The next day, Chloe and Lloyd found themselves at a dress shop in the Merchant Quarter.
Since Lloyd was off duty, they had taken the opportunity to make good on their long overdue promise to go into town together. Their mission today: to buy Chloe a dress for their upcoming dinner party.
A gasp of admiration escaped Chloe’s lips.
Rows upon rows of stunning dresses in every hue imaginable were spread out before her. She felt as though she had just stepped into a fairy tale.
“I’ve never seen so many dresses in one place!” she exclaimed.
“According to the Deputy Commander, this is the largest dress shop in the district.”
“Th-That’s very impressive!” Chloe’s eyes sparkled with excitement, like those of a kid in a candy shop.
“Feel free to look around,” Lloyd added.
“Yes! Then if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back!”
Chloe pranced towards the row of dresses and began to browse. She picked out a lovely little pink number, cooing in adoration. Next she discovered a brilliant, bedazzled piece, gasping in surprise. Then she came across a camisole-style dress with a daring, low neckline that instantly turned her cheeks a bright shade of red.
Her reactions ran the gamut. The sophisticated dresses of the capital made the country styles she was used to seem utterly drab in comparison.
Meanwhile, Lloyd quietly observed her the entire time, wearing a curious expression as if he were watching an exotic animal. Having never accompanied a woman to a dress shop, he was—in truth—quite nervous.
Or at least, he had been. As he watched Chloe prance around in absolute joy, dancing between one dress to the next, a warm smile slipped onto his face.
After making her rounds, Chloe returned to Lloyd.
“Have you found one you like?” asked Lloyd.
“I can’t decide…” replied a dejected Chloe.
Lloyd let out an inquisitive hum.
“They’re all so equally lovely, I don’t know which one to choose!” said Chloe. “And besides… someone like me could never do these dresses justice…”
“Is that so?”
Lloyd’s fashion sense—or lack thereof—wouldn’t be of any help here. Fortunately, Freddy had taught him what to do in this exact situation.
“Here.”
“O-Oh, okay!”
Lloyd guided Chloe to a female shop clerk who was hanging up dresses.
“Excuse me, can you help her choose a dress?” Lloyd asked the clerk, gesturing at Chloe.
“Why yes, of course,” the clerk replied with a warm smile. As she flicked her gaze to Chloe, her eyes widened, and time seemed to pause as she stood, transfixed.
“Wh-What is it?” asked a nervous Chloe.
“…A diamond in the rough…”
“Excuse…me?”
Oh my. With the perfect outfit and a touch of makeup, I can transform this young lady into the belle of the ball! What a find! A true diamond in the rough! As the clerk’s imagination ran wild, Chloe looked on in confusion.
“Nothing, nothing at all, miss. I can assist you, no problem.” The warm smile returned to her face, and she turned to face Lloyd. “And what function will the lady be needing the dress for?”
“Something suitable for soirees and parties, if you would.”
“Of course! Just leave it to me. Miss, I’ll have you looking your best in no time!”
“Y-Yes, thank you very much?” Chloe replied, a little taken aback. Did her eyes just sparkle or was that just me…?
“If you would wait right here, sir. We’ll be just a moment!” The clerk said to Lloyd.
“Thank you.”
With the shop clerk leading the way, Chloe vanished into the depths of the store. As they departed, Lloyd thought he heard someone say, “…Finally, a mark worthy of my time!”
◇◇◇
“Sorry to keep you waiting!”
A little while later, somewhat longer than expected, the shop clerk addressed Lloyd as he turned to see a stunning beauty.
There, standing out even amongst the dazzling array of dresses, stood Chloe, adorned in a gorgeous, light-pink gown.
“For her dress, we have this lovely little pink number. It brings out that beautiful, beige-blonde hair of hers without overshadowing it. I think you’ll find it suitable for both soirees and parties alike.”
Just as she described, the dress was captivating without being overly ornate, accentuating Chloe’s natural beauty and youthful features in a way he had never thought possible. The only accent of note was a delicate-looking ribbon above her chest that tied the whole look together.
But, it was evident the transformation went beyond just the dress.
“I also took the liberty of applying some light makeup—powder, blush, and soft pink lipstick. We washed her hair with conditioning oil—it’s quite popular in the capital these days. It took a bit longer than expected, but I think you’ll find the end result was worth it.”
“S-Sorry, I know we came to pick out a dress, but she kept offering additional services for free…” Chloe said, sheepishly fidgeting with her hands. She glanced upwards at Lloyd, her gaze expectant. “H-How do I look?”
Lloyd found himself speechless, his eyes fixed on her in awe. A noble grace radiated from her very presence. He was certain that if she were to step out onto the street, she would effortlessly captivate the attention of all who passed by.
“L-Lloyd? It looks weird, doesn’t it…”
“N-No, not at all. Sorry, I was…captivated.”
“Capti—!”
“You look stunning.”
