With my uncle gone, I became lost. I was a woman, so it was difficult to make a living as an artisan. At the very least, it was impossible in Osten. On the other hand, there was no guarantee I would do any better in a different country, and I wasn’t confident I could succeed alone when I was ignorant of the ways of the world. When I was brooding over what to do, Hiiragi was the one to encourage me.
Hiiragi’s father was a merchant who adored my uncle’s work and frequently visited our workshop. Being the second son, Hiiragi followed his father to the workshop to learn the trade, but every time they visited, he was forced to look after me. “Children should play together,” the adults said.
My impression of Hiiragi in the beginning was that he was a scary person whose thoughts were unreadable, but once I got used to him, I realized that he was just a kind older boy. He took very good care of me in many regards, perhaps because I had no life skills on top of being shy and a poor speaker, and he just couldn’t leave me alone.
Hiiragi believed in my talent as an artisan when I didn’t. I was able to make up my mind to leave Osten thanks to him.
If not for my uncle and Hiiragi, I would not be who I am today. To ignore my benefactor and precious childhood friend would be unforgivable. And even if he would forgive me, I don’t want to take advantage of that.
I shook my head to clear away the memories and then bowed to Hiiragi. “No, you did nothing wrong. You’re worried about my health. I’m sorry for being rude.”
“It’s fine.” Hiiragi exhaled and smiled wryly. “The duchess hadn’t come to see you in a while. Her visit must’ve fired up your creative urges.”
“Yes...” I said quietly, shrinking in embarrassment. I couldn’t hide anything from him. “How did you know?”
“Of course I’d know. How long do you think we’ve known each other for?” he said, exasperated. “The duchess is your bulbul, after all.”
I fell silent, unable to say anything in return. I owed my current self to my uncle and Hiiragi, and there was no doubt about that. However, the influence of one other person was vital to my life as an artisan.
When I first traversed the continent, I was fascinated by all the unusual sights. Unfamiliar buildings, unfamiliar clothes, and people with different hair, eyes, and skin color than mine. I’ll find a charming subject in no time at all, I figured. But I soon realized I was wrong. They were only unusual in the beginning—an unfamiliar sight would become ordinary when viewed every day.
What I wished for wasn’t temporary interest. I wanted something that I would never get bored of, even if I gazed at it for the rest of my life—something that would captivate my heart. What I desired wasn’t so easily found. I went from city to city and at times crossed borders to continue my journey, but I didn’t find that something that shook my soul.
Discouraged but unable to give up, I came here to Prelier, a city rumored to be gorgeous. It was a place that was also flourishing with trade, so Hiiragi was eager to see it as well. I was strolling around the business district thinking about how it might be nice to stay here for an extended period when my feet stopped in front of a shop with a chic exterior.
Though I wasn’t looking to buy anything in particular, the shop had a pleasant ambience, so I wanted to poke around a little. I peered through the window.
After that, I had little recollection of what happened. All I remembered was that I had seen something exceptionally beautiful. It was brighter than the sky on a clear day, clearer than a spring hidden deep in a forest, a striking blue. Azure. Ultramarine.
Those blue eyes were the only things burned into my mind.
After that day, I crafted raden pieces like I was possessed by something. Morning glories, gentians, cornflowers. Early summer birds, butterflies from southern lands, the winter crescent moon. I used all sorts of mediums, searching for a way to express those eyes—that heavenly blue.
It was hard to believe that I had spent many a day anxious that I’d never encounter the something that would ensnare my interest. Now I worked on my craft nonstop, reluctant to even sleep. I was also fortunate enough to be employed by Lady Rosemary, and even though I was allowed the privilege of meeting her in an official capacity, I never got used to seeing that blue, nor did I tire of it. In fact, it was the opposite—every time I saw her, she showed me a different radiance, and my body couldn’t keep up with my creative urges.
The expressions she showed children or merely imagining what she had looked like ten years ago—these imaginings made me unable to contain myself.
“Please craft to your heart’s content until you’re satisfied. Leave the accounting, scheduling, and other miscellaneous tasks to me. All you need to do is focus on creating beautiful pieces. That’s what I’m here for,” Hiiragi said.
“Hiiragi...” My voice trembled with emotion.
He pointed at me. “However, I will not tolerate you neglecting your meals and sleep.”
“Yes.”
“The next time you miss a meal, I’ll tell on you to the duchess.”
“Urgh... Okay.”
“You’re not allowed to stay up all night either. If you go to bed past midnight, then—”
Mortified that he was talking to me like I was a little kid, I cut him off. “I-I get it already!”
I had a feeling that I would spend the rest of my life indebted to Hiiragi.