Chapter 22

After the dinner with His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, the next day.

I was on a rare day off, and I had come to the shopping district.

I had come to do some shopping, but in the past, I would have merchants come to the mansion to buy dresses and jewelry.

As a duchess, I could do that, but I had come out to change my mood.

Recently, I had been sitting and chatting with young ladies and other duchesses at tea parties, or walking around in the venue, so I had been indoors all the time.

Even when moving around, I would use a carriage, and I rarely went outside.

That's why I had come to do some shopping...

"Is it okay? To have you accompany me..."

"Yes, no problem."

I never thought I would come to the shopping district with Alan.

He also seemed to be on a day off today, and when I told him I was going to the shopping district, he offered to come with me.

Now we are walking side by side in the shopping district.

Alan, the head of the Bernhard Duke family, is a well-known figure, and he is also good-looking, so I thought he would stand out.

"Is that a magical device?"

"Yes, it has the effect of making my face less recognizable. I stand out, so it's quite useful."

It looks like a simple black-rimmed glasses, but it seems to be a proper magical device.

Despite the many people around, no one is really looking at Alan.

If Alan were at a social event, he would often be admired by many young ladies.

"It looks normal to me?"

"If you're next to me, the effect is somewhat diminished."

So, I can see Alan's face normally.

Even with the glasses, he looks good and handsome.

"Why are you looking at my face so much?"

"Oh, no, I just think you look great with the glasses."

"Is that so? Thank you. If you think this way, does that mean you always think so?"

"…Well, objectively speaking, Alan is great."

"Heh, I see."

Alan smiled slightly, teasingly.

I felt my heart skip a beat at his smile, but Alan is so sly...

"Come on, let's hurry. I have something I want to buy today."

"Ah, I understand. Sophie, take my hand."

"Okay."

I took his hand when he offered it, but this isn't a social event, so there's no need for an escort.

I took his hand reflexively, but I didn't expect him to offer an escort.

It feels like a date... Is it okay?

With a slightly fluttering heart, Alan and I started walking through the shopping district.

Everything I plan to buy today is for Rebecca.

Recently, I haven't had many opportunities to spend a lot of time with Rebecca.

When I talk to her occasionally, it seems she is studying hard.

So, I want to buy something she likes to praise her efforts.

Rebecca loves rabbits and sweet treats.

She also said she enjoys cooking with me, which is very cute and makes me happy.

I can't really keep a rabbit... can I? Maybe I can?

If I ask Alan, he might allow it, but it's probably too soon.

For now, I plan to buy tools to make more sweet treats today.

"Here it is, Alan."

"Ah, I see."

We entered a store that sells cooking utensils and looked at the items on display.

The next thing I want to make with Rebecca is cookies, and I want a cookie cutter in the shape of a rabbit.

"Ah, there it is."

"Hmm, were you looking for this?"

"Yes, there are quite a few varieties."

There are rabbit shapes, as well as other animals like dogs and cats, and also star and heart shapes.

I know Rebecca likes rabbits, but I wonder which other shapes she likes?

I didn't expect there to be so many varieties, so I'm a bit indecisive.

"Which one do you think is best, Alan?"

"All of them would be fine, wouldn't they?"

"…Well, it wouldn't be a problem to buy all of them, but..."

With my allowance for maintaining my dignity, I could buy everything in this store.

But the joy of shopping isn't just about buying everything.

It's also fun to look at the items and make decisions.

And this time, I'm shopping for Rebecca, which makes it even more enjoyable.

But for the cookie cutters, it might be okay to buy all of them. They're not that expensive.

"Then I'll buy all of these."

"No, I'll buy them."

"Ah, but this is my shopping?"

"Shopping for my wife, Sophie, is also my shopping. There's no problem."

"Ah, thank you."

It makes my heart skip a beat when he calls me his wife.

I'll just be honest and let Alan pay.

Even if I pay with my allowance, it ultimately comes from the Duke's family, so it's the same money.

We bought various cookie cutters and left the store, with Alan carrying all the items.

But I still plan to buy more things. I wonder if that's okay?

Just as I was thinking this, the butler, Neo, appeared from somewhere.

"Master Alan, I will carry the items."

"Ah, thank you."

"Yes, please take your time."

Neo bowed and quickly left.

Wait, was Neo following us the whole time? I didn't notice at all.

"Alan, was Neo following us?"

"Yes, and there are also a few knights from the Duke's family around us."

"Ah, really!?"

I looked around, but I couldn't see anyone who looked like a knight.

"The knights are not dressed to stand out, so you wouldn't recognize them, Sophie."

"Is that so... Can you tell where they are, Alan?"

"Yes, for example, the two men in front of that store. They are knights."

"…How can you tell?"

Indeed, there are two men in front of the store, but they don't have any weapons and look like ordinary people.

"Do you recognize the knights' faces?"

"That's part of it, but I can also sense their presence. I've studied swordsmanship and magic, so I can tell to that extent."

"I see..."

Alan is very talented and skilled in both swordsmanship and magic, so he can sense the presence of the knights.

When he glanced at the two men in front of the store, they flinched and quickly moved away.

From their reaction, it seems those two are indeed knights.

Since we are from a Duke's family, we need guards even when we go out.

But this means we can buy as many things as we want and have Neo and the other knights carry them.

"Let's go to the next place, Alan."

"Ah. Sophie, take my hand."

"…Well, this isn't a social event, so you don't need to escort me, right?"

I reflexively took his hand earlier, but I just wanted to confirm.

He might be doing it out of habit from social events.

"Huh? You don't want me to escort you?"

"No, that's not it. I just thought it would be too much to ask of you."

"I'm not being forced. I want to do it."

Alan said this and didn't lower his hand.

"Is that so? Then I'll take you up on your offer."

"Ah, that's fine."

We held hands and walked to the next store.

I told Alan I want to be a "family," but I didn't expect him to be so kind to me as a wife.

But I shouldn't misunderstand; we are just a family.

…While thinking this, I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart and flushed cheeks.