I felt my vision turn dark and was anxious for a moment as my body slightly flinched.
But the moment I heard that chirpy voice, the corner of my lips went upwards a bit.
It's her. That silly girl.
"Oh, goodness me I wonder who's currently holding onto my face?"
My voice came out in an almost mocking wonder. I tried using the most posh tone I've ever heard from the ladies in the village when they talked about something spicy.
I hummed softly while moving my hands to rest on top of hers. Which was currently covering my eyes.
"These dainty hands. They feel as soft as cotton."
As I spoke I gently lower her hands to my lips as I softly press a palm to my lips as I took a faint whiff of her scent.
"Faint smell of flowers and flour."
Laughing softly, I kiss the palm softly as I turn to face the girl that tried to play around with me.
And there stood a beautiful girl. One might even call her a flower.
Brown that smells faintly of citrus, which reaches the middle of her back and tied up neatly with a red ribbon.
She wears a long brown gown with a sleeved white tunic, which hugs her well endowed body nicely. I can also see the tip of her shoe grinding the ground slowly.
'So cute, she is embarrassed.'
I turn my gaze to her face and sure enough, I was right.
Her soft green eyes were glaring at me, paired with the slightly red face would be telltale sign she's angry.
But her lips was in a cute pout, with that beauty mark below the corner of her left eye made for such an adorable sight.
'Yup, she in fact is embarrassed.'
I chuckle as I gently let her hands go and softly caress her cheek,
"Hello Dahlia, as beautiful as always I see."
A gentle smile formed on my lips as I gently coo at her.
"Why'd you remove your hands? I didn't even started guessing yet."
Softly I ask he despite knowing the reason why she did so.
Still pouting, she looks away with her red face.
"Stop acting already you rouge."
She mumbles indignantly as she looks to the side. Then took deep breaths before she looks at me again. Ah seems like Dahlia has calmed down.
"Don't do that next time. Okay?"
Speaking softly as she gazes at me with upturned eyes is just not fair. Damn, this is even worse than Sedea's doe eyes in a different way.
This smile while making me melt makes me want to tease her even more.
So that's what I did. With a grin on my face I step closer to her, one of my finger gently lift her by the chin as I gaze into her eyes and leaned closer,
"What if I don't want to?"
I whisper softly. I can see her eyes widen in surprise as her mouth opened slightly in shock and her face starts to turn red again.
"Oi! Pervert Chicken! Leave the flower alone!"
'That sound, oh crap! It's the she-devil!'
A sigh escapes my lips after realizing the situation I'm in currently, hence I slowly turn around with my hands raised.
"I plead my innocence."
I came face to face with my sister Vulpi looking at me with an apologetic expression. Probably cause she didn't warn me beforehand about the she-devil.
Also, speak of the devil.
My gaze turns toward the girl that's currently looking at me with a deadpan expression.
She has orange hair, it was kept short and neat which only reaches her chin. The green tunic which is sleeveless and brown gown on her looks nice as well. There's also the brown sandal she wears, one that already hit many villagers. With me being the number one customer of course.
Her foot tap on the cobblestone road quietly as she glares at me and stepped closer.
"Innocence huh?"
Leaning close, she looks into my eyes before slowly grinning and whispering my ears.
"Sure, I'll let you off. But you'll have say what you think of Dahlia, Loudly of course."
She grins cheekily at me as I sigh, slightly slumping.
"Please let me off this time."
"Sure, one necklace and I won't bring it up again."
'Knew it, she wanted something from.'
Sighing tiredly as I straighten my back and nod.
"Sure, now that it's come to this."
I look back at Dahlia and smile gently.
"Let me treat you to a necklace too dear Dahlia."
"Oh no, how could I possibly."
A chuckle escapes my lips as I saw her moving her hands frantically as she shakes her head at my words.
"Don't be silly, come on let's go get some necklaces."
Quickly I glance at Vulpi and Sedea who were talking to each other while looking at me. They stopped when I turned towards them,
"Come on then sister, let's go buy the necklaces you wanted,"
A soft smile adorn my lips as I walk forward, following the path towards the stall near the apothecary.
I only heard their footsteps behind me after I walked a few steps ahead.
Which is strange, as if they were hesitating or something.
Well, probably it's nothing. If there's something wrong I'd be able to tell,
After all, I'm not an idiot.
