The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads - Chapter 80

Meanwhile, the farmer looked at Siegfried with wide-open eyes.

“Huck, Master! No, no. Your Grace!”

Then he rushed towards Siegfried.

“I heard the rumors of your return! Oh dear, you’ve become quite majestic since I first saw you. Back then, you were about this height…”

Pointing to his waist, he burst into a hearty laugh.

“It seems like everyone remembers my childhood a little too well.”

Meanwhile, Siegfried grumbled discontentedly.

To which the farmer puffed out his chest.

“Of course. It’s the childhood of the valiant hero who defeated five Demon Lords. I even bragged to my distant relatives.”

“I see.”

Siegfried’s tired face turned into a nod.

At the same time, the farmer glanced back at me.

“By the way, who might this young lady be…”

“My granddaughter.”

Grandfather proudly answered.

“Ah, nice to meet you, Lady.”

The farmer beamed, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a warm smile.

The gentle wrinkles around his eyes gave a cozy feeling.

“I’m meeting our Lady for the first time, and I have nothing to offer…”

The fumbling farmer quickly directed a question towards me.

“Oh, that’s alright. Do you happen to like apples? We harvested these last autumn, and they’re really good. Since I only have these to offer right now…”

Just then, a kindly-looking lady standing nearby suddenly brought her hand down on the man’s back with a resounding thud.

“Hey, what’s with the apples? Our Lady would only enjoy the best.”

“Oh no, I’d be grateful if you could give them to me.”

I smiled back at her.

While suggesting the apples, it seemed she didn’t quite anticipate that I would actually accept.

“Uh…”

The farmer blinked his eyes a couple of times, then quickly lowered the sack he had been carrying on his shoulder.

From the sack, he took out a single apple, briskly wiped it on his clothes, and extended it to me.

“Here, here it is.”

The bright red apple glistened invitingly.

“I’ll enjoy it!”

I took a big bite out of the apple.

The crisp, sweet taste filled my mouth with a pleasant sensation.

Siegfried and Grandfather looked down at me with approving smiles.

***

After a short walk around the town.

As we rode in the carriage, I spotted a small shop with a sign that read “Linz.”

It was a grocery store, the kind you find in every village, selling all sorts of vegetables, meats, sausages, and spices.

‘It seems like I’ve been seeing the Linz crest quite often since yesterday.’

I scratched my head.

***

After passing through several more villages like that.

We entered a bustling district where the middle class resides.

And once again, I spotted a familiar shop.

‘It’s Linz again!’

While it had been a grocery store earlier, this time it was a general store.

It primarily sold luxury goods suitable for people beyond the middle class.

‘What is this…? It almost feels monopolistic.’

I mean, it’s not like there aren’t any other shops around.

But still, the Linz storefronts seemed to dominate…

Compared to other shops, most of them were large.

Especially in the fields of groceries, general goods, and clothing – they sold a variety of items.

‘Hmm?’

Amidst these thoughts, a sudden unease brushed against me, causing me to narrow my eyes.

‘Such a prominent establishment, and it’s never been mentioned in the original work?’

The Orlean Duchy also used Linz goods, and they even supplied materials to Carolingian through Linz…

“Dad, there seem to be a lot of Linz stores!”

I pretended not to know anything and asked innocently.

Then, instead of Siegfried, it was Grandfather who chimed in with an answer.

“It’s only natural. They’ve grown remarkably over the past few years.”

Ignoring Siegfried’s glare, Grandfather continued speaking.

“They manage delivery schedules well and offer reasonable prices, so many other families trade with them, not just us.”

“I see…”

Nodding my head, I discreetly asked Grandfather.

“Um, can I take a look around the store?”

“Of course. If there’s something you want, go ahead and buy it.”

“Yes!”

We got off the carriage and entered the general store.

Jingle-

A cheerful bell rang.

As befitting a store frequented by the middle class, the interior of the general store was neatly decorated.

As soon as they recognized the ducal carriage, an attendant hurried over.

“Welcome! Is there something you’re looking for?”

“Not really. We stopped by because my granddaughter wanted to browse the store.”

“Oh, I see. If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

With that, the attendant stepped back.

We leisurely strolled around the store.

And then, unexpectedly, I absentmindedly picked up a doll and started fidgeting with it.

At that moment, Grandfather looked at the doll in my hand like a predator eyeing its prey.

“Tatiana, do you like this doll?”

It was truly an imposing presence.

Caught off guard by his intensity, I slightly recoiled and mumbled.

“It’s, it’s cute, but…..”

“Should I buy it?”

“No, Tatiana. I will buy it for you.”

Even Siegfried, who had been observing the situation, subtly joined the conversation.

At that, Grandfather shot a disapproving glance.

“I’m the one buying a toy for my granddaughter. Why are you interfering?”

“By saying that, I am Tatiana’s father. Is it strange for a father to buy a toy for his daughter?”

With that, the two wealthy men started a playful argument…

Startled, I quickly intervened between the two.

“I-it’s fine. I don’t need a doll. We already have plenty at home.”

“What? You don’t need a doll?”

“Still, it would be nice to have at least one.”

Strangely, both Grandfather and Siegfried had a defeated look on their faces…

In the end, I took special action.

“Grandfather, Dad. Would you like some candy?”

My secret weapon for when my three dads sulked.

Sharing snacks!

It worked wonders, and both men’ faces melted as soon as they popped a piece of candy into their mouths.

‘Really, it’s a good thing I brought snacks just in case.’

I mentally patted myself on the back.

‘Adults can be so childish sometimes.’

That aside…

I looked around the store extensively.

It was a general store that handled high-quality goods that you might find anywhere, without any suspicious corners.

However, I couldn’t help but notice the distant shop attendant who was closely watching the doll I had picked up.

‘Is she worried that I might break it?’

Don’t worry too much, Shop Attendant.

Although my body may be eleven years old, my mental age is much higher.

I’ve already passed the age where I’d be greedy for toys and accidentally break them.

I smiled generously at the shop attendant.

***

The inspection of the estate was completed.

We returned to the duchy and received unexpected news.

“We’ve received a message from the head of Lintz.”

“From the head? What does it say?”

Grandfather looked puzzled and asked.

The butler nodded.

“Yes. He says that the young master, I mean the patriarch, has returned after a long absence, and he would like to pay you a visit and pay his respects.”

“Well… Let him do as he pleases.”

Grandfather glanced down at me.

“It’s a good timing. Let Tatiana join the meeting as well.”

Huh, me too?

My eyes widened.

Actually, it was only natural.

Welcoming an external guest together was an act of acknowledging me as part of the family.

“Hehe.”

Feeling unusually happy, I clung to Grandfather’s robe and buried my face in it.

“Oh, why are you acting all childish all of a sudden?”

Although he scolded with his words, a big smile blossomed on Grandfather’s face.

Facing Grandfather, who gently patted my forehead, the butler asked another question.

“In that case, when should we schedule the meeting?”

“How about tomorrow at lunch?”

“Understood, I will reply accordingly.”

The butler nodded once again and left after another bow.

Then Grandfather discreetly looked down at me.

“Are you really not interested in the doll? If I asked the head of Lintz right now to get you one, would you want it?”

“No, I don’t need it.”

I replied with a serious expression.

No, if that’s the case, then it would feel like all the effort not buying the doll was in vain, right?