The words tumbled out of Lloyd, unbidden. Over the past two weeks, Lloyd had witnessed Chloe’s metamorphosis from a frail, worn figure to a beautiful young woman. To see her natural beauty amplified by an expert’s touch sent a thrill through him—it was akin to discovering fire. Even his iron resolve faltered in the face of such overwhelming emotion.
Upon hearing Lloyd’s reaction, Chloe giggled shyly, her expression melting into one of joy.
“I’m glad to see it’s to your liking,” the clerk said.
“Yes, very well done indeed,” Lloyd replied.
“Please, when you’re working with such splendid material… Might I ask which house the lady is from?”
Chloe twitched. Unable to bring herself to voice the truth, she mustered a brittle laugh and stammered out, “Y-Yes, thank you…”
Lloyd shot a quizzical look her way before being interrupted by the clerk. “Shall I tally this up for you, then?”
“Yes, thank you. It would be nice for her to have a few spares as well, so please, pick out a few more at your discretion.”
“Very well. We’ll just need a little more of your time, if you don’t mind.”
“I’m fine, but how are you? Tired?” Lloyd asked Chloe.
“No, thank you, I’m fine! It’s just…”
“It’s just?”
“I, um… I didn’t really budget for multiple dresses…”
“Oh, money, is it?” Lloyd replied. “No worries, I’m paying here.”
“What?! N-No! I couldn’t possibly!” Chloe exclaimed, the gifts from the other day still fresh in her mind.
“We’re here on my request, so please, allow me,” Lloyd insisted, face as straight as a plank.
With a keen eye for opportunity, the clerk interjected smoothly, “We also sell the cosmetics and hair oil used today. Would you like to add those to your purchase?”
“Of course. We’ll take everything. Put it all under my name.”
“Thank you very much!”
“W-W-Wait, wait, what?! Huh?!”
“Why hesitate? It’s more efficient to buy everything at once. Besides, you’ve already tried everything, so you should be convinced of their quality.”
“Th-That’s not the problem here! I-I mean, at least allow me to buy the cosmetics myself…”
“I’ve been looking for a way to rid myself of some excess salary. This is a good opportunity. Besides, I’m buying these because I want to, so pay it no mind.”
Chloe grumbled, seemingly unsatisfied. She ruminated for a moment before dropping her head in resignation. “All right, then. Please, and thank you.”
Lloyd grunted in affirmation.
“I truly appreciate it. I’ll be sure to repay the favor.”
“No need,” Lloyd replied, smiling subtly as he graced her head with a stroke.
The clerk’s face softened at the heartwarming scene. “Now then, miss. If you’ll follow me, we have more work to do! I’ll be teaching you how to apply the makeup yourself,” she said, punctuating the end of her sentence with a suggestive giggle.
“I’m not sure I like where this is going…” replied a hesitant Chloe.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Not you too, Lloyd!”
It seemed that both Lloyd and the clerk wished to see the diamond polished to its maximum shine.
Her pleas falling on deaf ears, Chloe was once again dragged into the depths of the store.
◇◇◇
“That’s not too heavy, is it?” Chloe gingerly asked Lloyd.
The two strolled down Main Street after leaving the dress shop; Lloyd had both hands full.
“Not at all. Compared to the time I trekked through the jungle in full gear, this is as light as a feather.”
“Nothing fazes you anymore after that jungle, does it?” Chloe retorted. The jungle line was practically a slogan at this point. “I’m really sorry—for making you buy all this…”
“No need for an apology. As long as you’re happy.”
“I am very happy. Thank you.”
Lloyd expected nothing in return for a favor—from their past two weeks together, Chloe had at least learned that much. Which means I should just be grateful here, right? Acting accordingly, she slipped on a warm smile and sidled closer to Lloyd.
“Anywhere else you’d like to visit?” asked Lloyd.
“Could we stop by the market stalls? I’d like to pick up a few items for dinner, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. What’s for dinner?”
“I was hoping to decide when we get there, to be honest. Is there something in particular you had in mind?”
“Meat, fish, eggs, soy.”
“Right! I should’ve known…” Chloe flashed an apologetic smile as they made a turn for the street stalls.
“Chloe! Out shopping? I—whoa! You goin’ somewhere fancy tonight?”
“Hello, Mister Arnoido! No, we just went dress shopping, and we’re about to buy some groceries for dinner! The makeup is just a…trial, you could say!”
“Hey Chloe! …Wow! Look at you!”
“Hello, Miss Snow! No, no, it’s nothing!”
Lloyd watched on in fascination as Chloe exchanged greetings with the occasional shopkeeper and passerby. “You’ve only been here for two weeks, no?” he said.
“Everyone’s just so kind, you see!” Chloe replied without so much as a hint of self-awareness, sending a shiver down Lloyd’s spine.
“No, I’d say it’s you. You must be very special to have people take to you like that—I’d call it a skill, even. Most impressive…”
“P-Please don’t just say things like that out of the blue! M-My heart…”
“I’m saying what comes to mind. It’s only out of respect; you can do something I can’t.”
“P-Please…” Blushing from Lloyd’s bold remarks, Chloe hid her face behind her hands and shook her head from side to side. But a thought struck her. Was it true? Did she possess the power to befriend anyone? Was that her unique talent?
