Chapter 149: The Park
While Evelia and Anna were still stressed, trying to figure out how to make Armand fall in love with Evelia, Armand and Carle had already arrived at the park they had mentioned earlier.
Compared to those two girls full of worries, the men clearly seemed more relaxed and carefree.
Wearing a white shirt and shorts that reached his calves, Armand dressed casually and cool, trying to create a “we’re out having fun” vibe. Carle dressed similarly. Even though they were just going to a park, they both looked like they were heading to the beach for vacation. Carle even mumbled to himself when they left the house, “Feels like I haven’t been to the seaside in ages.”
Compared to these two squad leaders from the Royal Knights, who were both wearing hats and sunglasses to avoid being recognized while “slacking off” during work hours, the two little girls dressed more normally.
Rachel wore a simple but clearly expensive white silk dress. Of course, this was sponsored by Carle, and was said to be designed by a famous children’s fashion designer. The fabric alone was incredibly pricey.
Salana wore a matching dress, but hers had little pink bunny patterns. It looked more playful and fitting for a child her age, while Rachel’s outfit, just plain white with a black ribbon, felt more elegant and grown-up.
After all, Salana was a real child who liked cute things and enjoyed mixing all kinds of accessories. The flashier, the better. On the other hand, Rachel, being an old soul, only liked comfortable and simple designs. The two had completely opposite tastes.
Even though it was a weekday, the park was still crowded. While the younger people were at work, the older folks came out to enjoy the sun. Armand and Carle were among the few younger men in the park, aside from the knights on patrol.
With each of them carrying a child and wearing hats and sunglasses, they couldn’t help but draw some attention. Passersby wouldn’t stare too hard, but they’d at least glance over and mumble things like, “It’s not even that sunny today.”
Not only the elderly onlookers noticed them, even the knights on patrol glanced their way. Some sharp-eyed ones even thought, These two look kind of familiar, squinting and trying to remember where they had seen them. Some even wondered if it was from a wanted poster.
To avoid suspicion, Armand and Carle didn’t do anything flashy. They quickly changed direction and took another path to dodge the sharper stares of the knights.
Technically, they were the bosses of those knights, so no one could really question them. But still, they figured, better not to make trouble when you don’t have to.
The weather was nice, so the park was lively. The small vendors had also come out, setting up colorful stalls that easily caught the attention of the truly three-year-old Salana. Her eyes were glued to the fun little items she’d never seen before, even simple paper-folding toys excited her.
“Do you want something? If you do, just get it.”
Carle gently patted his daughter on the back to help her sit more steadily so she could better see the stalls.
For Carle, if his daughter liked anything that was safe and allowed, he’d buy it for her without a second thought. After all, if there was one thing his family didn’t lack. It was money.
“……”
Standing beside them, Armand watched Carle freely paying for everything while holding his daughter. He turned to Rachel, who was in his arms, and said.
“If you see anything you want, go ahead and buy it.”
Rachel immediately understood what he meant. She gave Armand a helpless look and leaned close to whisper in his ear.
“Dad, are you trying to compete with Uncle Carle on who’s richer?”
—Which, obviously, was a battle he couldn’t win.
Carle was one of the richest merchants in the country. Even if Armand had some money, it was nothing compared to Carle’s fortune. It was like comparing a puddle to an ocean.
No need to risk your pride for something like this...
“It’s fine,” Armand whispered back with a grin. “I’m using his card.”
“...Huh?”
Rachel blinked in surprise, looking at Armand’s face under the sunglasses. She could just barely see the mischievous smile he was wearing.
“Buy whatever you like. The bill goes to their house anyway, it’s no problem.”
Who says something like that so confidently?!
Was this really the squad leader of the Royal Knights, the one who was supposed to stand for justice?!
But—
“Alright, it’s a deal then.”
Rachel wasn’t about to dig too deep. After all, she loved money. As long as there was cash to spend, she didn’t care whose it was.
