My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 64
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 64
The carriage I'm riding in has almost reached the Soli Duchy.
“...What the hell is he wearing now?" That is what Ticef said from the coachman's seat.
I happen to have the window between the coachman's seat and the inside of the carriage open, so his words reach my ears.
"What's going on?"
"Oh, goodness! That scared me. I apologise, my lady. I didn't realise the window was open."
Tisev slowly reins in his horse. The carriage comes to a halt near our destination.
"What's going on?"
"Well… why don't you take a look for yourself?"
Ticef bursts out an awkward laugh and opens the carriage door for me. And at once I can understand what he meant.
"Skyla!"
After waiting near Soli Duchy's front gate, Lancer waves as he runs up to me.
With a smile as bright as the sun, he's shining like a jewel.
No, not figuratively, he's literally glowing.
“...What's wrong with you?" Stepping out of the carriage to greet him, I glanced at him from head to toe.
"Hmm? Why?"
“It… just that….”
I don't know how to explain the embarrassment I'm feeling to him.
Lancer's usually well-dressed. So I assumed that he would look neat today, as he always was.
But he exceeded my expectations.
"...Are you going to an academy graduation?"
I mean, he looks like it.
Lancer is wearing a well-cut suit with a diamond-studded cravat, a glittering badge of the Soli Duchy's insignia, and a gilded pocket watch.
This is hardly the attire of someone going to the market to browse. He looks like he's about to deliver the senior commencement speech at a graduation.
The market is more frequented by commoners than nobles. Nobles already stand out enough when they go there.
So when nobles are at the market, they usually have an escort to avoid being pickpocketed or getting involved in any crimes, and they deliberately dress in shabby clothes to blend in with the commoners.
But Lancer… is just going to walk around with his whole body proclaiming 'I'm a nobleman'.
What am I supposed to do with him….
I stare at Lancer in disbelief with a pained smile.
"I've told the youngest master over and over again, but he keeps insisting that he should look nice since he's going on a date with Princess Skyla…."
Standing behind Lancer, Rachel speaks up. She looks just as perplexed.
It's the same for Phoebe.
'Wow, he's so badly dressed… he looks like the kind of person who's crazy enough to show up at a funeral in colourful clothes alone….'
Damn, that's harsh.
On the other hand, Lancer doesn't seem to be aware of the stiffened reactions of me and the others at all.
"Let's go, Skyla!" Lancer links arms with me and tries to climb into the carriage.
"Wait," I call out, Lancer looks so excited that he might fly at any moment.
Hell no.
If I take him to the market like this, we'll have an accident.
If a thief recognised that he was a noble and approached him to rob him…
I can't have an innocent thief’s life taken!
With minimal humanity, I hold Lancer's arm. "Take it off."
"Huh? Right here and now?"
"You, change your clothes before we go. You shouldn't wear fancy clothes like this when going to the market."
Lancer blinks and stares at me for a moment.
"But Skyla, I'm going on a date with you, so I want to wear something nice…."
"No, we're not going on a date. And even if this was a date, you should dress according to the time and place."
"Time and place?"
"Yeah. You don't go to the prom in your pyjamas, because pyjamas are for sleeping. Right?"
"Right." Lancer nods meekly. I continue to explain, "And when you're going to a crowded place like the market, it's best to wear something comfortable. It's even better if you bring a bag to put your wallet in, just like I did."
I grab the hem of my skirt and twirl to show Lancer what I'm wearing. I had chosen a knee-high skirt to make it easier for me to move in the market. In my hand was a small bag containing my wallet.
"The market in the capital is bigger than you think, so we'll probably be walking around for at least two hours. Why don't you change into something comfortable?"
"...Yes, alright." Surprisingly, Lancer isn't being stubborn and listens to me.
He heads back inside the Soli Duchy with Rachel, saying he will be back as soon as possible.
"You did a good job on sending him away," Ticef says as he leans against the carriage with his hands on his hip. Then, automatically, I hear his thoughts.
‘Usually, when Lord Lancer did something wrong, the lady would scold him. But today she gently explained what was wrong and sent him back.’
Hearing that, I freeze in place.
Was I… normally mean to Lancer?
Climbing into the carriage and waiting for Lancer, I reflect upon Ticef's thoughts.
What had I done when Lancer made a mistake in the past?
I had certainly tried to explain to him what was wrong, but Lancer never understood me.
So there was always a falling out between us, and I would always chase him away because I was busy with a lot of things to do…..
Ah.
Now that I think about it, I can see why Ticef thought that.
There was a lot of work to do as Deputy Duke of Kaerun, so I barely reflected on myself, and time passed by just like that.
So I always pushed Lancer away.
In retrospect, Lancer wasn't completely out of touch. If I took the time to explain it to him, he'd eventually get it.
