Fruity Surprise

-----Yui's POV

Clerk: "That'll be 12 gold and 65 silver for everything."

As expected, the jacket was the most expensive. Most clothes would be bought with silver, but I was surprised that the pants also costed gold, even though it was only 2 gold. That said, Kaede sure does look beautiful in this new outfit, a very modest, professional look as the entire outfit outlines her body quite nicely. However, I could not wear that black shirt of hers. I've always hated how some clothes will wrap around my chest, but when I see Kaede wearing stuff like this, I find myself being fixated by them. But that could just be me still hung up from what happened earlier. When can we continue where we left off?

After paying, we step away from the counter to let Olivia pay for hers. I wasn't paying attention to what she was getting since my eyes were somewhere else, but it looks like she bought some leather bracers.

Clerk: "40 silver please."

Olivia pays for the clerk before we all head out of the store. Kaede ends up carrying Mell on her back, piggyback style, as we figure out where to go next.

Kaede: "I'd like to find somewhere to get Mell some shoes."

Yui: "I'm not familiar with Azalea. Are there no other clothing stores?"

Kaede: "Not really. If Mell was a little bigger, I could've got shoes from that store, but I don't want her to be uncomfortable."

It must really be different out here. Back in the city, kids much smaller than Mell would be able to wear shoes, but out here- Actually now that I'm looking around, I don't really see any kids around, making Mell stick out even more.

Yui: "Hmmm~ Maybe when we return to the city, we could find some shoes there."

Kaede: "I was thinking of stopping by Maemont actually."

Olivia: "Yes! There's plenty of clothing stores in Maemont. But I guess we'd have to ask the caravan driver if we can stop there."

Yui: "Hehe~ Not a problem."

One of the advantages of being in a noble family, and a ducal family at that, is that everyone essentially knows who I am. I wouldn't be surprised if our caravan driver works for my mom.

Olivia: "So then~ What now?"

Kaede: "Well, we could do another job? But I don't think there's anymore B ranked jobs left."

Well I know what I would like to do, and it doesn't involve doing jobs!

Yui: "We just got washed up though..."

Kaede: "Hehe."

I hate it that she knows exactly what I'm thinking about.

Olivia: "That's true."

Meanwhile, Olivia seems to have no idea what I was thinking. But I guess she wasn't with us in our bath.

Suddenly, a growl could be heard coming from our little group. Moving my gaze to the sound, it was coming from Kaede, but not once have I ever heard her stomach growl like that.

Kaede: "Oh? Well that solves that problem. Let's go somewhere to eat."

Mell: "Yay!~"

Ah, it must've been coming from Mell. I guess I could eat something as well.

Yui: "Mmm!"

-----Alice's POV

I never realized just how long it takes to get all the way out here. If it weren't for Iris, this trip would've felt at least five times longer.

Driver: "We coming up to Oakvale now, milady."

Iris: "Great! Thank you~"

Oakvale. That would mean we're getting quite close to Azalea now. It's only noon right now, judging from the sun's position so we could afford a rest to properly stretch our legs.

Alice: "Hey. Shall we stop at Oakvale? We have time."

Iris: "What? You serious?"

Alice: "I know you're worried about Ellen, and I am too. But your health is also important. Even just a 30 minute break would be good."

Iris: "Mmmm-"

I can tell that she would really love a proper stretch. Sure this carriage is comfortable and we can even sleep in it. But it's not like we have the room to walk around.

Alice: "Please? Plus who knows, Ellen might even be there. Oakvale isn't that far from Azalea after all."

Iris: "Fine~ But only 30 minutes."

Alice: "Got it."

Iris: "Could we please make a stop at Oakvale for 30 minutes?"

Driver: "Will do, milady."

I feel bad that I didn't get the chance to tell Nick or Luna about this sudden trip. I just hope Nick can understand. Maybe once we get to Oakvale, I can grab a little souvenir for him.

-----Yui's POV

We end up finding a small little restaurant. Not that it looks like one. It looks more like a tavern, or a pub back in our old world as it has a long counter with people ordering drinks, and other people sitting at tables eating food. And now that I'm looking around, everyone seems quite old looking, ranging from roughly around their mid-twenties all the way to elderly.

Yui: "Are we, even allowed to be here?"

Kaede: "I'm not sure, but for now, let's stay away from alcohol."

We lowered our voices down as to not attract any attention as we step further into the bar. Many eyes were staring at us, which prompted me to stay closer to Kaede. It's funny how much things have changed. Normally I would be the one comforting Kaede, but she seems unfazed by the stares.

Man1: "That one there is pretty cute right?"

Man2: "Yeah, but I think I'd go for the ginger one."

Walking by some of the tables, I could hear a couple guys whispering about us, and sounds like one of them is even fancying Olivia. Olivia herself started walking closer with us as we continue more inside.

