Tensei Shite Inaka de Slowlife wo Okuritai - Chapter 556

Wuxi meat after a long time

After paying the bill at the magic stone crafting shop, we returned to the carriage empty-handed.

　The purchased items will be delivered to the Misfeed family mansion within the day.

　Of course, it's free. As you'd expect from a high-end store, the service is excellent.

　Since the products are delicate, I'm afraid to carry them around, so this is a big help.

"I'm glad you were able to buy a nice lamp."

"It's all thanks to you two for searching so hard. Thank you."

"you're welcome"

　Thanks to the two of them recommending a variety of lamps, I was able to narrow down my choices and find one that suited my taste.

　If I had been searching alone, I would never have come across that lamp.

　I was also able to buy some nice souvenirs for my family, so I'm very satisfied.

　By the way, I bought some magic stone scraps as souvenirs for Mina, Sara, Thor and the others.

　These are scraps that are generated when processing magic stones, but they are also beautiful.

　It would be fun to make them into pendants or bracelets or something else ourselves.

"What would you like to do next? You could continue looking around at different stores, or you could take a break and have lunch."

　As the carriage moves forward, Loretta asks.

　Quite a bit of time has passed since I stayed at the magic stone crafting shop for a long time.

　It wasn't quite noon yet, but perhaps a little earlier.

"Ra-chan, aren't you tired?"

"Are you okay!"

　I was worried about Ra-chan's physical strength, but she seemed to be in good health.

　Her complexion was good, and she didn't seem to be straining herself.

"Well then, shall we have lunch?"

"Eh? I'm not tired."

　Due to the question from earlier, even though she was still young, Ra-chan seemed to have realised that I was being considerate towards her.

　He pouts his lips and makes a dissatisfied face.

"High-end stores are new and fun, but I'm not used to them. I want to take a break."

　To be honest, I'm just tired.

"Really?"

"Yes. So, how about we go around the food stalls in Chuo Ward next time? I'd like to have lunch while taking a leisurely walk there."

"I want to go! Loretta, okay?"

　I immediately asked Loretta about this, and she told me that she had probably been told to stay away from the Chuo Ward area on a regular basis.

　For a child of Ra-chan's status, it's safest to stay away from places that aren't safe.

"Sure. But please don't leave our side, okay?"

"I know! Thanks, Loretta!"

　If she wasn't in a carriage, she would surely be jumping for joy. That's how happy Ra-chan is.

　Judging from Loretta's appearance, she seems to have some knowledge of martial arts, so I'm with her.

　As long as they don't get separated there won't be any problems.

　So we changed course and headed south down the main road.

　The main streets of the royal capital are wide, but so are the many pedestrians.

　When it's crowded, it can be difficult to move forward with a carriage, but that doesn't happen with our carriage.

"Amazing. The person just walks away."

"Everyone is so kind."

　I think it's more a feeling of awe than kindness.

　After all, our carriage bears the Misfeed family crest.

　The pleasure of using the prestige of the Dukedom to push commoners aside is starting to become a bit addictive.

　I just want to stroll down the main streets of the royal capital in this carriage for no particular reason.

　While I was gazing at the scenery and thinking such silly things, the carriage came to a halt in a square in the Chuo district.

"The carriage can only go as far as this. Let's continue on foot from here."

　Any further in the journey there were too many people, and even if we went by carriage, the pace was the same as if we were walking.

　After hearing Loretta's words, we got off the carriage.

"Shall we head south?"

"Yeah!"

　We asked the driver to wait here and headed south down the main street.

　As we walked further, food stalls began to line both sides of the street.

　It was approaching lunchtime, and spirited voices could be heard all around the place calling out to customers.

　It's still as lively here as ever.

　It may get tiring to come here every day, but coming here occasionally is fresh and fun.

"Ra-chan, is there anything you want to eat?"

"I want to eat that!"

　When I asked, Ra-chan pointed.

　Following further ahead, I saw a man who appeared to be an adventurer eating skewers of meat with great vigor.

"Do you want skewers?"

"Yup! Looks delicious!"

　Maybe it bothered me because it's not a style of food I normally eat.

　It may not be suitable for a Duke's daughter, but Loretta, who is standing behind her, doesn't seem to have any complaints.

