"What strange symbols," she remarked, running a finger over the carved numbers. "What do they mean?"

"That's the written language here," Vielle explained. "Those symbols represent the room numbers. See, this one is 'nine', and that one is 'four'."

Serena's eyes lit up with fascination. "I see… Vielle is one thing but how come Arlo can read it, though? Did he study this world's language in advance or something?"

They reached the upper landing, following the hall towards the indicated rooms. Vielle shook her head with a smile.

"No, nothing exactly. Arlo is using translation spells at the moment. It automatically converts foreign text and speech into a language the caster can understand."

"Magic is so useful," Serena said enviously. She turned to Vielle, with a hesitant look. "Do you think you could teach me and my mom some spells while we're here…? If it isn’t too much trouble…"

Sylvia perked up at that, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, I admit I'm quite curious about it myself. Is it very difficult?"

"Well, that depends on a number of factors," Vielle hedged. "Magical aptitude varies from person to person. But I'd be more than happy to give you some lessons, if you'd like."

Serena stared at Vielle with sparkling eyes. “That would be great, thank you.”

Sylvia looked thoughtful. "Could you not simply cast the translation spell on us directly? It would certainly make getting around easier."

Vielle winced apologetically. "I'm afraid this particular spell only works on the caster. We'd have to visit a magician's guild to purchase one that could be used on others."

"Better to learn it ourselves, then." Serena declared. "No point in wasting money especially when learning magic is the alternative.”

They came to a stop outside the two doors at the very end of the hall. Arlo fitted the keys into the locks, letting the doors swing open to reveal the rooms beyond.

The decor was simple but tidy, all dark woods and clean lines. A fireplace sat cold and empty against one honey-colored wall, with a pair of beds covered in patchwork quilts facing it. A writing desk and chair occupied another corner near the shuttered window.

Thick woven rugs in warm shades of red and brown covered the plank floors, and the lingering scent of lemon oil spoke of a recent cleaning.

The only thing missing was a private ensuite bath, but Arlo had expected as much. since the concept of private, in-room bathrooms with running water wasn’t very common in this type of civilization. Communal toilets and washrooms were far more common, and something told him Serena and Sylvia were just going to have to adjust just as he would.

Serena clearly had no such compunctions. She walked past Arlo into the first room, heading straight for the bed furthest from the door. She flopped onto the mattress with a whoop of joy, sending a waft of lavender and clean linen into the air.

"Ooh, nice and soft." She rolled onto her back, shooting the others a grin. “Vielle chose a good inn.”

Sylvia chuckled, setting her bag down with a little more decorum. “You’re really enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”

“So are you, you haven’t stopped smiling this whole time.” Serena teased.

Arlo smiled to himself, warmed by how quickly they seemed to be adjusting. He should have known better than to underestimate his family's ability to adapt.

"Alright, you two get unpacked and settled. Vielle and I have a couple errands to run and some business to discuss." He jabbed a stern finger at the two women. "No exploring without us, got it? This city isn’t safe."

Serena glanced at him while going through her bags. "Yeah, we know. Don’t forget that we’re still older than you, Arlo.” She sighed. “How many times have I had to watch over you while mum went to work?”

Sylvia muffled a laugh into her palm and nodded. "Of course, Arlo. Go sort out what you need to." Her eyes danced as she made exaggerated little shooing motions. "Don't rush on our account."

Serena waggled her eyebrows. "Yeah, go enjoy your business date."

"For the last time, we're not-" Arlo broke off with a defeated sigh. Arguing was obviously a lost cause. Sometimes retreat was the better part of valor. "You know what? Never mind. Believe what you want."

Amidst a chorus of giggles and knowing looks, Arlo beat a hasty retreat, all but dragging a pink-cheeked Vielle with him. As the door shut behind them, Vielle shot him a commiserating smile.

"I think your sister is determined to believe there's something going on between us," she said wryly. "No matter how much we deny it."

"This is another reason I didn’t want to tell her." Arlo groaned, raking a hand through his hair. "She should know better than to assume that I have the moves to seduce someone as beautiful as you."

