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“LORD VIOL! Lord Viol! Come and see this!”
“What is it?”
After parking our cart at the inn and venturing into the nearby village, Seren stopped in front of one of the shops, her eyes sparkling.
We had grabbed some shortbread cookies from the village’s general store before we settled into our room. But Seren had immediately spotted something else of interest.
“Remember those desserts you said you like? They have some more different varieties!”
“Say what?!” I had to dash over. “Wow…!”
There were more varieties available than last time.
When we last came, they had two varieties of crunchy shortbread, plain and mixed nuts. The nuts were gathered from an area near the village, apparently. And such a rich, buttery aroma. No doubt the local milk and eggs were involved.
But THIS time, there were even more flavors. Shortbread with whipped cream mixed in. Dry fruits. Sugar-frosted. All kinds of options!
“Ah! It’s you two again!”
The perky shopkeeper greeted us with a huge grin. Apparently, she remembered us. We’d been to the village several times to discuss the rings with Rote. And on each occasion, we’d stocked up on cookies.
“I’ve been hoping you’d stop by! You know, each time you shop here, I hear you remark about what kinds of flavors you thought would be good, and well… I did some experimental baking, and when I put out what I’d made for sale, they flew off the shelves! I wanted to offer you some as a thank you!”
“Goodness, really?”
“Absolutely! Look, you can have a bag of each variety. Try them and tell me what you think, okay?”
“Oh… Well then, let us…”
“No, no, no payment! Thanks to you two, I’ve been making bank on my cookies recently!”
“But…”
“Seren, let’s accept graciously.”
“But Lord Viol…”
I quickly stopped a fretful-looking Seren from protesting. Back at the Magic Academy, Borden taught me that sometimes it was more polite to graciously take people up on their offers of hospitality.
I thanked the landlady with an embarrassed smile. “Thank you, that’s wonderful. We already love the original shortbread. I can’t wait to try out these new flavors.”
The shopkeeper looked at me in surprise. “Goodness, when you smile, you look even more manly and handsome. Your wife must have her work cut out for her.”
Seren blushed right along with me and nodded her head hard. I understood that the shopkeeper had complimented my looks, but why would that mean more work for Seren?
“I’m just happy my cookies will be eaten by a couple with such appreciation for my baking! I do hope you’ll continue to frequent our shop.”
“Oh, yes…! Well, this time, we’ll be staying in town for a bit. We’ll certainly be back to buy more!”
Seren accepted a bag of each new variety from the shopkeeper, exclaiming with delight. Indeed, we both like this shop’s shortbread so much that I can’t imagine us ever growing tired of it. We’d definitely be back to buy more.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, we left the shop.
Seren and that shopkeeper hit it off and enjoyed their interaction to a mutual degree. In fact, while courting Seren, I’d noticed that older people seemed to take an instant shine to her. Perhaps it was her earnestness, her humility, that endeared her to them.
On the way back to the inn, I was charmed to see how excited Seren seemed by everything.
A village like this isn’t exactly the kind of place modern young ladies would get excited over. But, typical of Seren and her temperament, she seemed to be having a whale of a time.
This village, due to its location close to the vast Kichul forest, is known for its production of magic stones, colored gems, and various types of ore. The locals are almost all artisans, blacksmiths, or craftspeople of some type or other.
Many merchants travel here to buy wares, but since it’s about a week’s carriage journey from the royal capital, the village doesn’t get too many casual sightseers.
As a result, the local restaurants all serve only cheap, filling fare that men seem to prefer, with a wide selection of alcohol. The only desserts are those baked in-store, like at the general goods store earlier. The village has a real old-school charm to it, I think.
“You look like you’re having a lot of fun,” I remarked.
“I certainly am!” Seren grinned back at me. Yes, she was having a great time. “Well, we got our shortbread, so I guess it’s back to the inn by the lake, right?”
“That’s right.”
“The sunset here was beautiful last time we came. I can’t wait to see it again tonight.”
“It certainly was stunning. Those streaks of red and purple.”
“Right! And won’t it be even more beautiful reflected on the lake’s surface…?” Seren giggled. “Just being able to visit here again with you, Lord Viol… I am so happy.”
“Oh, Seren…”
What else could I say to something like that other than “I adore you?” Since we married, Seren has become more and more direct with her feelings and is constantly flustering me with delight.
“It’s almost time for the sunset. Perfect timing for us to return to the inn.”
“Indeed. I hope the sunset will be a beautiful one today, too.”
It was getting darker out as we chatted. With the setting of the sun, the sky seemed to change from moment to moment at surprising speeds.
“Let’s hurry a bit. The sunset will look more beautiful by the lake.”
“…Right! It would be such a shame to miss it.”