Subaru initially didn't know why they were staying in the merchant district instead of the noble district where Roswaal owned property, but he soon found himself grateful for the decision.
This area, as mentioned previously, was the heart of commerce in the capital, bustling with all kinds of merchants and shops, including tailors and seamstresses of every variety, from high-end to low-end.
As Subaru and Rem walked through the lively streets, they were on the lookout for a store to purchase some clothes for Rem.
"Wow, it's really crowded here, isn't it?" he remarked, taking in the sight of carts, carriages, and a constant flow of people moving about.
Even though it was a medieval setting, this crowding here reminded him of Tokyo
"It's the end of the month, so many people are receiving their salaries. That's why this district is so busy," Rem explained as they navigated through the throng.
"Is that so?" he replied, and a question popped into his mind.
"Speaking of pay, how much does Roswaal pay you both?" he inquired of the oni.
"Well…" Rem hesitated, and Subaru could already sense a headache coming on.
"Since my sister and I are permanent residents and maids at Roswaal-sama's estate, we don't really receive a salary. Our housing, meals, and clothing are all provided for us," she clarified.
"Seriously?" he exhaled, "What if you want to buy something for yourself? What do you do then?"
"In that case, we simply ask Roswaal-sama to purchase it for us. He always agrees since we don't ask for much," she replied, and from her expression, Subaru could tell she saw nothing wrong with this arrangement.
He shook his head; if the twins were content with this setup, it wasn't his place to interfere. He was just relieved to have a regular salary like any other worker, earning around 50 gold coins per month.
As Rem and Subaru continued their search for a suitable clothing store, they suddenly noticed a commotion ahead of them; a large crowd had gathered.
Hey Remmy, let's go take a look at this," he suggested, and they made their way to the board.
As they pushed through the crowd, they finally reached the front, where various pieces of paper were pinned up, showcasing sketches and written notes.
Subaru recognized those sketches well; he had seen those faces before.
"Are those the royal candidates?" Rem asked, studying the sketches beside Subaru.
"Yes, they were at the meeting yesterday. It seems they've finally announced the royal selection with everyone," he replied.
He scanned the images before him, and when his eyes landed on Emilia's face, he felt a tightness in his chest and his shoulders drooped slightly, as the guilt from the previous day resurfaced.
Rem noticed the shift in Subaru's mood and frowned. It pained her to see her hero looking so guilty and sad. He had spent all of yesterday cooped up in his room, hardly coming out.
She still didn't know what had happened the day before. Emilia hadn't provided much detail, only asking Rem to keep an eye on Subaru and ensure he stayed out of trouble.
She wished she could understand his pain and help lighten his load, but it didn't seem like the right moment to ask, so she reluctantly decided to wait.
"Subaru-kun?" she said, gently pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Hm? Oh, Remmy. Sorry, I was thinking about something. Let's get back to searching, okay?" he replied, turning away from the board. Rem watched him walk off, then let out a sigh and hurried after him.
The two continued their search for a good store to buy clothes for Rem, and eventually, they found one.
The shop had two large front windows, each showcasing dresses and clothing clearly designed for women.
"Well, Remmy, it looks like we've found it. What do you think?" he asked, turning to her for her opinion.
Rem looked at the store hesitantly, "Subaru-kun This place looks like it's selling clothes fit for nobility and the wealthy Rem doesn't think this place is appropriate for someone of her status."
Subaru shook his head, "Oh come on, don't give me that. I said I will buy you clothes and I will! I won't settle for anything less than elegance for you!"
"Subaru-kun…" trailed off, not knowing what to say. She was really happy her hero was considerate; of her and wished to make her happy, but was blowing a lot of money on it worth it?
"Like I said, I can't let a cute girl like you wear working clothes all the time! Besides, I'll be the one paying you, no need to worry about it."
There were these words again, 'Cute girl' Rem Blushed beet red as she heard him again, just how does he do it? Two words and she's already a flustered mess.
Subaru-kun is very dangerous for her heart!
Forcing herself to calm down, she went along with Subaru as they went into the store. Rem could see clothes of all sizes and styles, from dresses to skirts and blouses, essentially everything that is fit for women. From a glance one could tell they are of high quality.
A woman emerged from behind a curtain that concealed a door located at the back of the counter. With her brown hair and green eyes, she wore a measuring tape casually around her neck, which added to her modest demeanor. It was evident that she was the shop's owner.
"O-oh! Welcome! I didn't expect anyone to arrive this early," she said with a nervous chuckle, wiping the sweat from her brow.
"My name is Lyra, and I'm glad to have you in my shop! If you need anything, just let me know!" she added cheerfully.
Subaru hummed as he and Rem took in the various clothing and fabrics surrounding them. There were plenty of options in a wide array of colors.
He turned to the tailor, saying, "Say, I'm looking for some nice clothes for this lovely lady. Do you think you can help us?" He pointed to a now-shy Rem, who was squeaking cutely.
"Ah, so you're buying for her, I see," the tailor remarked with a knowing smile, which only made Rem more anxious. Subaru, however, was too focused on the clothes to notice.
