The sea isn't visible yet.
Still, there's a faint scent in the wind—something salty, unfamiliar. It must be what people call the smell of the tide. The breeze drifts from the direction of the sea, carrying that scent toward us.
Spica rode alongside her elder brother, Fret, on a long journey toward the town of Tabaf.
Their father was away on official duty, their mother at a tea gathering with the neighboring ladies. Alex, the eldest, had fallen ill from exhaustion, while Cain was deep in his magic research and couldn't leave the capital's detached wing.
Tabaf lay about an hour by carriage from the city of Kiwa—or thirty minutes by fast horse. They had already passed the thirty-minute mark since departing, so the town should soon appear on the horizon.
Tabaf was known for its naval port. Fret often visited the military training grounds there, a place where he received instruction from senior officers. Spica finally understood why her brother had been returning home so frequently these past few years.
Even though the journey by carriage took three days, Fret's beloved horse, Spur of Hovvalpnir, could run across both sky and sea. When she learned that he often traveled between the Imperial Capital and Tabaf in just two days, Spica and her mother were astonished.
Today, Spica planned to meet Josefine and Luke in Tabaf to explore the town, while Fret would train at the military grounds.
As they crested a hill, the horizon spread wide below them. The sea—her first sight of it—shimmered white, not blue, in the sunlight. Her chest swelled with awe.
When people are moved beyond words... they really can't speak, she thought.
Her horse neighed softly, urging her forward. She tightened her grip on the reins and rode down toward the emerging port town.
Once they entered the streets, the sea vanished from view again.
Instead, rows of sturdy stone apartments lined the roads. The cobblestones underfoot gave the town a fortified feel. Along the side streets, colorful market stalls spread out under bright awnings.
At the end of the main road, a fountain plaza opened up before them. To the right stood the town hall, to the left the Guild Union. Behind it, a smaller building served as a church branch, and opposite it stood the consulate offices of foreign nations.
From there, they turned toward the residential quarter and entered a large mansion—the home of Spica's pastry-loving uncle.
The gate guard greeted Fret warmly, exchanging a few familiar words before letting them through. They handed the horses to the stablehand, then approached the front steps, where Aunt Matilda and the children were already waiting.
"Hey! You little runts, still alive since yesterday?" Fret called out casually.
Josefine laughed. "I'm fine, Brother Fret!"
"Luke's fine too!" the boy chimed in.
Spica blinked in surprise at her brother's lack of manners, but everyone else seemed used to it. She quickly composed herself and offered a polite bow.
"Matilda-sama, Josefine-san, Luke-sama. It's a pleasure to see you again today."
Matilda smiled, her soft voice warm. "Oh my, no need to be so formal, dear. You came here to enjoy the town, didn't you? These two have been looking forward to it all morning."
The children beamed. "Where do you want to go? What do you want to see?"
Before Spica could answer, Fret spoke for her. "First, the naval port and the training grounds. After that, why don't you enjoy the market with the kids?"
Spica nodded. "That sounds perfect."
Soon, they returned to the gate. Spica rode in the carriage with the children while her brother mounted his horse again. Together, they set off toward the port.
As they descended the stone slope, the salty scent grew stronger.
"You can't see it yet," Fret called from ahead, "but the sea's right beyond this point."
At the foot of the slope stood a great iron gate. Even with the Emmental family crest displayed on their carriage, the guards conducted a full inspection.
It made sense—though the port was within Emmental Territory, it was under imperial jurisdiction. The naval base itself was considered Imperial Territory, with the Emmental family maintaining a detached estate inside it. Their navy operated side by side with the national forces—sometimes allies, sometimes rivals, always close.
Soon, the air thickened with salt, and the rhythmic crash of waves reached their ears.
When Spica opened the carriage door, a towering black wall filled her vision. No—on closer look, that wall moved with the sound of waves.
It was a massive warship.
"That's the Tia Siren," Fret explained. "Our family's flagship."
They couldn't board today, but Spica longed to someday.
"That's Father's ship!" Luke shouted, eyes shining. Spica smiled at his excitement. When she said how grand it looked, he grinned. "Someday, I'll sail on it too!"
They climbed back into the carriage and continued on to the training grounds.
There, under the blazing sun, rows of sunburned, muscular men trained in perfect rhythm.
Alright then," Fret said, swinging down from his horse. "I'll stay here and join the sailors for a bit. I'll head to the captain's house later, so make sure you're back before it gets dark, alright?"
With a quick wave, he vanished into the crowd of sailors. Still, Spica noticed he kept glancing back, checking if she was watching.
He wanted her to see him train—that much was obvious.
But she already had plans for the afternoon. Regret tugging at her heart, Spica turned away, and their carriage rolled back toward the streets of Tabaf.
* * *
Today, they were pretending to be the children of a merchant family, traveling incognito.
"Call me your big sister," Spica said with a smile. "How should I address you two?"
Luke grinned. "You can call me Lou!"
