Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Bought a Gift
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"Ooooh...."
While wandering the streets, I spotted a window display that caught my eye.
"Ah, that one looks like you, Doggo."
—Beep...
"Heehee. Just kidding."
It was a doll shop that looked a bit old-fashioned. Beyond the wide glass window, bears, pigs, and even human dolls were on display. Come to think of it, I have that massive bear doll Chae-ah unnie gave me at home, and I've been feeling a bit empty sleeping without it lately. Maybe that's why.
I said the pig doll lying belly-up looked like Doggo, and sure enough, he pressed his front paws on my head. What a cute little guy.
"Doesn't it feel like something out of a fairy tale? A doll shop like this still exists these days."
As I stared for a while, my eyes met those of the old man inside, sitting on the cashier's chair stitching a doll. He had a big red nose, white hair, and round black square glasses.
He looked exactly like the kind of grandpa who'd make a Pinocchio and get dragged into some incident.
"Ah, should I say hi?"
Our eyes locked, and it felt rude not to greet him. Just walking away would seem impolite, so I bowed.
—BAM!
"Eek...!"
I forgot there was a full glass window right in front of me and lowered my head, smashing my forehead into it. It didn't hurt that much, but I jerked back up in surprise, and Doggo went flying somewhere. Through the sunset-reflecting glass, I could clearly see the grandpa's shocked face.
"Oww... Doggo, you okay?"
—Beep!
"Hmm, seems fine."
I rubbed my slightly stinging forehead and put Doggo, who had flopped on the ground, back on my head. Then, the small brass bell on the shop door jingled.
"Little one, are you alright?"
"Ah, yes! My head's tough. The glass almost shattered, hehe."
I gave a thumbs-up to show I was fine, and the nameless doll shop grandpa smiled warmly. I stepped back a bit and looked up at the sign, which had unfamiliar English writing.
"Bramble & Buttons... Grandpa, are you the owner?"
"Heh heh, that's right. Been running it for 40 years now."
"Heek, the shop's been around for 40 years?"
"The shop itself is over 100 years old."
"Huuuh?!"
This place has been around for 100 years? Wait, has glass been around that long? Not sure. Does that mean if I time-traveled back 100 years, this shop would still be here?
"It's super old!"
"You could say that. My grandfather founded it."
"Wow. Your grandfather's grandfather."
So it's already the third generation running a doll shop. Hearing it's an old family business made me a bit curious.
"Can I come inside?"
"Of course, anytime."
"Yay!"
Honestly, I thought it was closed since no customers were around, but he said it was fine. 100 years old is practically a dungeon—no different from Hunter work. Not that I need a doll or anything...
"Whoa..."
The shop was tiny. About the size of my old one-room apartment? The grandpa was tinkering with what looked like an old sewing machine in the small space by the cashier.
"Oh, this one's kinda cute."
—Beep...!
"What, jealous?"
—Beep-beep!!
"Not jealous of a doll? Hmm~ Really?"
Doggo started getting super jealous of the fluffy white puppy doll. Soon after, Suri perched outside the window—probably came to check because I went inside, worried it might be dangerous.
Wait, not checking—watching? Watching sounds weird. Guarding?
"H-Huh...?"
The doll shop grandpa was startled by the massive white eagle glaring at the window like it might shatter it, but I explained.
"Ah, Grandpa! This is my pet. Don't worry!"
"I-Is it? How amazing."
"Right? It's like a doll."
Once I said it was mine, he opened the door for Suri, telling it not to stay out in the cold. Suri's a machine, so cold doesn't bother it, but whatever.
Suri waddled in and bowed to the grandpa. He was amazed and chuckled "How wonderful."
"I trained it myself. Pretty awesome, huh?"
"Ooh, truly impressive."
"Heehee."
—Kree...
Suri shook its head. Come on, boost the princess's shoulders here.
"This one looks like Suri... Ah, this one kinda looks like Ophelia. Right?"
A pink bunny doll that seemed subtly annoyed. But up close, its expressionless, strict vibe felt a bit like Ophelia. Not gossiping that she's strict—just similar vibe.
"Should I get this for Ophelia? What do you think?"
—Beep!
—Kree...
"Think she'll get mad? Hmm, if you two stay quiet, no problem!"
Ophelia even gave me pocket money. Surprisingly weak to praise—she smiled and gave it after I thumbs-upped her.
"Lemme see... Whoa, these coins are pretty."
Ten 1-pound coins, five 2-pound coins, two 10-pound notes, and one 20-pound note. Total 60 pounds—British money, but like 120,000 won. Huge sum.