"Alright then, let's start by taking your measurements," Lyra said, removing the measuring tape from around her neck and approaching Rem.
"Please stand still and raise your arms," she instructed. Rem complied, and the tailor moved around her, taking precise measurements with intense focus.
Once finished, she draped the measuring tape back around her neck and asked, "Now that we're done, what style are you looking for?"
"I'd prefer something simple, please," Rem replied, as she wasn't one for anything too flashy.
"Actually," Subaru chimed in, "How about something elegant? A cute girl like Rem must look adorable, right?"
Rem's cheeks flushed a deep red, and Lyra smirked, "Is that so? What color do you have in mind? I have a wide selection, so I'm sure you'll find something you like."
"Umm…" Rem hesitated, feeling overwhelmed by the choices and not having a specific color in mindi.
"How about something with blue? It would match her hair color and eyes," Subaru suggested after seeing Rem's hesitation.
The tailor clapped her hands together, "Oh, that's a wonderful suggestion! I was just about to propose the same thing. What are your thoughts?"
Rem looked a bit taken aback for a moment but then smiled, "Ah, yes, Rem would love her dresses to be blue, please." If her hero thought it was a good idea, she was all for it.
"Fantastic! Just give me a moment," she replied, moving over to a rack filled with various blue dresses.
She returned with three dresses and presented them to the pair. "Alright, I believe these three would be perfect for her. Which one catches your eye?"
Each dress showcased different shades of blue: the first was a deep blue gown adorned with sapphire accents, the second was a luxurious royal blue dress with golden details, and the last was a sky-blue gown that sparkled beautifully in the light.
All of them were stunning and quite pricey.
Rem didn't know which one to choose.
"If you don't know which one to choose, Just go with the one that resonates with you," she encouraged.
Rem still hesitated, aware that while each dress was beautiful, they were also incredibly expensive. These outfits were more suited for the wealthy, not for someone like her.
She glanced at her hero, who noticed her uncertainty and gave her an encouraging nod, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay to splurge your money every once in a while. Just focus on what you want, okay?" He flashed her a charming smile that always made her heart flutter.
Feeling reassured by her hero's support, Rem turned to Lyra, who was still holding the dresses. After a brief scan of the options, she honestly wished she could have all three but decided to choose one.
"Rem will take the third one," she said, pointing to the sky-blue gown.
"This one? Excellent choice! I'm sure it will look amazing on you!" Lyra exclaimed, setting the other two dresses aside. She then led Rem to a changing room that she had.
Subaru waited for them to finish, but in the meantime, he wandered over to the other blue dresses, thinking to himself, 'Rem liked these two as well, didn't she?'
He pulled out his coin pouch, which contained about 50 gold coins—his earnings from the month. Although he wasn't very familiar with prices, he hoped it would be sufficient.
And so, Subaru waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited–'Goddam women, they just never got dressed in time.' he was going hollow purple this place if rem isn't done–
"Subaru-kun, Rem is done dressing," he heard Rem's gentle voice call from behind him. Internally rejoicing in being freed from the boredom, he turned around, and his heart skipped a beat at the sight before him.
The sky-blue dress suited Rem perfectly, just as he had imagined. The dress hugged her figure just right—not too tight to be uncomfortable, but enough to accentuate her figure.
Overall, Rem looked stunning, a beauty that her maid outfit had never revealed.
"S-so, what do you think, Subaru-kun? Rem really likes it," she said, her hands clasped behind her back, a blush on her cheeks, and a shy demeanor.
'Wow… I didn't realize Rem could look this beautiful…' he thought, completely captivated by her charm, and it took him a moment to realize he was blushing as well.
"I-yeah, you look amazing, Rem. This one fits you perfectly," he replied, giving her a thumbs up. Her smile lit up, clearly pleased that her hero approved.
"I know, right? She looks like a dignified noble lady!" Lyra chimed in as she stepped out from behind the curtain.
"Absolutely, the dress really revealed her hidden beauty!" he said, making Rem blush even more.
"Alright then, we'll take it!" he declared, then gestured toward the other two dresses. "We'll take those two as well."
Rem whiplashed at Subaru and immediately objected, "B-but Subaru-kun, wouldn't that be too expensive? One is more than enough for me!"
Subaru shook his head firmly. "I don't think so, you deserve all the clothes you want, Remmy! I saw how much you liked all three, and that's what I'm getting for you."
Lyra stood off to the side, a soft smile gracing her lips as she observed the two engaged in a trivial argument. 'Ah, talk about a gentleman, buying clothes for his adorable lover. The dragon knows how much i'm willing to kill just to be in her place.'
"—And that's why I'm getting you all three dresses, whether you like it or not!" Subaru finally declared, taking a firm stance.
Rem let out a sigh, but inside, she was overjoyed. She truly wanted all three dresses, and the fact that her hero was buying them for her made her want to leap for joy.
"Okay, how much do they cost?" he inquired.
