Cyrus, next, put on a pure white robe. This is formal attire from the central continent. It has a feminine suppleness, with extremely low exposure, yet it exudes a certain allure. It suited the tall Cyrus so well that I couldn't help but stare blankly.
Furthermore, the third outfit. This time, it was a strange-looking jacket layered over several others, from a country I couldn't identify. I imagine it must be a uniform for a high-ranking profession. It made Cyrus look even more rugged and handsome.
The fourth outfit was a complete contrast, extremely casual. His upper body was almost bare, with just a vest for formality, and he wore loose white harem pants, his black hair tied up in a turban. It suited him as if it were made just for him. His exposed brown skin was dazzling.
The fifth outfit... Unfortunately, I couldn't help but laugh. It must be a student uniform from the neighboring country Flaria. A blazer, tie, and leather loafers. It didn't suit him at all, but since I found it so amusing, Cyrus said he would buy it.
"Hey, when and where do you plan to wear it?"
Even when I tried to stop him, he remained cool.
"I'll wear it to make Marie laugh when she's feeling down."
In this manner, Cyrus tried on one outfit after another, announcing that he would buy almost all of them. As I watched, I became increasingly excited and started looking around the store with Naji-Roo, picking out items and handing them to Cyrus.
"How do I look, Marie? Is it cool?"
"It's cool!"
I cheered, clapped, laughed, and stared in amazement as he came out of the fitting room.
I began to understand how Tunica and Tsery felt when they wanted to play with my hair. I never imagined that dressing someone else could be so much fun!
It must have been the umpteenth outfit. This one seemed to take a while to put on, and Cyrus didn't come out for a long time. Naji-Roo, exasperated, said:
"Really, how many outfits do you plan to buy? Besides, how can you buy them at our retail price when you're the one who supplied them to us?"
"Money circulates, and that's the economy."
"You're just getting carried away because you're being praised by a girl."
"Say that where Marie can't hear you."
Ahaha, stop doing stand-up comedy behind the curtain.
While waiting for Cyrus to change, I wandered around the store aimlessly.
There were so many different kinds of clothes. From what looked like high-end tuxedos to accessories that resembled leather scraps... I was surprised by the price of the robes earlier, but not everything was the same price. Maybe there were cheaper ones too?
I approached Naji-Roo and asked quietly:
"How much do the cheaper items in this store cost... something that would suit Cyrus?"
Naji-Roo didn't answer my question. Instead, she smiled and beckoned me outside. There were various items on the shelves facing the street, mostly accessories for men.
"Look, these are cheap to attract customers. Maybe even a girl like you can afford them?"
"Ah... thank you..."
I thanked her and picked up an earring. The price tag showed that it was within my budget. Naji-Roo went back inside, saying, "Take your time." I took her up on the offer and examined the items.
A small stone pendant, gloves and scarves for warmth, a leather choker, heavy metal bangles, cufflinks, a string of natural stones, an anklet... These were all new to me. They were probably mass-produced cheap items, nothing special, and certainly not something Cyrus would find interesting.
Still...
He listened to my preferences and changed accordingly. Each time I praised him, he looked very happy.
...So... maybe...
Suddenly, I noticed a commotion behind me. I turned around and saw that the number of passersby had increased. Most were men, walking from the restaurant district toward the inner part of the city.
Ah, I see. This area is the craftsmen's district, and it's just past noon. The craftsmen must be returning to work after lunch.
I nodded and turned back to the items—
"Marie?"
I froze at the sound of the voice.
...It was a woman's voice.
...I don't have any acquaintances in the capital.
...I don't even have any female friends in the Shadaran territory.
...There's no one in this capital who would call me Marie. No one, anymore.
One face came to mind. The name of someone who passed away on the way to the capital, and I turned around, calling out:
"Anastasia?"
There was someone right in front of me, but it was a man I didn't know. He had a charming face and was smiling at me.
"Huh? Are you shopping alone, miss? If you haven't had lunch, how about joining me at a café?"
"Huh?"
I quickly looked around. The man was blocking my view, but I couldn't see any women.
Oh, it must have been a misunderstanding. Maybe there was another Marie. Yes, Marie is a common name. I sighed in relief and faced the man.
