Chapter 56 : To The Guild!

T/N: I'm.. pregnant! Oh G.o.d and everyday I feel sluggish, lethargic, dizzy, lost appet.i.te and I puke every time I eat.. Argh.. I feel sick almost 24/7….. I even lose weight even though my bmi is already 19.9 (160cm and 52kg but now Im 50ish kg). They said it's normal to feel like this in the early trimester but..ah….

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"Ah… So delicious.."

I went to the cafe that Fer-san recommended and true to Fer-san's word, the meal was really delicious!

I felt so satisfied!

With bloated stomach, I drank the rest of my tea leisurely.

"I wonder whether they've finished their discussion..?"

It had been almost an hour since I left them. 

I had taken my time eating, enjoying the food to my heart's content and now I was drinking the tea while waiting for my body to digest the food inside. 

Taking my pocket watch out of my magic bag, I confirmed approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes had pa.s.sed by. 

"I guess it's time to return back." 

I took out some cash from my pocket to pay for my meal. 

Not every establishment in the market accepted guild card as payment so I needed to have cash ready just in case. 

Ah, I needed to withdraw another 10.000 elk from the guild, I've almost ran out of cash. 

Oh also, I needed to have separate wallet for both party expenses and household expenses otherwise I wouldn't be able to differentiate the cash I had on hand for personal expenses, party expenses and household expenses. 

Currently I had 2.500.000 elk in my personal guild card and 10.000.000 elk in the party card.

Carrying that amount of money around made me anxious.

I think it'd be better to keep those card inside of me and never called the cards out unless the others were with me.

Safety first after all! 

I felt a.s.sured that the card wouldn't come out unless I wanted it to and no one other than me could use it. 

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"h.e.l.lo, I've returned~" I said as I went inside Luxury.

The distance between the cafe and the jewelry shop was only 2 blocks away so it didn't take me too much time to walk back.

"Welcome back, Ren-sama. We've finished finalizing the purchase of the cuff just 5 minutes ago. Everyone is still in the parlor, allow me to escort you there." Ernst-san greeted me as I entered the shop.

"Ah I see! Thank you very much." 

Seemed like everyone had finished their discussion just a few minutes ago. 

I followed Ernst-san as he escorted me to the parlor from before.

"Excuse me, Ren-sama has returned." Ernst-san knocked on the door before he opened it and gestured me to go inside first. 

The other three were sitting on a single sofa separately while chatting together. 

"Ah Ren-chan!~ We've come up with a beautiful design you know~" Chris-san smiled cheerfully, he looked so bright and happy. I could see that he truly had a good time during the discussion.

"Ooh, I can't wait to see it!"

"We've finished our business here and Ren-kun also finished eating. What are we going to do next?" Fer-san asked.

"Oh I'm planning to go to the guild. I already told Malik-san that I'd meet with him after I finished from the jewellry." 

"Ah is it about your promotion? Okay, let's go." Sig-san replied. 

I had been planning to go to the guild alone but since the three of them had finished their business as well and didn't have anything else to do, it was decided that all four of us would go to the guild together. 

The three of them stood from the sofa and walked with me toward the shop's front door. 

"Ernst-san, thank you for your help today." I bowed curtly to Ernst-san as we were about to leave the shop. 

"No no, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you so much for coming to our store. We look forward to meeting with you next week." Ernst-san thanked us and bowed in return. 

Hm? Next week? 

"Next week?" I asked my fiance. 

"Yeah, we only had a brief discussion about the outline of the design today. The sketch is still a draft so next week we're going to have in depth discussion and have a look at more detailed sketch from them. Well, it's okay if you don't come with us Ren. The three of us will do." 

"I see.. Well, I will be looking forward to it then. I can't wait~" 

I see.. 

Since it was a custom order cuff, they needed to discuss the design more thoroughly. 

Fufu~ I wonder what kind of design they will come up with ? 

I can't wait~

"Well then, excuse us." Fer-san said. 

"See you next week~" Chris-san added. 

The other three bowed at Ernst-san before we walked back to the guild. 

"Malik-san must've wanted to talk about Ren-chan's promotion, right?~ The process is troublesome but we have to do it to become rank so it can't be helped huh~ It's even more troublesome if the meeting were in a different country, we're lucky the next meeting will be held in Aspell."

"I'm not sure.. I haven't received any formal announcement yet afterall. Malik-san also said that the information of the subjugation will take a while before they reach the other country."

I've never been to another country before.. 

Ah, more like I've never been to another place other than Pedrel and Baunov before. 

It'd be nice to travel to another place one day.. 

"Well for the time being let's head to the guild first." Sig-san said. 

"Yes."

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After 10 minutes of walking, we finally arrived at the guild. 

As I opened the door, I saw Tord-san was managing the reception instead of Norsan. 

"Good afternoon, do you know where's Malik-san?" I asked.