The environment she had grown up in was anything but conducive to the development of social skills. Meaningful conversations were scarce, whether they were with family or servants. Yet, upon arriving in the capital, she had effortlessly connected with not only Lloyd but the townspeople too.
Shirley, as Chloe’s sole lifeline in that desolate home, deserved some recognition for teaching her the art of bonding with others. But that was still only part of the story; Chloe’s innate affinity for people and her love for conversation were the true catalysts behind her charm.
“But, Lloyd! You have a lot of admirable qualities too!”
“Me? I can’t think of any.”
“We’re often blind to our own virtues, even when others point them out.”
“Really? I had no idea…”
“Absolutely, you have plenty to be proud of! For example—”
Suddenly and without warning, Lloyd yanked Chloe into a tight embrace against his chest. Startled, she stammered, “L-L-Lloyd?!” As the solid contours of his chest pressed against her and the soothing scent of his presence tantalized her senses, her heart raced uncontrollably. “Wh-Wh-Wh-What’s gotten into you?!”
Casting his eyes over their surroundings, Lloyd let out a tense sigh. “Must’ve been my imagination.”
“Your imagination?!” asked Chloe, bewildered.
“I felt an unwelcome gaze…as if we were being watched.” Lloyd’s words hung in the air, heavy with unease.
Chloe looked up, still held in his embrace, and saw the concern etched on his face. She felt herself tense up as well. “I-Is everything okay?” she asked.
“I’m on guard, but it doesn’t seem like anyone is following us… I’m seeing threats where there aren’t any, it seems.”
“That’s good to hear.” Chloe let out a sigh of relief that quickly turned into a puff of hot air; she remembered that Lloyd was still holding her.
Realizing this, he promptly released her and bowed his head in apology. “Sorry for pulling you in like that. I must have frightened you.”
“Th-That’s fine…” Chloe stammered back, her eyes fixed on the ground. “Y-You were looking out for me, and um… Thank you…”
Driven by a powerful protective urge stirring inside him, Lloyd blurted out a flurry of hasty words. “I did nothing exceptional. A knight’s primary duty is to protect. In fact, it’s our very purpose, so please, don’t think anything of it.”
“Yes, but did you have to say that so quickly?”
“I don’t know.” That was the truth; he had no idea.
Sometimes, when he was with Chloe, he lost track of himself. His body would burn up, his pulse would race, and his mind would falter—and along with it, his good judgment.
He had never experienced anything of the sort in his nineteen years, and it unnerved him greatly. To make matters worse, the rate at which these episodes sprang upon him seemed to have increased as well.
“You’re an odd one, aren’t you?” Chloe teased gently.
Even her playful remark hit Lloyd like a tidal wave, and his resolve wavered. Seeking respite from his current predicament, he asked, “Are we still buying groceries?”
“Oh, yes! Right! I forgot! We should hurry.”
“Is it just down this way?”
“Yes! Well, I had hoped to take you to my favorite stall, but they’re closed today. The lady there is so kind! I wanted to introduce you.”
“Is that so? That’s unfortunate. If they’re closed, then that’s that.”
With their conversation back on track, Chloe and Lloyd continued on their way.
◇◇◇
“Th-That was close… How did he notice me from that far?! Just what is this guy?!”
In a distant alleyway, a certain man with a bowl-shaped haircut cursed under his breath in between ragged gasps. He had just sprinted all the way from the Merchant Quarter, where he had been searching for someone.
“So? Is it ’im?”
Approaching him were his two fellow thugs: Alan and Giusto.
“Absolutely. I’d never forget the face of that onion-slinging bastard.”
“Nice one, Mush!” Giusto said, slapping him on the back.
“You find out where he lives?” asked Alan.
“N-No… I tried to tail him, but he noticed me right away. I ducked clear in time so I don’t think he saw me, but that means I didn’t see where he went either…”
“I see. A sharp one, ain’t he,” Alan said, grinding his teeth in frustration. “But that’s all we needed. According to our info, there’s a knight’s dorm of some kind near that merchant district. That’s where he lives, no doubt.”
Giusto and Mush nodded their heads in agreement.
“We got you. We got you now, you bastard,” said Alan. “Damn that Morgan prick.”
Their informant, Morgan, had played them for fools. Alan had paid fifty thousand Crowns just to learn his name and status. For the rest, Morgan had demanded additional payment, but Alan had bitterly refused.
He needed to hold onto as much remaining capital as possible to hire extra help. The three of them were no match for a First Order knight—they knew that all too well. To that end, they’d even been searching for Lloyd by themselves.
If they’d put their heads together, they might have devised a more clever way to narrow down his location without combing every street corner, but it seemed that this time, brute force had paid off.
“Word on the street is he’s a big deal, even for a First Order knight, but that won’t matter…” The three men had not only suffered physical injuries but also wounded pride, leaving them with nothing more to lose. “Our people are almost ready. We’ll jump ’im when nobody’s around and beat ’im to a bloody pulp.”
