Chapter 197: Lingeries

A young saleswoman greets me, smiling as she cranes her neck back to meet my eyes. "Welcome, sir, to Catherine's Lingeries shop! What may I help you with?"

She's professional but curious, clearly not used to someone like me walking into a place like this. I glance around and, indeed, I can only see enthusiastic women browsing the wares without a single man in sight. Maybe in this world it's taboo for men to be here? Or the wives just sent their men on some fetch quest so they can shop in peace?

I shrug inwardly. As long as they let me in, I don't care about much else.

"I'm looking for night dresses for my two ladies." I reply casually, scanning the displays. "They should be from good quality silk so that they are comfortable to wear, and are ideally see-through."

The girl's smile widens, turning into a knowing one, after which she nods enthusiastically, already getting a sense of my preferences. "Of course, sir! Please, follow me."

She leads me towards a section where the most delicate pieces are displayed. I sift through the selection, considering both of my girls and what would suit them best, both in form, color, and size.

My eyes scan the array, and it doesn't take long before I pick out something perfect for Blossom. It's a daring crystal-blue number that leaves little to the imagination. The fabric is sheer, with intricate lace outlining the hem, but what really sets it apart is the way it's designed to expose her midriff, thighs, shoulders, and collarbones entirely.

Only the essentials are covered, with two strips of silk crossing her chest and wrapping around her hips. When I say 'covered' I mean they are behind fabric, not that they are not visible, as the entire thing is entirely see-through. It might as well be transparent.

It's sexy and bold beyond reason- exactly what Blossom would love to wear. The open design feels fitting for someone as free-spirited as her, leaving her feeling unrestrained while still teasing a sense of mystery- until I take it off of her form, of course.

For Ayame, I want something that pushes her out of her comfort zone a little, something that will contrast with her rather prudish warrior nature. My gaze lands on a pink nightgown, the shade soft and almost blushing, much like the effect I imagine it'll have on her when she wears it, which she will, even if I have to fight tooth and nail for it. Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

It's delicate, yet the cut is modest in shape, unlike Blossom's revealing one- something that would enhance her natural grace while still making her appear vulnerable, in the best way possible.

I know if I went for a more slutty choice I would never get her to wear them, so I settle for the middle option. Just see-through enough to hint at what's beneath without revealing everything clearly, and it also hides much more skin than my dog-kin's. Shoulders, stomach, and upper thighs are all covered by the fabric.

There's something thrilling about imagining her wearing this, especially knowing she'll be sleeping in my arms tonight, as per the bet she lost. The idea of her, a fierce samurai, dressed in something so dainty and feminine, makes my little brother stir involuntarily.

"These two." I decide, holding them up for the saleswoman.

She'd been following me through the entire time, I'm not sure if out of simple curiosity, thinking I will need assistance, or worried that I would do something illegal. After all, none of their other customers have an employee tailing them.

Well, no matter. I will just think of it as curiosity, which might really be the case, as she watched my every move with sparkling eyes rather than scrutinizing ones.

I guess watching a hulking man with my racially-boosted handsome features shop sexy women's lingerie is a good way to lighten up her mundane work shift.

She looks over them and nods approvingly. "Excellent choices, sir. They'll certainly make the ladies very happy!"

'One of them for sure, but the other one…' I cringe inwardly, already devising strategies to get Ayame to wear it somehow.

I exit the shop and walk back to the inn. However, before I could step inside, I notice a girl huddled forward on the porch with her knuckles resting on her knees and face planted into her hands.

She is sobbing.

I think it's the innkeeper's daughter I sent on a shopping trip for tonight's big feast.

I decide to approach her like the good samaritan that I am. "Is something wrong, young lady?"

She snaps her head and looks up with teary eyes, however when she recognizes me fury overtakes her features. She stands up and punches me in the stomach, as my face is located way too high for her small frame to reach.

I eye her bemusedly. First Aurora, now this girl punches me. Though, Aurora's strike definitely was not intended, while this one most certainly was.

Naturally, I feel no physical discomfort. She's even weaker than my gorgeous alchemist.

I also could've easily dodged her and Aurora's punch, but decided not to bother.

"You…! It's always you!" She shrieks while 'stabbing' my stomach with her index finger as she points at me accusatorily multiple times.

I grab her hand. "Calm down. Let's start at the beginning. What's your name? I'm Quinlan, by the way."

She looks at me with eyes full of hate. I'm really confused as to what I've done. Sure, I sent her on a fetch quest, but I said I would pay a premium as compensation. Instead of being angry, she should be happy to house well-paying customers.

"... Mavena." She replies after a while of trying to free her hand from my grasp with the other one and realizing that I won't release her.

"And, Mavena, pray tell, what's the issue?"

"You! You are the issue. When you first met my mother, you, for whatever reason, made her compare you to my father, and well, I hate to admit it but physically you are ever so slightly better. Probably just due to your age difference." She states dismissively with complete delusion.

Just age? This girl is coping so damn hard.

I'm distinctly superior in all aspects. Physical, intellectual, spiritual, and my personality is amazing to boot.

"Though, that was one thing. You had no real control over the situation. Now, however, you made him dirty his pants somehow! And she is threatening divorce, saying that 'she can do better'!" She screams while her sobbing resumes with more intensity than before.

I don't know whether to laugh or feel bad. It's funny that I made him piss his pants- hopefully it wasn't number two- but, at the same time, I'm a primordial with significantly greater stats than him and have a much more intimidating physique, and I released quite a bit of my killing intent when I threatened him and his family.

I also felt incredibly threatened when I saw the war troll during the time we invaded the goblin nest for example. Though, to be fair, I didn't shame myself.

I don't want to ruin a long-lasting marriage just because I made the man look inadequate.

"Consider yourself and your mother invited to the feast about to begin in my room. I will try to dissuade her from comparing the two of us. I have nothing against your father, so you don't have to worry about me encouraging your parent's divorce."