[First Person POV: Eden]
As soon as I got out of the place, my eyes immediately fell on the little girl with a hat covering her head and a bag in her hand.
Light brown hair fell down her shoulders, and beautiful blue eyes, just like mine.
The little girl that I hadn't seen for a while stood in front of me.
"Hii."
With an awkward expression, I waved my hand towards her.
She replied by waving her hand as she came closer to me.
She extended her handbag towards me, and I took it from her.
Then she took out her backpack that she was wearing and passed it to me, and I took it as well.
"Get down," she said, and I crouched down, matching her height.
"You never came to see me again," she hugged me as she whispered softly.
"I am sorry," I apologized as I hugged her back.
"Mama said that I can be with you all day just for today," she said happily as she broke the hug.
"She did?" I asked in surprise, not expecting Valeria to trust anyone with the safety of her daughter.
"She did," she replied with a smile.
"Then should we have some fun?" I asked as I stood up.
"Yes!" she exclaimed happily, opening her arms, and I immediately picked her up.
"So what do you want to do first?" I asked as we started to walk towards the main streets while I covered my half of my face as to not gather unwanted attention.
"Ice cream!" She exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Then let's get you some ice cream," I replied, smiling as I made my way towards the ice cream stall.
"Daddy," she mumbled, hugging my neck.
"It's big brother. I told you to call me brother, remember?" I replied, gently making her look at me.
"You did, Daddy? I forgot," she said, smiling mischievously.
"Yeah, yeah, say what you want," I replied, and she hugged me tightly.
"I want a chocolate ice cream."
"And we are going to get that," I said as we arrived in front of an ice cream shop.
"What would you like, sir?" The shopkeeper asked, and I moved Zaria forward.
"Two chocolate ice creams!" She said, and the shopkeeper laughed in response as he looked at me. I nodded, confirming the order.
"Having fun with your brother, little lady?" The shopkeeper said as he passed an ice cream to her.
"But he is my dad—hump," she started to say before I quickly placed my hand over her mouth, not wanting people to look at us weirdly.
"How much?" I asked the shopkeeper, ignoring Zaria, who was biting my hand.
"Half a silver, sir," he replied, and I passed a silver to him, taking the ice cream from him.
"Keep the change," I said, moving away as I removed my hand from her mouth.
"Why did you do that?" She asked as she started licking her ice cream.
"Don't go around saying that I am your father," I replied as I pinched her nose.
"But you are, aren't you?" She asked, tilting her head in confusion.
I didn't reply but started to eat my ice cream as well uncovering my face.
"How have you been, Zaria?" I asked as we both walked on the streets of the city.
"Good! Mama has been taking care of me all the while," she replied, taking small bits of her ice cream.
"Where is your mama now?" I asked as I forgot about it.
"She said she had important things to do, so she will be busy the whole day," she replied, opening her arms wide.
"Sigh..."
Sighing, I picked her up again as she ate her ice cream in my arms.
"How old are you this year, Zaria?" I asked as she happily ate her ice cream.
"I am seven," she replied while eating.
"Seven, huh?" I replied thoughtfully.
"And what's your mother's age?" I asked softly, fearing Valeria could be near.
"Mama said to never tell her age if you ever ask," she replied, keeping my mouth shut.
"She did that?" I asked in confusion.
How did she know I would ask about her age?
"Hmm, she did," Zaria replied between eating her ice cream, dirtying her face in the process.
"Wait a minute," I mumbled as I took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the extra ice cream off her face.
[You are behaving like an actual father.]
'shut up, don't make unnecessary comments and be more active, I sometimes forget that I have a talking system in my head.'
"Daddy?" As I was scholding Edda,She called looking at me with a cute smile.
"Yes?" I replied looking at her.
"I want to do shopping!" She exclaimed as she pointed towards a store that sell clothes.
"No." I replied shaking my head.
"Why?" She asked with a cute pout.
"You already should have enough clothes, Zaria," I replied with a chuckle, ruffling her hair over her hat.
"But I want something new," she insisted, her pout deepening.
"We'll see," I said, trying to compromise.
"But, Daddy—"
"No buts, little lady," I interrupted pinching her nose. "Let's finish our ice cream first, and then we can think about it."
"Okay," she relented, still wearing a pout, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
As if she couldn't wait to do some shopping, she quickly ate all her ice cream and brought her face close to me.
Understanding her, I took my handkerchief and wiped her face clean.
"Let's go," she said as she pointed at the nearest clothing shop.
"Yeah, yeah, let's go," I mumbled as we walked towards the shop.
Ding.
With a soft sound, the door of the shop opened as I walked in.
There were two different sections: one dedicated to females and one for children.
'Why is there no male section?' I thought with a sigh as I walked towards the counter.
"How can I help you, sir?" The woman, who looked like she was in her early twenties, asked, looking at both of us.
"You see this little lady here," I said as I pointed towards Zaria, who as if waiting for it immediately smiled cutely, winning the heart of the woman.
"Aww, your sister is so cute," she complimented as she looked at her.
"But he is my da—huph." I covered her mouth with my hand as she started to spout her nonsense again.
"Yes, I want clothes her size," I said as I pinched the little girl's cheeks.
"Absolutely, sir. And how many varieties would you like to see?" She asked with a light bow.
"Argh... You know what, lady, bring everything. Whatever she likes, I will buy it," I immediately replied, as I didn't want to get in a hassle of choosing clothes for her.
The lady nodded happily as she called a few people to bring out all the best clothes they had.
I just stood there, letting Zaria do the picking.
"Dad—"
"Ahem, say it, I am listening," I quickly interrupted her as she again tried to call me daddy.
"I want to try this one," she said as she pointed at a fairy-like dress.
"Can you help her with this, ma'am?" I asked the counter lady who stood there.
"Of course, sir!" She happily nodded as if she wanted to dress her up.
"Go with her, Zaria, she will help you," I said as I placed her down, to which she nodded.
They both moved towards the changing
room, leaving me alone.
"What a pain," I mumbled as I leaned against the wall.
"That's absurd!" As I stood there, I heard an all-too-familiar voice.
Curiously, I moved towards the ladies' side as the sound became clear.
"How are you asking for this much for only three clothes?" I looked at the brown-haired girl who was arguing with the counter lady.
"Ma'am, but they are at a reasonable price," she said calmly.
"They are not," Aeloria said as she looked back towards the two ladies who stood beside her, "Tell her, Anna, how is this reasonable?"
"It's fine, Ria, just pay them," I looked at the ordinary-looking girl whose face was red as a tomato out of shame.
"No, say something, Emily," not getting the response she wanted, Aeloria looked at the other girl who was Emily.
"It's fine, just pay them," even Emily's face was red as she whispered softly.
"No! I want a discount for all three of them!" Aeloria said as she glared at the lady.
"Ahem!" I coughed lightly, bringing all their attention towards me.
I lightly opened the handkerchief that covered my face and showed them my face.
Angelina and Emily quickly turned their heads in shame, while Aeloria gave me an annoyed look.
A princess, heir of the viscount, and a future powerhouse arguing over some clothes...
"Pfft..."
Damn, I was having a hard time controlling my laughter.
"Daddy!" My laughter died down as all of us stood frozen when a little girl entered the ladies' section, running towards me.