Even after finishing the doner sand and donduruma, I still wasn’t full. We had been walking around the market, trying various foods. Before I knew it, I was completely full. Lord Cyrus was probably still not full, but he was considerate of me.
"Are you getting tired? Should we go somewhere we can sit down?"
"I’m fine. I’m just full…"
"It’s better to take a break now. From here on, there are only stores for men, and there are no cozy cafes."
When I looked around as he said this, indeed, the food stalls had become sparse, and stores selling tools, models, and men’s clothing were more prominent. Ah, I see. The long market was divided into sections: first, items for women, then food and drink for both genders, and finally, items for men.
"It’s not officially regulated, but the front is closer to the residential area, and the back is closer to the craftsmen’s district, so the customer base naturally skewed towards the closer areas."
"Is your meeting with your friend still a while away?"
At my question, Lord Cyrus looked momentarily puzzled, then snapped his fingers.
"Oh, right, I was called out by Rui Feng. I completely forgot."
"Wait, is it okay to keep him waiting?"
"It’s fine; we didn’t set a specific time to meet. He probably just left the items at the store and isn’t there himself… Anyway, Marie, you’re using formal language again."
Ah, no, that’s not good. I quickly clamped my mouth shut. Ugh, I thought I had gotten used to it. Maybe I really am tired. We’ve walked a lot and eaten a lot. Lord Cyrus chuckled.
"You look a bit sleepy. Let’s find somewhere to rest."
He pulled my hand a bit forcefully. After a while, we stopped in front of a large store, and he called out to a middle-aged woman at the entrance.
"Hey, Naji Lu. We’re going to bother you."
He spoke in Ipus. The woman, upon seeing Lord Cyrus, exclaimed brightly. She had black hair, brown skin, and green eyes. She then launched into a rapid Ipus.
"Oh my, it’s the master of the Granado Trading Company. What brings you here today? You don’t need any more stock, do you?"
Oh… such a thick merchant’s dialect! Even though it’s the official language of Ipsandros, it has a strong accent. I can understand it, but I can’t mimic it.
Lord Cyrus, too, couldn’t, and he conversed with the woman merchant, Naji Lu, in standard Ipus.
"It’s personal. My companion seems tired from walking. Can we borrow a chair for a while?"
"Companion? Oh, what a beautiful lady. You do look tired. Let me get you some tea. Please, come in."
Naji Lu beckoned us, and we entered the store together. Near the entrance, there was a small tea table. I borrowed a chair and looked around the store.
Naji Lu’s store seemed to specialize in men’s clothing and accessories. The first thing I noticed was the traditional Ipsandros attire, with characteristic embroidery on the tunics, along with sandals and accessories.
Next to that were the kingdom’s everyday clothes. Further along were unfamiliar ethnic costumes, including jumpsuits and bundles of fabric that I couldn’t even tell were clothes.
"I get my stock from all over. It’s like a select shop."
Naji Lu explained while bringing us tea. It was a spiced tea from the eastern region. I gratefully accepted it. I spoke to her in Ipus.
"Amazing selection. Do people from each country buy them?"
"That’s part of it, but mostly, it’s the kingdom’s people who buy them. Apparently, this kind of hobby is popular among the wealthy."
"The nobles still prefer kingdom-made items, but merchants can’t avoid foreign trade and know the quality. Once you try Ipus silk, you can’t go back to hemp undergarments."
Lord Cyrus stated firmly. Ahaha, I’ve heard that before.
Indeed, Lord Cyrus is… not exactly surprising, but he is quite fashionable. Every time I see him, he’s wearing different clothes, and even his simple loungewear is a custom-made piece tailored to his body. His success in business is probably due to his innate sense of style.
While I sipped my tea, Lord Cyrus looked around the store. …That’s it!
"Hey, Cyrus, can I give you a present? Just one thing you like?"
He turned to me with a "Huh?" I stood up and took the robe he had been looking at.
"I’ve always been the one receiving gifts. I can’t afford something so expensive, but this much—"
I stopped when I saw the price tag on the robe. This, wait, no way, why is it so expensive? It costs several times more than what I had been looking at earlier!
Seeing my silence, Lord Cyrus seemed to understand the situation and spoke apologetically.
"It’s an import. Unlike mass-produced items for women, each piece is more expensive. This store may look simple, but the quality is top-notch."
"…I’m sorry… I don’t have enough money with me today…"
I slowly let go of the robe, not sure if I was blushing or turning pale.
However, Lord Cyrus lifted my chin with his hand. He smiled, with the robe draped over his shoulder.
"How does it look?"
"Uh…?"
"I’m asking if it suits me. Do you like this simple design, Marie?"
"…Yes, but I think the more elaborate ones next to it would suit you better."
"I see. Got it. Naji Lu, I’ll take this robe."
"Wait! But I really don’t have any money!"
He covered my protest with his finger. He’s buying it himself, so it’s fine. …Well, I can’t stop him from buying for himself.
I sighed quietly and returned to my chair. I still had some tea left.
Naji Lu had Lord Cyrus try on the robe right there and checked the size. It was a loose-fitting robe that hung loosely around his waist. She found a decorative belt in the store and wrapped it around him. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but cheer.
"The color of that belt is beautiful. Lord Cyrus, red really suits you!"
He looked down at his waist, checked the color, and nodded.
"Right. Naji Lu, bring me red clothing. I’ll buy it all."
"Wait, why!?"
"Master, that’s a bit much. There are hundreds of pieces."
Naji Lu laughed. Lord Cyrus nodded and turned back to me.
"If I use red as an accent or embroidery, what color fabric do you think would look best, Marie?"
"Um, black…?"
"Got it. Naji Lu, bring me black fabric that would look good with red and fit my size. I’ll buy it all."
"But that’s just my imagination… I think white or green would also suit you, Cyrus."
"Got it. Then bring me white and green fabric as well."
"Wh-what!?"
"Master, that’s a lot. I’ll bring about twenty pieces, and we’ll try them on and choose."
"Alright, then let’s do that. While we’re at it, can you also bring matching pants and accessories?"
"I’ll get them ready."
Naji Lu quickly ran around the store and brought out the specified items in no time. Lord Cyrus took a few and headed to the fitting room. I couldn’t keep up with the speed.
"You can take your time. The tea is for you to relax."
Naji Lu said, pouring me a refill. I see… While I was doing this, Lord Cyrus quickly changed and appeared before us in Ipsandros-style attire. It was a dark green robe with a complex sheen, embroidered with red patterns resembling vines. The robe, which reached his knees, was tied with a golden belt. The colors were bold, but the silhouette was sleek and dignified.
Wow…! I nodded in response to his question.
"It’s amazing! You look so cool! It really suits you!"
Lord Cyrus smiled happily and went back to the fitting room with another set of clothes.