Man3: "She has a child? That young?"

Woman1: "If you're jealous then why don't we have one?"

Man3: "I told you. We don't have the money."

Woman: "And who's fault is that? Maybe if we stop coming here everyday we'd-"

And seems like we've un-intentionally started a fight between a couple. Eventually though, we find a free table amongst other filled tables as we all take our seats. Even though there's 4 seats, Mell opts to sit on Kaede's lap instead. The stares continued to come our way even after sitting down.

Server: "What can I get you ladies?"

We were approached by a demi-human, who looked to have scales going down the side of his neck. I can only assume he's part reptilian of some kind.

Kaede: "Is there something that 'this one' can have?"

She gestures to Mell on her lap. If Mell was a bit taller, her head would be blocking Kaede's view, but instead only reaches up to Kaede's neck.

Server: "We don't really get children here, but we have a boneless chicken dish with sauce over the top? And we can throw together a salad to go along with it."

Mell: "Yes!"

Kaede: "I'll get that, thank you."

Server: "Alright. How about you two?"

Yui: "I'll have whatever you recommend."

Olivia: "Me too please."

Server: "That would be our specialty burger. It's a little spicy, would that be okay?"

Yui: "Sure!"

Olivia: "Spicy?"

Server: "It's mild, but if you like, we can remove the sauce for you."

Olivia: "Yes please."

So Olivia isn't a fan of spice, got it. I'm not a huge fan of spicy stuff myself, but I appreciate it every now and again.

Server: "Alright. What about drinks?"

Yui: "Just water, thank you."

Olivia: "Same here."

Kaede: "Actually, could I try some of your alcohol?"

What?! Kaede drinking? She hated the thought of drinking back in our old world, so what's the deal?

Server: "We don't have much, but would you fancy our red wine?"

Kaede: "Is it strong?"

Server: "It's fairly strong. Would you like to try our beer instead?"

Kaede: "No, I'd like to try the wine please."

Server: "Alright. I'll be right back with your drinks."

As he goes to leave, I finally collect myself to ask the big question.

Yui: "Wine?! I thought you hated alcohol."

Kaede: "Well... I just figured I might be able to finally taste something apart from... you know."

Olivia: "You can't taste food?"

Kaede: "Not really, no."

Ah~ Makes sense. But wow, what a change. Now that she explained it, I'm now excited to see what her reaction would be! I can only imagine what it'd be like to taste something after over a decade that isn't just blood. Maybe I could also try a bit of her wine and we can compare the taste, seeing if there's any difference. When I turned 16, my parents gave me a single glass of wine, and I didn't actually mind it. But then again, it was white wine which I've heard is a lot sweeter than red wine.

It didn't take too long for the server to come back with our drinks. My eyes immediately glued onto the wine that had been placed in front of Kaede.

Server: "Your food will be with you shortly."

He leaves us to our table as Kaede immediately picked up the glass of wine. I could almost feel the nerves from her as she goes to smell it.

Yui: "Anything?"

Kaede: "Not really."

It was then that she brought the glass to her mouth. I watch as the red wine smash against her lips, dying them red just like the times when she drinks my blood.

Kaede: "Mmm!"

Suddenly, her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, full of excitement as I watch her begin to drink more and more of the wine, completely finishing her glass in a matter of seconds.

Yui: "Slow down-"

Kaede: "Delicious! Excuse me! Can I get a refill?"

Server: "Ah! Okay, I'll be right there!"

Holy shit. This is not what I expected, but I'm not about to stop Kaede as this is probably one of the best moments of her life right now, you can see it all over her face.

Yui: "S-save a bit for me this time, haha."

Kaede: "Yui! It's amazing! The fruitiness is so sweet!"

Olivia: "Really? I might have some too then."

Actually. Kaede said that her taste in food was 'bland' so if its sweet for her, then who knows what it must taste like for Olivia and I.

Server: "Here you go, madam"

Olivia: "C-can I also get a glass actually?"

Yui: "Me too please!"

Server: "Certainly. I'll go get your glasses. I'll be right back."

I didn't want to disturb Kaede and her wine and opt to order one as well. Within seconds, she immediately began to drink her second glass. I would've thought she would pace herself this time around, but she's just downing it in one breath again.

Kaede: "How much for the bottle?"

Server: "10 silver."

Not wasting a single moment, Kaede pulls out 10 silver from her bag and gives it to the server.

Kaede: "You can leave it here, thank you."

Server: "T-thank you for your patronage."

It wasn't just me getting worried, but the server also looked skeptical at the sight of Kaede pouring herself yet another glass of wine. But even though I'm worried, I haven't seen her this excited ever since we reunited. Almost like this wine was something hand delivered by the gods from how she's acting.