiles. No, I'm not a child throwing a tantrum, and Jin isn't a father calming me down. Jin is the one throwing a tantrum!

The argument about sitting on his lap continued until we reached the Adventurer's Guild. Of course, I won.

◇◇◇

We arrived at the Adventurer's Guild!

It was a much larger building than I expected. Aile Town is the largest town in this area, and it has a fairly large guild. In smaller towns, it becomes a branch office of the Aile Town Adventurer's Guild. That's reasonable.

Jin and Barry came with me, but I didn't mind. Jin, who was defeated in the argument, was sulking, but I didn't care. He was even more sulking because I only held hands with Kirihito to avoid being carried, but I didn't care. I can't lose if I care!

By the way, the other group of adventurers we traveled with to Aile Town said goodbye here. They had a new job already. They were crying, saying they wanted to eat more of Shina-chan's food, but I didn't know them.

When Kirihito and I were about to line up at the material buying counter, Barry stopped us and talked to the lady at the counter. Her chest was bouncing on the counter, lady. I'm jealous!

The lady talked to Barry for a bit, then ran to the back of the counter with a lot of energy. Her chest was bouncing. I wish I had that.

After a while, the lady came back and led us to a separate room. Scary. What? I just came to sell materials.

But Jin and Barry were also being led, as if it was normal. Is it okay? Will something strange happen?

I held Kirihito's hand and followed Jin and the others, my heart pounding.

And then, Kirihito and I were in for a big surprise.