The Merchant and Tavern Master

Under The Stars

Observing Sofia's blossoming spirit and the emergence of new ideas invigorated me as well. It reminded me of how my mentor must have felt when he decided to teach me the art of trading, just as I watched his performances with wonder and curiosity. Even though I hadn't explicitly taught her about trading, this journey seemed to ignite a plethora of new interests in her. And that's a good thing. If she can find value and meaning in this short journey, then it truly holds significance for both of us.

After attending to our horse, who appeared somewhat bored in its stable, I returned to the carriage and offered to let Sofia stay inside to shield herself from the heat outside. However, she insisted on sitting beside me. I wondered if she might grow bored during the ride, but I respected her wish and welcomed her presence beside me nonetheless.

Our conversation became more relaxed compared to the earlier morning. Sofia seemed to have settled into the experience, though her excitement still lingered, evident in her animated gestures as she observed the surroundings passing by. I took this opportunity to ask her about her daily life in Goldkorb, and she gladly shared the details with me. She spoke enthusiastically about her progress in cooking, her improvements in kitchen management, and her interactions with her mother. Sofia also spoke fondly about her friends, recounting memorable moments they had shared together.

"Well, I've been using the usual ingredients – vegetables, meat, and some spices, but my stews just don't have the flavor I'm pursuing. They are still edible, but they lack that special touch."

"I've realized that handling multiple dishes at the same time for all our patrons is impossible to do alone. I've been following in my late father's footsteps by preparing the raw ingredients in advance, but even that isn't enough. So, I started assembling several plates with the ingredients ready, allowing me to cook them quickly when the orders come in. It saves much-needed time in the kitchen."

"My mother still misses my father, of course. I sleep with her every night to keep her company. I just hope she'll be alright tonight on her own. But sometimes, it can be irritating when she brags about her past romantic memories to me."

"When Isabelle got proposed to and moved to her fiancé's home, Guin was really sad. They were such a perfect pair for comedic banters, and now she feels a bit lost. That's when I decided to recruit her to work at our family tavern. Surprisingly, she fits right in. I have a feeling she'll become Dragon's Paw's new poster girl in no time."

Having a companion to talk to during this long journey is truly enjoyable. Sofia seems eager to share every experience with me, as if she wants to make up for the time I'm not at the tavern with her. I am grateful to her for keeping my mind occupied and preventing me from dwelling on the loss of Cordelia. It's not that I want to forget about her; in fact, I fear that I might someday forget. But for now, I immerse myself in Sofia's cheerful tales about her life, stories I have never heard before since I wasn't there to witness them myself.

We chatted all day, losing track of time until we realized that the sun had sunk behind the mountains, leaving the sky adorned with twinkling stars. In the distance, we could still see the faint glimmers of light, signifying other travelers or carriages continuing their journeys. I decided to park the carriage slightly off the road, providing us with a peaceful spot to rest. I disembarked from the carriage, igniting a few travel lights with the fire stone to cast a warm glow around the vicinity. Once the area was illuminated, I extended my hand to assist Sofia as she gracefully stepped down from the carriage.

"Alright, let's have our dinner here. Can you help me prepare, Sofia?" I asked.

"Of course, Takahiko. In fact, please let me do the cooking," she insisted.

"You will? That would be great," I gratefully accepted her offer, curious about her developed culinary skills.

"Do you want me to make the usual stew, Takahiko?" she offered.