[16.2] A Gift Worth Giving

I waved my wand and automatically cleaned myself off. I suddenly turned and started walking, "There we go. All clean."

Zephyr walked after me with a frown, "Just what exactly was that?"

"I was teaching that jerk a lesson."

"A lesson?! That was more than a lesson! That looked more personal!"

"It wasn't."

He didn't give up, "Are you feeling alright? You were like a totally different person back there."

I glared at him threateningly, "Don't push me, Zephyr."

He automatically shut his mouth and watched my back with a troubled expression.

I paid him no attention and went to find Cyrus and Caldwell. Something caught my eye in a shop's window, causing me to stop and look inside. My eyes lit up, "I just got an idea."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow, "Are you going to cut off someone else's hand?"

I ignored him and ran into the store. I pointed at the piece of jewelry, "I want to buy this."

The clerk smiled at me, "You have a good eye. It's an exquisite-"

I waved her off, "Just go ring it up for me."

She nodded quickly, "Right away."

"Oh! Wait. Actually, is it possible to put two magic spells on it?"

"Certainly. Which ones are you looking for?"

"One that will alert me if the wearer is in danger and another that will allow me to track down the person who has it."

"Ah, those are complicated spells… It will take several days-"

I threw out two gold pieces, "Make it now."

She took it with a grin, "Right away~"

She didn't waste much time and handed me the bracelet wrapped up. Then she handed me a small earring. I took it with an eyebrow raised, "What's this?"

"Ah! Put this in your ear and it will alert you if the wearer of the bracelet is in trouble. If you want to find them, then all you will need to do is take out the earring and it will point in the wearer's direction."

I put it to my ear and felt it go through without any pain. My eyes widened, "It didn't even hurt!"

She chuckled, "Of course not! It's infused with magic. You don't need to pierce your skin. So, who did you get the bracelet for? Your familiar?"

"Nope! I got it for a clumsy child."

Her face twitched, "O-Oh?"

I could tell she was wondering what a child could do for another, but I ignored it. After paying, I went back to finding the golden-haired brat. Zephyr followed me, still watching me with a look of caution. I noticed Cyrus and Caldwell looking around frantically on the main street.

I waved to them, "Yoohoo~"

Cyrus spun around and let out a relieved sigh. Then he glared at me and started lecturing, "Where did you go?!"

I smiled at him, "I just looked in a shop window and saw something good."

Cyrus crossed his arms, "Why are you so easily distracted?! This is why I said to be careful!"

I chuckled and held out my hand, "Give me your hand."

He looked at my outstretched hand hesitantly, "...What?"

"Give me your hand."

Caldwell leaned over and whispered so that only Cyrus could hear, "Perhaps she wants to hold your hand so that way you two won't be separated again."

Cyrus's cheeks turned bright red as he slowly held out his hand, "T-That doesn't seem like a bad idea…"

I took his hand and slipped on a small bracelet. I nodded with pleasure, "As I thought. It suits you well."

Cyrus held up his wrist and stared at the bracelet, carefully scrutinizing it. The bracelet was a simple silver band with bright blue and green jewels embedded inside it.

He looked at me with an eyebrow raised, "What's this?"

"It's a thank you gift for coming with me today."

Caldwell inspected it, "It's nice, but isn't it a bit feminine?"

I frowned, "Is it? I just thought the blue jewels looked like his eyes so I bought it… If you don't like it then I will take it back-"

"No!" Cyrus pulled back his arm and hid his wrist from me, "You already gave it to me! You can't take it back!"

I chuckled at his childish reaction, "Just make sure you wear it or else I will feel hurt."

He averted his eyes as he played with it, "...I will think about it."

At least he accepted it. Now I won't have to worry about him going missing or dying. I haven't known him long, but he's been attacked three times. He's like a magnet for danger.

He's already had a hard enough life.

The least I can do is help him out a bit.

Feeling like the day was a successful one, I started walking home while whistling in a carefree manner. The others quickly followed after me.

Cyrus looked at the bug net closely, "Are you really going to catch bugs with this?"

I nodded, "I am. It shouldn't be too hard. That bug could talk, but it can't run away."

Cyrus stopped abruptly, "It can really… Talk?"

Caldwell and Cryus both glanced at each other before rushing after me. Caldwell spoke to me with a forced grin, "Little Miss… Bugs can't speak."

"This one can."

Cyrus spoke, "Are you sure it's a bug?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I saw it with my own eyes."

The two looked at Zephyr who shrugged, "I have no idea what she is talking about. I was sleeping."

Caldwell rolled his eyes, "I guess it's true that foxes are only good at being lazy."

Zephyr frowned, "Better than being an owl who has his own head far up his a**!"

Caldwell shrieked, "How crude!! You little-"

I flipped my hair, "If you don't believe me then come see for yourself."

Cyrus turned his head with a slight blush, "You're not going to do anything strange again, are you?"

I smiled eerily, "Strange how?"

Caldwell stopped talking and rushed to my side, "Let's go, Young Master! I want to see if she's making it up or not!"

Cyrus frowned, "Why do you sound so excited?... Do you plan on trying to dress me up again?!?"

Caldwell looked away and responded half-heartedly, "No…. I would never…"

I rolled my eyes dramatically, "We weren't even successful last time… Why would we try again?"

Caldwell and I both winked at each other.

Cyrus glared at us, "I'm not going!"

I grinned at him, "Why not? I was going to ask you to stay for a homemade dinner and-"

"I will go." He cut in quickly as he straightened his back, "I'm free."

I chuckled to myself.

Looks like Goldilocks can be easily won over with food.

I summoned my ice chunk, returning us back to the tower. This time I was able to stop with only falling off the ice chunk slightly. Once we entered inside, I smeared black paint on my face.

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing?"

"Warrior paint."

I tied my hair up and pulled up my dress. I tied it short so I wouldn't trip if I ran.

Cyrus covered his eyes in shock, "What are you doing!?!?!"

"Warrior outfit."

Zephyr nodded in admiration, "Noice."

I held out my hand to Caldwell, "Give me my weapons."

Caldwell tilted his head with a smile as he handed over the bug-catching equipment. With the bug cage tied to my waist, I held the fly swatter in one hand and the net in the other.

I grinned, "Let's go catch a bug."