Chapter 198 “Alice’s First Day In The World”

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation

Duncan felt a weird shiver run down his spine as he noticed the puppet’s unwavering gaze directed at him. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he shot a perplexed frown at the puppet and asked, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Alice responded candidly, “I’m observing you.”

Duncan raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What’s so fascinating about me?”

Alice, with a hint of astonishment in her voice, replied, “It’s just that I’ve never seen you communicate in this manner before. You mentioned that I’d see you in another form here, but it’s still so surreal to witness. In this place, you don’t have the same tall and somber presence you have aboard the ship. Instead, you appear… kinder, more approachable…”

Caught off guard by her words, Duncan’s eyes widened. Before he could react, Alice hastily interjected: “Oh, I hope I’m not offending you, Captain…”

Duncan, exasperatedly, retorted, “How many times must I tell you? Don’t go picking up odd phrases from Goathead! Complimenting someone by calling them good isn’t an insult – and that includes me! Remember, in this setting, you shouldn’t address me as ‘Captain’. It should be Mr. Duncan or Mr. Shopkeeper. Got it?”

Alice visibly flinched and replied, “Ah… AH! I’ve got it, Ca… I mean, Mr. Shopkeeper!”

Sighing deeply, Duncan advised, “Just stick with Mr. Duncan. You’re familiar with that name, so there’s less chance you’ll get it wrong.”

Understanding his point, Alice nodded and said, “Understood, Mr. Duncan.” As she was about to bow her head in acknowledgment, Duncan interjected with a note of caution, “Don’t bow your head too much; you might lose it again. If that happens in the middle of this city, our plans will be ruined.”

Puzzled, Alice commented, “That sounds like something Ai once said. Something about a head, a crown…”

Duncan’s eyes narrowed with urgency, “Do you have a crown on your head?! All you have is a wig, and that’s even less secure than your actual head!”

Alice paused to process this and then broke into a chuckle. After a brief moment of awkward silence, she suddenly blurted out, “Captain… May I touch your face?”

Looking somewhat bewildered, Duncan replied, “Sure, but… why?”

Before Duncan could finish his thought, Alice, emboldened by her new environment away from the ship’s confines, stepped closer and gently pinched his cheek, her eyes wide with wonder. “This is incredible! On the ship, your face seemed as if it was chiseled from stone!”

Duncan felt an overwhelming sense of unease, desperately wanting to free himself from the grasp on his face. “Have you had enough?” he muttered with mild irritation.

However, before he could even finish his sentence, the sound of hurried footsteps echoing from the staircase captured his attention. It was Nina and Shirley. Nina cheerfully called out, “Uncle, Shirley and I have finished our meal! What are you up to over here?”

Attempting to turn towards the girls, Duncan’s movement was awkward and stiff, much like a malfunctioning robot. The reason for his discomfort? Alice’s hands were still on his face, making it seem like the two of them were in the midst of an intimate moment.

Shirley, surprised by the sudden halt in her friend’s movements, asked, “Hey, why’d you stop so abruptly?” not realizing she had bumped into Nina’s back due to the unexpected sight before them.

Alice quickly retracted her hands, seemingly embarrassed by the interruption. She folded them neatly in her lap, mimicking the dignified posture of a Victorian lady.

Nina, on the other hand, was in utter disbelief. The sight before her was an elegant, beautiful blonde lady – someone who looked as if she hailed from the more affluent parts of the city. She whispered in astonishment to her partner, “Dog, look! Who’s that opposite of Mr. Duncan? Is she even human? Can you handle her if needed?”

After what felt like an eternity, Dog’s reply was filled with apprehension, “I can’t get a clear view through your eyes. But the longer you gaze at her, the less she seems human. I can’t tell if I stand a chance against her. But I urge you – don’t confront her.”

This took Shirley aback. “But why? You haven’t even gotten a good look at her. Why are you so terrified?”

Dog’s voice, laden with genuine fear, responded, “Are you not seeing what I’m seeing? She boldly pinched Mr. Duncan’s face! That audacity suggests she’s powerful enough to turn us into stew… and not just any stew, the kind where I’d willingly chop the wood to fuel the fire for the pot.”

In disbelief, Shirley exclaimed, “Seriously, Dog? That’s your reasoning? It’s rather embarrassing.”

Defensively, Dog retorted, “It’s about picking battles wisely. Do you know how many people strive their entire lives to master such survival instincts?”

Shirley quickly grew tired of Dog’s logic, considering it too absurd to entertain.