Vielle let out a startled little laugh, her blush deepening. "Beautiful, am I?"

Arlo pressed his palm against his face. He hadn't quite meant to say that last bit out loud. “Yeah, you’re good looking, isn’t that obvious?” He said. “"Either way, let’s head to the trading company."

Still fighting a smile, Vielle accepted the abrupt subject change graciously. "Is there any specific trading company you have your eyes on?" she asked.

As they descended the staircase, Arlo turned to Vielle with a smile. "There's a trading company I've heard about - the Myrium Trading Company. Are you familiar with it?"

Vielle nodded. "Yes, I've heard of them. They've amassed quite the reputation despite being a relatively new company. Word is the president has a keen eye for profitable deals."

"A keen eye, huh?" Arlo mused as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "Shame I didn't get to meet him last time I was there. I'm curious what kind of person he is."

Vielle glanced at Arlo as they made their way through the crowded tables and out of the inn, waving goodbye to Bifa as they went. "He's a busy man. We'll be lucky to arrange a meeting this week, even with the exorbitant fee they charge."

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"I figured as much," Arlo sighed. "But if it takes too long, we can always try a different company."

"True, although most probably wouldn't give the time of day to a couple of unknowns like us," Vielle said with a wry grin.

Arlo frowned. "Don't say that. My financially secure future is riding on this venture."

Vielle giggled. As they walked, she took in the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the city with wide, curious eyes.

"This place is so different from the cities in your world," she murmured. "Both are fascinating in their own ways."

Arlo glanced at her, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Do you enjoy traveling and seeing new places?"

Vielle ducked her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Is it that obvious?"

"A bit," Arlo chuckled. "When we strike it rich, I'll take us on a tour of all the best cities and sights my world has to offer."

Vielle's head snapped up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Really? Do you mean it?"

"Absolutely. Consider it a promise."

The blush on Vielle's cheeks deepened, but her smile was radiant. "I'll hold you to that."

Arlo grinned, already picturing Vielle's delight at experiencing a proper vacation. Maybe a cruise - he was sure Sylvia and Serena would love that too. But first, they needed to secure a good trade deal. That was the first step to making all their dreams possible.

As if sensing his thoughts, Vielle quickened her pace, eager to reach the Myrium Trading Company. Arlo matched her stride easily, the path already familiar from his previous visit.

As they walked, Arlo went over a few last minute details. "I'll handle the initial negotiations, but I'll need you to let me know if the prices they offer are fair. You have a better grasp of the market values in this world."

Vielle nodded. "Of course, leave that to me."

She started to say something else, but the words died on her lips as her gaze fixed on something ahead. Arlo turned to see what had caught her attention and felt his steps slow.

There, standing perfectly still amidst the milling crowd, was a man. He wore a crisp black butler's uniform, his gray hair sleek and his posture ramrod straight. A glinting monocle covered one crimson eye as he stared directly at Arlo and Vielle, unblinking.

An icy chill slithered down Arlo's spine. There was something unsettling about the man, a sense of barely leashed danger that set Arlo's teeth on edge.

'Who is this guy?' Arlo wondered, instinctively reaching for his grimoire. 'And why do I get the feeling Vielle knows him?'

His suspicions were confirmed a moment later when Vielle laid a hand on his arm. "Arlo, I'm sorry, but I need you to go on ahead without me. Wait for me in front of the trading company, and I'll join you as soon as I can."

Arlo frowned. "Are you sure you don't need help? I don't like the look of this guy."

Vielle shook her head, giving him a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's alright, he's...an acquaintance. I'll handle it. Please, go on."

Arlo hesitated, but the pleading look on Vielle's face decided him. He had no right to pry into her personal affairs, no matter how much his instincts screamed at him that something was off.

"Okay. I'll be waiting for you, then. Be careful."

With a final nod, Arlo stepped away, deliberately angling his path to take him right past the unsettling butler. As they drew level with each other, the man's crimson gaze flicked to Arlo, and the world...tilted.