“Yeah!”
“Hoo-ah!”
The alleyway echoed with their raucous cheers.
◇◇◇
“I’m sorry for troubling you again…”
After returning home, Chloe uttered a small word of apology to Lloyd, who was hard at work in the kitchen, cutting up some chicken.
“No problem,” Lloyd replied curtly, before returning his attention to the knife in his hand.
Tonight, as with every other night, Lloyd stood in for knife duty—a duty which he took very seriously.
Having finished with the chicken, he reached for a head of cabbage.
Chop chop chop chop!
To the satisfying beat of Lloyd slicing cabbage, Chloe let out a small giggle.
“You’re in a good mood today,” remarked Lloyd.
“I am!” affirmed Chloe, her face lighting up with the warm smile she usually reserved for cuddling cats. “We went out together, shopped together, and now we’re cooking together… It all sounds very plain, but it feels kind of…nice, don’t you think?”
Lloyd’s chopping hand paused. “I see,” he said, striking a contemplative pose. “I can’t say I don’t understand,” he added simply before resuming his task, the rhythmic sound of chopping filling the room once more.
◇◇◇
The night’s main dishes featured succulent deep-fried chicken karaage and a refreshing cabbage salad, accompanied by sides of seasoned poached spinach and a beautiful, golden-brown miso soup.
Enticed by the aroma of sesame wafting from the spinach, Lloyd eyed the delectable spread before him with eager anticipation. After giving thanks, he reached for a piece of fried chicken.
With a satisfying crunch, he sank his teeth into the golden-brown crust, unleashing a cascade of rich, savory flavors that enrobed his taste buds. He chased the salty soy sauce and zesty ginger hints with a mouthful of steaming, freshly cooked rice.
“…Delicious,” he murmured.
“Yay!” Chloe exclaimed, her face lighting up.
“This is…novel cuisine. There’s an elegance to the flavor. Rice has never been my staple of choice, so I never realized how delightful it could be.”
“This lovely shop owner I recently met taught me the recipe! It originates from a country in the far east. Apparently, they use a lot of soy sauce and fish stock in their cooking.”
“Is that so? Your repertoire never ceases to amaze.”
“No, no, it’s nothing,” Chloe replied modestly.
They continued to dine over light-hearted conversation. Lloyd seemed to have developed a fondness for the karaage; his appetite was more voracious than usual. As he devoured his meal while nodding along in obvious enjoyment, Chloe looked on with a tender smile, pleased that her efforts had paid off.
“…It still doesn’t feel quite real,” she murmured as Lloyd refilled his bowl with rice.
“What doesn’t?” Lloyd asked, after savoring another piece of karaage.
“All of this. This life—this…happiness,” Chloe said, casting her eyes across the living room. “Where I came from, no one spared as much as a single thought for me. I struggled my way to the capital with no relatives, no money, and suddenly I’m here, living out a fulfilling life? It still feels like a dream, sometimes.”
“Would you like to pinch yourself again?”
“I… No, I’m okay, now.”
“That was a joke.”
Chloe offered a faint chuckle at Lloyd’s dry humor. “I’m very glad the first person I ran into in the capital was you,” she said, their eyes meeting. “Again, thank you so very much.”
She dipped her head in a display of gratitude, catching Lloyd off guard. “…I should be the one thanking you.”
“Huh?” Chloe’s large, bright eyes widened in surprise.
“The deputy commander told me the other day that I had a ‘glow’ to me.”
“…Now that you mention it, you have been a bit more lively, and your cheeks are rosier too. Ah! Not that they weren’t rosy before…”
“No need to flatter me.”
“I wasn’t! I mean it!”
Chloe puffed out her cheeks in protest, but ignoring that, Lloyd continued, “Before you came here, my diet was a mess, my house was in shambles, and all my days blurred together as one. But ever since you arrived, everything has changed for the better. I know now that there’s pleasure in good food, comfort in a clean home…” Lloyd held Chloe’s gaze as he spoke his true feelings, “That’s why I should be the one thanking you. Thank you.”
Chloe stared, momentarily frozen in time, as Lloyd dipped his head low.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring the mood down.”
“Oh, no, no! Not at all! I was just a little surprised, that’s all!” replied Chloe, fervently shaking her head in denial. “If I’ve been able to have that kind of effect on your life, then…nothing could make me happier.” Encouraged by Lloyd’s candid confession, Chloe allowed her own emotions to pour forth as well.
As dinner began to wind down, guilt tugged at the back of Chloe’s mind. But that’s precisely why he deserves to know, she thought. She longed to tell him everything—about the treatment she endured at home, about the circumstances surrounding it all, about her cursed nature; it felt wrong to keep such secrets from someone who had shown her nothing but kindness.
Yet, as she mulled it over, her back grew hot and tingled with unease. I-I can’t… Her mind raced with doubt and fear. What would she do if he rejected her? If the truth repulsed him? If he called her a cursed child?
