Chapter 25:
Chapter 25 — The Price of Adoption
S. T. A. W
Jay relaxed in the peaceful garden setting, accepting the hospitality.「Thanks again for that... I'm currently low on funds 'cos my allowance was shortened recently.」「...Confused... But aren't you already an adult?」Lena answered with an exasperated sigh.「Papa is, but when it comes to money, we usually go shopping a lot. Mama even decreased my allowance, too.」「...Laughs... So, Lena, you and your Papa... I hear you like pastries a lot.」「Yes, we do!」「Well, I can see why your Mama is cutting your allowances, then.」「Yah, but it's just a few gold coins! Not that much!」 Jay insisted.【Most commoners would buy a house with that type of money. Nobles would spend it wastefully, and yet he uses it to make her happy. Can't say if he's wasting money or not.】 Randall mused inwardly.「Um... Yah, but since money was out, I hope this would be enough.」
A shimmering portal appeared on the ground, and a majestic statue slowly rose from the swirling light until it was fully materialized, resting perfectly next to their table.
「A statue of the Mother Goddess. And of course, I gave her no face, as said in the Scripture. So instead, her face will illuminate at night, just as the text says her face would.」Randall was utterly stunned, his composure breaking.「【Shocked, it's a perfect replica! Not even our best craftsman are on his level!】 So, what is it made of?」「Err... Well, since she's an eternal being, it's made from Mythril, and I used the same jewels and linen for her clothes and accessories that she had in the texts.」「No way! You do know most of those items don't exist, right?!」「Yah. ...Chuckles nervously... Fun fact: I have a skill that allows me to make items as long as I have a clear image of it in my head.」Randall's gaze became penetrating, laced with a fear he rarely showed.【What skill? No way, but he doesn't look like he hails from those countries... I sense no greed from him, but... that all-consuming darkness, that level of greed—I know it all too well... Does that mean he's who I think he is, or is he an imposter?】「Um... It's OK to pay for her baptism, right? Oh, and I hope it's enough for her sister's back home, too.」「Ye-yes, it's more than enough... Um, would you like some tea, then?」「Yah, sure, sounds good. ...Lena tugs his shirt... Yes, Princess?」「Um... Papa ...Points at plate...」「Oh, you want some cake too?」Lena nodded in agreement.「OK. ...Gives it to her... But next time, there's no need to be shy, OK?」「Oh, OK, and thank you, Papa.」「You're welcome, Princess.」A scheme formed in Randall's mind.【Now, let's see if I can test him.】「Say, Jay, what do you think of Lisa?」 Randall asked, leading the conversation.「She's a lot to handle, sure has a mouth on her, but ...sighs... it pains me to say it, but she's kind. Way too kind, actually.」「Oh, I see.」Lisa entered the garden, carrying a tray.「Sorry to intrude, but I heard you requested tea.」Lena, eating her cake, suddenly froze.【Wait! Ms. Lisa came in after that question! So he's trying to set Papa and her up... Don't worry, Pope! I gotchu!】She shows Randall a discreet thumps up. 【Seems like the daughter is sharper than the father.】 Randall thought, slightly amused.「Um... Hi, Lena.」「...Swallows... Hi, Ms. Lisa.」「Huh? Lisa, how have you been holding up?」「I was OK. ...Pours them the tea... Thanks for asking.」「You're welcome.」「Say, Jay, I've been looking for a suitor for Lisa, but there are far too many who aren't honest men, you know that, right?」「Yah. ...Takes a sip of his tea... With her personality and maturity, she's fine. ...Looks at Lisa... Damn, she's real fine. Is this how she looks without the garments and stuff?」「(m...Laughs... Yes! So, are you truly that shocked?」「Yah. If I knew, then maybe I wouldn't have done what I did in the Guild that day.」「Oh, yah, I heard about that kiss. ...Then Lisa blushed...」「Sorry 'bout that.」「It's OK. 'Cos of that, she's not cursed any longer.」「I guess, but honestly, just being in her presence can make any man happy.」「Yes, Ms. Lisa is really pretty, too!」 Lena chimed in.「...Blushing like crazy... Um... Err, thank you, guys.」Randall got straight to the point.「So, Jay, are you interested in being a suitor?」「Well, if she gave me a chance, then sure, I'm interested. Heck, I'd marry her on the spot!」
Jay and Randall started laughing amused at what Jay said.Randall slowly stopped laughing, his eyes now serious.
