When the conspicuous orange figure appeared at the alley entrance, Orino responded to everyone with ease, her face brimming with a smile brighter than the sun. She pulled Little Merlin to avoid a small puddle on the ground while saying, “Not to mention the big market in the city center is too far, many vendors there are unscrupulous middlemen who spray water on overnight vegetables to sell them as fresh. But it is different here; the vegetables here were still basking in the sun in the villages on the edge of the Capital this morning. They are cheap and delicious!”
Little Merlin nodded, only half-understanding. Her black patent leather Mary Jane shoes were carefully stepping on the slightly rough stone road. The crowded people, noisy sounds, and the occasionally uneven road under her feet made her subconsciously grip Orino’s hand… ‘How nostalgic… I used to shuttle back and forth through alleys like this all the time.’
“Baby, hold my hand tight.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“If you accidentally get lost, silently recite my name in your heart, and I will appear.”
“I know~”
“As long as you cannot see me, you can summon me anytime.”
Little Merlin’s voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction. “I said I know.”
“Then let us go.”
Little Merlin’s legs, wrapped in white stockings, shone white in the slightly dim market light. The delicate texture of the stockings clung to her tender skin, revealing a faint, fleshy pink. As she walked, a few shallow creases formed behind her knees and around her ankles.
Passing a fruit stall, the enthusiastic owner immediately saw Little Merlin being led by Orino. Although he did not know who the child was, this Elf baby was simply too cute. Without a word, he handed a small bag of cherries to Little Merlin. “A gift for the cute baby, on the house! Her voice is so small and soft, so precious.”
Little Merlin froze for a moment and looked up at Orino. Only after receiving the Great Fairy’s encouraging look did she release one hand from her skirt and carefully take the cherries.
“Th — Thank you.”
Little Merlin pinched a cherry stem and slightly opened her small pink mouth, revealing her white teeth as she took a gentle bite. The plump juice exploded in her mouth instantly, the sweet and sour taste making her narrow her eyes slightly. Her originally expressionless little face changed as her cheeks puffed out rhythmically while she chewed.
“Ohhh — !”
Several middle-aged women nearby picking vegetables could not help but stop. “So cute…” “It is on me, give her some more.”
Amidst the praise, Orino thanked them repeatedly before finally rescuing Little Merlin, who was being overwhelmed by fruit.
“Little Merlin, let us go!”
“Uh… yeah.”
“Whose child is that?”
A robust woman briskly swung a bone-cleaving knife, her eyes fixed on Little Merlin standing in front of the stall. Because the counter was a bit high, Little Merlin could only stand slightly on her tiptoes to see the meat inside. This movement tightened the lines of her calves, and her ankles wrapped in white stockings looked exceptionally slender and fragile at the opening of her Mary Jane shoes, as if they could break with a little force.
“Orino, is this your sister?”
Orino answered naturally, “She is the Young Lady of my house. I am taking her for a stroll today.”
“Oh my.” The woman’s heart nearly melted looking at Little Merlin. While weighing the ribs, she cut another piece of high-quality tenderloin and stuffed it into the bag without taking no for an answer. “Take it! It is a gift from me! Children are at the age where they are growing; they need to eat more meat!”
Little Merlin held the bag of meat, which was larger than her face, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Her face flushed slightly as she lowered her head and looked at her toes. Her two little feet in Mary Jane shoes rubbed lightly against the ground. “Thank you… Auntie.”
The butcher shop owner laughed so much she could not close her mouth. “Oh my! So well-behaved! Orino’s Young Lady is truly precious.”
“See you tomorrow!”
Afterward, the two arrived at a slightly old general store; Orino needed to buy some dish soap. Looking after the shop was an old man wearing reading glasses. While Orino picked through the shelves, Little Merlin stood quietly by the counter waiting. The old man looked at this doll-like, exquisite Little Merlin. “Little girl, are you bored? Here, you can play with this.”
Little Merlin took the toy and nodded politely. “Thank you.”
However, her gaze did not stay on the toy but was attracted to a flickering Magic Stone Lamp on the counter. Little Merlin tilted her head and stood on her tiptoes, peeking her little head over the edge. “Is it broken?”
The old man nodded. “Yeah… although it has been used for a long time and does not have much sentimental value, it is precisely because it has been used for so long that I have an attachment to it. People get nostalgic as they get older.”
Little Merlin fiddled with the lamp, turning it up and down, front and back. She used Ice Magic to create a small cup, grinding the energy in the Magic Stone into liquid bit by bit. She carefully poked the wick inside. “Hmm… although it is not perfect, it should work.”
Orino saw Little Merlin’s frantic movements and thoughtfully handed her a handkerchief to wipe her sweat. Little Merlin answered softly, “It was not that hard… the Magic Circuit is simple, the carving is rough, and the patterns are easy to fix. It could even be optimized further.”
Orino paid for her items, rubbing Little Merlin’s head with a face full of pride, as if she were the one being praised. The old man looked at Little Merlin. “No need to pay. Your Young Lady is truly clever. This lamp has been with me at the counter since I opened the shop; I am quite attached to it.”
Little Merlin replied shyly, “It was nothing… just a small favor.”
“Well, we will head out then.”
“Alright, I will not waste any more of your time.”
After Orino and Little Merlin bid farewell to the old man, they walked toward home.
“Time to go back and make dinner, Little Merlin!”
“Mm…”
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