…
…
…
'My Brother is an idiot.'
That thought runs in my head as I scratch the back of my neck while walking behind him.
In between Sedea and Dahlia of course. They were smiling cordially at each other and exchange pleasant words.
But there seem to be sparks between them, like two wolves eyeing a chicken for their meal.
'Why'd you did that to Dahlia? You're supposed to be smart! You doofus!'
It took all my might not to sigh and rub my face in frustration at Finix's actions and attitude.
'For someone as smart as him to do something that stupid.'
"Vulpi?"
The soft voice made me blink away and snap from my quiet monologue. I turn my head to the right at Dahlia.
"Yes? What's the matter Dahlia?"
She smiles at me gently. Ah that smile is too beautiful, no wonder Finix likes to tease her.
"I heard from my father that your farm will be having more cows?"
I nod at her question.
"Yes, indeed. Father finally saved enough coins to buy more cows for the farm."
"Hah, finally old Betsy will have more friends."
Sedea laugh loudly with a grin on her face. The sight is quite fun to see, her energy is very refreshing.
A chuckle escapes my lips.
"Betsy is not that old. Don't call her that or Finix will pull your cheeks."
"Hah, she is old. For a cow. Besides-"
Her voice turns quiet as she mutters to herself, a soft smile on her lips. I can faintly hear what she says as I strain my ears.
"getting my cheeks kneaded and pulled by him. It's nice too."
'Ah, come on! Don't hit me with something like that suddenly!'
I can barely hold my groan as I kept a straight face and nod.
"Yes, of course Sedea."
Oh great Chammius, please save me.
"We're here girls."
Oh great Finix, thank you for saving me.
I smile happily while trotting towards my dearest brother.
…
…
…
"Hm? What's wrong Vulpi?"
I ask my sister after she practically slam against me. Hugging me with a grin on her face.
"Oh, hehe. Nothing, just happy that you are such an amazing brother."
A surprised laugh escapes my throat. Sometimes my sister does something like this out of nowhere.
Gently I pat her head.
"Thank you. But like I said I'll only pay half of your necklace-"
My words stopped as I realize something. I was goaded into buying a necklace for Sedea and I then also ask Dahlia to follow along, promising her a necklace.
So, it's unfair for me to only half-ass Vulpi's necklace. Especially because she's my sister.
"Hmm, nevermind. I'll buy a necklace for you. Don't worry about the price ny dear sister."
I can see her body stop as she took a slight breath for a moment before looking at me worriedly. She took a quick glance at Sedea and Dahlia that was approaching us both before looking at me again.
"You sure?"
A smile adorn my lips as I gave her a nod.
"Yes I am."
"…..Very well."
Vulpi slowly lets me go as she walks to the stall with Sedea and Dahlia following her.
I shook my head softly as I walk towards them with a smile on my face.
As I step close to them I can see the stall owner looking at me quietly.
She has a slightly brown skin, her hair was black and kept in neat round shape with a wooden stick that seems to keep it together.
Her green eyes watches me before she nods at me, the red scarf on her neck seems like it doesn't obstruct her movements much.
"Welcome. If you like something feel free to touch and observe them. But if you break them you'll have to pay for it."
I nod back at her.
"We'll be careful."
"Thank goodness."
Hearing Vulpi's relieved voice made me look at her. She was indeed holding the necklace that she was looking at a week ago.
The necklace design is quite interesting. It was a ring almost as big as a palm, strings ran inside it which formed the shape of a star and in the middle of the star was something akin to a ruby. It was small however.
Then there's a string that goes through the top part that makes it a necklace, to be worn on the neck.
She happily turns to me and show me the necklace.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
I chuckle as I pat her head.
"I know my dear sister. Already old you that I know which one you'll pick right?"
Her head tilts in confusion before she nods.
"Oh yeah I forgot about that. Hehe."
She shyly scratch her cheeks."
"It's quite expensive however..about 2 silvers."
I took a breath.
'I'm an idiot. Why didn't I bother checking the price beforehand?'
Sighing, I tried to smile reassuringly.
"Don't worry, your brother got this."
I pat my chest with confidence before looking at the seller. But just as I opened my mouth.
"No haggling."
Her steady voice came out as she lights her tobacco pipe. Which is expensive as far as I know. I think not even our Baron has one.
"Oh. I-I see-"
"It's also expensive because that necklace is blessed."
