Chapter 36
The gown Irix was wearing revealed his chest and stomach with even the slightest movement. More than half of his thighs were visible too.
“At least people will think you’re some kid wearing a strange outfit. If you go out in that, it’s basically public indecency.”
“Be quiet.”
I lifted the clothes and held them against Irix’s shoulders.
Even if they were a bit small, loosening the waist string all the way should make them workable.
The fabric and stitching looked sturdy, so unless Irix tensed his shoulders and got angry again, it probably wouldn’t meet the same fate as the Empress’s gown.
That aside, why was he so angry?
He’d been sleeping slumped in the chair, so I just shook him and told him to go sleep properly inside. But he suddenly startled awake, jumped around in panic, and tore the expensive gown.
“…Fine.”
Irix took the clothes and went into the room. I tried not to look at his thighs flashing every time he walked, but they were so pale they practically glowed—it felt like I was seeing them even when I tried not to.
A moment later, Irix came out after changing. Fortunately—really fortunately—the clothes I’d given him barely fit.
If the original Elpini had worn them, it would’ve looked like he’d wrapped himself in a blanket. I genuinely didn’t understand why someone would carry something that big around.
“It looks like an extra’s costume from a passion play,” Irix said gloomily.
That was true. It looked more like a stage prop than actual clothing.
Then again, this was a fantasy world—there were probably people who actually dressed like that.
Zephyr turned his head and pressed his lips together. I pointed at him.
“Zephyr, if you keep that up, I’ll personally strip your clothes off and give them to Irix.”
“And how exactly do you plan to strip my clothes off?”
“There are ways. Want to find out?”
At last, Zephyr shut his mouth. Instead, Irix growled.
“I don’t want clothes that guy used to wear.”
“I never said I’d give them to you.”
Just then, Baemi—who had finally woken up—saw Irix and fluttered its wings. Its eyes widened, and its tongue flicked rapidly. It looked deeply moved, apparently thinking Irix had dressed like that for its sake.
“Baemi says it looks good.”
“So what if it does? That’s the taste of a venomous snake.”
Irix sighed and slumped.
“I’ll wear it for now. I just hope no one from our school is on this train. If anyone sees me, they’ll think I finally got kicked out of the ducal house.”
He tugged at the tight, uncomfortable clothes.
“Zephyr, prepare a carriage as soon as we get off.”
Zephyr let out a deep sigh.
“Young master. Please.”
“What.”
“I should make this clear. I am not your attendant.”
“You’re my father’s aide.”
“That’s correct. I serve the Duke. I only follow his orders, and I’ve never been ordered to attend to you.”
Irix didn’t get angry or offended. He simply crossed his arms and stared.
“Then what order did you receive?”
“To follow you.”
“I see. Then if I prepare a carriage and ride it, you’ll ride it too—since you have to follow me. You can’t run after the carriage, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then your two legs will be much more comfortable, won’t they?”
“That’s true.”
“And you’ll enjoy that convenience but do nothing?”
“I don’t mind walking.”
“….”
“If you truly want a carriage, please ask your attendants.”
“You know I don’t have any.”
“I wasn’t aware.”
“You were the one who filed their death reports.”
“Then you should say ‘former attendants’ precisely.”
There had never been a story centered on Zephyr.
That was probably because Irix had killed him before he could even become a hidden villain.
The train gradually slowed, and the arrival announcement played. It was the central station of the imperial capital. Time to get off.
Having given up, Irix picked up my bag and headed for the exit.
“That’s my luggage.”
“…I’m carrying it to cover my legs.”
Your legs are too long to be covered by a bag.
When I stared at them in confusion, Irix’s face flushed red again.
“Stop looking. This is already humiliating enough.”
I felt like I should help relieve this boy’s embarrassment.
“Irix, come here.”
“Why.”
I held out the scarf I had taken out earlier. Irix stared at the floral pattern like he wanted to die.
“What am I supposed to do with that?”
“Use it to cover yourself.”
“Cover what?”
