Chapter 72: The Lady Truly Does Like Cute Things
As stated before, Renelle loved cute things, and right now, she was about to be overloaded with cuteness.
And Adrian was enjoying every second of it.
It all started when the baker left and Isla finally understood that the cake was meant for her.
She picked up the fork and took a slightly bigger bite of her strawberry cake, her small cheeks puffing ever so slightly as she chewed.
Her eyes suddenly lit up as the taste reached her tongue, and she immediately took another slice.
"Mmm," she let out in satisfaction as her cheek puffed again.
Renelle immediately froze as she spotted the kid fill her cheeks with cake and how her eyes glowed as she enjoyed.
Without even realizing it, she said, "she’s cute."
Adrian looked at Isla and then back at Renelle who had momentarily forgotten about the strawberry cake before her.
Something that should’ve been impossible given that she was a sweet tooth.
But the attacks were not done yet, as the next second, her three tailed fox, crystal, suddenly appeared and curiously approached Isla.
The fox looked at the cake for a while before letting out a soft sound, nudging Isla’s arm lightly.
It didn’t need to say anything as it’s intention was painfully obvious.
Isla looked at her cake... then at the fox... then back at the cake.
She hesitated, looking as if she was contemplating whether to share the cake or not.
"You want some?" she finally asked softly.
The fox’s tail wagged in response.
Renelle’s hand twitched at this, Adrian noticed her reaction and he almost smiled.
Isla carefully broke off a small piece of her cake and held it out.
The fox immediately leaned forward, gently taking it from her hand.
It chewed happily and its tail started swaying faster.
Isla watched it for a moment as small, genuine smile appeared on her face.
"It likes it," she said, seemingly satisfied with that fact.
Renelle, so very much, wanted nothing but to pat the heads of the two but was greatly holding herself back.
Adrian, on the ground, calmly took another sip of his drink, and wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that he was obviously enjoying his lady’s reaction to the two.
Isla, meanwhile, continued feeding the fox little pieces between her own bites, occasionally letting out soft, quiet sounds whenever the fox reacted happily.
At one point, the fox even climbed slightly onto her lap, curling up as it continued eating from her hand.
Unable to take it any longer, Renelle extended her hand and placed it on Isla’s head
Isla stopped eating for a second, but continued soon after, when Renelle started gently moving her hand.
"You really are cute," she gently said with a smile.
Isla didn’t respond as she was still sharing the cake with Crystal.
Adrian watched the scene in silence, his chin resting on his palm, completely uninterested in hiding the faint amusement in his eyes.
"...you’re enjoying this too much," Renelle muttered without looking at him.
"I have no idea what you’re talking about."
"Liar."
He just smiled at that as he took another sip of his drink.
Renelle finally got her fill as she finally focused on her cake and shake again. She didn’t care that she had acted out of character since Adrian already knew all there was to know about her.
Around him, she could be whatever and he’d still be obsessed with her.
He truly was hopeless.
***
They stayed in the cake shop for a while longer before they exited, leaving a smiling baker behind.
After all, he had somehow forced Adrian to not pay for a single thing as he claimed that the gold coin already covered it all.
Adrian, Renelle and Isla continued through the marketplace, with the child a lot used to the two now than earlier.
Crystal seemed to have made a new friend as she was now permanently stuck on Isla’s shoulders as they walked through the marketplace.
The marketplace was as lively as ever.
Vendors called out from every direction, advertising their goods with practiced enthusiasm, while the streets remained packed with people moving from stall to stall.
For Isla, however, none of that mattered.
Her attention shifted from one thing to another, her eyes constantly wandering, curiosity written all over her face.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes looking in a certain direction and Renelle followed her line of sight when she noticed.
A boutique stood a short distance away, its glass display showcasing neatly arranged outfits, far more refined than anything Isla had ever worn.
"Let’s head there?" She gently asked Isla.
The girl was a bit hesitant before finally nodding, and without hesitation, Renelle grabbed her little hand and walked towards the boutique, Adrian following behind them.
«Adrian,» Noctis suddenly appeared, turning in a certain direction.
"I know," he answered as his shadow disconnected from him and headed in the direction they had felt the presence.
Meanwhile, Renelle pushed open the glass door, leading Isla inside the cloth shop
Isla instinctively slowed her steps.
Her small hand tightened slightly around Renelle’s as she looked around, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation.
This wasn’t a place she was used to.
"Welcome," a gentle, accented voice greeted from the side causing them to turn toward it.
Standing there was a man...or was it a woman? Anyway, the individual was dressed in colorful garnet and they had a smile on their face.
"What would you like?"
The shop owner’s eyes immediately lit up as he looked up at Renelle, he could literally smell the money off this noble and he wouldn’t allow them leave without spending most of it.
"We’re looking for clothes for her," Renelle said calmly, glancing down at Isla.
"Marvelous," the shop owner clasped their hands together, their smile widening ever so slightly as their gaze settled on Isla.
"Oh, what a delicate little thing," they added, circling the girl once, not too close, but with a practiced eye that missed nothing.
"Pale skin, soft features... and that hair," they hummed, "we’ll have fun with this."