The Merchant and Tavern Master

Savior: Descent

** Warning: There will be some uncomfortable scene in this chapter **

I've lost track of how long I've endured this torment. I find myself yearning for death to embrace me, as I now feel undeserving of continued existence. I can't help but ponder when I first stumbled onto the path that led me to this wretched state of being.

I had two friends in my life; Sofia and Guinevere or Guin. With them, I always felt we will always be together, sharing laughter, discussing boys—although Sofia appeared disinterested—and Guin treating them as peculiar creatures. Sofia even introduced us to her sole male friend, someone older by a significant difference, perhaps around 9 or 10 years, by the name of Takahiko? A name that sounded rather unique. As for Guin, her favorite pastime was teasing Sofia. However, after her father's passing, Sofia underwent a change. I could sense her profound sadness, as I knew she had been a true father's girl. Strangely, though, she began to exhibit a newfound vitality, and her interests shifted towards spending more time in the kitchen of her tavern.

"I'm going to make this tavern famous!" Her enthusiasm was truly captivating as she shared her dreams with us. Her determination was palpable, evident in the unwavering glint in her eyes every time she greeted us, fresh from her toil at the family tavern. I had always recognized her intelligence and self-assuredness, yet I couldn't shake off the twinge of envy that occasionally crept in. I'm taller than her, I think my body has more womanly curves than her, and objectively speaking, I can consider myself the most beautiful among us three. But why do I feel I will always lose to her, when I see her with dirt and disheveled hair after she worked in her kitchen.

"Have you noticed how Sofia seems more mature these days?" inquired Guin, her curiosity getting the best of her. It wasn't surprising, considering she had been the one to playfully rib Sofia ever since we were children. Guin had her moments of being a handful, like her habit of insisting that anything I or Sofia owned was also somehow hers. But I couldn't deny her good-hearted nature; she often lent a helping hand and genuinely cared for us, playing the role of an elder sister despite being younger than me.

"Could it be that she has a boyfriend now?" I hazarded a guess.

"Isabelle, sometimes I worry, why are you so obsessed with finding a boyfriend? You're already beautiful; boys will come and worship you. Look at me, with my freckles and short stature, I'm already concerned about my future," she said, her tone filled with dejection.

"Yes, you're right..."

"Please don't agree so readily! Shouldn't you console me first, even if you have to tell a little white lie?" Her unreasonable retort always brought a smile to my face.

The only man Sofia was close to was this Takahiko guy. Sofia had several times bragged about him showing many goods given to her by him. We were introduced for the first time, when there was a festival in the city. He seemed like a good big brother in my eyes. He didn't hesitate to spend his money treating the three of us, and he was always polite. I found myself drawn to his kindness, just like the other two did. Even Guin dared to playfully tease him, making Sofia feel jealous of their playful banter. But I understood that this man only had brotherly affection for Sofia. When her father died, Sofia seemingly didn't want to be far from him, it was evident that Sofia saw him as someone important.

It wasn't until after the funeral and Takahiko's departure for his trading venture that Sofia's transformation became truly evident. Since then the period where she mingled with us significantly decreased, as she said she wanted to return to her kitchen training. I couldn't fathom what had caused this shift in her. Yet, her changes seemed to cast a shadow over my own sense of self. While Sofia had discovered a clear purpose in her life, I found myself grappling with uncertainty. Reluctantly, I had to acknowledge that beyond my beauty, I had little to boast about or take pride in. And I was well aware that girls from esteemed families held a greater allure than me. My self-esteem waned further as I observed Sofia's fearless pursuit of her dreams, seemingly indifferent to my feelings or Guin's. I was certain that Guin shared my sentiments as well.