Chapter 1 - New Project

The day after the funeral, Lilly was taking the time to enjoy the peace. She could finally let go of the grief properly now, only having to worry about the war and the eventual confrontation with the king. Mere trifles, really.

She was sitting in Eolande’s living room with Mia, enjoying a nice cup of tea to start the day. Eolande had left for the Black Fortress to help Eolantas steer the clan in the right direction.

“It’s sort of weird having the house to ourselves,” Mia said, smiling at Lilly.

Lilly nodded. “I guess we’ll have to get used to it. As soon as our house finishes, we’ll be living all alone.”

Mia smiled even wider. “You still insist on calling it ‘our’ house, huh?”

“Of course, we’ll both be living there after all. Even if you still have another home, I think it’s fine to call it ours.”

“Well, I’m not an owner.”

“You’re not an owner of your other home either, so that’s not a good argument… And in any case, you might be soon enough.”

“Oh, longing for a new last name, are you? I don’t blame you; Gorton is pretty good.”

“... I guess Lilly Gorton works, but Mia Baker also sounds pretty good, don’t you think?”

“Well… maybe. But unfortunately, I’m not a baker, so… And did you suddenly change your mind about Baker?”

“Well, you see, I’m the only one left…” It was meant as more of a joke, but a tear was threatening to form in her eyes.

“Oh, Lilly!” Mia quickly got off the couch to embrace Lilly after seeing her expression. “I can live with Mia B. Gorton, don’t worry.”

“What about Mia G. Baker?” Lilly asked, humorously trying her luck.

“I don’t feel that sorry for you,” Mia responded immediately.

“Just checking.”

Mia chuckled softly as she let go, staring into Lilly’s eyes. “You want to enchant something to get your mind off things? The cuirass is still ready.”

“You know, that sounds pretty good. I’ve been looking forward to starting a proper project. But I’ll have to visit Gallus first, you want to come with me?”

Mia nodded, looking excited. “Sure, I haven’t really met him properly yet. I only saw him at the funeral yesterday.”

Lilly tried recalling when the next full moon would be, but she wasn’t quite sure. That would be the best time to make such a powerful enchantment after all.

Mia was finishing her tea in a hurry now, seemingly eager to go visit the Aether’s Echo and discuss new enchantments. She sat the cup down with some force, nearly breaking it.

“Ah, I need to get used to this new strength. It’s only my right arm that’s a problem, though.”

Lilly looked at the cup, feeling a hint of worry. “We can slow down the purification, you know. There’s no real reason to be in a hurry.”

Lilly had been using her flame to slowly purify Mia’s body, which she had been eager to try after hearing about it. But Myndia had warned that it should be done gradually so as not to suddenly increase her strength and cause issues.

Mia seemed to disagree. “It won’t be a problem once I start forging again, then I’ll quickly learn what my new strength is like.”

“... I don’t think using the staff to heal your body after cleansing it should be necessary, so I’d really like to slow down, Mia. You shouldn’t be hurting yourself just to get stronger.”

Mia just stared back at her. “When do you think I’ll be strong enough not to need guards wherever I go?”

“In a few years if we slow down, in a few months if we don’t. But if you’re wearing a masterfully crafted cuirass of palladium enchanted by the Vermilion Enchantress, you could probably stop bringing guards right now. So there’s no real reason to hurry. If you don’t want guards, there are easier ways.”

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Mia still didn’t seem satisfied, but her cheeks were a tinge redder than before. " I… I just don’t want to feel so weak compared to you.”

Lilly was a bit surprised by that, raising her eyebrows. “That’s how you feel? But you’re way stronger than me normally.”

“You know that’s different.”

Lilly felt stumped by this problem, putting a finger on her chin. “... Hmm. Can’t we just dress you up in enchantments, then? Our resources are somewhat limited, of course, but you could be like a walking display case for our products — strength enchantments, speed enchantments, protective enchantments, you name it.”

Mia seemed somewhat convinced by that, picturing herself dressed in her own products, untouchable and powerful. “That’s not a bad idea! The cuirass fits me quite well, so starting with that would be perfect. If our finances can handle it, of course.”

“They can handle more than that. And once we start selling some, you might have to learn to forge adamantium as well,” Lilly said, happy to see that Mia was feeling better.

Mia smiled back at her, now looking even more excited about going to the magical emporium. “With a strengthening enchantment, I might be fine, but then I might need a new hammer.”

