CH 107

Long Time No See

Even during winter break, a lunar day was still set aside as a holiday.

Sheila was guiding Zechs and Cody to the pharmacy.

The purpose was to introduce Amy and proceed with business negotiations, but it felt fun to stroll through the city for the first time in a while. Her heart naturally danced as her footsteps rattled lightly on the cobblestones. It was probably thanks to the fact that she had more time to spare.

“Zechs, you’re looking much better.”

When Sheila peeked in on Zechs, who had been browsing around the stalls, he grinned.

“Well, you know. I feel better when I wield a sword.”

“Yes, yes. It’s important to have a relaxed mind, isn’t it?”

Zechs’ cheeks twitched this time to Sheila who nodded with a sly face.

“…. I’m aware of the trouble I’ve caused you guys, but it still pisses me off when you look at me like that.”

“Zechs, we were never bothered. We’re just very worried about you.”

Cody smiled modestly and innocently. Sheila and Zechs looked at each other and fell silent.

For what it’s worth, Sheila and Zechs were weak against Cody. In a way, it was amazing that he could make them lose their will to fight with just one gentle smile.

“Shall we stop by somewhere? Come to think of it, Sheila, you said there was something you wanted to buy before, right?”

When Sheila was still unfamiliar with the royal capital, she asked them to show her around. She had missed it at the time, but Cody seemed to have remembered it.

“I already bought what I wanted then. But there are other things I want to buy. I was wondering if there are any second-hand stores in the capital?”

“There is. Let’s go there while we’re at it.”

“Thank you.”

There was still time before the appointment with Amy. Sheila and her friends headed towards the secondhand store.

“By the way, Sheila, what do you want to buy?”

Cody asked as they walked.

“Uh, I’m looking for a sofa. Something comfy, so I can take a nap or something.”

It was an unknown piece of furniture that didn’t exist in Denan Village, but since using it in Felix’s mansion, Sheila had grown quite fond of it. She even had to be chided by the butler, Richard, for lounging around on it too much.

When she was grinning in bliss, Cody tilted his head in surprise.

“Sofa? You’re putting it in the dorm?”

“No, no. My room is too small for that. I want to put one in Claushezade-sensei’s office.”

“Eh. Is it okay to buy something that big without permission?”

“Don’t worry. He’s okay with it.”

In fact, Sheila hadn’t even received a response, but she interpreted it as he didn’t care what she did.

Cody, who honestly believed Sheila’s statement, clenched his fist.

“If it’s something that Claushezade-sensei will use, you have to choose it seriously. I’ll help you as best as I can.”

“…. You don’t have to exaggerate it.”

“It’s not an exaggeration! Clauschezade-sensei, who is very busy every day, needs a top-quality sofa so that he can forget about work even for a moment and relax. What should I do, I feel bad about buying a second-hand one… Should I have one custom-made by a craftsman…?”

They arrived at the second-hand store while leaving Cody, who was developing the story in a completely different direction. Sheila entered the dimly lit store with Zechs, who was also unable to keep up with his friend’s enthusiasm.

When stepping inside the store, she smelled a distinctive scent. It seemed that no matter how neatly the items lined up in the store were cleaned, they still had a faint trace of the previous owner’s lifestyle.

A pillow, with its faint scent of lavender, might have been used by a woman. An aged lamp was soaked in oil. A deep, dark brown chair placed casually on the floor gave off an old-fashioned impression.

The elderly shopkeeper was sitting in the back of the store with a pipe in his mouth, reading a book. He must be an educated man if he could read.

Expensive books were almost a luxury item for commoners.

Looking around the store with great interest, Sheila arrived at a corner where sofas were lined up.

“Wow, there are a lot of them.”

“Large pieces of furniture often end up in second-hand stores. It’s easier to dispose of when you move than throwing it away.”

Zechs picked up on the small exclamation.

Anything that was no longer needed must be taken to a disposal site designated by the country. If people were living on the outskirts of the capital, it was easier to sell the furniture to second-hand stores, even if it didn’t amount to much.

