Going Out

As the day of the party drew nearer, Ren and her mother went out to buy new clothes. Ren was equally excited about finally getting to see life outside their estate.

Sitting across from Ren in their spacious carriage, her mother fanned herself elegantly. Ren admired the luxurious interior—the plush, red leather seats were softer than she'd expected, and a small table held a teapot, two cups, and a delicate plate of sweets. Picking up a biscuit, she looked out the window, noting with mild amusement, *"Compared to the cars in my past life, this carriage may be slower, but it's much more comfortable."*

Through the window, she saw people passing by, some in ordinary clothes, others in more elaborate attire. From what she'd read, nobles and commoners in this world seemed to coexist peacefully, though there were still some nobles who looked down on others.

Inside the carriage, the calm was almost mesmerizing, barely disturbed by the sounds outside. "Ren," her mother called softly. Ren looked over at her. "Yes, Mother?"

With a gentle smile, her mother asked, "Is there anywhere you'd like to visit after we stop at the clothes shop?"

Surprised by the question, Ren considered it for a moment. "Could we go to a blacksmith's shop?" Her curiosity had been piqued after hearing stories from the knights she trained with about where they sourced their weapons.

Her mother smiled warmly, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Of course. In fact, I'll take you to the very shop where your father and I bought our first swords as knights."

Ren was taken aback to hear her mother had been a magic knight. "Mother… if you don't mind me asking, why did you quit?"

Her mother chuckled, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I joined the knights out of curiosity. But when they wanted to make me captain, I decided to leave. Your father chased me for two years, begging me to return. I didn't—and eventually, we got married."

"Wait… Does that mean you're stronger than Father?" Ren was genuinely astonished.

Her mother smiled. "Well, he never did manage to defeat me." Ren could only stare, dumbfounded.

---

After an hour, they arrived at the shop. Stepping out of the carriage with her mother's maid, Ain, Ren felt as if she were still processing all she'd just learned.

Inside the shop, beautiful clothes adorned the walls. A person dressed in glamorous attire—Ren quickly realized they were likely Mira, the tailor her mother had spoken of—approached them enthusiastically.

"Lady Lexington, it's been too long!" Mira exclaimed. They turned their gaze to Ren with admiration. "I see you've brought your daughter for party attire!"

Mira took their measurements and soon presented a selection of outfits. Among them were two suits for Ren—a refined white one paired with shorts and a classic black one paired with slacks. Curious about Ain's opinion, Ren asked, "Which one do you think looks best?"

Ain blushed. "You look adorable in both, young master."

Ren sighed slightly. "Cute, huh…? I was hoping for something less… cute." She picked up the black suit, knowing it would lend her a more mature look.

After much trial and error with dresses, Ren chose a royal blue one for her mother—a simple yet elegant piece that enhanced her natural beauty.

---

Once their shopping was complete, they decided to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. The food was delicious, rivaling five-star dishes from Ren's previous life.

Their final stop was a blacksmith's shop in a secluded alley. Inside, weapons adorned the walls, from swords and axes to lances and armor. Behind the counter stood an old, muscular man with a graying beard, who greeted her mother as "gorilla girl," which made her pout playfully.

Spotting Ren, the blacksmith chuckled, "Is this the daughter I've heard so much about?"

"Yes," her mother said proudly. "And we're here to get her a sword."

Ren wandered around, exploring the various weapons, and was drawn to a black-bladed sword that resembled her old chokuto. It felt perfectly balanced in her hand, and when she swung it, the blade cut through the air smoothly.

"Why did you choose that sword, young lady?" the old man, who introduced himself as Greg, asked with a hint of seriousness.

Ren hesitated. "It just… felt right."

Greg smiled approvingly, patting her head. "My master forged that sword as his final masterpiece. It's an honor for it to go to someone who appreciates it."

Grateful for his kindness, Ren thanked him before she and her mother headed home.