I Was Summoned To Be Sold as a Son-in-Law

9 – An Unexpected Reunion

“Excuse me…”

She was blocking the entrance so I tried talking to her first.

“Huh!? I’m sorr……??”

She jumped with surprise, and when her eyes met mine, she froze on the spot.

Her face turning pale.

“Are you alright?”

I ask, noticing her expression of shock upon seeing me.

“Ah.. uh… ah…”

But she only manages to utter half-formed groans, frozen in place.

‘Am I that scary? She seems really shaken.’

There had been several incidents like this in the past due to my intimidating face and large build. Like when a woman walking ahead of me on a secluded street at night suddenly started to run away as I approached.

The girl in front of me seems to be in her mid-teens.

Girls her age seem to be more prone to react like this.

“Hmm…”

‘But up close, she’s even more…’

I can’t help but take her in, even while thinking that she’s afraid of me.

This kind of otherworldly beauty is something I’ve never seen in person, so it’s only natural that my gaze would be captivated.

Especially in this world where most women have prominent features typical of Western faces, she has a delicate and youthful face with a touch of oriental features.

Her mature body contrasting with her innocent a

I wanted to see that innocent face further sink into embarrassment.

Yes, preferably the reaction when they’ve clumsily grasped that impressive thing.

“Eh…”

Her expression suddenly turned sour and she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Oh.”

Reality hits. Did she notice my gaze?

I heard somewhere that women are sensitive to a man’s gaze.

‘No, you were the one blatantly staring, idiot.’

I cursed at myself.

‘What the hell am I even doing standing here?’

It felt as if I were possessed by something.

Quickly, I averted my gaze and forced a smile.

“I must have been mistaken about something. Well then, I should go.”

With that, I opened the door.

“Ah…”

There was a regrettable sound from behind, but I purposefully ignored it and took a step forward.

“Phew…”

I let out a sigh.

Would this be what it feels like to see a fox spirit or succubus that enchants people?

They said to save yourself until marriage, but could I really resist if a girl like that was determined to seduce me?

‘Maybe, like I would ever get seduced.’

I joked to myself.

But I didn’t have that much confidence.

‘Let’s just go shopping.’

The door closed and a bell clanged.

The person, presumed to be the shop owner, upon hearing that sound, came towards us with a few casual steps.

“Oh my~ Isn’t this Carol! Is the person next to you the one from the rumor?”

It was someone flamboyantly dressed.

‘Male or female?’

I described them as “someone” because their gender was indistinguishable.

The manner of speaking seemed strangely repulsive.

Carol just nodded nonchalantly.

It appeared they were acquainted, but Carol seemed rather reluctant to engage with the clothing store owner.

“Black hair! Oh my~ Gorgeous! It’s my first time seeing you~ Come on in.”

Her manner of speech reminded me of a famous designer on TV, sort of androgynous.

I assumed the use of English is due to the translation magic that took effect on me.

Maybe she was mixing imperial and royal languages.

Anyway, it’s quite flattering to be highly regarded upon the first meeting.

“What are you here for today~?”

He slyly touched my arm.

-Touched lightly

‘A woman, huh’

A small but distinct moist sensation was felt on my arm.

Regretfully, I pulled my arm away from her grasp.

“I came to match my outfit with Anderson’s robe.”

My voice came out tenser than usual.

This type of situation is cumbersome due to my personality.

“Oh dear, honey~ You don’t need to be so nervous~ Let’s be casual, okay? I’m casual~”

She covered her mouth with one hand and patted my arm with the other.

She referred to herself as an elder sister, but it’s honestly hard to guess her age.

I was left with no choice but to give an awkward laugh.

“hahahaha, okay…”

I looked helplessly at Carol for support, but she too seemed to share my discomfort.

‘I wonder if this world’s women find the shop owner’s behavior distasteful?’

I thought of a middle-aged man who gave off such vibes from my world.

Certainly, there are many men who would avoid this type of character.

The shop owner returned to the counter and started writing something with a pen.

Probably a ledger.

Having escaped from her, I finally had the energy to look around the shop.

The store was quite spacious and there were ready-made clothes lined up.

Not just clothes, there were also bags, hats, accessories on display.

And several people were perusing the goods.

‘All of them are nobles, perhaps?’

Judging by their attire and ambiance alone, one could surmise they were of noble blood.

I have seen many commoners in the royal territory, but the nobles, they were distinctively different at first glance.

This store, most probably, is a boutique primarily catered for the royals.

I have come to know that all the high-end luxury brands also started off this way in their initial phase of their business.

Having clothes tailored in one of these upscale stores would cost a considerably large sum.

And to afford this for every member of the family…

‘Indeed, a Viscount’s house is bound to be a Viscount’s.’

While casually browsing through the store,

– Ding-ding~

The bell attached to the store’s entrance goes off.

Looks like another customer had arrived.

Naturally, my gaze veered towards the entrance.

There,

was a red-headed girl.

‘Come to think of it, I did notice her lingering near the store. Did she have some business here?’

Afaring my gaze might shift towards her chest again, I quickly averted my eyes off her.

