After her conversation with Hans had concluded, Yana returned to where Olivia and Jiro had been waiting for her. As expected, she was immediately welcomed by Olivia with a question.
“What were you two talking about?”
Though she wanted to ask the same question back at them, Yana had decided to answer instead. “He asked me how I stopped the oyomu.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I gave the same answer I gave you.”
“I see. Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“Then what took you long?”
As they converse, they had started to walk towards the tents. Olivia was the one who was in the middle, Yana was left beside her and Jiro was a step behind on her right side.
The ambiance of the crowded area was mixed of cheerfulness for the owner of the stalls and their customers, and relief for those who had escaped the havoc brought by vaguras.
Yana had told to both of them of what she had asked from their driver, who introduced himself as Hans Radi. Yana had just a sudden interest on the oyomus so she asked for a job related in taking care of them. Hans was skeptic at first and after a few exchange of words, realizing that Yana would remain relentless, he said he was going to ask their clan head if Yana would be permitted to work along with them. He departed, leaving a word that he would be seeing her here tomorrow to relay either the approval or denial of her request.
Olivia nodded her head with her usual “I see” and started a new lecture.
According to Olivia, there were certain industries in Cephel that only a definite clan run. The carriage rental was one of those industries. The laws of Cephel prohibited any other clan or person to mimic these services unless with the permission of the original clan providing the particular service. “It is the same when they were going to take a worker outside of the clan. It is either they’ll turn that worker into a clan member or make him take an oath of life.”
“Oath of life?” Yana repeated the unexpected group of words.
“An oath putting your life in it. If you break the oath, you will die.” Olivia flatly said and continued with her interrupted lecture. “This is basically to provide a sustainable livelihood for the clans and at the same time to avoid disputes among them.”
“Then every product here is monopolized by a specific clan,” Jiro said joining the conversation.
“Of course not!” Olivia turned to him waving her index finger near her lips. “As I said there are only a few of them and this market — is an open market,” she gestured her hand towards a stall. At the same time the owner of that stall immediately brought a food that looked like a barbecue from its appearance. “Everyone, regardless of their clan, as long as they live here in Cephel could put up a business here. Of course, there are papers to be processed and provided that you are not doing something illicit, your business will remain operational as long as you wish. Also, the Military Order and the Hunter’s Guild are open for anyone who wants to join.”
Olivia gladly took the food and paid for it. She asked for two more sticks for her companions. The owner apologized for not being thoughtful and served the same food to Yana and Jiro reverently. Of course, Olivia was the one who paid for them.
Learning about how businesses were being run here, Yana had an idea of putting up her own business in the future or in case her request of employment was denied, she could take that path immediately. It was the better option rather than joining the military or the Hunter’s Guild, where their lives were potentially laid right into peril’s mouth.
“The problem would be the capital to start with,” she unconsciously murmured aloud.
“Then I can lend you some,” Olivia offered after hearing Yana’s mumbling.
Realizing her thoughts had leaked out from her mouth, Yana waved her hands refuting Olivia’s offer of assistance. “We’re in debt with you already. It will be too much if we will still rely on you for our source of income.”
Olivia made an upset expression on her pretty face. Yana felt guilty about it, but she could not bring herself to accept Olivia’s offer. It was not pride that was hindering her, but she just did not want to take advantage of Olivia’s kindness and become reliant on her as they stay here.
Olivia knew that Yana had no ill intent and she likes that about her. Olivia did not further insist her offer.
“But I have a condition.” Hesitating to say what her condition was, she was bashfully glancing at Yana. “Let me be your friend.”
Yana almost burst into laughter after hearing these words from Olivia. Yana, smiling warmly at Olivia, asked, “Aren’t we friends already?”
They continued to walk around the town square. Checking on different stalls, trying out different foods, which Olivia gladly spent for.
At first, Yana thought that where they were now, was Cephel in its entirety, but she was terribly mistaken with that. The town square was solely the business district of Cephel.
The so-called town square was a junction of five wide roads, one of them was the one they had taken to get into this forest. If Yana would compare this place to a clock’s face, that road represents eight. And if Yana would trace the other road’s position in a counter-clockwise manner, the next roads would be four, two, twelve, and eleven.
In between the roads that were far from each other, a platform was built from a height of twelve feet. Dried branches were used to serve as a railing to prevent someone falling from the tall height.
There were two platforms in total, meaning two districts. The only access to these platforms were the two winding stairwells, adjoining at the middle.
Atop the platforms, a number of houses were standing. Olivia stated that these were usually for those who does not belong to a clan or staying at Cephel for an indefinite time. While those who belonged to a clan, lived in their allocated land.
There were five major clans in Cephel and each have their own respective lands.
First, the Radi who owns the southeast. The land that they own was a vast field, perfect for their profession as farmers and taking care of oyomus.
The next clan would be Ophilia, who held possession of the eastern lands. Like the Radi’s, the Ophilia’s land is good for farming, but rather producing food crops, they cultivate crops for dressmaking and furniture. Because of this, they were known as the craftsmen of Cephel.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
The most prominent clan in Cephel was the Rassialaire, for they possessed the northern lands of Cephel where the Adiara River runs. The Adiara River was the nearest body of fresh water in Cephel, therefore it was the only source of water for the whole Cephel. The Rassialaire were popular for their bathhouses and their drinking pubs, making the Rassialaire known as the night district of Cephel.
