For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 61
“Welcome to Sidmon.”
With a lifeless greeting from the gatekeeper, we entered the first village, Sidmon.
As expected, having a priest with us made the process of verifying our identities as simple as a free pass.
As we bypassed the long line of people waiting for their identity verification and stepped inside the village walls, the cheerful voices of children were the first to greet us.
The kids, wielding wooden sticks and pretending to be knights, burst into laughter as they disappeared beyond the alley.
“It’s a lively place.”
Ariel smiled softly, his gaze following the children as they ran off.
“Indeed.”
Since the village was right next to the capital, its infrastructure and economy were as stable as the capital’s. That was probably why the children could laugh and play without a care in the world.
The buildings in Sidmon were mostly short with pointed roofs. Looking at the quaint, red-roofed houses that seemed straight out of a fairytale made me realize how far I’d come from the margraviate.
In the outskirts where the margraviate was located, winters were long, so most buildings were constructed from solid gray stone to keep out the cold. The dull color made the atmosphere feel heavy and melancholic.
In contrast, the bright and colorful roofs of Sidmon instantly brought thoughts of spring to mind. It was a village that really appealed to me.
We passed through the bustling village entrance and entered a street lined with shops. Amid the shouts of merchants trying to attract customers, I looked around for a shop with a sign featuring round orbs.
“Where could the communication shop be…”
Places that had the high-end magical device, the communication orb, were rare, but in a village as large as Sidmon, there should be at least one or two.
Feyden looked at me oddly, and Ariel also seemed confused as I searched for a communication shop instead of a lodging or a regular shop.
“I’m just trying to use a communication orb.”
In truth, I was doing it for Feyden, who couldn’t take his eyes off the children that were about the same age as Truu.
‘I’m curious to see how Truu is doing too.’
Thanks to Ariel, we found the communication shop, and I gave Feyden a gentle nudge on his back.
“Feyden, go ahead and use the communication orb.”
“Why would I?”
His reaction was indifferent, as if wondering why he would need to use it.
“To check on Truu, see how he’s doing.”
“…Do you even know how expensive it is to use a communication orb, Potato?”
I had been wondering why his lips were pouting, and it turned out he was worried about money.
To show him that worrying about money was the last thing we needed to do, I quickly rummaged through my pocket.
“Did you forget the contract? I’m covering all the travel expenses.”
“Does that include the cost of checking on Truu?”
“Of course.”
I pulled out a shiny gold coin from my pouch and placed it in Feyden’s hand, then closed his hand around it. I made sure to give him a big, bright smile too.
“Your employer is loaded.”
Feyden stared down at the gold coin in his hand, looking as though he still suspected I had somehow gotten lucky in hiring him and Ariel.
“Hey, I’m telling the truth.”
Thanks to Declan’s generous father, of course.
I easily ignored the doubtful look in his eyes and pulled out a silver coin, pressing it into his other hand.
“And this is for buying yourself some snacks.”
“What?”
That’s payback for the potato comment.
I put on a haughty expression, like a wealthy noble lady, and turned sharply on my heels.
“I’ll be waiting out front, so take your time.”
“Yes, Feyden. I’ll stay by Lady Estira’s side.”
Feyden hesitated for a moment before heading inside the communication shop.
He probably thought he was walking calmly, but to me, he looked like an anxious puppy needing to relieve itself. Ariel must have thought the same, as he let out a soft chuckle.
***
—Yup! I’m doing great, big bro!
Hearing Truu’s lively voice, the corners of Feyden’s mouth relaxed. While the older brother had spent the night sleeping on the cold ground and fighting off bad guys, the younger brother was bragging about sleeping in a warm, cozy bed.
What a clueless little peanut.
“…That’s good.”
If he’d known Truu would be doing this well, Feyden thought, he would have signed the contract sooner instead of making the kid cry.
“I’ll call you again. Eat well, okay?”
Feyden stared blankly at the transparent orb reflecting his own face, then made a move to get up from his seat. But he quickly sat back down, deciding to make another call.
He used the silver coin he received as change and stated the destination for his next call.