Fortunately, the store owner, finished with the accounts, approached to greet her.

“I’ll be with a customer for a bit. Just a moment~”

Passing by, he made sure to apologize to me also.

“A new face~? Is this your first time?”

Surely a demisemiquaver.

“Um, that…”

“Speak freely. I’m an easy-going person~”

That statement was part of his repertoire.

The red-haired girl opened her mouth hesitantly.

“I came…to buy… some stylish clothes…”

“On a date with the boyfriend, huh!”

“Ah, no. He… He’s not my boyfriend..”

Her flustered fumble was clear.

The shop owner nodded as if to dismiss the matter.

“Got it, got it~ I’ll take care of it for you in style. But there’s someone else here before you, so wait just a moment~”

“Ah, okay….”

She nodded slightly in agreement, and stood there as if she had been nailed to the spot.

“We kept you waiting, right~? I’ll take measurements first~”

The shop owner came towards me, rummaging through her pockets.

“Oh dear, where did I put my tape measure? Hold on for just a moment~”

She then opened and went through a door behind the counter.

‘So busy… Hmm, am I in for a long wait?’

I sat on a bench near the store entrance to rest my tired legs after a long walk.

Maid Carol was still standing next to me in an upright posture.

“Carol, sit down and rest too. You must be tired.”

“I’m all right.”

Considering whatever I had gathered about her these past few days, I didn’t insist further.

However, there was one more character in the surroundings that was catching my attention.

The red-haired girl standing halfway through the shop entrance.

‘Is she waiting there just because the shop owner told her to? Impossible..’

Could there be someone so obedient?

No, looking at her, I had a rough guess of the situation.

Whispering softly with her gaze down and fingers fidgeting.

Like someone who has come to such a shop for the first time. In one word: awkward.

‘I can relate…’

I’d felt exactly like that when I went shopping for clothes in Dongdaemun for the first time in junior high.

Looking at her, she appeared to be an introvert, without a doubt.

Somehow, I wanted to extend a helping hand.

“Hey…”

“Yes, y-yes?”

Startled by my sudden approach, she drew a breath and then responded.

With the utmost effort to put on a smile, I suggest to her:

“Feel free to take a seat here. You might cause obstruction to the passers-by, standing there.”

As I gently tap beside me on the bench. Then, I slide towards the edge of the bench to leave the middle space free, so that she won’t feel uncomfortable.

“Oh…”

She turns around to see the store entrance then seems to realize that she’s been blocking the way.

She stares for a moment at the spot I cleared for her, then clenches her fist as if she’s made a decision, and comes to sit.

In the middle of the bench.

‘Eh?’

I’m taken aback.

‘Why did she sit there when I purposely moved to give her the space on the end?’

We’re close together, our arms almost touching.

‘Nice smell…’

A sweet, comforting scent, similar to condensed milk, gently wafts over from her.

I made a great effort to keep my gaze forward, resisting the urge to glance her way.

If I look at her now, it would be too stimulating, compounded with this scent.

‘It’s hard to control the excitement.’

The truth is, already I feel a slight feeling of blood rushing.

“Um, excuse me…!”

“Yes?”

Unintentionally, I turn my head towards her when she talks.

Our seated height difference is quite significant, she has to look up at me from where she’s seated right beside me.

My gaze starts to wander down.

From her flaming red hair, to the straight cut of her bangs, her wide-open eyes, her small, compact nose and mouth, the slightly round chin that still has some youthful thickness, down to the something large which obstructs my sight.

“What, what brings you here?”

I quickly divert my gaze, making eye contact.

But why would she suddenly ask this? Is she interested in me?

“I’m dressed for a date.”

My tone becomes stilted. I don’t know why, but this is how I become whenever I’m around a woman I’m attracted to.

My fiancée always made me feel comfortable…

‘Sorry, Betty.’

“‘Wh-Who with?!”

There was an unmistakable bewilderment. Was she genuinely interested in me?

“I have a fiancée.”

“I see… hehehehe.”

She listened to me and let out a falsely radiant laugh.

‘She really is beautiful’

I found myself smiling unknowingly. It wasn’t a conscious decision, it just happened naturally.

But knowing I had a fiancée, and hearing I was going on a date with her, and still being so pleased about it made me want to die.

‘To hell with it. There’s no way such a beauty wouldn’t have a boyfriend.’

“I also came here to buy clothes for a date.”

“Oh… I see.”

Her confirmation acted as the coup de grâce, triggering my sadness.

‘No, wait, why should I be sad? I’m the one with a fiancée.’

Following my brief response, an awkward silence ensues.

“Had to keep you waiting~! Sorry~. Let’s get your measurements, come here.”

Gratefully, the shop owner refreshes the ambiance.

I stood up and approached her.

“Spread your arms~”

I spread both arms. She took her tape measure and rested it behind my back, as if she were giving me a hug.

Discreetly, she leant in, pressing her body against mine.

‘Did she really need to be that close…’

Perhaps the dynamics of male and female relationships are indeed reversed in this world.

Then at that moment.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I wanted to live.