Lilly nodded. “Then we’ll become well acquainted with Gallus in the near future. Are you ready to go?”

“Sure am!” Mia responded, practically bouncing out of the couch. She brought both of the teacups into the kitchen, leaving the cleanup for later.

After walking through the familiar streets surrounded by guards and greeting citizens, they both arrived at the Aether’s Echo. It still had the most unique look in the entire city, with the towers sticking in every direction and its whimsical decorations.

“Have you ever been inside, Mia?” Lilly asked, standing in front of the door.

Mia shook her head. “Never, but I’ve always been a bit curious.”

“Then let me be your guide. This… is the entrance.” Lilly was theatrically presenting the crystal archway while keeping an impressively straight face.

Mia replied in a very monotonous voice. “Wow. I am amazed.” Her eyes were still admiring the architecture, though.

A sudden voice from inside interrupted the incredible tour before it could even begin, much to Lilly’s disappointment. “My establishment hardly qualifies to have the Lady Protector as a tour guide, but I truly appreciate the gesture.”

Gallus appeared in the doorway with a warm smile, looking gnomish as ever. “If you would like a tour, I would be more than happy to show the Ladies around.”

Lilly looked at Mia, letting her decide. Mia replied, looking somewhat embarrassed; “Oh, no, that’s okay. I’ll just ask if anything catches my interest.”

Lilly felt proper introductions were in order. “Mia, this is Gallus, my procurer of magical materials, and Gallus, this is my lovely girlfriend and partner, Mia Gorton.”

Gallus walked over to Mia and took her hand, giving it a light kiss. Due to the height difference, he barely had to bend down. “It’s a pleasure, my Lady Mia. I know of your father, and I’m sure he’s overjoyed at having his daughter surpass him as a blacksmith.”

Mia wasn’t ready for such a gesture at all, standing there speechless for a moment. “... I… pleasure’s mine, too.”

Lilly and Gallus both smiled at her, making Mia even redder. “You might have to get used to gestures like those, Mia,” Lilly told her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Gallus gestured to his shop, inviting them in. “I’m sure you’ll have an interesting order if it’s the two of you coming here. Please allow me to guide you both to my room.”

“Oh, you’ll have plenty to smile about after we leave, I’m sure. Lead the way,” Lilly replied, following after him with her hand still on Mia’s shoulder.

As they entered the emporium, the familiar chimes sounded out for each of them. Mia was entranced by the materials, potions, tomes, and enchanted items filling the shelves, looking around with childlike wonder.

“This place looks amazing! Oh, isn’t that one of our bracelets?” Mia asked, pointing at an electrum bracelet with dragon decorations.

“It is!” Lilly responded, recognizing the fire-resistant bracelet. That was one of her earlier enchantments, made using a volcano rose. “You haven’t been able to sell it, Gallus?”

Gallus looked at the bracelet fondly. “It’s the first enchanted item you sold us, Lilly. It’s not for sale.”

Lilly was touched by his words. She also felt a bit sentimental looking at it, recalling the enchanting process well. It was the first enchantment she did in Eolande’s room.

“Would you mind if I touched it?” She asked, hoping to sense the emotions that went into the enchantment.

Gallus shook his head. “Not at all. Please feel free.”

Lilly put a gentle hand on the bracelet, sending a touch of fire inside it. She could immediately recognize that it was the last bracelet she enchanted that day, not just by the power of the enchantment but also by the emotions of protectiveness and fear she could sense from it.

‘That was right after I heard about the war, and the first time I learned that emotions had a great effect on enchantments… It feels like forever ago.’

Mia put her hand on Lilly’s shoulder now, smiling fondly at the memories. “A lot has happened since we made that bracelet, huh?”

“Yeah, more than I could have imagined…”

Gallus looked somewhat conflicted for a second, but seemed to make his mind up quickly. “Lady Lilly, considering you’ve lost so much of your past recently, it would be my pleasure to let you have that bracelet.”

Lilly smiled while shaking her head. “I really appreciate it, Gallus, but I’d rather you keep it. I still have my first enchanted item; a bracelet that gathers light. It survived the fire. And you don’t need to call me Lady, Gallus. Even ‘dearie’ is fine, as you did the first time we met.”

Gallus smiled widely as he replied, “In that case, dearie, it would be my honor to keep the bracelet here on display. Now, shall we head upstairs?”

Lilly simply nodded and kept following Gallus up the stairs with Mia in tow.