My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 68
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 68
I'm annoyed that the owner is trying to fool an innocent customer, but I don't want to bother with this any longer.
Instead, I examine the other items on display.
A gemstone bracelet made of processed amethyst catches my eye. The price tag reads 500 francs.
I'm reminded of when I parted ways with Phoebe, who secretly wanted a couple's bracelet with me.
I'm sorry for splitting us up, Phoebe.
When I suggested that Lancer and I go into the market first, she was horrified. But it was a decision I had to make, as a group of four would be hard to navigate the crowded market together.
I decided to buy her a bracelet as an apology.
I gesture towards the boss. "I'd like two of these, please."
"On it!"
I pick out a few more expensive items, and the boss seems instantly pleased.
In addition to that, I chose a small gift for Ticef.
When I ask the owner to recommend a gift for a coachman, he suggests a brooch made of a red gemstone called carnelian.
"Carnelian has the power to inspire courage and vigour."
"Hmm."
It's fitting for Ticef, who works hard to drive my carriage around. Of course, I don't believe that such an ordinary gemstone with no magic can have any power, but as the recipient, it's nice to hear an explanation like that.
After a while, more customers enter the shop.
After paying the shopkeeper, I go outside to wait for Lancer so that the shop won't become more crowded. Luckily, Lancer is fine and paid the bill on his own. I'm so proud of him.
The shop assistant rushes over to Lancer as he walks out. "Excuse me, sir, isn't it heavy? I can deliver it to your home if you pay a shipping fee...."
"It's not heavy at all." Lancer lifts the cloth-wrapped gift with one swift motion. He must have done that with his magic.
"I hope Rachel likes it,” Lancer says, his voice full of excitement when he steps out of the store and finds me.
"I'm sure she'll like it."
I give him my sign of approval. It's not just because the gift he bought is expensive, but Rachel would be impressed that Lancer knows what she likes and picks it out for her.
Almost two hours have passed. Lancer and I head back to the main entrance of the market to find Phoebe and Ticef waiting for us. Arriving earlier than us, they already retrieved the carriage.
"Did you have a good time?" Phoebe politely asks Lancer and I.
Needless to say, she's weeping inside.
'It should be me next to my lady, not the Soli Duchy's gnome, how dare he….'
"Here." I hold out the amethyst bracelet to Phoebe.
"What's this…?"
"I bought it for you. I have the same one, too." I show her the same bracelet I'd already worn on my wrist.
"I will wear it until I die and my wrist turns to bone and disappears into the soil," Phoebe says earnestly.
Well, I gave her an accessory, not a burial plot.
I can't help but shudder at her overwhelming expression of gratitude.
"Hmm. Actually, I bought something for you too.” After wearing the amethyst bracelet, she holds something out to me.
The moment I see it, I exclaim in admiration.
"Wow."
"It's a bracelet made of silver moonstone. I bought it because it reminded me of you."
"Thank you. I really like it."
"I'm glad you do."
‘My lady said she liked it! Mister Ticef said it would be a boring, unimpressive, clichéd gift if I bought her a silver bracelet just because it's the same colour as her hair, but she said she liked it!'
It is a bit clichéd… but I don't get to say that since I bought the amethyst bracelet for the same reason.
Phoebe breaks into an insidious laugh inside.
'Hehe, now I can work every day with the feeling that the lady's hair is touching my arm!'
Ugh… I don't need to know that metaphor hidden in a gift….
"Here, this is for you, Ticef." I hold out a brooch to him.
"Wow, you have one for me, too?"
He exclaims, and takes it from me.
"The gemstone's name is Carnelian, and it has the power to give you courage and vigour," I tell him as he admires how the brooch gleams in the sunlight.
Ticef's face lights up. "Do you believe in superstitions, my lady?"
"...No. I just heard that."
"Right? There are people these days who believe that gemstones are imbued with some kind of mystical power…. Oh, and what did you buy, Lord Lancer? What's that big thing you're carrying on your shoulder?"
"A gemstone. Rachel says if you sleep with this by your bedside, evil spirits will go away."
"Wow! You bought something good! Gemstones are great! They're really good at warding off evil spirits! I love their healing powers! Wahaha!"
Ticef is so excited that he jumps onto the coachman's seat as though he's trying to run away.
Phoebe stares at him in pity and follows after him.
"I think it's time for us to head back, my lady."
"Alright."
The sun is beginning to set. If we're any later, we might be stuck in a queue of wagons leaving the market.
