Chapter 5: Shopping
"Welcome aboard, sir, ma'am! Please, come in!"
The dock was bustling with life.
A massive merchant vessel had anchored at the pier, its sails lowered and its deck stacked with cargo. Villagers from across the Sibia River Archipelago had already gathered, eager to purchase the supplies they'd been waiting months for.
Every visit from a merchant ship was a big event here—perhaps the biggest of the year.
If you didn't stock up now, the coming months would be miserable.
After all, the merchant fleet only stopped by once a year, near the end of autumn. The Sibia islands were isolated, and with no proper shops or trade routes, everything from spices to cloth had to be bought here, or not at all.
Eiger stepped onto the ship, still holding Nico's hand.
The merchant greeted her with a courteous "Madam," and though the title made Eiger feel oddly self-conscious, Nico didn't seem to mind in the slightest. She simply leaned closer, wrapping her arm through his, eyes sparkling with curiosity as she examined the goods around them.
It wasn't a particularly grand ship—nothing like the sprawling stores of the larger cities—but it carried all the essentials: food, tools, medicine, and basic commodities. Still, to someone like Nico, who seemed fascinated by everything, the place was full of wonder.
They quickly picked out what they needed—various seasonings, some preserved food, and, after a little hesitation, a large wooden bath barrel.
If it were just him, Eiger wouldn't have bothered with so many luxuries. But when he saw how Nico's eyes lit up at the sight of that barrel, he didn't have the heart to refuse.
Besides, watching her prepare breakfast that morning had already softened him a bit.
The price made Nico hesitate, biting her lip with uncertainty—but Eiger paid without blinking.
Money wasn't exactly a problem.
Fifteen years in the Marines had earned him more than enough savings, and Colonel Enqi had personally handed him a generous retirement bonus. If he ever ran low, well… there were always pirates in the West Blue waiting to be chopped down.
And honestly, the smile that bloomed on Nico's face when he bought that bath barrel?
Worth every beli.
Humming a tune, she clung to his arm as they moved through the market stalls.
Eiger found himself grinning despite himself.
Maybe she really isn't that Nico…
Maybe she's just an ordinary woman after all.
Once they'd finished their main shopping, neither of them felt like heading back just yet. They decided to wander a bit longer, drifting from stall to stall.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a clothing shop.
"What's wrong, darling?" Nico asked, tilting her head.
"You need a few more outfits," Eiger said matter-of-factly, guiding her inside before she could protest.
Truth be told, she owned barely two changes of clothes—one set she'd been wearing when she was found, and another white dress the villagers had gifted her.
That wouldn't do.
The moment they entered, a smiling saleswoman rushed forward. "Welcome! How can I help you, sir and madam?"
"Get her a few outfits," Eiger said, glancing around the shop. Then he paused, looking serious. "Inside and out."
"…"
Nico's cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
The young saleswoman, meanwhile, gave Eiger a knowing look, her expression practically glowing with gossip. She smiled sweetly and gestured toward the back. "Right this way, madam!"
Nico gave a helpless little sigh, but she didn't argue.
After all, they'd already spent a fortune on the bath barrel—what were a few clothes compared to that?
And… Eiger was her fiancé, wasn't he?
Even if a small part of her heart whispered that she didn't belong here, another part—the quieter, warmer part—longed for this kind of peace.
"You're so beautiful, madam," the saleswoman cooed from the fitting room. "Your husband must be very lucky! Try this one next—it'll suit you perfectly."
Eiger, standing outside, couldn't help but chuckle softly as he listened.
Then, the curtain drew back.
And for a moment—his breath caught.
Nico stepped out wearing a sleek black short dress that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with knee-high black boots. Her long dark hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, and her pale skin seemed to glow in the afternoon light.
Eiger's eyes widened slightly.
She looked… stunning.
The curve of her hips, the smooth line of her thighs beneath the hem—
he suddenly found himself thanking old Chief Marin all over again.
The saleswoman's taste, he had to admit, was impeccable.
"...How do I look?" Nico asked, a faint blush still coloring her cheeks, though she tried to sound casual.
"Beautiful," Eiger said without hesitation.
He even gave her a thumbs-up. "It suits you perfectly."
Her smile widened, eyes gleaming with quiet delight.
"Then I'll take this one!"
