The Merchant and Tavern Master

Break Time

The following day was a whirlwind of activity for me. From the crack of dawn till late afternoon, I dedicated myself to submitting reports, meticulously researching prices, and procuring various goods that I could sell at my next destination. It was a day filled with bustling marketplaces and shrewd negotiations.

During a brief lunch break, I made my way to Dragon's Paw to see my mother. To my delight, she seemed to have seamlessly blended in with the other helpers, swiftly moving about the tavern with a sense of familiarity that only someone with strong memories could possess. I watched as she skillfully assisted Sofia in the kitchen when an overwhelming number of orders came in. Sofia demanded that I spoil her, to which I willingly obliged, granting her a well-deserved break.

"Please pamper me," Sofia demanded, and I willingly obliged.

"Just for a moment, alright?" We found a quiet spot in the alley behind the tavern, where the helpers usually took rest.

"What a spoiled young lady you are," I teased, gently petting her head—a gesture she typically disliked, but this time she welcomed it.

"What's wrong with being spoiled by my own fiancé? You'll leave me tomorrow, so I want to be pampered all day while I still can," she protested in an endearing, cute voice. I couldn't be mad at her, not even for a moment.

"I know, I know. Here, let me pamper you some more." I tenderly massaged the side of her head.

"Oh, it's so comforting! I can't get enough. How are you so skilled at this, Takahiko?" she moaned, clearly enjoying the relaxation.

"I told you, I'm an experienced adult," I replied with a hint of pride.

"Hey, you two.." another voice interrupted from the other side. "I know you're betrothed already, but can you not display your affections in public like this? Even I feel embarrassed seeing you two." Guin seemed displeased watching our intimate interaction.

"I don't think we're doing anything indecent," I defended ourselves. "I'm only pampering her, like I would to a younger sister."

"That's not how siblings interact!" Guin protested. "Look at her face; she's grinning from ear to ear. That's not the face of a younger sister being pampered. It's the face of someone imagining something indecent!"

"That's not true! I'm not thinking anything strange, Guin! I swear!" Sofia anxiously defended herself.

"How can I believe you when your face still looks like that, you pervert!" Guin exclaimed. I chuckled softly as I gently lifted her from my lap and placed her back on her seat. She protested, not wanting the pampering to end just yet.

"Ah, hey! I'm not done yet!" she protested.

"Sofia, it's almost the end of your break time, so it's only fitting to finish now," I explained with a smile.

However, my attention was drawn to Guin, who seemed a bit out of character from what I knew of her two years ago. She used to be more assertive and aggressive, but now there was a hint of melancholy in her demeanor.

"Guin, are you well?" I decided to ask her directly, concerned about her sudden change in behavior.

"Huh? Of course I am. Why do you ask that?" she replied, sounding defensive. It was clear that she was preoccupied with something.

"No, if I'm mistaken, then it's fine. But somehow you seem more melancholic than I know," I explained gently.

She remained silent for a moment, sighing softly before finally speaking. "Maybe you're right. I'm just worried about Isabelle," she admitted.

"Isabelle? Why? Shouldn't she be in her bride training period at her fiance's home?" Sofia chimed in. "Oh, could it be that you're worried because you're still single while both Isabelle and I have found our fiancés? Don't fret about it; we'll always be friends, no matter what. I'm sure a wonderful man will come your way eventually, especially now that you're gaining popularity among the patrons," she playfully speculated about Guin's melancholy.