WCMBI - Chapter 217: Genuinely Happy (Patreon)

The art of teleportation proved immensely convenient. The three of us embarked on a culinary expedition, starting with an ice cream parlor and venturing into various renowned eateries, not just within the empire but also across foreign lands beyond the seas—a feat achievable within a remarkably swift span.

For someone like me, who had never ventured beyond the confines of earls and dukes within the empire, such an extravagant escapade centered around plazas felt like a grand transgression. It was a peculiar sensation to be traveling across entire nations in the blink of an eye.

"Ah... These marvelous creatures," Pedro mumbled wearily as we stood before the seventh establishment, his countenance visibly pale.

"The extent of your magical prowess seems immeasurable. Was teleportation truly this effortless?" inquired Lucia.

"Perhaps it is time for us to return. I worry about Adella." I added.

"Is that so?" Pedro's theatrical exclamation went unnoticed, naturally dismissed. Strangely, the notion seemed fitting, engendering a subtle sense of enigma. Could an Alpha ever feel so inconsequential? Regardless of his fervent nature as an Alpha, I found myself ensnared by indescribable emotions, for an Alpha was an Alpha, beyond any classification.

The sensation of my preconceived knowledge shattering was beyond verbal expression.

"Oh, by the way, there's a shop nearby that sells baby clothes. We should stop by there before heading back," Lucia proposed, and the quickest to react to her words was Pedro. His previously hunched back straightened with renewed vigor as he proclaimed, "Where is it then?"

"Just turn right over there," Lucia pointed.

"Let's hurry."

He briskly marched forward, calling out, "Adella, wait! Daddy will buy you some new clothes!"

"Absurd! Why on earth do you think you could be Adella's father? Do you seriously believe such an endearing figure could emerge from the likes of you? You must be delusional," I chided.

"Why so? She's my child, nurtured by my pheromones, of course, I'm her father."

"Ridiculous. Adella has no father. Just mother."

"Good heavens! Then how many wives do I have, pray tell? Does that include the High Priestess herself? I must decline such a prospect."

"What?"

Though bickering, they marched on with synchronized footsteps, and observing from behind, I considered that despite Pedro's verbal teasing, he might actually be quite reliable in Lucia's eyes.

"What are you doing, Mel? Come along."

"Yes, let's proceed."

With light steps, I followed them. The shop dedicated solely to baby merchandise was indeed a revelation. Having never directly purchased clothes for Dias, I had no idea such an array of choices existed. Consequently, I found myself unintentionally overindulging in purchases, my hands overflowing.

Looking at Lucia and Pedro, who had bought no less than I had, a chuckle escaped my lips.

"Ha-ha!"

A strange sense of liberation washed over me. The sense of confinement I had unknowingly carried seemed entirely lifted, leaving me overwhelmingly content.

"It's the first time I've seen you laugh like that," Lucia remarked.

"Why, it suits you perfectly," Pedro added.

"Who says it doesn't suit me?"

"I wish the High Priestess could laugh like that too."

"Flattering."

"Heh-heh, Melissa! Let's hurry back and give Adella her presents! Oh, quickly!"

"Yes, indeed."

With an air of satisfaction, I responded and proceeded to draw the magic circle we had learned during our travels on the ground, to enable the three of us to teleport together. Lucia and Pedro gazed upon me with an entranced expression as I rapidly sketched the large magic circle to facilitate our joint teleportation.

With a cheerful glint in my eyes, I activated the magic circle, and we swiftly returned to the Matar Temple.