But I couldn't afford to do that all the time.
It wasn't just a matter of time, I had to deal with work and perform hastily so I could be recognised as the next Duke of Kaerun.
I used to live in a hurry, with those thoughts always in my head, but today was different. All of a sudden, the things I had to do were gone, and I was free.
So instead of blurting out, "Go change!" to Lancer who had just made a wrong fashion choice, I was able to slowly and patiently explain why she needed to change.
…Was it this simple?
This is how simple it is to explain to Lancer, who lacks common sense, how the world works.
As I realise this, a strange feeling of futility mixed with regret begins to settle over me, at the same time, I'm starting to be grateful to the crown prince for taking my work away from me.
While I'm thinking these thoughts, Phoebe calls to me from outside the carriage.
"My lady, Lord Lancer has returned."
This time, Lancer is not dressed in a flashy and high-end suit, but in a white shirt and long trousers. Moreover, he's carrying a padded leather bag over one shoulder, the sort that newspaper boys use.
If it weren't for his cute and compliant impression, he would be mistaken for a commoner.
The same can be said for me, in my blue shirt and red skirt.
"Is this good?"
"Very good." I jerk a thumbs-up at Lancer.
In the past, I would've gone right back to what I was doing instead of praising him like this.
Lancer stares at me, a little surprised at my unusual reaction.
"Let's go now. If we're late, we might not make it back before dinner." I hold out my hand to him in a nonchalant manner.
The corners of Lancer's mouth turn up.
"Yes!"
He grins and takes my hand, and I can't help but smile back at him when his face instantly lit up.
* * *
The capital market was quite large, and the things that couldn't be found here were far fewer than the things that could.
It was no exaggeration to say that everything made in the Empire was supplied to the capital's markets.
I used to come here often to do market research for the Kaerun Duchy's business management.
Of course, I could've had people under me do it to save me the trouble of going out and working, but I like to do things myself.
I think it was because I've been a workaholic since I was a kid. I thought that if I worked hard enough, other people would recognise me. And I really, really worked hard to become the Duke of Kaerun.
Lancer, on the other hand, seems to have never been to the capital market before.
"Wow, there are so many people!" Lancer exclaims as he stands at the entrance to the market. His eyes are shining with curiosity.
So cute.
Seeing Lancer watch people come and go, he looks like a puppy excited to see snow for the first time.
It's a weekend, so the market is quite crowded. "There's a lot of people, let's split up," I suggest Phoebe and Ticef.
Ticef cocks his head. "What? I'm going too?"
"Of course. Or are you going to stay in the carriage?"
"But who will guard the carriage then?"
I point to a large stall at the entrance. Above the stall hung a wooden sign with the words Francesca's Carriage Service.
I walk towards the woman standing in the booth.
The moment she sees me after she finishes explaining to the person in front of her, she automatically recites her sales pitch.
"Welcome, carriage service. How can I help you— Oh my, Lady Skyla!"
"It's been a while, Francesca."
I hold out my hand for a handshake, which she takes with a laugh.
"It's been a really long time. I've actually been quite sad not to see you, Skyla."
"I've been busy."
"Well, nobles are always busy. What can I do for you? Do you want me to arrange for your usual carriage?"
"No, I won't be photographing many things today, but I'd like you to look at the carriage I came in."
I point to the carriage guarded by Lancer and my servants. It's an ordinary carriage this time, without the Duchy's seal.
There's no reason to use the Duchy's official carriage for a simple trip around town on no important matters.
Francesca takes a look at my carriage and the group standing around it before smiling.
"Mister Ticef and Miss Phoebe are still here."
‘Why did Skyla bring another man? Is he her lover?’
"Will thirty francs be enough?" Ignoring her thoughts, I pull out my wallet.
Francesca keeps giggling, I'm not sure what's so funny. "Since it's Skyla, I'll take only twenty francs."
‘Have a nice date.’
"Thanks."
I silently give her thirty francs instead and turn back to Lancer and the others who were waiting for me.
"The people of that booth will look after our carriage. Ticef, drive the carriage to the place where the staff directs you."
"Aha, so that's how it works." Ticef glances at me in respect.
"Then Lancer and I will go into the market first. Phoebe, you move with Ticef. We'll meet at the market entrance in two hours."
Phoebe is puzzled. "Pardon? But, my lady, what if you got in danger…?"
"Danger?"
"What if someone comes at you with a knife? I wouldn't be able to protect you.”
Instead of asking who on earth would go on a stabbing spree in the middle of the city in broad daylight, I pat Lancer on the shoulder.
"Magic is more powerful than the knife."
Lost in the battle of logic, Phoebe is eventually forced to wave goodbye to me and Lancer.