At the first light of dawn, we woke from our slumber. I noticed Sofia appeared flustered and her cheeks flushed crimson. It seemed she had just become aware of us sleeping together last night, side by side. I couldn't help but find her reaction utterly adorable, and a warm laugh escaped my lips.
"Shall we continue our journey?" I suggested, trying to ease any discomfort she might be feeling.
Sofia nodded, still looking somewhat ashamed. Her attire was slightly disheveled, and her blonde hair had become tousled, likely due to the gentle night breeze.
"Worry not. We shall reach the next rest area with a public bath," I assured her, understanding that she might be embarrassed about appearing untidy. I've learned that such matters hold significance for many ladies.
After packing up our travel chairs and tables, I extended my hand to help her stand. She graciously accepted the gesture, rising to her feet. I assisted her onto the carriage and then took my place beside her. With a gentle signal to the horse, our carriage set forth, leaving our previous resting spot behind.
Sofia's flustered expression persisted, and I couldn't shake the feeling that her embarrassment was due to more than just her appearance.
"Are you still uncomfortable, Sofia?" I inquired, wanting to understand the root of her unease.
"It's not because of that," she softly replied, hesitating before continuing, "I mean... Do you see me as a younger sister, Takahiko?"
"Of course I do," I replied confidently.
Her response seemed unsatisfactory to her, and she looked somewhat disappointed.
"Have I ever told you about my younger sister who tragically passed away when she was merely two years old?" I asked.
"Yes, you have. She's the reason you became a merchant, right?" Sofia responded.
"Not entirely. While her memory did play a part in shaping my path, the main catalyst for my merchant endeavors was my jealousy towards the wealth of the lord in our village," I explained.
"What?!" Sofia seemed taken aback.
"Of course, providing for my family and preventing a tragedy like the loss of my sister from happening again were also driving factors," I added.
"I see..." Sofia's expression softened as she began to understand.
"But please, don't misunderstand. You are not a replacement for my younger sister. You are your own person, and just as I consider Master, your father, like my own family, I view you as a dear sister," I reassured her, hoping to put her mind at ease.
“...” She just silently heard my answer.
The second day of our journey was noticeably different from the first. A slight unease hung in the air, making it feel a bit awkward. I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Sofia's demeanor had changed. It wasn't that she hated me, but she appeared uncertain about what to talk or ask. Realizing this gave me a sense of relief, knowing that at least her feelings towards me hadn't soured.
After a considerable time on the road, we finally arrived at the rest area I had mentioned earlier. Unlike the larger one we stayed in yesterday, this rest area seemed more modest. Once I parked the carriage and tended to the horse, Sofia and I made our way to the public bath. Familiarity with the facility should come naturally to her, as it resembled those found in the city of Goldkorb, where she lived.
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"Alright, let's cleanse ourselves and meet again at the waiting lobby," I suggested.
"I understand," she replied and proceeded towards the women's section.
Usually, memories of Cordelia would haunt me when I'm alone. As I've previously explained, I try to keep myself occupied to avoid succumbing to grief. Yet, even with Sofia's presence bringing me some solace, an uncomfortable feeling lingers in my heart. It's guilt. I chastise myself for experiencing even the slightest happiness when Cordelia can no longer feel anything. She's gone, my mind acknowledges that, but the weight of her absence weighs heavily on my heart.
As I soaked in the grand bath tub, surrounded by several other people, my mind involuntarily drifted back to Cordelia once more. It was as though she was haunting me, even though I had never seen a ghost in my life. But if ghosts truly existed, I would welcome the chance to meet hers. That's how much I missed her.
After cleansing myself thoroughly, I dried my body, put on my clothes, and settled the fee at the counter. I paid for Sofia's part as well, ensuring she could enjoy the bath without any worries. With a waiting seat in the lobby, I took my place there, patiently waiting for Sofia's return.
As I waited for Sofia's return, my thoughts wandered into a realm of imagination. What if Cordelia and Sofia were to meet each other? I pondered how their interaction would unfold. Cordelia's playful nature combined with Sofia's innocence would surely create an interesting dynamic. The image of the two of them together made me smile. However, a part of me felt protective, unwilling to share Cordelia's allure with anyone else. She belonged to me alone. I knew such possessiveness was irrational, but I couldn't help feeling that way. Cordelia's heart, her enchanting figure, and her playful banter were all mine to cherish. I would fiercely defend my claim to her, even against the fanciful notion of others trying to win her over. Cordelia was mine, and I was prepared to fight anyone who dared to challenge that truth.
"Why are you grinning like that, Takahiko?" Sofia's voice suddenly broke through my thoughts, bringing me back to reality. I noticed her standing there, looking fresh and vibrant in her new attire. Her blonde hair, still slightly damp from the bathwater, appeared clean and glistened in the morning sunlight, giving her an angelic aura.
"Oh, Sofia. Are you finished already? If you want to relax some more, that's perfectly fine," I offered.
She shook her head gently. "No, it's enough. I don't want to keep you waiting too long. Also, thank you for paying the bath fee for me, Takahiko," she replied gratefully.
I rose from my seat after hearing her response. "Don't mention it. It's only natural for an adult to take care of a young one," I said with a sense of pride.
"Let's have breakfast first before we set out. Oh, and before I forget, we need to wash our cooking utensils as well, since we're going to use them again tonight," I suggested.
"We should have done that before taking our bath," Sofia sighed.
"No need to worry. They have a washing service here. We can just leave our utensils with them while we have breakfast, and they'll be clean and ready to use when we're done," I explained.
"They offer that kind of service too?" Sofia looked surprised.
"Yes, it's quite practical. You can wash your clothes, boots, equipment, and anything else you want, for a fee," I said.
"How convenient! I won't have to worry about washing my clothes anymore. I wish Goldkorb had a service like this too," Sofia remarked.
"The capital is more advanced in terms of economic activity. Goldkorb might need some time to catch up, but if you have the capital to spare, investing in that kind of business could be a good idea," I suggested.
"I'll talk to my mother about it," she replied enthusiastically.
With great enthusiasm, Sofia and I took out the box containing our cooking utensils from last night and brought them to the designated service depot. The officer there quickly assessed the fee, and they informed us to return in one hour, which was perfect timing for our breakfast. They handed us a client's plate as a token to retrieve our cleaned goods later. Sofia seemed curious and eager to observe the process, so I allowed her to watch the workers for a while.
As we stood there, Sofia keenly observed the efficient workers attending to various items. Her eyes sparkled with interest, and she seemed captivated by the system in place. After some time, she turned to me and said she was satisfied with what she had seen, and we proceeded to the eatery for our meal.