Chapter 50

In between the noble residential area and the city, there was a vibrant shopping street. It was lined with popular dress shops, jewelry stores, high-end restaurants, and beauty salons, catering to the well-paid staff of the royal palace and the nobility.

The pink diamond that Lukas had once given to Viella was also purchased from a jewelry store in this area.

On this day, Viella and Lukas, having adjusted their schedules to leave work early, entered the intended store while still in their uniforms, holding hands.

Inside the store, there were tables, dining cabinets, and various other wooden furniture pieces. Each piece was beautifully polished, and even a layperson could tell they were of high quality.

The male clerk who greeted them was impeccably dressed in a sharp suit. He immediately lit up upon seeing Lukas.

"Is this Lord Lukas Herring! To have you visit us, what brings you here today!?"

Given that a national hero had come to the store, even a clerk accustomed to serving nobles blushed and could not hide his excitement. He seemed not to notice Viella.

Sensing this, Lukas put his arm around Viella and pulled her closer.

"We're here to discuss the furniture for our new home. It seems my fiancée, Miss Yubert, prefers wooden items over more ornate ones, so I thought I'd bring her here to take a look."

As Lukas directed a sweet gaze at Viella, the male clerk's eyes also turned to her. Confirming that she was firmly held by the hero, the clerk bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for visiting us today. I will do my best to show you items that Miss Yubert will like."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

Viella, her cheeks lightly flushed, bowed her head slightly.

The male clerk's eyes sparkled even more, nodding in understanding as he looked up at Lukas.

"What a lovely fiancée you have."

"Isn't she? That's why I want to spoil her. I want the furniture to be as much to her liking as possible, even more than my own."

As Lukas said this with a model-like smile, the male clerk and other customers in the store, including the nobles, let out admiring sighs.

On the other hand, Viella was struggling not to scream from embarrassment.

(Though I proposed this plan, it's more embarrassing than I imagined! Better than the return from the expedition, better than being seen in a hug, better than having no place to run!)

She was trying hard not to turn bright red. Her plan was simple: to show that they were happily buying items for their new life together, making it clear to everyone that "Lukas and Viella have a very good relationship and are very positive about their marriage." They came in their uniforms to make it clear that they were Lukas and Viella.

As intended, the other customers were paying attention to them. Moreover, Lukas, who usually had a stern and sharp demeanor, had a soft expression.

Later, at work or at evening gatherings, people would talk about how "there's no gap" between them.

(Alright, we've generated enough buzz.)

Viella gently lowered Lukas's hand from her shoulder and instead took his hand.

"I want to see what kind of furniture is available."

"Right. Clerk, we plan to move to a rural estate. Please show us designs that are not too ornate and are more subdued."

"Understood. Please, have a seat here first."

While indicating their intention to move from the capital to the Yubert estate, they were shown some catalogs. The store offered both ready-made items on display and custom orders, where customers could choose the type of wood. Although the prices were high, the nobles generally chose custom orders to maintain a consistent look in their rooms.

Viella's knees almost buckled at the prices, but as the third son of a duke, Lukas considered these important items for his new home. The budget was provided by the Ambrosch family.

The clerk began explaining the custom orders, and Viella decided to listen quietly without interrupting.

"Light caramel and white wood are popular. Do you have a preference?"

"I'm fine with either. Viella?"

"Hmm, if I have to choose, maybe caramel?"

White wood was cute but would show dirt easily. Considering long-term use, something easier to maintain would be better.

"In that case, I will send samples of these to the Ambrosch Duke's residence. Please discuss them at home."

The clerk placed several wooden cubes with rounded corners on the table. There were about eight different shades of caramel, each with a different depth of color and grain. This would be a tough decision.

Impressed by the clerk's thoughtful approach, they then moved on to see the actual furniture. The new home had no furniture at all, so they needed to choose everything, from wardrobes and chests to dining tables and sofas. Each piece was stylish, and it was hard to choose.

"Viella, do you like any of them?"

"They're all so beautiful, I'm worried if I can even use them. Oh, those chest legs are cat feet. So cute... But they might be hard for you to use, Lord Lukas."

"Then we can have one just for you."

The budget was for the items for the new home, and while it should be used for Lukas, she didn't want to use it for herself alone. She couldn't say this in front of the clerk, so she shook her head gently.

"No, let's choose something we can use together. Okay?"

"Do you plan to match everything to me?"

"Of course, I want you to be comfortable. It's the most important thing, so I can't compromise on it."

The new home would be renovated and beautiful, but not as much as the Ambrosch Duke's residence. The town of Yubert was small with few places to go, and in winter, they would spend more time indoors due to the snow. Compared to life in the capital, it would be less convenient.

It was only natural to prioritize the precious groom who was willing to give up all luxuries and come to such a remote area. With this in mind, Viella looked up at Lukas with a determined gaze.

"I feel so blessed to be cherished by you, Viella."

He narrowed his blue-gray eyes and smiled warmly. It was a natural, cute smile, not an act.

Seeing his favorite expression, a bell of joy rang in Viella's heart. If she could see this smile, she could face any challenge.

Then, from a distance, a weak, high-pitched female voice said, "Ah," followed by a clerk's worried, "Are you alright!?"

The handsome hero's smile was too intense for delicate young ladies and matrons. It seemed a few of them had fainted.

The male clerk hurriedly led the other customers and the cheerful Lukas to the back of the store, which was the bed corner. Of course, a bed was essential for life.

"There are two main patterns for newlyweds to choose from: two single beds side by side or one wide bed to share."

"Let's go with one bed that can fit in a regular house."

Despite being so gentlemanly and putting Viella first up to this point, Lukas said this decisively.

"Isn't that good?"

Lukas looked at Viella with a gaze that believed there was no answer other than "Yes."

(Oh, we're getting married, so we'll share a bedroom and sleep together... with this handsome man?)

She couldn't quite imagine it. But this was reality. She had never really thought about the details of married life, and now her heart was racing.

It was different from seeing each other's sleeping faces during camping.

Leaning close to her ear, Lukas whispered in a voice only she could hear.

"Is that okay?"

"..."

It was a pleading, cajoling tone.

Viella knew she was weak for this side of Lukas. But after being hit right where it hurt, she didn't know how to resist.

Three seconds after being whispered to, she said with a serious expression, "Clerk, please send us a catalog of queen-size bed designs for the mansion."