The Merchant and Tavern Master

The Girls Adventure in Capital

Honestly, I'm still anxious about letting my fiancé go alone with the now 13-year-old girl who is clearly infatuated with him. I hate to admit it, but Amanda is intelligent. She adapts and grows remarkably fast. I expected her to provoke me during our journey when we both sat beside Takahiko, but she didn't say anything. The journey to Vermina was surprisingly peaceful and harmonious. We shared a large room during our stops at rest areas or when we camped outside, and she never intentionally angered me. She has undoubtedly conversed a lot with Takahiko since he decided to be her mentor. I couldn't help but feel a smug smile on her face as she talked closely with him. But is it just my imagination? She didn't appear annoyed even when I deliberately approached Takahiko closely, only to be scolded by him later that he would make time for me alone. This left me without a valid reason to interfere in their conversation. Takahiko has made it clear that he's mentoring her seriously. I know better than to disturb him when he's that focused like some kind of spoiled girl. I certainly don't want to be that girl.

But one thing that lifted my spirits was when Takahiko allowed us to explore the capital. He gave me a substantial amount of money to spend with my friends. Perhaps it's because I'm his fiancée, but I felt proud because he trusted me to lead my girls. I didn't want my friends to feel bored, and since we had a rare chance to go out to the capital together, I made sure they had a good time. Just like Takahiko suggested to me before we started this journey, I made sure to observe how each store in the capital works. I see the incoming guests, the waiters and workers, what they sell, and how they sell, and make guesses on why some stores are filled with customers, and some others don't.

The capital is truly full of learning materials. Guin and Isabelle indulged themselves in delight, tasting every snack and sweet they were permitted to enjoy.

"This is bad, Sofia," Guin suddenly said.

"What? Do you have a stomach ache?" I asked her.

"No... No... All my life I never imagined how I could enjoy all the capital's food and snacks for free! I can't help but indulge myself! I will get fat at this rate!" Oh, I understand that sentiment.

"Takahiko has given us a lot of money, after all. Besides, it's only this time, right?" I reassured her.

"But I feel bad because we have tried many expensive snacks. Is Takahiko's money really enough?" Isabelle was worried and asked me.

"Well, the sum is quite substantial; it may let us survive for a week if we use it sparingly."

"Sofia, is Takahiko really that wealthy?" Guin asked again.

"I can tell you, as a merchant he's quite successful, you know," I gave her explanation, but I never told that his wealth just had risen significantly thanks to the prize he got from the king. That's the secret he shared only with me. I truly felt his seriousness in making me his wife when he shared that secret.

Now that when I think of it calmly, this is something that even Amanda couldn't reach, I'm sure of it. Guin was right, I don't have to worry about Amanda trying to get close to him. I've been in her place before, Takahiko truly see's her as a little sister. In a way, she actually has helped me to handle Takahiko's tendencies to pamper young girls. I already understand, his care towards younger girls is not because he has inappropriate feelings towards them, it stems from his regret of losing his own sister. If he truly has that kind of inappropriate hidden desire, I don't think we may have bonded until this point. My late father would certainly kill him first.

"Wow, then you've really found a great catch, Sofia. Having known each other since childhood, you two truly are soulmates, aren't you?" Guin complimented.

"You think so?" I replied, a smug smile on my face as I sought her confirmation.

"Guin is right. You two really act like a husband and wife. I was reminded of it again when he talked with you and gave you the money and left with Amanda. He looked like a father who just took care of his daughter," Isabelle chimed in.