The Merchant and Tavern Master

A Knight's Tale

The following day, once we had tidied ourselves, we parted ways to attend to our respective duties. I greeted the guild officer and expressed my intention to continue my journey to deliver my goods to other cities.

"I heard rumors that you're planning to marry Cordelia from the Pixie Blessing. Is that true?" The guild officer, whom I had a casual acquaintance with, approached me curiously.

"Yes, it's true. However, Cordelia is not quite ready for official registration. She has assured me that she will be ready by the time I return from this journey," I responded.

The guild officer's expression suddenly shifted, as if he had heard something unsettling. "Hmm, that sounds like a bad omen," he uttered, surprising me with his remark.

Perplexed, I questioned, "What do you mean?"

"I don't put much stock in it myself, but there's a superstitious belief among the knight guards. They say that if they promise to marry their beloved before heading off on duty, it's almost certain they'll meet their demise. It's become somewhat of a joke, but strangely enough, many of them actually believe it," he explained.

"So, it's essentially a cautionary tale?" I mused aloud.

"What do you mean by a cautionary tale?" he asked, clearly confused by my response.

"Based on what you've shared, it seems to me that the story carries a message: one should not hesitate to postpone their desires when an opportunity arises. If a knight were to marry before going into battle and meet his demise, at least he would die as a married man, fulfilling his commitment," I explained.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, I've never thought of it that way before."

"I appreciate you sharing this story. It has sparked some inspiration within me about what I should do in the present moment," I expressed my gratitude to him.

Leaving the astonished guild officer behind, I rummaged through my bags to locate a particular item. Once I confirmed its presence, I hurriedly made my way to the Pixie Blessing tavern. The tavern master, taken aback by my sudden arrival, immediately grasped the reason without a word. He gestured for me to find Cordelia in the kitchen. Expressing my gratitude, I wasted no time and headed straight for the bustling kitchen in search of her.

"Cordelia," I called out to her as I spotted her engaged in conversation with her colleagues. Surprised by my sudden appearance, she and her colleagues turned their attention towards me.

"Takahiko?! I thought you were set to depart today. What brings you here?" Cordelia inquired, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Indeed, I was supposed to leave, but I realized there's something I need to do first," I replied, my voice filled with determination.

I reached into my bag and retrieved a carefully prepared item—a simple gold ring typically worn as an accessory by nobles. It was one of the most valuable possessions I owned. Without a moment's hesitation, I took Cordelia's hand and delicately slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. Thankfully, the ring fit perfectly on her finger. I would have felt embarrassed if it hadn't.

"I know you wanted to postpone our formal registration," I began, my words causing her to blush and look shocked. "..but to me, you are already mine. You are already my wife."

"Takahiko..." she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. Colleagues who had witnessed the scene erupted into playful cheers, but I paid them no mind.

"I just wanted to give you that ring. Afterward, I will depart for Harbour City to deliver my goods there, but I promise to return swiftly to retrieve you. Please stay safe until then," I said, conveying my intentions.

Cordelia appeared uncertain, clearly taken aback by my sudden appearance and gesture. Sensing her hesitation, I turned to her colleagues and addressed them sincerely.

"My dear friends, I humbly ask for your assistance in looking after Cordelia while I am away. I deeply appreciate your kindness and assure you that I will find a way to repay your generosity upon my return."

Stunned by my unexpected action, I could hear faint giggles emanating from the group. I wasn't certain whether they were jesting at my expense or simply amused by the situation.

"Don't worry, Takahiko. We will do our best to protect her from any trouble," a young woman spoke up, her words laced with reassurance.

"Yes, we will make sure she remains faithful to you. And if she ever strays, I'll gladly step in to mend your broken heart," another chimed in jokingly.

Cordelia quickly intervened, reaching out to the second woman in a panic, followed by an eruption of laughter from all the waitresses present. It brought me solace to know that this workplace was a safe and jovial environment for Cordelia. I felt a pang of remorse for not having taken the time to learn the names of Cordelia's colleagues. I made a silent vow to myself that upon my return, I would make a concerted effort to remember each of their names and show them the gratitude they deserved.

"Alright then, I apologize for my sudden intrusion. Cordelia, I'll take my leave now," I said, breaking the silence.

She blushed and nodded, still at a loss for words. In that moment, despite Cordelia being four years my senior, she appeared like a young maiden experiencing her first love, radiating innocence. It was an endearing sight.

"Don't worry, Takahiko. Please come and visit us from again in the future, won't you?" one of Cordelia's colleagues spoke up.

"Yes, I definitely will," I assured them.

As I made my way out of the tavern, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for not kissing Cordelia one more time before I departed. Nonetheless, the thought of being separated from Cordelia only fueled my motivation to swiftly fulfill my duty and return to her warm embrace once more.