"Okay. Let's eat some skewers. There are lots of different kinds of skewers, which ones would you like?"

"Which one do you think tastes better?"

　Although he wants to eat skewered meat, he doesn't seem to have any specific preference, such as chicken or pork.

　As I was wondering what to do, I suddenly saw a familiar looking old man.

　This was the Wuxi meat stall I bought on my first visit to the capital.

"Well, how about some of those wuxi skewers over there?"

"Well then!"

　With Ra-chan's permission, we headed to the Wushi food stall.

"Oh, my boy. You've come again!"

"You remembered."

"Hehe, I'm in the business of dealing with customers after all. I don't forget things that easily."

　I came to this food stall about a year ago.

　Only on the first day she arrived in the capital and when she was with Eric.

　I'm glad he remembered, even though it was only twice.

"Three skewers of wuxi please."

"Okay. Just wait a little while until it's cooked."

　After paying three copper coins, the man will grill the skewers of wuxi on a grill for me.

　Ra-chan looked at that movement with interest.

"You've got a really pretty girl with you today. Is it your girlfriend?"

　That topic is a bit too nerve-wracking to be discussed just to kill time.

　What should I say when Ra-chan asks me what a girlfriend is?

"No."

"What? Is that wrong?"

　Without expanding on the topic any further, I answered nonchalantly and closed the conversation.

　Perhaps the man thought it was a joke, as he just laughed cheerfully and didn't dig any deeper.

　Ok, now I'll just bring up a suitable topic so that Ra-chan doesn't get interested in our conversation――

"Al, who's her?"

　It was too late. The question I was dreading came.

　But fear not, we've got the right person here to tell you just that.

"That's something you should ask Loretta, your instructor, to teach you."

"Yeah!?"

　Loretta, perhaps not expecting to be left to her own devices, let out a shocked voice.

　I know that Loretta is Ra-chan's attendant maid and also serves as her tutor.

　That's something I'd only ask her to do.

　I've been through a lot of hell myself. It's easy to confuse a four-year-old girl.

"Al tell me."

"Huh? Why?"

"You asked Al, right? Al should have told you."

　An unexpected truth from Ra-chan.

　It seems they won't tolerate excuses like, "Because I'm still young, I should ask my instructor, Loretta, who will teach me properly." They want to hear it from me.

"...She is a word that refers to a woman."

"I know. Can you tell me what else it means?"

"There's no other meaning to it."

"Yes! Otherwise that conversation just now would have been weird!"

"Here you go! Wuxi skewers!"

　Ra-chan looked dissatisfied, but just then Wushi's meat was finished cooking.

　What great timing.

"Look, the skewers are done, let's eat."

　After receiving the skewers from the uncle, I handed them to Ra-chan and Loretta and left the food stall.

"It's lunchtime, so the benches are crowded. Let's find an empty spot to eat--"

　Loretta tried to suggest, but I was already eating the skewered wuxi.

　Oh no, I did it.

　Would it have been better for Ra-chan to sit down and eat properly for her own education?　

"delicious!"

　As I was thinking that, Ra-chan next to me imitated me and gobbled down the Wushi meat.

"Lady Lana, it's indecent to eat while standing on the side of the road!"

"But Al and the others are eating standing up too."

"That is, um..."

　If I were to answer yes here, it would be a direct criticism of myself and the other people eating here standing up.

　Apparently even Loretta can't do that.

"Well, today is the day to do that."

"……yes"

　Because it was so crowded, there were no benches available, and while I was looking for one, my wuxi meat got cold. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Sorry about that.

"Oh, this is delicious."

"Right?"

　Loretta took a bite of the skewer with a resigned look on her face, then blurted out her thoughts with wide eyes.

　It's nice when someone else likes something that you like.

　Glancing at Loretta who was munching away, I took my second bite.

　It's juicy and chewy, and when you bite into it, it has a chewy texture and the flavor oozes out.

　It went perfectly with the rich, sweet and spicy sauce.

　Eating wuxi meat for the first time in a while is something special.

"Al, next time I want to try a different skewer dish!"

"Okay, next time let's try seafood!"

"Yeah!"

　Leaving aside strict rules like dining etiquette, Ra-chan and I walked around the food stalls.