Stranger's Handbook

Chapter 46: Ears Covered in Blood

“So that’s how it was?…..Zest-sama, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. The jealous you was rather adorable too, so I am fine.”

“Zest-sama…..stop it.”

Bea was ‘hitting’ my arm repeatedly.

‘Poko-poko, poko-poko’

Yes, we’ve reconciled.

I explained her that I was in charge with serving refreshments to the guests, during the army’s party.

That Albert, I’ll make sure to carefully ‘train’ him some more later.

Still, when looking at Bea and the spirit playing with each other, they really seem like they’re sisters…..or, mother and daughter.

Children, huh?

While in Japan, I never got married, I was always single, but now, I’ll get married soon for the first time in my life and I’ll also have children.

I must protect them no matter what.

I gazed at the two girls cheerfully playing with each other, when our eyes met.

“Zest-sama, won’t you choose a name for this child already?”

…….I completely forgot.

“I wanted to decide on it together with you. Did you think of a good name?”

Good, I managed to successfully deceive her.

She smiled with her whole face.

Lately, she started to laugh and smile a lot.

With an adorable smile, she started to talk.

“Actually, I have one in mind…….Will it be all right to call her Toto?”

Toto?….I wonder why she choose this name.

“Toto?….Does it have a meaning?”

My question made her blush excessively, but she answered nonetheless.

“It comes from both our names…..” (1)

Damn it, this girl is way too cute.

She made it up from both our names…

(Master, is Toto my name?)

The spirit asked, her eyes glittering; I grinned at her and answered.

“That’s right. From now on your name is Toto. Do you like it?”

She looked down for a while, her little body trembling slightly, then raised her head energetically.

(I am Toto! I like it very much. Thank you Master and Master.)

And then, she hugged Bea and started to rub her little face against hers.

I’m glad she liked it.

However, calling us Master and Master is a little too confusing.

“Toto, calling us Master and Master is too confusing. Can you think of some other way to call us?”

Toto seemed to be troubled.

(I know! Can I call you then Dad and Mom then?)

As expected, I didn’t see this coming…..

At such a surprise attack, both Bea and I started to blush excessively.

But we both created this spirit, there shouldn’t be any problem for her to call us that.

“I…I don’t mind…..What about you, Bea?”

“Me too. I don’t dislike it…..”

(Theeeen, Dad and Mom! That’s what I’ll call you.)

Toto concluded, her face covered in smiles.

We too got influenced by her radiance, and started to smile as well.

Is this what family feels like….?

Thinking about that, we’ve spent some really happy moments together.

However, at that point, the unexpected hit me.

“Zest-sama! What is the meaning of this? Why doesn’t Toto have any other clothes?”

Yes, Toto has no other closes, except for her ‘original’ attire.

She’s still wearing that black leather dress, made from the exchange diary’s cover, with golden embroidery and the mithril chain around her waist.

She only had that.

Incidentally, she doesn’t wear panties either.

……You’re wrong! I only saw that when she was sleeping, it’s not like I’ve deliberately checked.

Nonetheless, she seems fine without having another change of clothes, but from a girl’s perspective, this is unacceptable.

“We must go to the tailor right away. Well, Zest-sama?”

If I were to say no at that point, it would’ve only meant hell for me.

“Yea, let’s go right away.”

I offered an immediate reply, not wasting time on thinking.

The maids prepared a carriage for us and we departed towards the castle town.

The castle town’s clothing shops…..well, they’re all tailors’ shops.

Everything is custom-made.

We’re going to a shop that my mother-in-law uses frequently.

She recommended it when we told her we were about to head out to buy some clothes for little Toto.

This shop works for the Frontier Count’s Household, so it should be safe.

When the carriage stopped in front on the shop, I saw the employees standing in a line outside, waiting for us.

“Welcome, Beatrice-sama. It’s been a very long time.”

An old woman with strains of white hair saluted.

“Yes, it’s been a long time. I came today together with my fiancé.”

“Oh! The much rumored next 1st Rank? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m the shopkeeper, Tania.”

She held her dress and bend one of her knees in a formal bow.

The next 1st Rank, you say?

You sure know a lot…..Well, for a merchant to be slow in hearing the news would mean a great disqualification.

“I’m Zest. We want to make some clothes for this child today.”

Sitting on my shoulder, Toto smiled and waved her little hand vigorously.

“Well, well, it’s a great pleasure to meet you, lovely spirit-sama. I’ll prepare the best materials for you. Please, come inside.”

We followed Tania inside the shop.

I entered first and Bea was supposed to be right behind me………..But she wasn’t.

What’s wrong? Did she find something delicious-looking and went to try it out?

She’s such a glutton.

I turned around only to see someone taking Bea’s hand.

An unknown man was making a ruckus about who knows what.

Huh? Who the hell is that?

“….Won’t you let go of me already?”

“Don’t be so cold, lovely young lady. Oh! Your skin is so silky. Won’t you give me the pleasure of telling me your name?”

An unknown man was grasping Bea’s hand, grinning broadly.

……Good! I’ll take it as a declaration of war.

I slowly approached the guy.

________

(1) Toto = how can it come from Zest and Bea, you might wonder? Well, in Japanese, Zest would be ‘Zesto’ and Bea would be ‘Beato’, therefore “Toto”…