"Come to think of it, Skyla, you've been to the market before, haven't you?"
Lancer asks as we climb into the carriage.
"Yeah."
"A lot?"
"Quite a bit."
"I see."
Lancer flicks a finger at the chunk of amethyst he sat down beside him. The gem comes to a standstill instead of swaying.
"Why do you ask?" I question, watching Lancer's magic in silence.
He shrugs. "Just… wondering if you hid something so fun like this to yourself, Skyla."
"What do you mean?"
“I never knew there was a place like this in the capital. I could've had a ton of fun if you'd told me about it sooner… it's too bad I only found out now.
"..."
As I listen to him, a sudden wave of guilt washes over me. I should've taken some time off on the weekends for him.
"I had fun today, I ate candy that looked like clouds, I made balls for kids, I bought a present for Rachel… and I bought this."
He pulls something out of his pocket. With a clink, a silver cord falls in front of me.
"...What's this?" My voice almost trembles.
"It's a necklace. Have you never seen one before?"
"No, of course, I know it's a necklace. It's… when did you buy this?"
I stare at the accessory Lancer presents in front of me. It's a simple necklace with a large pendant of dark green gemstone. The green gem, tinged with shades that swirl, is layered with patterns that seem like tree rings.
"What is this gemstone?"
"I don't know, it has a really long name."
"Why did you buy it if you didn't know?"
"Well, I just liked the effect the shopkeeper described."
“What effect?” I ask, but he only smiles in response.
The rest of the carriage ride back to the Soli Duchy is silent.
After yawning nonstop, Lancer begins to nod off.
"If you're sleepy, sleep."
"I'm not."
He still drifted off to sleep in the end.
"...."
After watching Lancer banging his head against the carriage window for a while, I slipped out of my seat. I move to his side and allow him to lean his head against me.
He doesn't wake up when I move his head, only making muffled noises.
"...."
I close my eyes as well, feeling his breathing even as he falls asleep on my shoulder.
And so, my first unscheduled holiday ends.
It's better than I expected. Maybe it's because Lancer is with me.
* * *
Lancer barely opens his eyes when we reach his duchy.
"We're here. Go to your house."
Rubbing his eyes with one hand, he pushes himself up. I went ahead to sit back on the opposite side just before he woke up.
"Skyla, today was fun, I'll write about it in my diary today."
"You still keep a diary?"
"Of course I do. I'll read it when I'm old and grumpy and reminisce about it."
He laughs as he leaps out of the carriage. Behind him, the gift he purchased for Rachel follows.
Contrary to my expectations, Lancer waves me goodbye. He doesn't insist on staying with me like he used to. This must mean we're making some progress, right?
"See you tomorrow." As I bid him farewell, a grin suddenly appeared on his face. "What, what's wrong?"
"I'm happy."
"Why?"
"You used to always say 'goodbye' to me, but today you said 'see you tomorrow,' so… I'm glad. Because I think you want to see me tomorrow too…."
"...Goodbye."
I don't wait for Ticef and slam the carriage door on my own.
The bang is louder than I thought, but I don't care.
I hear Lancer's cheerful voice outside. "See you tomorrow!"
"....I feel like an idiot," I mutter to myself. I don't want Lancer to hear me. I don't want him to know, there's no way I can show him how bright red my face is right now.
I lean my flushed face against the window.
I don't want to admit it, but I must.
I was, and still am, in love with Lancer. And it's getting harder and harder to hide it.
Someone once told me that love is like a cough. The harder you try to hide it, the more it shows.
But it can't be this one.
It's true that I like Lancer, but he doesn't like me that way. He's always saying, 'I like you,' but he doesn't realise what that means.
In his world, I'm the only person in it, so it's no wonder he got so close to me. But I'm the only one in the world.
Lancer has a right to see people other than me, and he needs to form relationships with them.
This doesn't just mean a friendship like ours, he needs to experience other types of relationships besides that.
Only then can he learn what it's like to meet other people, to have conversations, to have new experiences, to learn what to feel, how to react, and what to say.
I shouldn't have him to myself now, even if there's a chance he'd come back to me at the end.
Because…
"...Lancer, you really do shine when you smile."
If Lancer can be happy, with not me, but someone else, that would be enough for me.
…I'm in love with you.
* * *
Arriving at Kaerun Duchy, I'm greeted by an unexpected announcement from Austin.
"My lady, we have a visitor."
"Who is it?"
"The Marquis of Garnett's Lady Aronia.”