For a single, terrifying heartbeat, Arlo felt a sickening lurch of vertigo, as if his head had been wrenched clean off his shoulders. He blinked, and the sensation vanished, leaving him gasping and clutching at his neck.

'What the hell was that?' Arlo thought wildly, his heart thundering against his ribs. 'Did I just...did he just...kill me?'

But no, he was still standing, still breathing. And the butler now loomed at his side, his aura crackling with barely contained malice.

Arlo swallowed hard, but he held his ground, meeting that blood-red stare with a defiant glare of his own. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but he knew with bone-deep certainty that if he so much as twitched, he'd be dead before he could even start to cast.

"What do you think you're doing, Clifford!?" Vielle's voice cut through the charged air like a whip crack. She stalked towards them, her own crimson eyes narrowed to a glare, her delicate features set in lines of icy fury. "That man is my business partner. You dare bare your fangs at him?"

The butler - Clifford - inclined his head, his demeanor shifting from menacing to servile in the blink of an eye. "My apologies, young miss. I merely wished to take the measure of the human who has been monopolizing so much of your time of late. Surely you can understand your lord father's...concern."

Vielle's glare could have flash-frozen lava. "My associations are none of your concern, Clifford. Nor are they any of my father's. You and I have matters to discuss. Come."

She spun on her heel and strode away, not sparing Arlo so much as a backward glance. Clifford sketched a mocking half-bow in Arlo's direction before moving to follow, his steps utterly silent.

Arlo stood frozen, his mind awhirl as he watched Vielle's retreating back. He could tell she was leading Clifford away deliberately, putting distance between the butler and Arlo. Protecting him.

'Should I go after her?' he wondered, his feet itching to follow. 'No, if she was in real danger, she would have said something. That Clifford guy was obviously hostile towards me, but he didn't show any aggression to Vielle herself.'

Still, as Arlo forced himself to turn and continue on towards the trading company, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just brushed up against something far bigger and more dangerous than he'd ever imagined.

"Who is Vielle, really?" he muttered under his breath. "I barely know anything about her, other than the fact that she's a vampire. That butler mentioned her father - is he some kind of bigshot? Vielle did say her old man knew the Cosmic Sage..."

Arlo shook his head as he walked, frustrated by the yawning gaps in his knowledge. He didn't want to intrude on Vielle's privacy, but if they were going to be partners, he needed to understand what kind of complications he might be facing.

"Looks like she and I need to have a long talk, and soon," Arlo sighed.

-

Arlo picked up his pace, the imposing facade of the Myrium Trading Company coming into view up ahead.

Arlo stood before the imposing facade of the Myrium Trading Company, taking in the gleaming marble pillars and the steady stream of horse-drawn carriages pulling up to the front entrance. A large sign proclaiming the company's name hung above the massive double doors, the gilded letters glinting in the afternoon sun.

"Looks just like I remember," Arlo muttered to himself. He glanced up and down the busy street, but there was no sign of Vielle. "She said to wait for her, but who knows how long that business with the creepy butler is going to take. Better get our names on the list to see the president now, just in case."

Squaring his shoulders, Arlo pushed through the heavy doors and into the cavernous lobby beyond. The interior was just as grand as before, all polished stone floors and soaring ceilings.

Plush waiting areas were scattered about, filled with richly-dressed merchants and traders.. At the far end of the room, a long counter manned by a small army of clerks dealt with a never-ending line of customers.

'Definitely one of the biggest trading houses around,' Arlo thought, eyeing the bustle with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. 'They must have their fingers in every pie from here to the capital.'

He made his way to the shortest queue and took his place at the back, resigning himself to a lengthy wait. The minutes crawled by as he shuffled forward, the murmur of voices and scratch of quills against parchment filling the air.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was Arlo's turn. "Good evening, sir, how may I assist you today?" the clerk asked, a polite smile fixed to his face.

Arlo started to respond, then did a double-take as he got a good look at the man behind the counter. "Miro? Is that you?"

The clerk's eyes widened, and then crinkled at the corners as his customer-service smile morphed into something much more genuine. "Arlo! It's been a while - I haven't seen you since your first visit to our establishment."