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IN Orient, autumn was both a generous season that blessed the people with bountiful fruits and harvest and at time of busy preparation for the harsh winter soon to follow. The city’s shopping district bustled as merchants sold tools and wares for winter and the new year. On the main thoroughfare, government officials from the Department of Divinities were constructing large dolls from straw and performing rites to infuse them with mana. Apparently, the effigies were magical golems they could temporarily activate to clear away snow.
I was sitting in an ox-drawn carriage, and as I observed the city industriously readying for snowfall, I felt the changing season. Everywhere, citizens were placing straw mats and wooden planks against buildings to prevent damage from heavy snow and wind. The practice reminded me of my homeland, the Cutrettola demesne, which was also buried under snow each winter.
My vision grew unfocused as I was pulled into a memory. Around the same time the previous year, I had been locked in a cell in Centoria, cowering in fear of the coming winter. When it arrived, it was so cold that my every joint grew stiff, yet I had been provided with no proper clothes to speak of. I spent the winter in agony, delirious with fever the entire time, unable to fall asleep.
As I recalled the dread that had seized my heart as winter loomed like the breath of death, I couldn’t suppress a shiver. The emperor must have noticed, because she patted my head. Although her fingertips were softer than usual, almost petal-like, their warmth and kindness remained. The tension in my body ebbed slightly.
I turned to the scenery outside once again and murmured, “It will be winter soon.”
Lord Kuze, sitting across from us, nodded. “Yeah. That’s why I came here when I did. Once the snow starts building up, I can’t exactly arrange a meeting with the emperor.”
Next to me, Lady Haruiro smiled in silence.
Our little group then proceeded to engage in lively chatter about what we were going to buy.
“I came out today cuz I wanna buy some souvenirs for my wives. For some reason, whenever I do the choosing, their reception is always awful,” admitted Lord Kuze.
“I see, that is why you wanted the opinion of a woman.”
“Yep, exactly.”
The emperor asked, “May I ask what kind of souvenirs you usually select?”
“The stuff everyone likes. You know, like the snake sake from Orient that boosts vitality or rare swords made of spirit metal.” His eyes were shining as he spoke.
The emperor and I exchanged glances before sighing in tandem. “As presents for your wives, that is rather…” I paused. “I can see why their reception might not be so positive.”
We alighted the carriage upon entering the shopping district and, under the guidance of the emperor, browsed a variety of shops targeted at women: clothing and textile stores, hair accessory boutiques, and so on. One after another, the emperor selected Orient-made products she thought foreign women might like, such as sweets with a long shelf life, skin care items, and books.
I was a woman as well and yet clueless as a baby when it came to the merchandise available in Oriental shopping districts. We gratefully relied completely on Lady Haruiro’s knowledge and speedily picked out the best souvenirs for Lord Kuze’s wives. In the end, after determining their individual hobbies and preferences, we managed to find a different present for each of them. And to preempt any quarreling, each gift was in the same price range and a unique representation of Orient’s culture.
Confronted with my and the emperor’s diligence, Lord Kuze, who was oblivious to the intricacies of a woman’s heart, had fallen into a stupor. He merely took out his wallet whenever we asked. Since he put full, compliant faith in our advice, shopping was a smooth affair.
He shook his head. “Wow. Just wow. I could never shop while putting in so much consideration. Phew, you guys did me a big favor.”
Lady Haruiro was in high spirits. “Hee-hee. You could include a note that the Wagtail Priestess and Lady Haruiro chose all of these.” She seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed shopping as a woman.
At midday, around the time I started to feel some fatigue, Lord Kuze left all the packages in the hands of retainers and brought us to a tea hall to treat us to sweets.
As I studied the building, I mumbled, “This tea hall is…”
The emperor turned around. “Have you been here before?”
“Yes. I came here just after Sekirei Palace was established.”
Her eyes widened in realization. She offered me an alluring smile and whispered, “It all started from here, huh?” The hall was where I had once used Suzuiro’s connections to invite lady merchants to a tea party.
We were led through the establishment, then into the smaller annex detached from the main building. Inside the familiar room, I helped myself to tea while basking in nostalgia. I’ve really come a long way.