“The remaining two clans are different from the three that I had mentioned, as they were the Elven clans.”
One of these clans was the irreplaceable clan of Lucida, who was occupying the northeastern part of Cephel. That particular part of Cephel was a forest area, rich in medicinal herbs, and with their medical knowledge, the clan of Lucida served as the doctors of Cephel.
“How about the last clan?” Yana asked.
“They are the one who owns this entire forest. They are naturally strong and serves as the peacekeeper all throughout the domain of Cephel. The clan that descended from the ancient country of Daneb. The clan where I belong to, the clan of Seria.”
“W-w-wait!” Yana exclaimed in surprise. She had stopped walking since she was not expecting Olivia’s revelation and it took her time to digest what she had just heard. “Y-y-you own this forest?”
Olivia laughed at Yana’s reaction. In turn, Yana sought support from Jiro, but he too was smiling at her. “You also knew about it?”
“Yeah, Olivia told me about it earlier while you’re away.”
Turning back to Olivia, Yana asked, “B-but, you don’t look like an elf to me.”
It was the truth for Yana, Olivia does not have a pair of pointy ears to call her an elf, unless an elf’s appearance was different in this world.
“Because, I’m not. I was adopted as the daughter of Queen Maia when I was a child.”
Yana took a deep breath just to remain calm. She had a feeling the family Olivia came from was rich, but she had not thought, not even once, that Olivia was a royalty here.
Was that the main reason for the attention they had garnered as they walked on the pseudo-streets of this market? Yana completely thought it was their weird wardrobe that caused the unusual stares, but apparently there was another reason for it and that was; they were walking along with their Princess.
“Now, I get to learn you’re the Princess of this country. Are there something else I need to know?” she asked both Jiro and Olivia.
Olivia shook her head and murmured, “Now that I have mentioned Mother’s name, I should head to her chambers and pay respect for my arrival.”
From Olivia’s tone, Yana had a bad premonition that she quickly said, “Th-then, we’ll wait for you here.”
Flashing a mischievous smile, Olivia laid the words Yana does not want to hear, “No, I would not leave you behind. I want to introduce both of you to Mother.”
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Right inside the main hall of the house of Seria, right at her throne, the Queen of Cephel had summoned for her head maid to inquire about what was happening below them. The busyness of the trading square was different from its usual liveliness, thus the reason for the summon from the Queen.
Bowing her head, the maid whose name was Adelaide reported, “Apparently, Your Highness, the stronghold of Aquilla had fallen to the vaguras. Refugees had sought for the protection of Cephel.”
Hearing this, the Queen laid her cheek on her right knuckle and commented, “That was unprecedented. I guess I should head down later and welcome them to our lands. How about Olivia? Has she returned already?”
With her head still bowed down, Adelaide answered, “Lady Seria has safely arrived in Cephel…
Speaking of Your Highness’s daughter, there are rumors currently spreading about her meeting her ‘fated one’.”
Upon hearing this, the expression on Queen Maia’s face had changed from a ‘formal’ one to an ‘excited’ one since she had never foreseen this day to come.
Olivia had always been a reserved person. She rarely interacted with people and spent most of her time reading books and listening to the stories of the elders of Seria back when she was a child. In fact, that was where Maia had first met her.
Back then, Olivia was known simply as the ‘little girl’ for she did not know her own name. The name Olivia she was using now came from the elders who had treated her kindly and accepted her as their own.
Maia had taken custody of Olivia after the elders had decided about it. They said it would be for the good of the two; for Maia, to experience having a child to take care of and; for Olivia to have a mother figure as she grows up.
Maia was not against it since she knew she would never bear any child in her womb and she had already grown affection towards the child after seeing her multiple times. As for Olivia, for a child of her age, was understanding. She followed the decision of the elders without any complaints. This was how their relationship as mother and daughter had started.
Another maid arrived inside the room, announcing, “My Highness, Lady Olivia has come to speak to you.”
Behind this particular maid, followed three young people. One was Olivia, as for the other two, Maia would know later. She welcomed her foster daughter with an embrace, then held her hand to hers.
“I heard some news. Is it true?” the Queen asked.
Not knowing what her mother was talking about, Olivia blinked her eyes questioningly and asked, “News? About what?”
“About you, meeting your fated one. Is it true?” The shock on Olivia’s face slightly erased the smile on Maia’s face. “I-I see. I am sorry, my dear. What is it that you want to talk with?”
Letting go of the Queen’s hand, Olivia gestured Yana and Jiro to come closer. “Mother, I would like to introduce my friends.”
“Friends?” The word sent Maia’s lips to curve back into a smile. This was the first time Olivia had uttered that word, and it was relieving for Maia.
Her eyes darted towards the two young pair. Both were wearing weird clothes and were standing stiffly on their feet. “Relax,” she kindly said. “Olivia’s guests are my own guests.”
Giving out orders to Adelaide and the other maid, Maia had led the three youths to a dining hall for a sumptuous meal.