She tried to push those thoughts away. She knew Lloyd was righteous, that he would never do anything of the sort, think anything of the sort, but her fear sprung from a level deeper than her rational mind could reach.
“What’s wrong?” asked Lloyd.
“Oh, no, nothing at all! My mind was just elsewhere.” Chloe let out an unconvincing laugh. “I can’t wait for the dinner party.”
“…Yes, indeed.” Lloyd’s eyebrow gave an upward twitch, but he decided not to press the issue.
I-I’ll tell him everything soon, she thought, her resolve wavering in the face of the cozy evening ambiance.
◇◇◇
The day of the dinner party arrived, and Chloe and Lloyd found themselves standing in front of Freddy’s residence, in a noble neighborhood not far from the city park where they first met.
“Wow, what a house!” Chloe exclaimed.
The house was nearly the size of an estate, befitting a deputy commander’s stature. Given Freddy’s noble background and his married status, the residence provided to him was exceptionally grand.
As they passed through the ornate marble entrance, Millia came flying out to greet them. “Miss Monkey Lady! Welcome!”
Trailing behind her was an aloof-looking Othello.
“Good evening, Millia! Well, I suppose I won’t be shedding that nickname anytime soon, will I?”
As Chloe flashed a wry smile, Freddy, resplendent in private attire, stepped out to greet them. “Welcome, welcome! Chloe! What a stunning dress!”
“Thank you! We bought it just for the occasion!”
“Very nice. Lloyd’s choice?”
“N-No, the store clerk picked it out.”
“Really, now… Is that so?”
“Something on my face, Deputy Commander?”
“Not particularly, no—oh?” Freddy’s gaze fell upon the sword hung on Lloyd’s hip. “You came armed today, Lloyd?”
“Yes. I heard rumors of unsavory folk about.”
“Leave it to you to bring a sword to a dinner party… Just make sure you keep that thing away from the dining table, we wouldn’t want you to mistakenly carve up the roast beef now, would we!”
“I would never.”
“Good! Good. Now please, come in!”
“Please excuse us!”
“Excuse me.”
Following Freddy, the two made their way inside.
◇◇◇
Freddy’s family, Lloyd, and Chloe seated themselves around a grand dining table laden with an impressive assortment of dishes.
“First things first—Lloyd, Chloe, it’s our pleasure to have you both here tonight,” said Freddy, apéritif in hand.
“The pleasure is entirely ours! Thank you for having us,” Chloe responded.
“Thanks for having us,” echoed Lloyd.
They both bowed their heads respectfully.
“And Chloe, I must thank you. I’ve lost count of how many times Lloyd’s found his way out of my invitations. He’s quite weaselly, that one.” Freddy remarked, his earnest gaze fixed on both of them.
“Oh no, please! Think nothing of it. By the way, Lloyd, why did you always decline?”
Faced with Chloe’s innocent stare, Lloyd sheepishly averted his gaze. “…I am poorly equipped for it.”
“I-I see…”
“Well, that’s Lloyd for you,” Freddy quipped, a wry smile on his face.
That was the simple answer. Lloyd chose to keep the more complex, delicate explanation to himself.
“Daddy, can we eat yet? I’m starving!” Millia interjected.
“Sorry, Millia! Well everyone, you heard the princess!”
They all raised their glasses in a toast, gave thanks, and commenced dinner.
Eyeing the feast before her, Chloe decided to begin with the evening’s pièce de résistance: roast beef with a balsamic glaze. She took a bite and—“My goodness, this is delicious!” —was left in awe. The well-marbled slab of beef was cooked to perfection, its rich flavor pairing exquisitely with the tart and fruity reduction.
Next, she turned her attention to a bowl of luscious cream stew, brimming with vivid, colorful vegetable chunks. She heaped up a spoonful and brought it to her mouth. “How exquisite!” The silky soup enveloped her palate with its sumptuous flavor, leaving a delightful, lingering creaminess. Piling her next spoonful atop a slice of warm, crusty baguette, she savored each and every bite; she was nearly swept away by the sheer decadence of the experience.
“…And this as well…” The next dish she tried was a sautéed garlic shrimp accompanied with a side of fried potatoes. Chloe, still reeling from the one-two emotional punch of the previous two dishes, was almost moved to tears—the opportunity to eat so much delicious home cooking was simply too much for her to handle.
Lloyd, on the other hand, wasn’t as easy to read as Chloe, but was undoubtedly enjoying the meal all the same. As he moved from dish to dish, his head subtly dipped in agreement, accompanied by barely discernible mumbles of “Mmm, mmm.” His damp outward manner might be mistaken for disinterest, but one only had to observe the rate at which he conveyed his utensils between plate and mouth to be convinced of his appetite.
“You both are such wonderful dinner guests. It warms my heart to see you enjoying the meal!” commented Sara, smiling warmly with a palm on her cheek.
“Everything’s just delightful! Especially this tomato pasta! Turning a traditionally sauce-based dish into a soup-based one is an interesting idea—and just what is this flavor? It has a bitterness to it, with just a hint of spice; I could certainly get used to this!”