"Wrap it up," Eiger said, nodding. Then added, "And bring a few more for her to try."
"Of course, sir!" The saleswoman's eyes practically sparkled. "It's an honor to help such a lovely couple."
Before Nico could protest, she was gently but firmly ushered back into the fitting room.
One outfit after another followed—each more flattering than the last.
Long dresses, shorts, denim, casual wear—
no matter what she tried on, she somehow made it look elegant, effortless, and breathtaking.
And as the saleswoman showered her with compliments—"You're gorgeous in this one, madam!" "Oh, that color brings out your eyes!"—Eiger could only stand there, arms crossed, grinning like an idiot, thoroughly enjoying the show.
Finally, Nico emerged with an exasperated little laugh, carrying a few chosen outfits in her arms.
"That's enough, darling," she said with mock sternness.
Eiger sighed dramatically. "If you insist."
He paid for the pile of clothes, and as they stepped off the merchant ship together, the sun was already dipping low on the horizon—its golden light spilling across the quiet waves.
Nico clung lightly to his arm, the ocean breeze catching her hair, and Eiger thought, not for the first time—
Maybe this kind of life… really isn't so bad after all.
With all their shopping finally done—and an extra clean set of bedsheets and blankets thrown in for good measure—Eiger and Nico began making their way back home.
But as they walked past one of the smaller stalls near the end of the dock, Nico suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Eiger followed her gaze, confused. "What's wrong?"
She didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed on a small jewelry display shimmering under the sunlight.
When Eiger noticed it was a jewelry stall, he stopped as well.
Come to think of it, during their "engagement," he hadn't given her anything. No ring, no gift… nothing at all.
Sure, the whole thing had been a surprise—borderline accidental—but now, walking beside her and seeing the warmth in her smile, Eiger thought…
He crouched down, picking up a golden ring from the display—the very one Nico had been staring at.
The merchant, a cheerful middle-aged man with a mustache, immediately leaned forward, sensing a sale.
"Ah, excellent eye, sir! That ring's a rare one—crafted from the gold of the Tree of Knowledge of Ohara!"
"...???"
Eiger blinked, momentarily stunned.
The salesman, oblivious to his reaction, lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Surely you've heard of Ohara, right? The most learned place in all of the West Blue—destroyed by some mysterious disaster years ago."
He pointed proudly to the delicate engraving on the band. "Look here—the carving of the Tree of Knowledge itself! This was made by Ohara's finest artisans. It symbolizes wisdom—something only the truly gifted deserve. And I must say, it perfectly suits your lady's grace and temperament."
The man paused, realizing the customer hadn't said a word. "Sir? Is there… a problem?"
Even Nico, who had been quietly admiring the ring, turned toward Eiger.
"Darling? What's wrong?"
Eiger blinked, snapping back to the present. "Ah—no, nothing."
But inside, his thoughts were churning.
Ohara.
That name. That place.
It was no mere legend.
And if Nico really was who he suspected—
He quickly shoved the thought aside.
Without another word, he looked the merchant dead in the eye. "How much?"
"Only eighty thousand Beli!" The salesman's grin widened. "And that's a fair price! For craftsmanship like this, it's practically—"
"I'll take it."
The words came out firm and final.
Eiger reached into his coat, pulled out the money, and handed it over without another moment's hesitation.
Then he turned to Nico, who was watching him with a puzzled expression.
Without saying anything, he held out the ring.
Her eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face—then softened into a radiant, beautiful smile.
She extended her hand gracefully, her voice teasing yet tender.
"Darling, aren't you going to put it on for me?"
Eiger's lips curved upward.
He didn't hesitate. He gently slipped the golden ring onto her finger.
Whatever Ohara was…
Whoever she really is…
None of that matters.
She's his fiancée.
As their fingers brushed, they looked into each other's eyes—
her gaze calm and warm, his steady and sure.
For a moment, the noisy marketplace seemed to fade away.
It was just the two of them—standing close, smiling, saying nothing.
The air between them thickened, soft and sweet—until—
"You bastard! This isn't what we agreed on!"
A thunderous shout shattered the moment.
Both of them turned, startled—only to see a familiar, red-faced figure storming toward them, waving his cane furiously.
"Village Chief Marin?"
Eiger's expression froze.
Of all the people to interrupt this perfect moment… it had to be him.