The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 2.6

“But what brings you out here? Do you need something?”

“Ah… I was looking to buy some clothes.”

“Clothes! Clothes are good.”

Theo’s eyes sparkled at Rosette’s words. Rosette found his behavior somewhat uncomfortable.

“There’s a shopping area between first and second class. I’ll guide you there.”

“Don’t they sell clothes in the third-class area?”

“That’s not it. It’s just that they might not be suitable for you two to wear.”

“What’s unsuitable about them?”

Evan asked in a casual voice. Theo looked at Evan and stepped back slightly, appearing uncomfortable. Though Evan hadn’t made any threatening moves, his height and build were apparently intimidating.

“Well, they might appear beneath the dignity of nobles like yourselves.”

Perhaps the fact that Evan intimidated him aroused a competitive spirit in the boy, as Theo blurted out words that were rudely direct. Rosette and Evan frowned simultaneously. Levit watched the scene, fidgeting nervously.

“We’re not nobles.”

“Ah, yes. Of course you’d say that.”

At Rosette’s words, Theo raised one corner of his mouth. His mocking tone cracked Rosette’s composure. She bit her lip, considering whether to argue back. She couldn’t cause a commotion on just the second day.

“Would you please leave now? I don’t want to talk anymore.”

Rosette spoke to Theo with maximum restraint. However, it seemed Theo didn’t take it that way.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Turning around, Theo grabbed Levit by the hair and barked at him.

“You come here.”

“B-brother…”

Levit groaned briefly as his hair was grabbed. Rosette was shocked by this action. She was about to demand that he let go immediately, but Evan was quicker.

“Ack…!”

Evan grabbed Theo’s wrist that was holding Levit’s hair. Theo screamed as if in terrible pain. Evan, startled, let go. Wondering if he had squeezed too hard, he examined Theo and saw that the temporary mark on his wrist was disappearing in real time. It seemed he had exaggerated his pain out of surprise.

“…Ahem.”

Knowing it was embarrassing, Theo cleared his throat. Seeing his brother like this, Levit’s expression worsened. Rosette thought that if they left now, Levit might get beaten somewhere private. So what should she do? After considering, Rosette said.

“Levit, could you help us?”

At this somewhat unexpected question, Levit, Theo, and Evan all looked at Rosette simultaneously. Rosette had chosen to buy time. Buying clothes would take about an hour, and in that time, perhaps Theo’s anger would subside.

“We’re going to buy clothes, but we don’t know the way well. I’d like you to guide us.”

However, Levit seemed pleased with the proposal but hesitant as he glanced at Theo.

“Well, I’m a bit busy right now…”

Hearing his intimidated voice, Rosette jingled her wallet and said.

“It’s rather urgent. I’ll compensate you generously… okay?”

Levit looked at Theo. Theo still seemed angry, but appeared to soften a bit at the mention of compensation.

“Brother, may I go…?”

“Why are you asking me? If you want to go, go.”

At those words, Levit showed signs of relief. It must have been a sign of permission. Levit approached them while fixing his hair that had been messed up when Theo grabbed him.

“The shopping area 23 is this way. Please follow me.”

Levit said with a bright smile despite his swollen cheek. Though his appearance was pitiful, Rosette quietly followed behind him. After some time had passed and Theo was no longer visible when they looked back, Rosette asked Levit.

“Levit.”

“Yes, guest.”

“Does your brother hit you often?”

At Rosette’s direct question, Levit’s smile faltered. Though she could read the embarrassment on the boy’s face, Rosette paid it no mind.

“Not often… Just today, I didn’t listen well to my brother.”

Rosette frowned at the familiar resignation.

“Just because you did something wrong doesn’t mean your brother has the right to punish you physically.”

“Yes… But my brother isn’t a bad person. Today was my fault.”

“…I see.”

Levit pretended to agree while defending his brother. Rosette sighed quietly. It seemed that anything she said to Levit now would be useless.

“We’re here, guest. This is the shopping area.”

Stopping and looking ahead, a spacious shopping area with high ceilings came into view. Stores lined both sides of the wide open path, and people were passing through with happy expressions. Rather than being inside a ship, it felt like an entire alley had been transported here. If the second and third-class shopping areas were this nice, Rosette wondered what the first and second-class shopping areas would be like. Thinking she should visit it later, Rosette started walking.

“It’s really pretty.”

“Isn’t it? When I feel down, coming here makes me feel better.”

“I can see why.”

“Oh, what price range are you thinking of for the clothes? And who will be wearing them?”

“Evanium will wear them. For the price… I’m not sure what the average is. But I’d like something longer and more comfortable than this.”

Rosette said, pointing at Evan’s clothes. Levit examined Evan’s clothes carefully and then smiled broadly.

“Then I know a good store. Just trust me and follow.”

Seemingly in a completely good mood now, Levit walked almost skipping. As a result, Evan and Rosette had to take quick steps to keep up with him.

“Hyungnim!”

Levit ran toward a clothing store with a green sign that had the store name written in cursive. There stood a man in his mid-30s with a beard. As soon as he saw Levit, the man greeted him with a kind smile. Seeing this, Rosette felt somewhat relieved. It seemed Levit had at least one person on the ship he could turn to. Just as Rosette was approaching the clothing store, she bumped into a boy on the street. Rosette was fine because Evan protected her, but perhaps due to the recoil, the boy tumbled backward. Rosette asked with concern:

“I’m sorry, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

At Rosette’s words, the boy pulled his hat down low, got up from his spot, dusted off his legs, and ran away. Rosette watched the boy’s retreating figure with a worried expression.

“Guest, are you alright?”

Levit approached Rosette in a hurry, startled. Rosette was perfectly fine, making his concern seem almost embarrassing.

“I’m fine. I bumped into him because I wasn’t looking.”

“This street is always crowded. Please come in.”

The store owner looked even more pleasant up close. The man opened the store door wide for them. The two went inside and looked around at the clothes. As could be guessed from the dark green sign, most of the clothes were formal and neat. Though not flashy due to the absence of jewels and lace, the fabrics had few impurities and good texture. Rosette liked the clothes here.

“These are really nice.”

“I’m honored.”

The man smiled with satisfaction, seemingly proud of his store. Evan was already busy examining the clothes.

“Rose, how does this look?”

Evan said, pointing to clothes hanging in the center of the store. It was a plain white shirt without patterns and black pants with elasticity for ease of movement.

“It looks good.”

Even to Rosette, who had lived her whole life wearing only precious and fine clothes, it looked quite decent. If they had women’s clothes too, she thought it might be nice to buy one.

“You have good taste. That’s the most expensive outfit in our store. 9 gold 99 silver.”

“What?”