“My! You noticed? It’s paprika—my secret ingredient. It goes wonderfully well with basil.”
“Paprika! Really? I’ve certainly never tried that before.”
“I could teach you the recipe, if you’d like.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, of course!”
“Please, I’d love to!”
As Freddy watched the ladies converse, he posed a question to Lloyd. “Chloe’s a little too perfect, don’t you think?”
“I agree,” replied Lloyd. “And it has me worried, somewhat.”
“You too, eh?” Freddy said, shrugging his shoulders. “That being said, that’s a remarkable housekeeper you managed to pick up. Not many girls like her left in this day and age. Come to think of it, I never did ask how you two met.”
“That’s…a long story.”
Lloyd followed up with a brief explanation of key events: About Chloe being a runaway from the distant countryside, about how she ended up in the capital all alone, and about how he rescued her when she collapsed. Everything except his encounter with the three thugs—he withheld that little episode; he wasn’t sure how his superior would react.
“So that’s what happened…” muttered Freddy, digesting everything Lloyd had just told him in earnest. “Still, never would have pegged you to be the type to bring a girl straight back to your place.”
“Are we still on topic?” interjected Lloyd. “At any rate, she was exhausted. It was an emergency; I acted accordingly. After I learned that she had nowhere to go, I suggested she work as my housekeeper. I had just been looking for one, so it all worked out.”
“That’s a helluva story,” remarked Freddy. “Well, I’m just glad she was of age. Otherwise this could’ve ended up much differently.”
Lloyd felt more at ease after hearing Freddy’s words.
“Chloe, you’re only sixteen?” Sara asked Chloe, apparently having listened to bits and pieces of Freddy and Lloyd’s conversation.
“Yes, I’m sixteen as of this year. Oh—um, Miss Sara?”
Sara had wordlessly stood up, walked over to Chloe, and wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace. “How difficult it must’ve been—to have gone through what you have at your age; you poor girl.”
She gently stroked Chloe’s head as tenderly as she would her own child’s, her face displaying a poignant mix of heartrending sympathy and concern. “If you’re ever in trouble—if you’re ever in need of anything, please, you can always come to us. We’ll do whatever we can to help.”
Caught off guard by the sudden hug, Chloe stammered back a choppy reply. “Oh! Um, yes! Th-Thank you very much…?”
“Me too, me too! I wanna hug Miss Monkey Lady too!” A confused but enthusiastic Millia rushed over and wrapped her arms around Chloe’s hips.
Overwhelmed by the suddenly doubled physical contact, Chloe hesitated briefly before surrendering to the soothing warmth enfolding her, her expression easing into one of relaxation.
“I dare you to find someone with a bigger heart than my wife’s.” Freddy crossed his arms and nodded in self-satisfaction.
“You’re very right about that,” remarked Lloyd.
“Oh? Someone’s oddly honest today. What’s wrong? You didn’t trip and hit your head, did you?”
“What kind of person do you take me for?” Lloyd retorted gently. “I am, in fact, very grateful.”
“Is that so?” Freddy replied with a small smirk.
Lloyd wasn’t privy to the entirety of Chloe’s past; he knew only that it was bitter and laden with suffering. But you’d never have guessed looking at her right now. As Lloyd beheld her joyous face, he felt the corners of his mouth gently curl into a smile.
◇◇◇
“I’ll be the dad, and you be the child!”
“Yes, Father.”
“And Othello! You’re the mom!”
After dinner, off in one corner of the living room, Millia, Lloyd, and Othello were engaged in a casual game of house.
Utterly unconcerned, Othello heaved a large yawn before trotting off.
“Father, what do we do? Mother has committed child abandonment.”
“Child…a-ban-don-ment?”
Chloe and Freddy observed their rowdy game from the living room sofa, as Sara busied herself in the kitchen, cleaning up the aftermath of the meal. Chloe, of course, had offered to help, but was politely yet firmly rebuffed.
“I must apologize for taking Lloyd away from you, Chloe.”
“Oh no, not at all! It seems they’re having fun, those two.”
“That’s…Lloyd having fun?”
To Freddy, it was altogether surreal to witness Lloyd, child’s doll in hand, earnestly attempting to play along with a five-year-old. But to Chloe, apparently that was him having fun.
“Millia’s going through a bit of a phase, you see. We’ve been playing house a lot together, us three. Before Othello, Sara was the dad, Millia was the mom, and I was the child.”
“My, that sounds lovely. And after Othello?”
“I became the family pet.”
“Oh, Freddy…” Chloe gazed upon Freddy with pitiful eyes.
“Well, ever since Othello came along, Millia’s had one more friend to play with, so I can’t complain. Speaking of, it was you that rescued Othello, was it not?”
“Y-Yes, I did. On my way back from the market, I ran into Millia, and it looked like she was in a pinch, so I…”
Chloe looked away in embarrassment. Before she could continue, Freddy jumped in to fill in the blanks for her. “Millia told us all about it. About how you scampered up the tree in no time.”