Josefine, shy but firm, added, "And I want you to call me Jose. Not just today—but always."
Spica couldn't help but smile at her sweet honesty. The affection she felt for Jose reminded her of how her older brothers doted on her.
Maybe she finally understood them a little.
Still, she thought it unfair—she couldn't see Jose every day like they saw her.
"Alright then, Lou and Jose. Does that sound good?" she asked.
Both nodded enthusiastically.
* * *
They left the carriage near the fountain plaza and walked toward the marketplace they'd seen that morning.
Rows of stalls stretched down both sides of the street. Earthen vegetables and bright green broccoli caught Spica's attention.
Next came a fruit stand, its counter stacked with chilled fruit—probably the same kind her grandfather had frozen yesterday.
They moved from one stall to another—food, drinks, clothing, trinkets, furniture, accessories. Everything felt new and dazzling to Spica.
Jose and Lou guided her eagerly, pointing things out. "That's the weapon shop," said Lou. "And that stall always gives us a little extra if we smile!"
* * *
"Oh my, such lovely little ladies!" called a cheerful woman from a seafood stall. The smell of grilled fish filled the air. "Here, have a taste! If you like it, buy some!"
She held out a small piece of white meat on a skewer. Unsure what to do, Spica hesitated—until their escorting knight stepped forward.
"I'll test it," he said firmly and popped it into his mouth before anyone could stop him.
After a moment, he nodded. "Delicious kraken. No poison detected. Safe to eat."
Relieved, Spica nodded. The knight bought four skewers, handing one to each of them.
Jose and Lou bit in immediately, puffing out hot breaths as they chewed.
Spica took a careful bite. The kraken was still warm from the grill, smoky and rich with umami. The salt and charred flavor melted together beautifully.
She'd never eaten something so hot before, but soon realized that the warmth itself added to the taste.
"It's so good, isn't it, Sister?" Jose said happily. Lou had already finished his.
The fish stall lady laughed heartily. "Glad you liked it! We might not have the variety you'll find in Minae, but our freshness and flavor can't be beat! Enjoy yourselves!"
* * *
They continued through the marketplace, sneaking in a few more snacks as they went.
If Grandmother found out, Spica knew there'd be a long lecture waiting—but it was worth it.
She walked with a foreign herbal candy in her mouth, savoring its minty sweetness. It felt wicked, walking and eating at the same time, but also strangely freeing.
At one stall, she and Jose bought matching anklets from a neighboring country—delicate woven cords said to be cursed.
Spica's was yellow, Jose's pink. The curse's supposed power was to keep bonds from fading.
Spica considered buying something for her family, but they still had to travel on horseback later. Carrying more would be troublesome.
Instead, she bought sword oil from a nearby weapon stall—a small gift for Fret. Tabaf's streets were lined with many such shops, more than she'd seen elsewhere.
The knight escort explained, "Tabaf's market is only about one-fifth the size of Minae's, but it has far more weapon stalls."
That fact amazed Spica. It reminded her again that Tabaf wasn't just a town—it was a military port.
* * *
Time passed quickly, too quickly.
When the knight approached and said, "It's time to return to the mansion," Spica felt a pang of disappointment.
She wanted to stay longer, to keep exploring, to laugh more with Jose and Lou.
But if they delayed, they'd reach the lord's manor too late.
She swallowed her regret, held their hands, and walked back toward the carriage.
Neither child spoke, but she could tell they felt the same.
* * *
Back at the mansion, they learned Fret hadn't returned yet. Spica couldn't help thinking she could have stayed out a little longer.
While waiting, Aunt Matilda invited her for tea. As Spica finished her first cup, Fret burst into the room, breathless.
"Sorry! I got caught up in a mock battle and lost track of time. We need to leave soon or we'll be late!"
Spica hurried to prepare.
Jose ran over, eyes wide. "Please visit again, Sister! I'll write you a letter—and you have to write back!"
Spica smiled warmly. "I will. Until then, take care of yourselves, Jose, Lou, and Aunt Matilda."
With that promise, she and her brother departed from Tabaf, the sea breeze following them down the road.
Notes:
• Fret - Third step-brother, five years older. Energetic, sword-loving, and determined to become a knight.
• Tabaf - Region where Pastry’s branch family lives; Spica plans to visit Josephine and Luke there the next day.
• Alex - Second step-brother, seven years older. Suffers from the rare Monaza Disease, which robs both sight and holy power, but shines as a gifted musician and artist.
• Cain - Eldest step-brother, eight years older. A magical genius, often traveling between home and the national academy. The heir.
• Kiwa - The Emmental capital first seen on arrival. A grand metropolis rebuilt after an imperial marriage. Spica’s family home and center of diplomacy. Nicknamed “Sea Palace.”
• Josefine - The Merchant’s Daughter of Tabaf.
• Luke - Cousin. Boy of the branch family, appears at banquet. Josephine’s brother; adoring younger cousin to Spica.
• Matilda - Spica's aunt. The third son's wife, Pastry.