"Ah! Ren-san! Master is in his office on the second floor!" When Tord-san noticed our presence, he smiled warmly at us, it felt like a flower was blooming around him but as he walked toward us, his face grew solemn and he added weakly," …. Oh is that your engagement cuff? They suit you. Congratulations." 

"Thank you. He's upstairs? I will go to see him then." 

We thanked Tord-san for the compliment and went upstairs to Malik-san's office. 

"Truly oblivious." 

"If someone didn't speak outright, he won't notice."

"If that guy can't tell it straight I guess everything will stay as it is." 

While we were walking on the stairs, the other three were busy talking about something. 

Chris-san was the shortest among them, our height difference was only 30 cm. 

He was walking one step ahead from me but it felt like he was somewhere far away from me. 

I couldn't hear what they were saying clearly but they weren't talking about me, right? 

Well, I didn't really mind either way. 

We knocked on the door closest to the staircase which was Malik-san's office. 

Yesterday we also had came here, we had been coming here for two consecutive days huh. 

I knocked on the door and said,"Good afternoon Malik-san, here we are." 

Malik-san was writing something on the paper when we went inside.

It seemed there was no one else here but us. 

"Oh. Can you wait for me in the parlor ? The door is over there. I will join you guys after I finish with this doc.u.ment." Malik-san pointed on the door on the side. He was talking to us but his gaze didn't waver from the doc.u.ment on his hand. 

"Okay." I nodded even though Malik-san might not see me and walked toward the door.

I've never went to Malik-san's waiting room before. 

I was certain he wouldn't pointed us toward there unless he wanted to talk about something important.

"Should we sit here?"  Fer-san asked as we scanned the parlor. 

"I guess so. Perhaps we've come at a bad time?" I tilted my head to the side.

"He told us that he will come to us after he finished, right? Then it's alright, isn't?" Sig-san shrugged.

There were two two-seaters sofa and a table in the middle, the sitting room in Luxury had more seats than here. 

I was sitting with Sig-san while Chris-san and Fer-san sat together. 

There were no more seats left for Malik-san.. 

I'd sit for now but when Malik-san came I will stand instead. 

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"Ou. Sorry for the wait. I had to some doc.u.ment to look at, you see." While we were talking with each other, Malik-san came with a single sheet of paper and a folding chair on his other hand. 

He dropped the chair on my left side and put the paper on the table. 

Ah… I missed the timing to stand up and gave my seat to Malik-san….

"Is this the doc.u.ment?" Fer-san asked curiously. 

So this doc.u.ment had something to do with us ? 

"Yeah, this doc.u.ment is related to Ren's promotion to A rank. Since I'm the representative of Ren's registered guild and also I'm Ren's guardian in Alsar, I need to prepare the doc.u.ment first." 

"Oh?? So it's already decided??"

Ah as expected from Malik-san, his intuition was spot on! 

I'm about to receive promotion for real! 

Can I really become rank though ? 

But the other three will come with me so I felt relaxed but.. 

They will come with me to the capital, right? 

"I knew it! We will soon receive the summon to the royal capital. The meeting will start on the first day of the month, right? Then Ren will receive the call to the headquarters on the 2nd of August. We can do the greetings for Chris's family and the others before or after the call. I don't mind either way." Sig-san explained. 

"I understand.. Then.. Everyone.. We will go to the capital together, right?" I asked sheepishly. 

The thought of going to the capital all by myself scares me a little…

"Of course!" The three replied in unison, their voice was latched with determination, leaving no room for discussion. 

"Geez Ren-chan~ We're your fiance you know? Unless we can't help it, we're going to stay together with you no matter what~" 

"In addition, we're in the same party together. During the promotion, every party member has to be present with the candidate. We will stay with you even during the examination so rest a.s.sured, Ren-kun."

"Ren, don't worry. I will be by your side at all times, 'kay?"

The three of them cheered me up in their own way. 

My spirit instantly lifted up the moment I heard their words, I guess I've started to depend on them unconsciously?

Well we are going to get married eventually so I guess it's okay to rely on them more. 

"Thank you. If everyone will be coming with me, I feel a lot more at ease."

"Ren,you can try to rely on me more you know? I don't mind in the slightest bit." Sig-san who was sitting beside me said as he ruffled my head.

Thanks to him, the hair on my back became messy and the ponytail I had become loose. 

My head looked like a bird's nest now. 

"That's right~ The three of us are always eager to spoil Ren-chan in any way we can after all~" Chris-san suddenly appeared in front of me and whispered sweetly with a charming smile that could make everyone's heart swooned. 

If.. If you guys pampered me more than this, I'd become a spoiled brat instead.. I'd become a useless person who cannot do anything by himself, you know?

"You guys.. Stop flirting with each other when I'm here.." Malik-san growled lowly, his displeasure could be seen on his face clearly.

"We're not flirting around you know?!" I exclaimed.