Chloe let out a strained laugh. “I-I guess you could say I’m somewhat of a climber…”
“Yes, we owe you a great deal, ‘Miss Monkey Lady.’”
“N-Not you too…” Her cheeks flushed bright apple red. She never imagined a single off-hand display of her bumpkin skills would earn her such an embarrassing nickname.
“On a more serious note,” said Freddy. “I do have a lot to thank you for.”
“For climbing a tree?”
“No, no, not that.” Freddy shook his head. “I’m talking about Lloyd.”
“Lloyd?” Perplexed, Chloe cocked her head to one side.
“I’m old blood; I’ve been in the Order a long time—long enough to be promoted to deputy commander, anyway.” Freddy narrowed his eyes, as if reminiscing on the distant past. “Lloyd, I’ve watched over since the day he joined. You live with him, so you’re likely aware, but he’s…not one for expressing himself. He’s got his quirks—he’s a bit of a lone wolf, for sure. I’ve nothing to say about his skill in combat, but when it comes to being a team player he’s… Well, let’s just say he’s been the source of many a great headache among the top brass—including me.”
“Really, now…” Chloe could see where Freddy was coming from. His quirks and awkward nature, as much as she found them endearing, could certainly be construed as problematic in a professional environment.
“He’s a good man; strong, purposeful—driven. But…given his upbringing, I suspect we can’t expect too much from him socially after that.”
“Lloyd’s…upbringing?”
“He hasn’t told you about it?” Freddy inquired. “Never mind then, it’s not my place to say.”
Chloe had never once heard Lloyd talk about his past—not even his family. The only key word she had to work with was “the jungle.”
“In any case, you’ll have to hear it from him,” continued Freddy. “But enough about all that. What I was getting at is, Lloyd’s changed recently.”
“He’s…changed?” echoed Chloe. Lloyd did indeed mention something along those lines the other day…
“Yes, he’s more…proactive in conversation, let’s say? He’s less prickly—like he’s been defanged, somewhat,” said Freddy. “I find that he’s been playing nicer with others, and I think I have you to thank for that, Chloe.”
A peculiar, prickling warmth tickled at Chloe’s chest. “Me? I don’t—I haven’t done anything special, really. In fact Lloyd is the one that’s always helping me.”
“That’s it! That might just be what he needs—you, the way you are, without doing anything special.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked a confused Chloe.
Freddy held back a small chuckle. “Well, that cluelessness may just be a part of it as well. There’s no need to spoil all the fun, is there? Never change, Chloe.”
Freddy might as well have been speaking gibberish. Chloe looked on in utter confusion, imaginary question marks popping up above her head.
“At any rate, you’ve managed to soften up that hard head of his a little, and that is a good thing, both to me and my team.”
Chloe hummed along in thought, seemingly unconvinced. “I’m still not quite sure what I’ve done but…if it’s a good thing, then I’m glad!”
“Indeed. Thank you.”
The prickly warmth in Chloe’s chest swelled, responding to the sincerity of Freddy’s gratitude.
“I hope you’ll continue to stay by his side,” added Freddy.
“As long as I don’t get fired for making a mess of things, I will.”
“Fired? That wouldn’t happen. You don’t have a bad bone in your body, do you, Chloe?”
“I suppose you’re right. I don’t think I do,” Chloe said with conviction. She was all too intimate with the cruelty people were capable of. She knew in her heart of hearts that she would never inflict on others the pain that was inflicted on her.
Just then, Lloyd shuffled over to the sofa with a dissatisfied look on his face. “Tag in, Deputy Commander. I have apparently been disowned for being a bad son.”
“How did you manage that?” shot back Freddy, shrugging his shoulders in exasperation.
“Hurry up, Daddy!”
“I’ll be there in a second, princess! Watch closely, Lloyd. Let me show you how a one-year veteran of house does things!”
“Oh! Mama’s back. You can be the pet, daddy!”
“Oof!” Freddy made a sound as if the wind was knocked out of him.
As round two of house began, Lloyd took a seat next to Chloe.
“How was playing house? Did you enjoy yourself?”
“It’s a very nuanced game. I was doing what I thought was expected of me, but my father apparently disapproved.”
“And what was it that you were doing?”
“I wanted to build up my body to become strong, so I ate all the food in the house.”
Chloe let out a small giggle. “That’ll do it.”
“You think so?” Lloyd replied, blinking in confusion.
“Family…” Chloe muttered under her breath. As she observed Freddy, Sara, and Millia reveling in their happiness, a trace of envy flickered in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Lloyd observed her, a somber expression settling on his face.
◇◇◇
The dinner party extended into the late hours of the night. As things drew to a close, Lloyd and Chloe prepared to take their leave.
“Thank you for having us, Deputy Commander,” said Lloyd, bowing deeply, eliciting a hearty laugh from Freddy.
“Lloyd, please! We’re off duty; I have a name, you know? Thank you for coming.”
“Chloe, you too! Thank you so much for coming,” added Sara.