She smiles as she calmly blows a smoke.
I frown at her words. Showing my disbelief.
"Blessings? You're a believer?"
She looks at me and gave a grin that looks almost predatory.
"Indeed."
I can feel Dahlia pulling my sleeve and shaking her head. Looking at Vulpi I can see she seems a bit anxious too.
"She's a pagan."
The silence was deafening as I felt Dahlia stop dead in her tracks and Vulpi's breath stopped for a moment.
We all turn to Sedea in shocked at her words. Calling someone a pagan even as a joke is not a good thing to do.
I briefly look at the woman but instead of anger I can see a faint smile on her face.
"Oh? How direct."
Sedea nods.
"That's what they call non-believers anyway, you're also an outsider so…"
She shrugs.
"But I don't really care, I'm just calling it as it is. Doesn't matter to me."
Sedea looks into the stall owner's eyes.
"Because if the blessings work, then it must be your god's works no? Then you're not a pagan anymore. That makes us the Pagan-"
"Sedea!"
I can feel Dahlia tremble as she glares at Sedea with a red and angry expression.
"Don't be blasphemous."
"Huh? I'm saying the truth. We've both heard and seen this blessing happen. Remember Lady Ruth?"
Dahlia becomes flustered and indignant as she stomps her feet.
"That..how do you know it didn't come from Great Ahromia?"
Sedea sneers.
"Please, she was only healed after she got a necklace from this stall."
She looks at the owner.
"Am I right shopkeeper?"
The owner chuckles softly.
"...Ah, indeed. Lady Ruth took the necklace with the blessings of life."
She shakes her head gently.
"As much as I like seeing your little squabble, I hope you won't fight here. While I'm not afraid of trouble I still hate facing any after all."
Sedea and Dahlia stops trying to debate each other and looked away. The owner gave a soft giggle seeing this.
"Ah, because of that entertaining show. You two can pick a necklace each."
This generosity surprised both Dahlia and Sedea.
"Oh no, we can't just impose on you-"
"Oh Sweet! You're the best lady!"
"Ahaha. Please, help yourself"
While they both choose their necklace I look at the owner again.
"Then what's the blessings for my sister's necklace?"
She stops as she looks at it quietly before she smile.
"Blessings of protection. It gives protection against evil spirits and affinity to fire."
I tilt my head in confusion at her words. That last part sounds a bit weird, affinity to fire?
While I was scratching my head in confusion I can see both Sedea annd Dahlia already picked a necklace that they wanted.
Sedea chose a necklace that seems pretty expensive. It was a green crystal the size of an index finger in the shape of a teardrop. It has a swallow engraved on the front side. Instead of a sting like my sister's this one had small chains to wear on the neck.
Dahlia's necklace was simple. It was just a small shield sculpture the size of a toenail made from what seems like a ruby. It had a string for wearing like Vulpi's necklace.
"Sedea! You took something expensive!"
"Hey she said it was free."
They started another argument and I took the chance to approach the owner to pay for Vulpi's necklace.
"How much?"
I smile at her as she nods, but I notice her eyes became glazed for a moment before she looks at me in a tentative manner.
"...What's your name boy?"
"Uh...I'm Finix. Why?"
'Finix? How peculiar."
She rubs her chin as she looks at me quietly before she smiles dryly and look at the girls.
I look back at them and see them now talking loudly to each other, Vulpi trying to calm them down.
"Let's make a deal Finix."
Her words made me look back at her, she was smiling once again. But it seems different this time, almost subservient?
"You can take that necklace for free. No charge."
I frown because that seems not right. It sounds too good to be true.
"...What's the catch?"
Her smile grows wider as she pulls her scarf down a bit to reveal a bit of her neck where I can see many different necklaces that looks very expensive and exquisite.
The difference with the one she sells was like heaven and earth.
She took out one necklace the shape of a small red heart, it was almost blood-like and wraps the string to cover the heart.
Her eyes look towards the girls and when she sees they're not looking over she presses it in my hand.
"For the next few days. Make sure it's not separated from you. No matter what, understand?"
Gone was the smile on her face as she gazes into my eyes. The look she gave me was anxious, almost desperate.
Unconsciously I nodded at her words.
"Uh sure. But what kind of blessings does this one have?"
I asked her tentatively as she smiles gently.
"Fate."
"It's the blessings of Fate."