Two days after returning from Tabaf, she spent quiet time with her parents.
Accompanying her father on an inspection of the territorial capital proved tiring. Each time he tried to ignore work to chat with her, she had to steer him back toward his duties.
With her mother, things were easier. They held a peaceful tea party under the pretext of sampling imported sweets and teas while discussing embroidery and how best to use the new fabrics from distant lands.
On the fourth morning, soft sunlight drifted across the grasslands as her carriage swayed gently. Across from her sat her elder brother, Alex. They were on their way to Minae, the main trading hub of their domain.
Until yesterday, Alex had been unwell. The cause turned out to be the holy water he received from the local church. The deacon who blessed it possessed strong fire holy power, which clashed with Alex's natural water power, leaving him in poor health.
She had noticed something odd—the glittering aura near his eyes was brighter and tinged with red. After she mentioned it to him, they realized the source of the problem. Once Alex used holy water made by another priest, his condition improved immediately. The shimmer around him returned to its usual clear glow.
Now, the two of them traveled together to Minae after hearing that the musical instrument Alex had ordered from a neighboring country had arrived.
As they entered the city, the streets were already lively despite the early hour.
"Freshly caught fish! Big haul of mackerel today! Get them while they last!"
"Vegetables fresh from the fields! You won't find better anywhere!"
"Step right up, good customer! Try the fine spices from the Kingdom of Mijor!"
"Lace from the northern lands! A gift sure to please any lady!"
The cheerful cries of merchants filled the air. The bustle reminded her of Tabaf's bazaar, though Minae's scale far exceeded it. Tabaf had only a market street; Minae itself was one vast open market.
"Elder Brother, shall we visit the bazaar?" she asked hopefully, remembering her pleasant time in Tabaf.
"No," Alex replied with a faint smile. "We'll visit a few trading partners from the old merchant guilds and then return to the capital. We'll have breakfast at the guild restaurant. Their seafood is famous—and you'll be surprised, trust me."
A little disappointed, she nodded and focused instead on the promise of good food. Meals at the lord's manor were fine, yet Alex's tone hinted at something remarkable.
Before long, their carriage stopped in front of the Orlando Merchant Guild's Minae branch—a grand building near the harbor, facing white sands that gleamed under the morning light. The sound of waves lapping against the shore soothed her ears. Unlike the sharp, salty air of Tabaf, the sea here smelled gentle and clean.
A man who introduced himself as the branch manager greeted them. After a brief conversation with Alex, he led them to the guild's restaurant upstairs.
Their private room on the second floor overlooked the sea. The decor used calm whites and blues, and the cutlery bore subtle shell motifs—quiet signs of refinement.
To her surprise, the meal brought before them was raw seafood.
She had assumed it would be cooked, but Alex smiled. "This is sashimi, a traditional dish from the Eastern Kingdom," he said. "Try dipping it in that black sauce. Not too much—it's strong."
She nodded, hesitated briefly, then touched a slice of red fish to the dark sauce and tasted it. The freshness of the fish spread across her tongue, followed by the sharp savor of the sauce. The texture and flavor were unlike anything she had known—strange, yet delicious.
(T/N: "Sashimi" – thinly sliced raw fish, a delicacy from the Eastern Kingdom.)
"This is my first time eating raw fish," she said softly. "But it's wonderful."
Alex looked pleased. "I'm glad. Only the seafood here is fresh enough for sashimi. Try it elsewhere and you might get sick. That's why it's a luxury worth enjoying here."
The warning made her pause, but she trusted her brother's judgment. She decided to enjoy sashimi only when dining with him.
Afterward, they shared a bouillabaisse and a risotto before leaving the restaurant. Both were delicious, though neither matched the shock of the sashimi.
They then took a device called an elevator—a mechanical lift—to the fifth floor of the merchant guild. Their new room also faced the sea. From here, she could see not only the beach below but the harbor, where several merchant ships rested at anchor.
A few knocks sounded at the door. The branch manager entered, followed by a retainer carrying a large bundle.
"My apologies for the wait, Alex-sama," the manager said politely. "Here is the erhu from the Eastern Kingdom. Please inspect it."
He presented a drum-shaped instrument with two strings stretched along a slender neck. She had never seen its like before, but Alex's eyes brightened. When he asked to try it, the retainer handed him a bow.
At first, the sound came rough and uneven. Then, with a few practiced movements, Alex drew out a deep, haunting melody.
The tone carried an ache that tightened her heart. Two strings, yet such sorrowful beauty filled the room. The sound lingered, sweet and distant, like wind fading across the sea.
She couldn't help but clap after Alex's performance.
"I just plucked a few notes to test it out," he said, cheeks reddening as he laughed.
He seemed satisfied with his new instrument and purchased it along with several musical scores. She assumed that would be their final errand, but Alex had another stop in mind.