While this mental exchange between Shirley and Dog continued, Nina had already approached her uncle and the mysterious blonde. “Uncle, who is this lady?” Nina inquired, her eyes darting between Duncan and Alice, filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

Clearing his throat to mask the awkwardness of the situation, Duncan responded with an air of formality. “Ah, perfect timing, Nina. Allow me to introduce you.” With a composed demeanor, he gestured toward Alice, “This is Alice. Remember when I mentioned that we’d have some assistance in the shop? Well, she will be joining our team.”

Duncan swiftly gestured towards the two girls, elaborating, “This is my niece, Nina, and beside her is Shirley, who is staying with us temporarily.”

Without hesitation, Alice stepped forward with poise, greeting them. “Hello,” she said with a courteous nod. Taking Duncan’s advice to heart, she refrained from any playful antics. This, combined with her inherent grace, gave her an aura of sophistication reminiscent of someone from high society.

A hilarious misunderstanding ensued during this initial interaction.

Caught off guard by Alice’s demeanor, Nina hesitated slightly before replying, “Hello… um, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She seemed wary, as though the slightest misstep in etiquette would upset Alice.

Shirley too, took her cue from Nina, although her apprehension had another source: the warnings from Dog. She greeted Alice with, “Hello, it’s, um, good to meet you.”

An uncomfortable silence then permeated the room, thick with tension.

Both Nina and Shirley were at a loss for words. In their minds, they were interacting with someone far above their station, and they were afraid to say something out of place.

Alice, on the other hand, didn’t overthink the situation. In fact, her thoughts were relatively uncomplicated, devoid of the usual complexities one might expect.

Sensing the palpable tension, Duncan tactfully intervened. “Ahem, Shirley, how’s your injury coming along?”

Caught off guard, Shirley stammered, “Injury? Oh! It’s healed now!” Trying to steer the conversation away from the awkward silence, she added, “And I ate well earlier. I’m not hungry anymore!”

Duncan, amused by her response, chuckled, “I didn’t ask about that. But it’s good to know you enjoyed your meal. In the coming days, eat well to regain your strength. I’ll prepare something nutritious for you. As for you, Nina, any plans for today?”

Without missing a beat, Nina replied, “I’m planning to take Shirley shopping in the local market. She could use some new attire and shoes.” Realizing how this might sound to Shirley, she quickly added, looking at her friend, “It’s a welcoming gift. It would be impolite to decline.”

Caught in the whirlwind of emotions, Shirley managed a bashful, “Thank you, Nina… and Mr. Duncan.”

With a reassuring smile, Duncan added, “Just ensure you return before dusk. And Shirley, make sure you look after Nina while you’re out.”

Embracing her newfound responsibility, Shirley straightened up and saluted, her tone mimicking that of a soldier’s, “Understood, Mr. Duncan!” This unexpected response caught Nina by surprise, leaving her both amused and a bit startled.

Upon their departure, both Nina and Shirley expressed their goodbyes to Duncan and Alice, making their way towards the entrance of the residence. As they moved, Nina’s voice could be heard lightly chastising Shirley, “Why did you respond so loudly? You startled me… Uncle isn’t that intimidating, you know.”

Attempting to defend herself, Shirley replied, “I was just trying to be respectful. I’ve been practicing my manners lately.”

Duncan couldn’t help but chuckle as he heard their fading conversation. Shaking his head amusedly, he turned his attention back to Alice, only to find her gaze fixed on him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

With a thoughtful expression, Alice responded, “Mr. Duncan… You seem so different here compared to aboard the ship. You’re much warmer and friendlier in this setting.”

Suppressing a sigh, Duncan replied with a resigned smile, “Let’s not dwell on such observations.” He was well aware of the contrast in his demeanor between the two environments. While he had always been on guard aboard the ship, his demeanor was decidedly more relaxed in the city-state. Deciding to shift the focus of the conversation, he said, “For now, let’s discuss your role here. Since you don’t have any official documentation, it would be wise to avoid the upper city and drawing undue attention. I’ll have you assist in the antique shop for the time being. It’ll be good for you to get acclimated, and you can also help me manage things when I’m not around. You can tend to customers, manage the counter… Oh wait, I just realized something.”

His face morphed into one of mild concern as he continued, “You… Do you even understand the concept of currency?”

Alice, tilting her head in genuine curiosity, inquired, “What’s currency?”

Duncan’s expression was a mix of surprise and exasperation as he muttered, “…Oh dear.”

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