“Thank you, Sara! I had a wonderful time. Dinner was amazing, and—oh! Thank you for all this produce as well,” replied Chloe, glancing at the large paper bag she clutched.
“Oh, it’s nothing. You’re actually doing us a favor by taking them. My family sends us a boxful every month; we weren’t sure if we’d finish it all!”
“In that case, I’ll gladly take it off your hands. Oh! If it’s all right with you, I’d love to learn a few more of your recipes.”
“Of course, dear! I have plenty more to share. You’re always welcome to drop by any time.”
“Yay!”
Chloe and Sara exchanged warm smiles, their friendship having solidified throughout the evening.
Millia then popped her head out from behind her mother. “Bye-bye, Miss Monkey Lady!”
“Good night, Millia. We’ll see each other again soon, okay?” Chloe said, crouching down to pet her head, when suddenly, a surprise Othello appeared out of nowhere and flopped down between them.
“Othello says ‘bye-bye!’”
“Sooo adorable!”
With its fluffy belly temptingly outstretched, Othello emitted a deep, resonant purr. What had happened to the aloof, disinterested feline from before?
Lloyd watched Chloe melt into a puddle of joy—and observing him was Freddy, wearing a most mischievous grin. “You’re staring, Lloyd.”
“I am not. I am merely taking note of her intriguing reaction.”
“Riiight. Well, I’ll admit Chloe’s warmth is quite a delight—unlike a certain someone.”
“Who are you to say what that ‘certain someone’ is into?”
“Oh, why do I even try with you?” Freddy shook his head in exasperation before becoming serious. “Take good care of Chloe, you hear me? You’re the only one who can protect her now.”
“Of course. What is a knight if he can’t defend others?”
“No, that’s now what I—” Freddy interrupted himself with a deep sigh. With a shake of his head and a shrug of his shoulders, he turned his attention to Chloe. “Well, this block of wood is all yours, Chloe. Take good care of him as well.”
“Y-Yes, of course! I’ll keep his house to the best of my ability! I won’t let you down!
“You’re a bit wooden in your own way, aren’t you, Chloe? Oh well.”
“If you’ll excuse us, Deputy Commander.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll see you tomorrow. Careful on the way home; it’s dark out.”
“See you later, Miss Monkey Lady!”
And with that, Chloe and Lloyd made their leave.
◇◇◇
The sun had long vanished beyond the horizon when Lloyd and Chloe departed. They strolled, side by side, beneath an unusually bright full moon that cast a gentle glow on the path before them.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” asked Lloyd.
“Yes, very much!” Chloe replied with an enthusiastic nod. “The food was amazing, the company delightful… All in all, I had a great time.” Her voice grew quieter and quieter as she continued, “How about you, Lloyd?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
“Did you…not enjoy yourself?” inquired Chloe.
“No, I think I did, it’s just…” Lloyd’s voice trailed off. He furrowed his brow, grasping at a feeling too airy and shapeless to get a proper hold of. “I’ve never known anything like the Deputy Commander’s family—a normal family, I suppose? It was…uncomfortable, in a way. I can’t quite explain it but I’m…not sure how I’m supposed to feel.”
“I-I see…” Chloe took a moment to let Lloyd’s words settle. “I think I understand the feeling.”
Lloyd brought his gaze down to Chloe.
“Millia has wonderful, loving parents… She gets to eat and laugh and play… As I watched all three of them play house, I couldn’t help but feel how much they loved her, and it… Well, it made me a little envious.”
Lloyd caught a trace of loneliness haunting Chloe’s features. “I thought you looked a little tired towards the end there.”
Chloe let out a dry chuckle. “You could tell? Sorry. How rude of me it is to think ill of our gracious hosts like that.”
“Don’t apologize. I feel the same way.”
“Thanks; that makes me feel a little bit better.”
The nameless feeling they both harbored stemmed not, of course, from any malice towards Freddy and his family. The dinner party had very plainly and unexpectedly laid bare the stark reality of what they had both missed out on.
Freddy’s statement from earlier tickled the back of Chloe’s mind. He’s a good man; strong, purposeful—driven. But…given his upbringing, I suspect we can’t expect too much from him socially after that.
His…upbringing…
“Lloyd…” What happened to you? she wanted to ask. Struck with a sudden sense of impropriety, she shut her mouth as fast as she had opened it; it didn’t feel right to pry when she was being so tight-lipped herself.
“What is it?” he asked.
“N-Nothing. Never mind.”
A slight look of doubt crossed Lloyd’s face, but he decided to not question her further. “…All right.”
It’s not like it’s now or never, Chloe thought. They spent a significant amount of time together; surely an opportunity would present itself, right? There was no need to force the issue. A little more time to mentally prepare couldn’t hurt.
Content with her conclusion, Chloe tucked her thoughts away when Lloyd abruptly stopped in his tracks. They had arrived in front of a city park not far from their home—the very place where Chloe first met Millia.
“Is something the matter, Lloyd?” she asked.
After a moment of indecision, he answered, “Can we talk?”
It seemed the opportunity would reach Chloe much sooner than she had anticipated.
