Free Web NovelChapter 16: Monday
But why the hell was he smiling so brightly?
It pricked Lucien the wrong way, made him furrow his brows, adopting an unwelcoming facial expression. One that might’ve ruined the first step of his information-retrieving plan. Hopefully it didn’t do much to dent the model-like man’s first impression of him.
Still, Lucien protectively held onto Mikky, putting the boy behind himself as he looked up to the giant and asked:
"Who are you?" frёewebnoѵēl.com
And even though he tried to hide it, glimpses of wariness and barely sealed aggression seeped from Lucien’s tone.
Reacting to him, the tall man rested his hands on his waist, adopting an eased expression as his bright smile widened, a blond brow rising.
"Ah," the man exclaimed. "I happened to watch you both from way over..." Without turning back, he pointed a thumb toward the direction he’d strode from. "There. And I could tell you were new to this city, I mean, you even have a large backpack with you. And–" His hazel eyes focused on Mikky’s direction. "You have a kid with you! What an oddity! A really interesting oddity in Shaw, it is."
Lucien blinked.
This man...
While he gauged the obviously suspicious man’s words, actions and habitual gestures, Mikky, who stood behind him, peeked at the man.
The man was speaking: "...kid to a den of criminals!" Suddenly, the man’s hazel eyes met with Mikky’s wide blue ones. And he stopped talking, his hazel eyes growing warm. And then, for the first time, his smile changed. Not the politely bright and sunny smile. It was a warm, mellow smile.
"Hey." He waved at Mikky.
Grrr–!!
A loud, rumbling sound echoed.
It seemed the ’go eat food’ notification chose that exact moment to blare from Michael’s stomach. And apparently, the tall man had heard it, because he froze in place, his waving hand suspended in the air.
Lucien smiled for the first time. Not a really humorous smile, though. More of a mocking one, seeing the flash of confusion on the tall man’s face.
And Mikky hadn’t waved back! What a great kid!
"Um... is there anywhere we could eat here?"
Lucien’s face fell.
Not a great kid!
The last thing this man needed to know was their current predicament, which was their utter lack of money. He was probably a bad person, and would probably exploit their lack of–
That was enough thinking.
"Ahem–" Lucien cleared his throat, wearing the brightest fake smile he could offer. "What he meant to ask was if there’s any place where we could get affordable food? We’ve traveled a long distance coming here, you see. And we’re both hungry."
Clearing his throat and shrugging off the awkwardness of his greeting being ignored by Mikky, the tall man straightened his position, smiling.
"Of course! Food, accommodation! I’ll take you to the most affordable joint in the city! And maybe I could get to hear your story, know what you’re doing in Shaw with a young child like that."
Ah, there it was. The probing.
Wonderful. These types of people were easier to deal with. They were straightforward; they gave something, and wanted something in return.
Lucien earlier feared the man might have been the Fake-Saint type. Those always, always had hidden intentions layered behind a mask of goodwill.
Lucien smirked.
Adopting an innocent, almost naive expression, he scratched the back of his silver hair, smiling.
"Haha. You see, we had no other option than to come here to Shaw," Lucien said, voice smooth. "I’d love to tell you more about it if we get to the food joint.
"We could discuss it over a drink, too! I’d love to know how someone as..." Lucien eyed the man once more. "Eloquent as you ended up in Shaw. Bills will be on you, though."
’That accent of his is definitely Main-City-In-Mariva quality. It feels weird hearing it in real life, though. It was just a description in the novel. Sounds a bit Royal British-ish.’
Hearing Lucien’s suggestion, the man’s grin turned toothy.
"A drink with me, huh? How bold of you. I figured you’d be an interesting guy when I saw you," he chuckled, "Well, fine. All bills will be on me. Drink, food and everything. I’ve been too bored in this shoddy city after all. If only that man..." He shook his head. "So let’s go!"
Without wasting any more time, the man turned, facing his back to Lucien and Michael.
’And that, kids, is how you get a free meal without having to steal!’
Things weren’t going exactly as he planned, but he was adjusting the plan in real time. At least now Michael didn’t have to watch his father figure thief around.
But Lucien would still need to do some snooping around for some raw ingredients, though. It was the whole reason he brought that one sack that lay in his backpack after all. They still had to eat even after today, and he couldn’t always depend on a stranger’s whims every time they got hungry, and what if they weren’t in an area where they could steal food?
The man had Cooking Mastery, he had a pot in his backpack, and he could make fire with wooden sticks. So shit it, he was going to cook on the road.
But, well, in the first place, to get to that road, he needed to obtain information on the border security.
An almost perverted smile colored the deep otaku’s face as he gazed at the small of the man’s back while walking slowly and holding onto Mikky.
’You, my friend, are going to be my fountain! My source!’
"You know," the man suddenly said as they walked, "you’re both very lucky. You weren’t robbed, kidnapped, aggressively handled or misspoken to, even while you both stood there like fish out of water, watching the entire place."
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
"That’s... true."
That was odd. They were in Shaw. And they were prime targets. But the men just stared at them with malice, never taking action. As if they were restraining themselves.
As if they were forbidden from touching them.
As if they were... scared.
Lucien’s eyes widened.
Something snapped into place. This man was the only one who approached them.
"I never got to ask your name," Lucien said, feeling a heat rise in his stomach.
Suddenly, in the middle of the streets, the man paused, dramatically looking over his shoulder to gaze at the duo with that same bright and sunny smile.
"Lector."
Blink.
"Pardon?"
"Lector." fгeewebnovёl.com
Lucien’s eyes twitched.
Of course.
Of course, of course, of course.
Of course, he was unlucky. It was a damn Monday, wasn’t it?
’What a really nice day to drink and converse with a Prowler.’