Their next destination lay deeper within the town—a jeweler's shop filled with shimmering treasures. Behind the glass displays, gems sparkled in every color: some still raw, others already crafted into delicate accessories.
They were led to a private reception room. As she sat on a sofa, wondering what Alex intended to buy, a distinguished man introduced himself as the guildmaster. He placed a small box before her and opened it to reveal a collection of white, round jewels.
"Today, young lady, we have the finest Minae pearls for you," he said with a courteous smile. "Please take your time and look through them. Here is the design book as well."
It was the first she had heard of this, and she turned to Alex in surprise. He smiled, clearly pleased that his plan had worked.
"Mother and I talked about it," he said. "We thought it was time to give Spica a jewel from our territory. You'll need it for your debutante someday."
The debutante was a grand event where noble sons and daughters formally entered high society—a once-in-a-lifetime stage celebrated by the entire family. She had always thought hers was far in the future. But the jeweler explained that finding, matching, and polishing high-quality pearls could take years. The pearls from their domain were famous, yet difficult to pair in size and luster.
Today's visit was to choose the color, texture, and possible design.
She had always imagined pearls as smooth, milky-white spheres with a soft glow. But here she saw many shapes—twisted, double, small as beads, large as cherries, white, black, or with a rainbow sheen. When told that irregular ones were often discarded, her heart sank. Among them, she noticed one uniquely shaped pearl—its uneven form looked like a delicate feather.
"This one," she whispered, picking it up without thinking.
In her mind, the design had already formed. Yet, none of the styles in the design book matched what she envisioned. Using gestures, she explained the accessory she imagined.
The guildmaster quickly summoned a designer, who began sketching her ideas on paper.
Alex leaned over the drawings. "My little sister even has an eye for design," he said warmly. "This will be beautiful once it's finished."
She shook her head. "It's only because the designer is skilled."
But the designer smiled broadly. "Young lady, your idea is fresh and elegant! I've designed jewelry for years, but this concept never occurred to me!"
Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze. It was just a child's imagination, after all.
The piece was intended for everyday use, but the jeweler explained that because of its unusual pearl, crafting would take longer than usual. She didn't mind waiting. The thought of wearing an accessory she had helped design filled her with excitement.
When they left the jeweler, Alex led her through several other shops—one selling foreign furnishings, another with cosmetics, a thread wholesaler, and even an art supply store.
By the time they finished, the sun had already passed its peak.
"I must have worn you out, dragging you everywhere," Alex said. "Let's rest before heading back."
He guided her to a café tucked along a quiet street.
Inside, unfamiliar fragrances filled the air. The décor reflected the southeastern style—bright fabrics, carved wood, and warm light.
In the Empire, tea was the usual drink for afternoon breaks. Here, they served something new: coffee. Since it was her first time, she simply asked for whatever Alex ordered. After a moment's thought, he told the waiter, "One dark roast, black, and one light roast café au lait. Also the chocolate plate and a fruit tart."
She pouted a little. "I would've been fine with the same thing as you. Why the difference?"
Alex smiled. "It's your first coffee, right? The flavor's bitter, so milk helps. And chocolate's new around here too—recently imported. It's rich, so a little goes a long way. The cake's for you; chocolate won't fill you up."
"You sound like an experienced escort," she teased softly. "You almost feel like someone else."
"I studied a lot to make sure you'd enjoy today," he said gently. "I did it all for you, Spica. You don't dislike that, do you?"
She shook her head. "No... it just feels like you're growing distant. That's what makes me sad."
"I'm not going anywhere," Alex said quietly. "I'll stay by your side. Just don't you go too far from me either."
The scent of roasted beans drifted between them. Soon, the waiter returned with their order.
Her drink was creamy beige—darker than milk tea—served beside a colorful fruit tart. Before Alex sat a black cup and a plate of six small brown sweets.
"Honestly," he said with a grin, "I was jealous that Fret took you out before. So I wanted to make sure you had fun with me today. Did you?"
"Yes," she said with a bright smile. "It's been wonderful. I've discovered so many new things."
She lifted the cup. The café au lait was lightly bitter, sweetened by milk and sugar, leaving a soft aroma that lingered pleasantly.
The chocolate melted on her tongue—rich, sweet, and aromatic, unlike anything she had tasted.
(T/N: "Chocolate" – a newly imported sweet made from roasted cacao beans.)
Before she realized it, she had eaten four pieces. Alex, amused, bought two boxes to take home as family gifts.
On the carriage ride back, he handed her one of the boxes. "You liked it, didn't you?" he said with a knowing smile.
Her cheeks warmed. He had noticed, after all.
Notes:
• 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.
• Fret - Third step-brother, five years older. Energetic, sword-loving, and determined to become a knight.