We weren't flirting around but maybe from other's perspective it looked like we were flirting?

"Ren, I need you to give this doc.u.ment to the staff when you arrived at the capital." Malik-san handed me the doc.u.ment to me.

"Okay, I understand. I will hold on to this doc.u.ment." As I received the paper from Malik-san, I suddenly remembered.

"Ah right! Malik-san I forgot to return your magic bag yesterday! When we returned home, I will surely give it back to you! And.. The money that you gave to me as well…"

"Ahh.. I told you they're my second-hand goods, right? I'm not using them anymore so you can keep on using it, Ren. As for the money.. Isn't normal for a parent to give their child some pocket money? Ren do you really hate receiving those pocket money and magic bag from me..?" Malik-san sighed, his slumped shoulder making his figure looked smaller than usual. 

"Uugh… I understand, I will accept everything with a grateful heart then." I decided to stop trying to argue anymore and received Malik-san's kindness gratefully. 

I had honestly thought Malik-san was only letting me borrow his things and then I would return it back after the quest.

But when he looked at me with such distraught expression like that..There was no way I could deny him, right?

"Ah, that's right. Ren, your engagement cuff looks nice. They look good on you!" Malik-san blinked as if he had just noticed the cuff on me and praised me with such a sweet smile on his face. 

Malik-san gently straightened my messy hair (thanks to Sig-san) back in place. 

It seemed like his dejected figure just a second ago was an illusion given how cheery he looked now. 

"Ah..Thank you for the praise.."

This cuff was a concrete proof that I had become engaged, so I became embarra.s.sed when Malik-san praised me like that.

Ah, my face felt hot. My cheek must be flushed red right now. 

"Now, who's flirting with whom?" Sig-san growled.

"Really, this father and son… Aren't they a little bit too close with each other?~"

"The familial love between the two of them is different than our love to Ren-kun so it's alright but still.." Fer-san sighed.

The other three continued to grumble but this was a normal skins.h.i.+p between father and son you know!

I mean, I had never had a father figure before so I wouldn't know what was considered as 'normal' but every household had their own circ.u.mstances so I guess there was no real limit or rule to what could be considered as 'normal'.

I think my relations.h.i.+p with Malik-san was a normal thing so it's fine I guess?

Malik-san kept on tidying my hair up and even when my hair was neat enough, Malik-san still kept on stroking my head.

"Well now that we're done here, you can do as you please. You can go and take a quest or maybe you can stroll around the street. I will be returning home late today so you don't have to wait for me and just go to sleep first, okay?"

The reason why Malik-san returned home late varied, sometimes it was because of work, sometimes it was because Malik-san wanted to drink all night long. 

But nevertheless, Malik-san always told me beforehand if he was about to return home late and always told me to go sleep first without waiting for him. 

"Okay, I will go to sleep properly. Don't worry, Malik-san."

Feeling reluctant, Malik-san stroked my head one last time before he finally returned to his office to work,"Bye then."

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"Umm.." I started, unsure how to continue.

Noticing my reluctance, Fer-san said,"Ren-kun, you must be tired, right? Let's call it a day. We will escort you home, okay?" 

I was grateful Fer-san was quick to notice my feelings without me telling him directly. I was unsure how to say that I wanted to return home without upsetting them. 

"Okay. I do feel a little bit tired." I admitted.

Actually I hadn't walked much today but.. How do I say it.. Rather than physically tired, I was more like emotionally tired. 

A lot of things happened today and honestly.. It was draining.. 

I could use 'heal' to restore my fatigue if I was physically tired but 'heal' couldn't be used to restore emotional fatigue. 

When I returned home, I'm going to spend the rest of my day by lazing around all night.

"Okay, let's return home but you guys are staying in the guild's inn, right? If you escort me back home then you will need to return back to here. Rather than wasting your time and effort to go back and forth between the house and the guild, I think it'd be better if I go home by myself instead." 

"But we want to send Ren-chan home!~ Okay?~ Pretty pleaseee Ren-chan?~ Let us send you home, please?~" Chris-san c.o.c.ked his head to the side and fluttered his eyelashes at me.

"Fufu when you begging me so earnestly like that, how could I refuse? Fine then. I will be in your care." I replied.

I'd feel bad if they had to waste their time by escorting me home and furthermore, it wasn't that late yet! I'm a man, I could safely return home by myself if needed!

But when Chris-san was begging at me so cutely like that, I just couldn't refuse him! 

Ah.. To think I could see a 30 year old man as cute.. A good looking man was truly incredible… They could bend trivial things like age so easily.. 

In the end, the three of them escort me back home. 

The time needed to travel between the guild and the house was only 5 minutes though. 

I bid goodbyes and promised to meet with them again tomorrow. 

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T/N: I like it that not only they cannot resist Ren's cuteness, Ren also cannot resist their cuteness in return!~ Healthy relations.h.i.+p to be sure!

Chapter 57 (not yet)