As the head of the family, Carle naturally had some servants with him. While they didn’t bring any bodyguards for this outing, to avoid drawing attention in a place full of regular people, someone still had to carry their bags. Carle made sure his attendants dressed casually and didn’t bring too many people. Just three young servants to carry the things they bought back to the carriage. The same went for anything Armand bought. Just hand it off to Carle’s people.
Besides the food and snack stalls, there were also some simple games, things like ring toss or balloon popping. These were obviously aimed at kids and young people. The older folks in the park, enjoying their “second youth,” didn’t seem interested in this kind of fun.
“Dad, Dad, I want that one!”
Naturally, the games and prizes quickly caught Salana’s attention. She tugged on Carle’s arm and pointed excitedly at a nearby game booth decorated with balloons. She was looking at the big plush toy labeled as the first prize.
“Balloon popping?”
Carle glanced at the sign, then at the small box of dull-tipped throwing knives and toy bows on the booth. He quickly figured out how the game worked.
Armand noticed the game too and walked over with interest.
“Little Rachel, do you see anything you want?”
While Carle was asking the booth owner about the price and rules, Armand set Rachel down. He looked around at the prizes, stuffed animals, snacks, and such.
“Not really,” Rachel mumbled while chewing on a big cotton candy she’d gotten earlier. “None of this really interests me.”
She was trying to be careful while eating it, this cotton candy was very big, and if she moved too much, she might end up all sticky.
“Not even one thing?”
“Nope.”
Rachel wasn’t the type to lose her mind over a cute stuffed toy.
“Alright then, I’ll play by myself for a bit.”
After saying that, Armand followed Carle to the booth. From the way he sped up, he really did seem excited about the game.
“Huh?”
Rachel was stunned. Did that dad just ditch his kid to go play games by himself?
After snapping out of it, she hurried to catch up, and made sure to grab Salana’s hand too.
Rachel herself didn’t mind too much. Even though she had a child’s body, she was still an adult inside. But Salana was different. At her age, someone needed to keep a close eye on her.
Then Rachel realized that Carle had brought three of his house servants along, all reliable and trusted. If he let them watch Salana, they’d definitely take good care of their future young lady.
Rachel’s attempt at being helpful now just seemed unnecessary. In fact, when she noticed the servants watching her with warm, approving looks, she even felt a little awkward.
“Hehe, when Dad wins a prize, I’ll share it with you, Rachel!”
Even a child like Salana could feel Rachel’s kindness. She happily hugged Rachel’s arm. That summer hug made Rachel feel like her whole body was getting warmer.
“Got it…” As the older one, Rachel just let her hug her tightly. “M-My dad will win a prize for you too!”
“Then let’s see whose Dad wins more!”
Salana’s innocent challenge wasn’t meant as anything serious. But when that line reached Armand and Carle’s ears, their mood shifted instantly.
“You hear that? That’s what your daughter said.”
Armand picked up the box of throwing knives and began fixing one of the crooked handles.
“Yep, I heard her.”
Carle pulled on the bowstring, checking the arrows and getting a feel for their weight.
“In that case, Carle, looks like your reign as ‘favorite dad’ is about to end. You’d better hand over the prizes to me.”
“If you want them, you’ll have to earn them,” Carle said with a smirk, turning to look at Armand. “You know the rules by now.”
“Ha—” Armand chuckled and nodded, meeting Carle’s gaze. “I knew you’d say that.”
Nearby, Rachel, now all sticky with cotton candy thanks to Salana, clapped her hands, though it was unclear what exactly she was cheering for.
“Whew.”
Carle, despite the “dad showdown,” didn’t seem tense at all. He actually smiled.
“How many times have we competed like this?”
“Too many to count. Back when we first joined the Knights, we competed all the time.”
At that, the two men locked eyes and smiled, as if remembering the old days.
“Time to settle it, Carle,” Armand said, holding the knife and taking his stance. “Right here, in front of our daughters. Let’s end it once and for all.”
Hearing that, Carle didn’t back down. He took a deep breath and raised his bow.
The owner of the booth, meanwhile, was still clueless, counting the money Carle had handed over and watching the two men curiously, not realizing things were about to get very intense.