The Merchant and Tavern Master

Touring the Rest Area

It was a unique experience, choosing our own meals and tidying up after ourselves. In the city, such an opportunity would be a rare occurrence. I feel grateful to Takahiko for providing me with this novel experience. As we finished our lunch, Takahiko kindly offered to give me a tour of the rest area while we waited for the scorching noon sun to subside. The heat was unbearable, dissuading anyone from willingly continuing their journey under its oppressive rays. I noticed that not many travelers were venturing out in this oppressive heat, seeking refuge in the shaded areas instead. Even groups of adventurers sought relief, with mages casting icicle spells to counter the intense heat. I couldn't help but feel a hint of envy at their abilities. My late father had told me that the ability to cast spells was mostly determined by one's family lineage, and sadly, our family line did not possess such abilities.

As we explored the various facilities of the rest area, including the public bath and the item stores, I couldn't help but notice a subtle sadness in Takahiko. Mother had mentioned that he seemed sad during his last journey, but it was clear he didn't want to burden me with his sorrows. I remembered my mother's wise counsel from our conversation the previous night.

"Shouldn't he just share his sadness with us rather than keeping it to himself, Mother?" I had asked, concerned for Takahiko.

My mother shook her head, disagreeing with my suggestion. "I understand, but it's not appropriate for us to force him to reveal his burdens. I learned this the hard way with your father when I was younger, trying to compel him to open up, and it only led to fights between us. Thankfully, we reconciled quickly after that."

"Why is that? I mean, I may not be able to do much, but I could at least try to cheer him up."

"Takahiko is an adult, and as such, he tries his best not to show his weaknesses to anyone. He genuinely doesn't want to burden anyone," my mother explained.

"But we're family, he shouldn't be afraid to trouble us."

"You still don't fully understand the hearts of men, Sofia. It's also a matter of their pride. A man should not easily complain about things; he would rather try to deal with it first. Your father, for instance, appeared strong and manly even when deep in thought, and I knew he was always considering our well-being. I mean, you wouldn't admire Takahiko if he were whiny like a crybaby, would you?" Her mother replied, reminiscing with a hint of longing in her face.

"Uh.. I don't even want to imagine Takahiko like that.."

"That's why, in times like this, a woman should be patient and quietly wait until he opens his heart on his own. Remember, never force him to confess anything, no matter how frustrated you may feel."

I chose to trust in my dear mother's wisdom. As I reflected on it, I realized that Takahiko was doing his best to ensure our time together didn't feel awkward, and for that, I felt genuinely grateful. I should cherish his guidance in this new environment and focus on the knowledge I wanted to acquire. It was evident that he was happy to explain things to me, and in his guidance, I couldn't help but see echoes of my late father, who used to guide me in a similar way in the matter of kitchen and tavern.

He even surprised me with a new blanket since I hadn't brought one along. Takahiko thoughtfully explained that we might need it when night fell since we wouldn't be near a rest area. It meant we would be spending the night together in his carriage! I couldn't help but wonder if there would be enough space for both of us, considering the carriage was already filled with his trading goods and had room for only one person inside. The thought of being so close to him in such a confined space sparked wild imaginations within me! No, no, I quickly scolded myself. It can't be like that. I mean, I won't refuse him, of course, but shouldn't we wait for a more suitable place? After all, I am a young woman, and my mother had shared her wisdom about such matters. But as close as I was to experiencing it, I could hardly dare to imagine how my face must look right now!

"Sofia, are you okay? Your face looks rather flushed! Is it because of the heat?" Takahiko's concerned voice jolted me back to reality.

"Ah! No! No! I'm fine!" I stammered, reflexively covering my face with both hands and turning away from him. I didn't want him to see me in this embarrassingly flustered state.

"Is that so? Let's buy fruit juices before we depart." Takahiko offered.

I nodded silently, still covering my face, trying to calm myself. We walked over to a vendor's cart that sold drinks, where the seller, apparently an elemental mage, stood ready to serve. Takahiko ordered two glasses of Two orange juice, and with a wave of his hand, the mage cast a small icicle spell, filling our tankards with ice blocks. Then, he poured the orange juices from the barrel behind him into the tankards and offered them to us as Takahiko paid him.

"Here's yours, Sofia," Takahiko said with a warm smile.

"T.. thank you," I stammered, feeling a bit flustered.

As I brought the tankard to my lips, the sweet and slightly tangy taste, wrapped in the icy coldness, enveloped my mouth. Each gulp sent a refreshing chill down my throat and into my stomach. It was a wondrous sensation, and I couldn't help but greedily gulp down the juice, craving its sweetness. My eagerness caused me to cough a bit, and Takahiko quickly tapped my back, trying to calm me. I scolded myself for displaying such unladylike behavior. However, Takahiko just laughed good-naturedly and assured me that he understood my enthusiasm.

"This drink is wonderful! If I can serve our beverages with this kind of icy goodness, our patrons will absolutely love it!" I declared enthusiastically.

"Some taverns in the capital, from what I've heard, have already adopted this practice, Sofia. It's definitely possible for you to do the same, but I suggest starting with a small amount first to gauge your patrons' response. You'll need to hire an elemental mage like this man, and negotiate their salary accordingly," Takahiko explained, offering his practical advice.

"Certainly. I will discuss this with my mother when we return," I replied, my excitement building as I envisioned enhancing our family tavern. This journey was turning out to be an invaluable learning experience for me, and it had only been a day. I eagerly looked forward to encountering more new things.

We savored our drinks for a while, and as the sun shifted from its peak and the heat lessened, Takahiko suggested we continue on our journey. It seemed he noticed the slight sadness on my face, and he tried to console me.

"Don't worry, when we return to Goldkorb, we can visit this place again. During the two days of our journey, we will also stop at other rest areas, though they might not be as grand as this one," he assured me.

I smiled at him gratefully, touched by his consideration. "I understand. Thank you, Takahiko."