Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

’...He said that?’ Ethea asked as Soren helped her wash up while explaining his conversation with Emperor Hector.

’Yes, why? Is something wrong?’ Soren asked, sensing the change in her tone.

’No, it’s nothing.’ Ethea reassured him while already guessing who those ’acquaintances’ were. ”By the way, what are we going to do today?”

”Today?” Soren smiled as he gently picked her up. ”We are going shopping!”

”Shopping?” Ethea raised her brow.

”That’s right. I have to buy a new weapon, a few artifacts for the journey ahead. We also have to stock up on clothes, especially the ones suited for travel.” He set her down carefully in the wheelchair and began adjusting the footrests. ”Aunt Clara will accompany us after breakfast for the first round. Then we will head to the bureau to cultivate until Ryan arrives, and then finish the rest of the shopping with him.”

Ethea nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. ”You planned everything out.”

”I try.” Soren straightened and returned the smile. ”Now let’s prepare the breakfast before Aunt Clara arrives.”

”Mmm...”

───────

[The Legacy Emporium]

’Whoa...’

Soren exclaimed inwardly as they stepped into the grand hall of the establishment.

The store was massive, spanning three marble-paved floors connected by sweeping staircases, with velvet banners hanging from high arched ceilings. Mannequins lined the display cases, dressed in everything from sleek summer shirts and tailored trousers to elegant formal wear, all brightly lit under crystal chandeliers.

Soren’s glance swept across a display of lightweight, short-sleeved jackets, his eyes locking onto a small silver tag attached to the sleeve of a charcoal garment.

[Ten thousand credits.]

’...Damn.’

He had to check twice to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him. Twenty thousand credits for a single top. Back in his early days, that amount could have sustained him for months without a care. Reflexively, his old instincts flared, urging him to turn around and walk right out the door.

Yet, he quickly smoothed his expression, keeping his composure intact. He had more than enough money now. He was no longer the broke youth scraping together small change, and he certainly could afford proper clothes.

’...But it’s better to be frugal where I can.’

Just because he had money now didn’t mean he should throw it around carelessly.

”Shall we?” Aunt Clara’s voice broke through his thoughts, and before he could respond, she was already steering them toward the men’s section.

Soren blinked. ”Wait, I thought we were shopping for Ethea first?”

”You need proper attire just as much as she does,” Clara said without slowing her stride. ”We will start with you, and then we will give her the attention she deserves. Fair, no?”

”I agree as well,” Ethea added.

Soren opened his mouth to argue but found no grounds to stand on. ”...Fine. But I’m only buying a few pieces here. The rest I’ll get in bulk somewhere cheaper.”

Clara glanced back at him, her expression softening with understanding. ”I understand, Soren, but you must learn to take proper care of yourself too. If we hadn’t mentioned it, you wouldn’t have even gone to the hairdresser.”

Soren chuckled awkwardly, running a hand through his newly trimmed hair.

’...I’m a bit self-conscious now.’

Truthfully, he had never cared much about his appearance or how others saw him. Surviving had always taken priority over vanity. But he also understood the importance of presenting himself well, especially now. So he could only nod in agreement.

”Good,” Clara smiled, turning toward the racks. ”Follow me.”

”Yes, ma’am...”

What followed was a relentless marathon of dressing up.

Clara picked out a handful of linen shirts, tailored trousers, and light summer jackets, handing them over in small stacks. Ethea also pointed out a few tops in slate gray and navy that caught her eye.

Soren took the first set and pulled on a charcoal tunic with dark trousers. The fit was clean, snug across the shoulders without pulling, and it suited his lean build.

When he stepped out, Clara nodded in approval. ”It fits well. What do you think, Ethea?”

Ethea looked him over, her eyes lingering for a second. ”...It looks good on you.”

’...I’m buying it.’ Soren noted mentally before heading back inside to try the next set. A few minutes later, he stepped out in a deep navy shirt with rolled sleeves, then a high-collared vest over a white top, and finally a light jacket.

”Good!”

”Mmm. This suits you too.”

Once again, he got the instant approval of both women.

He tried a few more sets after that, and surprisingly, almost every combination worked. It was as if the clothes had been tailored specifically for his frame, each piece falling into place with an ease that even Clara remarked upon. Ethea said less with each outfit, though her eyes never stopped following him.

As he turned toward the mirror to check the latest fit, he caught a few glances from other shoppers nearby. A pair of young women pretending to browse a rack of scarves had stopped to watch him. When his eyes briefly met theirs, they quickly looked away, whispering to each other.

Soren paid them no mind and turned back to Ethea. ”Should I go with all of them?”

But Ethea was not looking at him. Her gaze had drifted past him, fixed on the two women with an intensity that bordered on a glare.

”Ethea?”

She blinked and refocused on him. ”...All of them are fine.”

”Alright, but is everything ok? You seem a little distracted.”

”...I’m fine,” she said, though her tone suggested otherwise.

Before Soren could press further, a tall woman in a silk dress broke away from a nearby group and approached him with a smile. ”Excuse me. I hope I’m not interrupting, but I noticed you from across the hall and just had to say... those clothes look wonderful on you.”

”Thank you,” Soren replied with a brief nod, already turning his attention back toward Ethea.

The woman did not take the hint. She took a step closer, her eyes lingering on his chest before sliding up to his face. ”Are you a model?”

”No, I’m not.”

”You could be.” Her eyes swept over him again, making Soren feel uncomfortable under her lingering gaze. ”I know a few people in the industry. If you’re interested, I could-”

”I’m not interested.”