"Huh, no price tags... Grandpa?"
"Hm? What's up?"
"No prices here. How much for this bunny doll?"
I held up a pink bunny plush that fit nicely in my hand and placed it on the counter.
The grandpa was stitching a brown stiff handkerchief-like thing on the sewing machine, then pushed his glasses up and squinted at the bunny from afar.
"Heh heh, what do you think it's worth?"
"Gasp."
No way—he hit me with the scary "you price it." As expected from 100 years in business...!!
Price a bit high: "Heh, yeah that's right, deal."
Price low: "WTF, crazy? Blocked."
"Hmm...!"
But it had that artisan touch—the subtle expression on the bunny. Those proud, sharp eyes that scream "I'll time your 3-minute brush twice a day." Hard to get that detail with just a few threads.
"I can feel the artisan's touch...!"
"Heh heh heh, thank you."
I rummaged through the coin pouch Ophelia gave me. I have plenty now, but it's all British money. Since she said use it till I return, I wanna splurge on her gift.
Can't go back to the airport and say, "Exchange this—I bought Robux with it."
The owner of Bramble & Buttons Doll Shop, Jeffrey Harbersham, looked at the little girl in front of him. She stuffed crumpled bills and a handful of coins into her old-fashioned red plaid coin pouch.
With each jingle, her face grew more troubled.
"Tw-Twenty pounds...?"
More than expected, but determination shone in the little girl's eyes. He didn't know her circumstances, but it seemed like a big expense for her.
It was admirable—and cute.
"Hahaha, twenty pounds, eh? Grab one more doll, and I'll give you two for twenty."
"Gasp! Really?!"
Ten pounds each wasn't a huge discount, but to Eve, a pure Korean, pounds felt like game cash. She jumped for joy and dashed to the display shelves.
"Two for twenty pounds! What should I get?"
—Beep-beep!!
"Hehe, oh right! Meeting Eloise tomorrow? Gotta get her a gift too!"
Jeffrey Harbersham chuckled from his cashier chair at the girl's clear voice. He thought she'd pick another she liked, but she was using the extra for a friend.
"How about this? Doesn't it look like Eloise?"
—Beep...?
"Nah, hmm."
—Kree.
"This one? Oh, cute! This'll do!"
Whatever the story, her debating with her animal friends was charming.
"Grandpa! These two!"
"Sure about them?"
"Ahem, yes!"
A blonde ponytail girl doll. She'd said it looked like her friend Eloise.
"Here's twenty pounds."
"Thanks. Come again."
"Yes, heehee."
He pressed a hot metal stamp onto the fine brown cowhide, leaving the scorched "Bramble & Buttons" letters and elegant tag.
Jeffrey took an ivory linen string, punched it through the tag hole, and tied it loosely around the bunny's neck like a ribbon to avoid ruining the shape.
He carefully tied one around the girl doll's waist too, put them in a brown paper bag, and handed it to her.
"Thank you!! Sell lots!!!"
A unique farewell to British ears, but all the more memorable.
"Ah, right. What's your name, Grandpa?"
"Me? Call me Jeffrey."
"Aha. I'm Eve. Bye!"
With that, Eve left, leaving only the brass doorbell's chime.
Behind her, the white eagle politely bowed, waddled out, and flew off beyond the window.
"Hoo."
Jeffrey Harbersham believed that child was an angel sent to reignite his forgotten inspiration.
Enough to give him courage for the next doll.
"Maybe a white-haired girl..."
—Click.
"Ophelia! Look at this!"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Heehee, a gift for you! Bought it outside!"
"Ta-da!!"
Back at Claridges, Eve pulled two dolls from the brown paper bag and handed the pink bunny plush to Ophelia.
It was small enough for Eve's tiny hand, fitting perfectly in an adult woman's palm.
Compared to the doll, the luxurious cowhide tag seemed arrogantly egotistical.
"This is..."
A quick brand search flooded Ophelia's mind with info.
Bramble & Buttons—hundreds, even thousands of pounds per doll—their burned seal softly imprinted. The bunny's ambiguous expression felt subtly haughty.
'This is what I am.'
As if declaring it.
"How much did this cost?"
"Ah! Don't ask the price of a gift!"
"I see."
According to Suri, two dolls for just twenty pounds. No idea how, but it's the princess—she makes it happen.
"Thank you. I'll treasure it."
"Heehee."
Eve didn't know she'd gift the girl doll to Eloise later.