「OK, sure, then I approve.」Jay’s laughter died in his throat.「Wait, what?」Lena, thinking she had helped, delivered the final blow.「Papa, wait! You didn't know the reason you were called here is because Ms. Lisa has a crush on you, Papa!」「Err... Why didn't you tell me, Princess?! And where did you learn that word?!」「By Mama!」【Damn you, Iris... Lena's still too young for that!】「Are you sure?」
A shimmering portal appeared on the ground, and a majestic statue slowly rose from the swirling light until it was fully materialized, resting perfectly next to their table.
「A statue of the Mother Goddess. And of course, I gave her no face, as said in the Scripture. So instead, her face will illuminate at night, just as the text says her face would.」Randall was utterly stunned, his composure breaking.「【Shocked, it's a perfect replica! Not even our best craftsman are on his level!】 So, what is it made of?」「Err... Well, since she's an eternal being, it's made from Mythril, and I used the same jewels and linen for her clothes and accessories that she had in the texts.」「No way! You do know most of those items don't exist, right?!」「Yah. ...Chuckles nervously... Fun fact: I have a skill that allows me to make items as long as I have a clear image of it in my head.」Randall's gaze became penetrating, laced with a fear he rarely showed.【What skill? No way, but he doesn't look like he hails from those countries... I sense no greed from him, but... that all-consuming darkness, that level of greed—I know it all too well... Does that mean he's who I think he is, or is he an imposter?】「Um... It's OK to pay for her baptism, right? Oh, and I hope it's enough for her sister's back home, too.」「Ye-yes, it's more than enough... Um, would you like some tea, then?」「Yah, sure, sounds good. ...Lena tugs his shirt... Yes, Princess?」「Um... Papa ...Points at plate...」「Oh, you want some cake too?」Lena nodded in agreement.「OK. ...Gives it to her... But next time, there's no need to be shy, OK?」「Oh, OK, and thank you, Papa.」「You're welcome, Princess.」A scheme formed in Randall's mind.【Now, let's see if I can test him.】「Say, Jay, what do you think of Lisa?」 Randall asked, leading the conversation.「She's a lot to handle, sure has a mouth on her, but ...sighs... it pains me to say it, but she's kind. Way too kind, actually.」「Oh, I see.」Lisa entered the garden, carrying a tray.「Sorry to intrude, but I heard you requested tea.」Lena, eating her cake, suddenly froze.【Wait! Ms. Lisa came in after that question! So he's trying to set Papa and her up... Don't worry, Pope! I gotchu!】She shows Randall a discreet thumps up. 【Seems like the daughter is sharper than the father.】 Randall thought, slightly amused.「Um... Hi, Lena.」「...Swallows... Hi, Ms. Lisa.」「Huh? Lisa, how have you been holding up?」「I was OK. ...Pours them the tea... Thanks for asking.」「You're welcome.」「Say, Jay, I've been looking for a suitor for Lisa, but there are far too many who aren't honest men, you know that, right?」「Yah. ...Takes a sip of his tea... With her personality and maturity, she's fine. ...Looks at Lisa... Damn, she's real fine. Is this how she looks without the garments and stuff?」「(m...Laughs... Yes! So, are you truly that shocked?」「Yah. If I knew, then maybe I wouldn't have done what I did in the Guild that day.」「Oh, yah, I heard about that kiss. ...Then Lisa blushed...」「Sorry 'bout that.」「It's OK. 'Cos of that, she's not cursed any longer.」「I guess, but honestly, just being in her presence can make any man happy.」「Yes, Ms. Lisa is really pretty, too!」 Lena chimed in.「...Blushing like crazy... Um... Err, thank you, guys.」Randall got straight to the point.「So, Jay, are you interested in being a suitor?」「Well, if she gave me a chance, then sure, I'm interested. Heck, I'd marry her on the spot!」
Jay and Randall started laughing amused at what Jay said.Randall slowly stopped laughing, his eyes now serious.
「OK, sure, then I approve.」Jay’s laughter died in his throat.「Wait, what?」Lena, thinking she had helped, delivered the final blow.「Papa, wait! You didn't know the reason you were called here is because Ms. Lisa has a crush on you, Papa!」「Err... Why didn't you tell me, Princess?! And where did you learn that word?!」「By Mama!」【Damn you, Iris... Lena's still too young for that!】「Are you sure?」
Please sign in to leave a comment.