I signed a slavery contract with Laeva, and we decided to go shopping for her daily necessities in Papeck-san’s carriage.
「Beautiful women gather towards Takumi-sama. My~ how enviable.」
「No, Papeck-san, she’s an assistant at my workshop.」
I say that, but Papeck-san’s eyes were grinning. Though Sophia and Maria’s contracts did not include nightly service in their contracts, he seems to have realized that it still happens.
「I know. Moreover, an increase in productivity at Takumi-sama’s workshop is the best thing the Papeck Company could ask for.」
Before long, the carriage stopped.
「This is a popular clothing store in the royal capital. It will not rival the clothes Sophia-san and Maria-san are wearing, but I think it’s good to look at the trending designs.」
Papeck-san noticed that our clothes are made of Spider Silk, but understands that Spider Silk is not something he can secure large amounts of, so he seems to be enduring in that regard. That’s why I don’t take Kaede out in front of Papeck-san.
As expected of a shop in the royal capital, it had a variety of designs. The shop is divided into haute couture and prêt-à-porter. I’m clueless about women’s clothing, so Laeva’s clothing will be completely dependent on Sophia and Maria.
「Haa.」
Papeck-san noticed my involuntary sigh.
「Takumi-sama, women’s shopping takes a long time. When I accompany my wife shopping, I could do nothing but endure. I endure enough that I might even acquire the Mental Resistance skill.」
「So it’s like that.」
Come to think of it, when I was in Japan, I don’t think I ever went shopping with a girl. Not even a year has passed but it feels like quite a long time ago.
Bored, I watched people walking by the street of storefront to pass the time.
「Takumi-sama, thank you for waiting.」
「Yeah, done shopping?」
After waiting for a time, the girls came out of the store.
「Yes, well then Papeck-sama, to the next store please.」
「Certainly.」
「Eh?!」
Sophia and Maria took the dumbfounded me by the arms and pulled me towards the carriage. In a fluster, Laeva subsequently followed behind..
Thereafter, we returned to the inn dead tired after going to who knows how many shops in the area.
「Fuu~ I’m tired~ You’re all okay. right?」
I flopped onto the sofa, surrendering my back to it. For women’s shopping to be this serious…….
「Fufu, Takumi-sama, it’s to gather the trendy designs.」
「That’s right. Takumi-sama would be happy if our casual wear was stylish, wouldn’t he?」
I wonder, is it good that Sophia and Maria have tendency to lose their reservations these days?
「U-umm.」
Laeva seems to want to say something.
「What’s up, Laeva?」
「U-umm, I, even though I’m a slave, is it okay to buy this many clothes for me?」
「Everything’s alright, Laeva’s clothes are a necessity. Our clothes and underwear are all handmade, but I need time to make yours, Laeva.」
「That’s right, you can’t live in just the clothes you got from the slavery company.」
「Yup, I’ll make your underwear with Kaede-chan soon too.」
Laeva was puzzled when she heard Kaede’s name from Maria.
「Ah, I haven’t introduced Kaede.」
I called Kaede out of the Subspace.
「Whaaat, Master called!」
「Hiiii!」
Upon seeing Kaede come out of the Subspace, Laeva’s body froze.
「Kaede, this girl is Laeva. She will be coming with us starting today so get along, okay?」
「You’re called Laeva-chan! I am Kaede! Master’s familiar!」
「I-I am Laeva.」
With an Arachne’s sudden appearance, Laeva’s body became all stiff.
「It’s alright, Kaede is a smart and good girl.」
「That’s right Laeva, Kaede-chan is like our little sister.」
「Yes, the clothes and underwear we wear are all made from Kaede’s threads.」
Kaede took her place on my lap and started eating the cookies placed on the living room table. I get the feeling that Kaede’s body has gotten bigger recently.
「Yeah, that’s right, I forgot. 『Extra Heal』.」
「EH?!」
Laeva’s missing right hand returned to its former state before her very eyes.
「Since you’ll be helping me with my work, having one hand will be inconvenient after all.」
Laeva was dumbfounded, frozen in place for a while.
「H-huh? My right hand is here.」
「Yep, it’s there.」
「Eh, why? Eh?」
When the panicking Laeva finally understood what happened to her body, large tear drops poured from her jade green eyes.
We talked about a bunch of the things with Laeva once she calmed down.
We discussed the necessity to communicate with Kaede, her division of roles with Sophia and Maria, and what Laeva’s goals were.
「U-umm, I still think I should become an adventurer too.」
Laeva said she wanted to be an adventurer as well like Sophia and Maria.
「Umm, I don’t really mind, but it will be dangerous.」
「Yes, I am prepared. But to be of help to Takumi-sama as an artisan, I think it would be better if my status and magic power are higher.」
True, it’s correct that the status enhances when leveling up. If Dexterity and Intelligence increase, it would be helpful when making things. Gaining more magic power is likewise helpful.
「Then shall we register when we come back to Volton, and level up little by little?」
「Yes!」
That night, I worried about Laeva and slept in a different room. Giving them the master bedroom, I was alone and I had the three girls endure sleeping cramped together.
Tomorrow, I will have to meet the King at the royal capital. Just thinking about it depresses me. I went to sleep to escape reality.
***