“Your face. Then at least people won’t recognize you.”
“How would that even—”
“Lower your head.”
Irix glanced around before reluctantly lowering his head.
“Bend more. At the waist.”
He did, but it still wasn’t enough. I pressed his head down further. He frowned.
“Stay still.”
I covered his face with the scarf and tied it behind his head. Only his eyes remained visible. He looked like a high school student from France protesting pension reform, but overall it wasn’t too bad.
He’d gone from “a boy in strange clothes” to “some boy in strange clothes with his face covered,” but what else could we do? This was the best option.
By then, the train finally stopped.
We had arrived at the imperial capital—the city ruled by the Emperor and Empress, the center of everything in the empire, and the place where countless incidents would soon unfold.
As soon as the train stopped, chaos erupted. People flooded the platform shouting passengers’ names. Those getting off ran into their arms, embracing tightly. They were the survivors of the accident train.
Everyone was crying.
Thanks to that, no one paid attention to someone merely wearing strange clothes. Good.
“Does anyone know where a clothing store is?”
When I asked, Maimon raised his hand. Of course—there was no way Zephyr would step forward.
“I know a shop. Please follow me.”
Maimon led us into the back alleys.
He darted through the narrow, winding streets like a squirrel. Meanwhile, the tall and broad Irix and Zephyr had to turn sideways and shuffle like crabs.
“Here it is.”
After passing several alleys, we arrived at a secondhand clothing shop.
“The clothes here are the cheapest and best in this area.”
“Oh… I see.”
Irix stared blankly at the store.
“Thanks.”
I had forgotten what Maimon’s financial situation was like.
The clothes piled inside looked like rags that Irix’s sense of aesthetics and cleanliness would never tolerate. I nudged his back.
“Just pick something. We can’t go to another shop right now.”
“I know. I know.”
He clicked his tongue—then froze.
“What’s wrong?”
“My money… was on the train.”
“….”
And that money was probably now lying somewhere at the bottom of the canyon, between the shirt and pants Irix had sacrificed earlier.
“Why are you only remembering something that important now?”
“I didn’t think about it.”
“It’s money!”
“Exactly.”
“….”
Right. For Irix, money had always either been in his pocket or handed to him by attendants. Now he had neither.
I looked at the store. It definitely didn’t look like a place that allowed credit. Cash only.
“I have money. I’ll lend it to you. Just pick something first.”
Zephyr lacked affection for humanity, and Maimon lacked intelligence—but I had both.
“I’ll pay you back soon.”
“Just pick something.”
Irix stared at the pile of clothes.
They were all rags, and since he lacked the skill to identify usable rags, he hesitated.
Zephyr still offered zero help, while Maimon—trying at least—stepped forward.
“How about this?”
“No.”
“Then… this one?”
“No.”
“This—”
“No.”
When Baemi dragged over a shirt in its mouth, Irix accepted it.
“You like that one?”
“No. I hate it. But if I refuse, the venomous snake will feel bad.”
“….”
“Excuse me, how about this?”
The moment Irix saw what Maimon was holding, he snatched it and tossed it aside.
“No.”
Maimon’s shoulders drooped.
“Sorry.”
“The clothes are bad—why are you hurt?”
“It’s my fault for offering clothes you dislike. I’m sorry for making you dislike them.”
“It’s the clothes I dislike—not you! Get a grip!”
Irix snapped.
I considered picking something myself, but as an outsider to this world, I didn’t know their tastes or standards. Everything looked strange anyway.
“Hey, customers.”
The shop owner, who had been watching us, spoke up.
“I’ve got better ones inside. They’re more expensive, though.”
“How much?”
He named the price.
Irix looked like he’d just heard the cost of tissue paper. I couldn’t tell whether it was expensive or cheap since I didn’t know local prices.
Then Zephyr—who had been useless until now—finally spoke.
“Choose something cheaper. You’re already in someone else’s debt; have some shame.”
Even if Zephyr doesn’t help, he still manages to get in the way.
