We Arrived at the Duke’s Shop
“Mr. Takumi. Will you ride on Leo this time? Or will you ride in the carriage?”
“Indeed…I think I’ll ride in the carriage this time. And Tilura can ride on Leo.”
It would take us nearly an hour to reach Ractos.
And though it sometimes made me a little nervous, I would ride with Ms. Claire in the carriage.
Tilura was really looking forward to going out to town, and she would probably have more fun if she rode on Leo.
“Leo, you go with Tilura.”
“I can ride on Leo? I can’t wait!”
Leo answered me, and then lay low so that Tilura could climb onto her back.
Tilura smiled broadly as she got on.
Sherry also climbed onto Leo’s back, and sat happily next to Tilura.
“Thank you, Mr. Takumi.”
“No, I’m just glad that Tilura and Sherry are having so much fun.”
Ms. Claire thanked me when I entered the carriage.
But these days, I really enjoyed watching Tilura and Sherry when they were having fun.
Perhaps it was a sign that I was getting old… Even though I was still on the younger side… I think.
“Now, let us depart.”
We sat in the carriage, and then Sebastian took the reins and the horses began to trot.
Like last time, the guards rode on their own horses, and then Leo stood up with Tilura and Sherry on her back.
Once we were through the gate, Leo rushed past the carriage.
“Leo. Don’t run around too much!”
After running ahead, she would return and then circle the carriage or move close to and then away from the guards playfully. And so I called out to Leo.
I was sure that she would be careful so that Tilura and Sherry didn’t fall off, but I also didn’t want them to get tired.
“I see that someone is having fun.”
“Yes. Leo hasn’t been able to run much, as I’ve been busy training. So perhaps this is her way of letting off steam.”
Ms. Claire and I watched them through the window as we talked.
“No, I was talking about you, Mr. Takumi…”
I turned to look at her and saw that she was staring at me.
Did I look like I was having that much fun…?
“Hahaha. Well, it’s always been that way with Leo… But I enjoy watching children like Tilura and Sherry having fun.”
For some reason, Ms. Claire squinted her eyes at me.
But there was no answer, and the carriage continued on its way towards Ractos.
I could occasionally hear Sebastian laughing in the driver’s seat. Both he and Ms. Claire would sometimes act very strangely… What was it?
It was with such questions in my mind that we continued to talk.
“We have arrived. Like last time, the carriage will be dropped off, so you’ll have to wait.”
In the end, we had arrived in Ractos before the question was answered…
Ms. Claire and I got out of the carriage and watched Sebastian and Nicholas take it and the horses away.
So Johanna would stay with Ms. Claire.
Tilura got off of Leo and went over to her sister, while Leo came to me while still carrying Sherry.
“Good girl. Are you happy after all that running?”
Leo sure looked satisfied as I scratched her on the head.
Sherry was also barking happily.
…She sure seemed to enjoy riding on top of Leo… But shouldn’t a fenrir get some more exercise…?
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Now, let’s go to the store.”
Sebastian had returned, and just like last time, he led us through the town of Ractos.
We went down the same main street and then turned into a side street halfway through. After walking a little further, we arrived at the store.
“This is the duke’s store?”
“Yes. One of many, but we will start selling the herbs here.”
Sebastian said as I looked at the building.
Unlike many of the others in this town, it was made of stone and very large.
Not quite as big as the general goods store, but it had two floors, with the first being the area where goods were sold.
Perhaps it was about the size of a supermarket in Japan.
Of course, Leo could not go inside, and so she would have to wait outside with Sherry…and Nicholas.
“Ah, Mr. Sebastian. We were waiting for you. And I see Lady Claire has honored us with her presence. Thank you.”
“This matter is very important for the family, so it’s only natural that I should come.”
With Sebastian in the lead, we entered the store and met the middle-aged man who was waiting for us.
He patted his balding head and greeted Sebastian and Ms. Claire.
“And could this be…?”
“Yes, that is right. However…”
“I understand the situation.”
After talking with Sebastian with a hushed voice, the man approached me and bowed.
“I’m so happy to meet you. His Grace has entrusted me with the keeping of this store. My name is Kalis. And you are Mr. Takumi?”
“Yes, Takumi. Do you know about me then…?”
“Yes. Sebastian told me about you in advance.”
“Mr. Takumi, I have taken the liberty of informing Kalis about you. After all, he will be responsible for selling the herbs. However, I am sure he will be very discreet with that information.”
“I swear on Lady Claire’s name, that I shall not talk to anyone about you, Mr. Takumi.”
So Sebastian had contacted him before our arrival.
Still, the man vowed that he would not talk to anyone else about me.
I suppose they wanted to keep this information secret, as there may be people who would target me because of my ability.
Mr Kalis had to know, because he would be selling them directly.
And since I trusted the family, I would leave it to them when it came to the decision of who to tell.
…Because I doubted I would be able to decide.
“Here are the herbs that are to be sold.”
Sebastian said as he handed over the herbs that he brought from the mansion.