Chapter 40 – A New Pair of Boots

Robert's POV

Later after dinner, while I was laying on my bed, I was looking at the ceiling of my dark room, which was brighten by an oil lamp, thinking, "So that means none in my clan is a traitor. How about the Demonheart clan? Are there any traitors? I don't know. I better ask William-kun about it though."

The next morning, with the auction event being a day away, I decided to go around the city after breakfast because I didn't explore that much. Then, Blaise and Colt wanted to come with me, and since I might need Colt's help on the knowledge of the city, I decided to allow them to come with me. And as we walk together, Colt asked, "So Robert-kun, where you want to go?"

"I don't know," I answered back while thinking a bit. "I only had a thought of going around the city, but not going at specific places."

"I see. I know! I'll suggest some places that might interest you."

"Okay, you'll be the map then."

Later, at the central part of the city, we arrived at a shoemaker's shop. The wooden sign was swinging lonely, producing a slight, squeaky noise.

"A shop?" I asked.

"Not just any shop," Colt explained, "it is the best shoemaker's shop in the entire city, where you can buy the best shoes and boots you can find elsewhere."

"Are you going to give him a new pair of shoes?" Blaise asked Colt. "He already had 3 pairs of shoes at home."

"How about boots?" Colt asked back.

"Well, he had 2 pairs of it, and they are all worn out."

"That's great! It's time for a new pair of boots then. I'll pay."

"Are you sure about that?" I asked in doubt. "It might be expensive."

"Don't worry, I had saved up a lot of money from my salaries as a city guard just in case you guys visit," Colt responded back.

"Oh, really?" I replied back. "You did that for us?"

In response to that, Colt then nodded to say yes with a smile.

To that I became a bit enthusiastic. "Okay, let's do it then."

And so, the three of us went into the shop, opening the door, and it causes the bell to ring, catching the attention of the cashier.

"Welcome to Ronaldo's Shoes and Boots," the cashier greeted. "What we can do for you today?"

"Hello there, Selena-chan," Colt greeted back. "How are you today?"

"I'm fine, Colt-kun."

"What? You two are…?" Blaise asked while being stunned.

Looking at me and Blaise, Colt responded positively, "Guys, this is Selena, the cashier of this shop and…my lover."

"Woah, what? Lover?" I asked in shock.

"Yes, and we had been together for two years now," Selena responded back.

"Oh, okay then."

"So, what we can do for you today?"

Placing his elbow on the counter, Colt replied back in style, "We're here because Robert Lightningheart, the son of James Lightningheart, needs a new pair of leather boots due to a fact that his two pairs at home are all worn out."

"Eh? Son of James Lightningheart?" Selena asked in response while being moderately shocked. "You mean that kid with grey hair?"

"You don't have to say that much," I responded to this.

"Yes, his name is Robert Lightningheart," Colt kept on saying. "He's the son of one of those fallen heroes during the recent war with Vanworth."

"Oh, okay then," Selena replied back. "Wow, his name is so cool. I didn't know all of that."

Then, a middle-aged man came and asked, "What is going on here?"

We then all looked at him in response.

"Oh, hey, Ronaldo-san," Colt greeted.

"Oh, hi, Colt," the middle-aged man responded back in greeting. "It's been a while since you came here just to have your pair of boots fixed."

"Is this the owner?" I asked.

"Yes, this is Ronaldo Mendel," Colt responded with an introduction. Then to Ronaldo, "Ronaldo-san, this is Robert and Blaise Lightningheart, the children of James Lightningheart."

"Oh, children of James Lightningheart, eh?" Ronaldo said to me and Blaise.

"Um, yes, you know about our father?" I responded.

"Mmm, yes, your father used to come here for new boots and shoes when he was a young man," Ronaldo revealed what he knew about my father.

"Ah, I see. I didn't know that."

"Why? Did he tell you that?"

I shook my head. "No, he and my mom died shortly after I was born."

"Wow, I feel bad for you."

"Yeah, but nowadays, I had moved on."

"I see. Okay, you're here for new shoes and boots, right?"

"Just a pair of the best boots available, please" I made a request nicely and politely.

"Sure, but I'll need your measurements first to see what size you'll need," Ronaldo responded back. "Please remain standing."

"Okay then."

And so, Ronaldo pulled out a measuring tape and began taking measurements of my feet to determine what size will best suit my feet, before jotting the numbers on a piece of paper notepad.

After that, Ronaldo took the notepad and went to the stockroom of the shop to search for the best pair of boots with the right size.

We were waiting for a quarter of an hour, before Ronaldo came back carrying a pair of dark brown leather boots with red ornaments stitched on it.

To that I was surprised, thinking, "I would stand out if I wear that at school!"

Personally, I don't really believe about social hierarchy, but I do not want to wear anything fancy or expensive-looking so I would not stand out.

"Please, try it on," Ronaldo said to me as he presented the said pair of boots to me. "This is very durable, and were made of leather of the best kind. It's also perfect for going on adventures. It's also fire-proof and waterproof as well."

"Are you exaggerating about it?" I asked back.

"No, it's for real," Ronaldo insisted back.

But the adventure part of his saying really caught my attention, and I asked, "So that one is perfect for going on adventures?"

"Yes."

Thinking about this, I eventually answered back, "Sure, I'll try it on."

And so, I took off my current pair of shoes, and put on the new pair of leather boots carefully.

Everyone in the room seems to be delighted by my new appearance thanks to the new pair of boots.

"Wow, Robert-kun, it fits."

"Yeah, you're so cool with that pair of boots."

"So, are you going to buy it?"

Switching to my current pair of shoes, I answered back, "Sure, how much is that?"

"That'll be 110 gold coins," Ronaldo responded back. "But since you're James' son, I'll make it 95 instead."