"Sorry, I was just spacing out. Um, who are you? Could I have your name?"
"Ah, don't be so formal. Let's be casual, okay?"
...? What's going on... Is he mistaking me for someone else? I don't know him.
Maybe he's a solicitor. He mentioned a café, so he must be a waiter. He's very enthusiastic about his business.
I smiled and declined.
"Thanks, but I just had lunch and I'm full."
However, the man didn't back off. He picked up the pendant I had been looking at and said:
"Do you want this? I'll buy it for you."
"Why?"
"Just to get to know you. But isn't this for men?"
Before I could say it was for the person inside, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me.
"Hey, what!?"
"Women's accessories are on the other street. Is this your first time at the market? I'll show you around."
"No, I don't need that! What are you doing!? Let go, let go!"
I pulled my arm away forcefully, freeing myself from his grip.
This was too aggressive for a solicitor. Maybe he was a thief? Or perhaps he had ulterior motives like fraud or pickpocketing. I didn't understand, but I felt I should run.
I rushed into the store, but he grabbed my shoulder again. He forced me to turn around. He was still smiling, but it was a lecherous, creepy smile.
"You're cute..."
A shiver ran down my spine.
I didn't think he was rude. He was shorter than me and didn't seem scary. I wasn't feeling fear or anger.
But what was this feeling? I had never experienced such discomfort before.
It was disgusting.
He complimented me again, calling me cute. Maybe I should thank him. He was flattering an ugly girl like me. I should be grateful—
But the words that came out of my mouth were completely different.
"No... help... Cyrus..."
Immediately, the man's body floated upward.
Cyrus, who had been in the fitting room, grabbed the man by the collar and lifted him as if pulling a radish out of the ground.
"Whoa? Whoa... Whoa!"
The man flailed his legs in the air. Cyrus was wearing a military uniform, complete with a decorative sword, and was holding the small man with one hand.
No matter how much the man struggled, Cyrus didn't budge. He didn't say anything to the man, just looked down at me and asked:
"What did he do to you?"
"Um, nothing... really, nothing."
"Then why are you crying?"
I touched my eyes and found they were wet, but I wasn't crying. I shook my head.
"Nothing happened. He just called out to me and grabbed my arm."
"He tried to hit on you, you rejected him, and he still chased you. Is that right?"
"Yes."
He smiled gently. While still holding the man, he used his other hand to pat my head, comforting me like a child.
"Sorry, I was distracted. You must have been scared."
He pampered me endlessly. Then he looked up at the man.
"That's a bit rude for a pickup, isn't it?"
"Ah, sorry, I didn't know you had such a handsome companion. Please put me down..."
"That's not the point. Whether there's a man around or not, if a woman says no, you should back off. Don't touch her without permission."
"...Y-Yes... I'm sorry... Please put me down..."
"Understood. Be more careful in the future."
With that, Cyrus didn't put the man down but hung him from the beam at the entrance. The man hung limply, his arms and legs dangling. Cyrus then returned to the fitting room. When he came out, he was back in his original clothes. It seemed he had decided to end the shopping spree, even though there were still some outfits left.
"Sorry, sir, I brought her out. A beauty like her shouldn't be left alone. Sorry..."
Cyrus didn't get angry or try to haggle. He paid and left the store without carrying anything. The items would be delivered to Granado Castle later. Instead, he held my hand. The grip was much stronger than when we had been walking earlier. I immediately apologized.
"Cyrus, I'm sorry..."
"What are you apologizing for?"
I wasn't sure. After thinking for a moment, I answered:
"I was being approached by that man. I didn't realize it and got scared, thinking he might be a thief. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
"Marie, you're making three mistakes."
Mistakes? He held my hand and said without turning around:
"First, Marie, you did nothing wrong. You were just shopping, and you're the victim. It's not your fault if you showed a weakness or were distracted. Second, you don't need to apologize to me for being hit on by another man. If you were in trouble, I would help you, and if you hit it off with him, I wouldn't have the right to interfere. You're not my property."
"What's the third mistake?"
"Your perception is wrong. Being hit on isn't that rare. Why didn't you realize it?"
I was puzzled. Why didn't I realize it? Why should I have known?