DDSWTB 34

Chapter 34

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The employees came into the room one after another, each carrying a box that likely contained shoes. They quickly opened the boxes and lined the shoes across the entire desk.

Most of the shoes weren’t ones you’d see displayed in a store. At first glance, I couldn’t tell what was different about them, but the moment I touched them, the difference was obvious—the material was entirely different. It had a luxurious feel, like it naturally melded with my skin.

“…These shoes are cute.”
I accidentally muttered aloud.

The shoes I called cute were a pair of mature-looking pink gurkhas.

But since they’re pink, they’d probably get dirty really quickly, right? Better to choose shoes where dirt won’t show so easily. Maybe something easier to move around in—like these brown shoes. The color won’t make dirt stand out, and they look good for running.

Ah.
These shoes are cute too.
I picked up a pair of yellow pumps.

But they have heels… they’d probably hurt if I wore them now. Besides, a child’s body grows so fast that they wouldn’t last long anyway.

“I’ve decided. I’ll take these brown shoes.”
I chose them for their practicality—easy to move in and hard to see dirt on.

“Only one pair? There are still so many here.”
Gilbert asked curiously.

It’s better to save money in case something happens. No wasting allowed.

“I see. Then we’ll take all the shoes Tianna picked up. And could you prepare the pink gurkhas for her to wear right now?”

“Certainly.”
With that, the employees began packing the shoes into boxes and placing them in bags.

“One pair is more than enough,” I said, flustered.

“You can never have too many shoes. And besides, didn’t you say these were cute earlier?”
Gilbert said with a smile.

So he noticed.

When I tried to pay, Gilbert stopped me. “I’m your big brother, you know. You can rely on me.” He paid for everything.

“Thank you for buying them for me.”
I hugged the pink shoes tightly as I expressed my gratitude.

“The other pairs will be sent to the duke’s residence, so they’ll be waiting when we return home. Don’t worry.”

“…Yes!”

Tianna put on the pink shoes she had just bought, and they left the store.

“Thank you for your patronage. Please visit again.”
All the employees bowed deeply to see them off.

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They were about to head toward the accessory shop, when along the way, a delicious, savory smell wafted by.

Sniff sniff.

Ah! This smell—meat! It’s coming from that shop over there. Skewers! They look delicious.

“Brother, please wait here for a moment!”

I dashed straight toward the shop to buy some skewers.

“Luxion, go with her.”
“Yes.”

At the stall, I spoke to the shopkeeper.
“Excuse me, three skewers, please.”
“Thanks for your business.”

When he handed them over, I realized they were bigger than I expected. Each one was bigger than my face.
Mmm~ the smell is amazing. I can’t wait to eat.

Suppressing the urge to eat right away, I half-jogged back to Gilbert.

“I’m back!”
“Welcome back, Tianna.”

“Here, this is for you!” I handed one skewer to Gilbert.

“You’re giving one to me? Thank you.”
He crouched down so his eyes met mine and accepted it.

“And this is for you, Luxion! Thanks for getting the bandages for me earlier.”
I held out a skewer to Luxion as well.

“You would give one to me as well?”
“Yep!”

Gilbert gave a small nod, and Luxion accepted it gladly. “Thank you.”

“It’s delicious,” all three of us said at once.

The last time I ate skewers like this was in my previous life, at a festival. They’re so good. I’d love to eat them again sometime.

As I silently enjoyed eating, I thought—ah, but maybe high-ranking nobles shouldn’t eat in such a messy way? In my previous life this was normal, but in this world, forks and knives are the standard. I wonder if this is improper.

I glanced at Gilbert. He was happily eating his skewer.

Seeing a high-ranking noble like Gilbert eating this way… it was kind of funny.

The three of us sat down on some nearby chairs, talking and laughing together as we enjoyed our food.