"Well," Lyra mused, resting her chin on her hand, "since you two are such a cute couple—" Rem squeaked in surprise, and Subaru looked as if he had been slapped, "and since you're the first customers of the day, I'll give you both a discount. The total for all three is thirty gold coins."
'Thirty! That's more than half my salary!' Subaru screamed internally. He had honestly expected the price to be around twenty gold coins at most, but thirty felt a bit steep for him.
Despite his inner turmoil, he maintained a stoic, calm exterior as he pulled out his pouch of gold and handed the coins to her. "Here you go."
Lyra nodded while counting the coins. "Alright, looks good to me! Let me bag these up for you, and you two can be on your way!" She placed the dresses in a bag and handed it to Rem.
"All done! Come back soon!" she called out, waving at the not-so-secret couple as they exited.
---------------------------------
The sun was setting, painting the market district in a warm orange hue, while some stalls and shops began to close for the evening. The once-bustling crowd started to thin out as people made their way home.
Subaru and Rem walked through the streets without a specific destination, simply enjoying the atmosphere around them.
"You know, this place is really beautiful without all the crowds," he remarked, admiring the medieval-era architecture.
Since he hadn't spent much time in the capital, he wanted to soak in as much of the scenery as possible.
"Rem agrees, this place looks beautiful at this hour," Rem agreed with a smile.
"Now that we've had our fun, should we think about heading back?" he suggested.
After buying Rem new clothes, they explored the merchant district and the capital as a whole until late afternoon, eventually stopping at a café/restaurant to eat and unwind. He was pleasantly surprised to find cafés here, even if they didn't serve coffee. They spent time chatting about various topics before heading to a park filled with children playing, followed by a leisurely stroll, which brought them to their current location.
Overall, it had been a wonderfully relaxing day.
"Yes, Rem enjoyed today, but she would like to rest back at the inn," she said, while she may be an oni, she was feeling the weight of the bags they had been carrying.
"Alright, let's head back," he said, and they started making their way to the inn.
As they strolled through the streets and crossed a small brick bridge, they had to take a detour because the road ahead was unexpectedly blocked for some reason.
While they walked, Subaru's thoughts wandered back to their day together. He had such a great time with Rem that he momentarily forgot about his issues with Emilia. Seeing Rem's flushed cheeks and bright smile truly made his day.
From shopping for her clothes to enjoying lunch together and playing in the park with kids, it was all incredibly fun—almost romantic, in fact.
Suddenly, Subaru's mind halted as he realized something he had completely missed.
'Wait a minute, did we… just go on a date?' He felt a blush creep onto his face as he acknowledged that everything they did could indeed be seen as a date.
How did he miss this? And was Rem aware of it?
He glanced at her beaming face; she looked genuinely happy about the day. And he felt the same way. So, was it really such a big deal if it was?
"Umm, Subaru-kun, did we take a wrong turn?" Rem's voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he looked around. They found themselves in a market plaza filled with stalls and shops that seemed strangely deserted. Some stalls appeared empty, while others looked like they had been hastily abandoned.
It almost felt like a ghost town, but there wasn't a speck of dust on the stalls, indicating that this place had been deserted very recently.
'Something is definitely off here,' he thought, scanning the area with his Six Eyes.
And then he spotted the problem.
"Rem, we need to get out of here," he said, his voice serious.
She looked at him, surprised. "Subaru-kun, what's wrong?"
As Subaru scanned his surroundings more, his worry grew. He quickly turned to her and grabbed her hand. "Rem, there's no time. We need to leave, now!"
Before they could react, Subaru sensed something rushing toward them. He swiftly scooped Rem up in a princess carry and dashed away from his spot, which was soon covered in tens of small ice shards.
He landed gracefully, but Rem, still in shock, accidentally dropped her bag of clothes. The shards had punctured it beyond repair, completely ruining her outfit.
"Fucking Bastard," he muttered, glaring at the remnants of his gift to Rem, now destroyed.
"Subaru-kun! What's happening? Are we being attacked?!" Rem hastily asked as she hopped off Subaru, who had just set her down. Normally, she would never let go of such a position she fantasizes about, but his serious demeanor made it clear that this situation required her to act differently.
"Yeah, we've got company, and it's not the good type," he replied with a low growl, glancing up at one of the nearby houses.
"Well, aren't you quick on your feet?" a voice called out. A figure descended from a ledge, landing about fifteen paces away.
"It took us a while to track you down, you little rat, but now there's nowhere left to run," the figure grinned maliciously.
Subaru cursed quietly to himself; he should have expected this. But he had foolishly hoped that these people possessed at least a shred of honor.
The man in front of them was a bald, middle-aged figure with a nasty scar running over his right eye, rendering it nearly useless. He wore a pristine white uniform adorned with red stripes on his shoulders and several medals, with a sword hanging at his hip.
After his confrontation with the whole throne room and thoroughly beating and humiliating one of their members, it was no surprise that the knights would come seeking revenge from him.
But involving Rem as well?
There will be hell to pay.