The Merchant and Tavern Master

Visiting the Capital Together

"So, I will be going to Vermina tomorrow with Isabelle and Amanda," I said to Madam Ruth, my mother, Sofia, and Guinevere. At each of my sides, there's Isabelle and the smugly smiling Amanda. We all gathered when it's near the closing time of the tavern.

"..." Sofia is silent with a clear expression of doubt. Well, that's understandable, since I, her fiancé, will be traveling with other girls, one is her friend, and another one is my young apprentice.

"Uhm," Guin raised her hand, as if she were replacing Sofia herself by asking, "I understand Amanda is your apprentice now, but why is Isabelle also following you?"

Isabelle seemed to understand Sofia's worry, so she answered her, "I thought that it's the right time for me to invite the girls we left at Harbour City, so I asked for Takahiko's help to retrieve them and bring them back to Goldkorb."

Yes, Isabelle had already prepared what she was going to do when the rescued girls from the underworld arrived, she didn't want to delay her plan any longer. Since I knew that I was going with two girls, I shouldn't let Sofia worry any more.

"So, Sofia, do you want to join us too?"

"Eh?" She's surprised.

"If Madam Ruth will allow it, I would like to take Sofia with us to Vermina, then go to Harbour City to pick up the children, and then return here. I estimate that would take at least 10 days." I referred my inquiry to Madam Ruth, Sofia's mother.

"Sure, I don't mind. Sofia, you taught Darryl and Maria to take care of the kitchen when you're not there, right?"

"Yes, I believe both of them can oversee the kitchen duties while I'm not there. I have taught them all they need to do, they should be able to do it," Sofia explained.

"Then, you're free to go with Takahiko. I leave her in your hand, Takahiko," Madam Ruth asked me with sincerity.

"I swear no harm shall befall her, Madam," I promised her with all sincerity.

"Takahiko, can I really follow you?" Sofia was definitely happy, but her doubt still lingered.

"Of course, I'm the one who asked you. And since we're going to the Vermina, why don't you try to see how the taverns in the capital works? You're going to expand the tavern in future, right? While it's not entirely necessary, I believe it should benefit you in future."

"Yes, certainly! I would love to do that too," Sofia replied with excitement.

"We're going to be busy, I hope you won't be a burden to Takahiko's duties," Amanda's displeasure certainly displayed. She was still hostile to my fiancée, since the day Sofia deliberately kissed me on her face the first day they met each other.

Sofia seemed not disturbed, she just happily clung to my arm, but Isabelle who is now Amanda's foster sister, consoled her.

"Amanda, as a merchant, you should not just show your displeasure like that. Look, your cute face is ruined. Think of it as training, because as a merchant in the future, you might have to serve customers you dislike, and you have to keep smiling at them. It's not easy, I know. I experienced it once when I helped my parents deal with an unruly customer at my inn before."

"..." Amanda seems to understand in her mind, but emotionally she's struggling. Nevertheless she's definitely growing. I petted her head showing my proudness to her.

"Aah, I'm jealous of you guys. I wish I could get a vacation too..." Guin sadly expressed her longing.

"I'm sorry Guin, but I promise to find you a souvenir." Sofia comforted her.

"Well, why don't you join them, Guin?" Suddenly Madam Ruth gave her permission.

"What? Did I hear wrong? Is it really all right, Madam Ruth? Can I really leave the tavern?" Guin's eyes widened in disbelief.