“What did you do with the furniture in the village where you lived?”

“Everything was carefully used until it fell apart. Anything that broke was burned while we say ‘Thank you for all you’ve done.’”

“I see. I guess they’re not interested in the latest fashion and luxury goods.”

Sheila responded to Zechs’ thoughtful muttering with a wry smile.

“The girls are very interested in makeup and fashion. I don’t think they’re any different from people in the royal capital. But even if they’re interested, they can’t go out and buy it.”

Even if they tried, by the time it was introduced to Denan village, the trend in the capital would have already gone out of fashion. That’s why girls of her age think it’s enough to be as fashionable as possible.

‘I remember when I was in the village, my friends used to tell me to take care of my appearance.’

When Sheila was in the village, a caring female friend of hers said, ‘Stop hunting all the time and polish yourself up a little. Or there will be no one to take you as a bride.’

Since it became a reality, Sheila didn’t find it as funny now.

She decided to choose a sofa again while feeling a little complex in her heart. There were some glossy leather ones, but they were expensive. They were out of reach with the money Sheila had saved up.

“But it’ll be difficult to place something that obviously has been used in there….”

Sheila had never confirmed it, but Claushezade was probably an aristocrat. She wasn’t sure she could buy something that would catch his eye, but she would at least want to choose something that didn’t look unsightly.

The three of them split up and looked around carefully.

They eliminated the ones with noticeable scratches, those that were discolored, and those that were badly shagged.

Only a few items remained. From among them, Sheila chose a two-seat sofa. The deep green color would surely suit the Clauschezade.

The affordability of the price convinced Zechs, and Cody, who had been fixated on the luxury items, eventually nodded his head.

After arranging to have it delivered to the academy, Sheila and the others left the store. They then headed straight for the pharmacy.

In the midst of all that, Zechs hadn’t made a fuss about wanting to go to a familiar diner for once. Perhaps it was because he had a business meeting waiting for him down the road. Or did Sheila’s advice, which she had given him while shoveling the snow, come in handy?

They deviated from the main street into a dimly lit alleyway and came upon an old building heavily infested with ivy.

Her friends seemed to be put off by the eerie appearance, but Sheila, who had gotten used to it, stepped into the store without hesitation. Cody and Zechs followed her with caution.

Although the exterior of the store was frightening, the interior was quite normal. Sheila and the others were greeted by the faint scent of dried medicinal herbs and the scene of the room being warmed by the fireplace.

“Hello, it’s a little early, but is it okay?”There were no customers in the store, and a beautiful woman with a slender waist was smiling at them from the counter.

“Hello. Welcome, Sheila, and friends. We don’t have any customers at the moment, so please make yourself at home. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

Zechs was admiring Amy for a moment, but as soon as he heard Amy’s low voice, his face turned pale.

“Man…?”

Amy raised his beautifully shaped eyebrows when he heard a grunt of surprise.

“Oh my, what a rude reaction. I heard you’re the son of the Gallant family, but I don’t think you’d make a good business partner.”

“Geugh, I apologize.”

It was natural to be surprised if they met for the first time, but Zechs, who immediately apologized, was indeed the son of a merchant family. Amy was also in a better mood.

After introducing themselves to each other, Amy withdrew to the back to prepare tea. Sheila led them to a table by the window.

Zechs, who had been looking around the restaurant with his eyes shining with curiosity, smiled at Amy when he reappeared.

“It’s a cozy and very nice place. The manager is also very beautiful.”

“Oh my, thank you for the compliment.”

“It would be even better if you didn’t open your mouth.”

“Oh, my. I can have you banned for being such a rude boy, you know.”

“Please don’t call me boy.”

Cody was on the edge of his seat, watching the two begin their frank exchange, but he did nothing to stop them. He was an outsider to the discussion that was about to take place, so he was probably refraining from making any unnecessary comments.

A cup of steaming herbal tea was placed in front of everyone.

Amy came to face them and the business meeting began.