Nonetheless, I managed to redirect my wandering mind when I immersed myself in work. Arriving at the merchant guilds, I dutifully submitted my trading records, engaged in buying and selling at the bustling market, meticulously calculating the sum of wealth I had amassed. Each time, I stamped the outcome onto my identification plate before moving on to another city, repeating the cycle anew. It had been my way of life for so long, but where once I pursued this routine to achieve my goal of increasing wealth, these days, it felt more like a means of escaping the overwhelming grief of losing Cordelia.
With those thoughts lingering, I found myself losing track of the passing days amidst my travels. It became apparent that I had veered significantly from my usual trading routes, causing delays in the delivery of goods, but on the bright side, it had opened up new avenues for trade as a small merchant. Now that I've realized how much time has slipped away, it may be the opportune moment to return home and pay a visit to Goldkorb. I'm certain Sofia will be furious with me for missing her birthday celebration. How old is she again? Fifteen? I must prepare a thoughtful present for her and offer my sincere apologies. Additionally, Wakahiko should be ready to undertake the assessment test to become a knight in the capital, making it an appropriate time for Kunihiko to embark on his own ventures. I must inquire with Madam about the possibility of hiring my mother as a tavern helper.
With my future plans now decided, I quicken my journey. I can't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for my loyal old horse, faithfully pulling my small carriage since the day I acquired it. Despite its age, it appears to be in good health, and I hope it will continue to live a long life. I arrived at the harbor city just as before to look for some items that i can present to my family, madam and Sofia. I browsed some exotic items, weapons, utensils, dried food, clothings, and ornaments, and finally purchased the items I considered suitable for all of them. When I'm thinking about them, somehow my heart felt not so weighted, but then again, after I moved the goods on my carriage, started my journey again, when I'm alone in my carriage, the dreadful feeling of missing Cordelia started to haunt me again. I missed her so much.
Her memory remained a constant presence in my thoughts, and while I cherished the remembrance of her, the cruel reality of her absence in this world filled me with discomfort. My heart still struggled to accept the truth. The passing of the Master in Goldkorb was something I could reconcile and move on from, yet with Cordelia, it felt a bit different. Reflecting on it now, my master lived a fulfilling life, and I was fortunate to be by his side on his last day. Perhaps that's why I became so fixated on Cordelia's untimely demise; I couldn't bear the regret of not being there for her when she needed me the most. My mind replayed countless scenarios of the horrific moment when Sir Geoffrey assaulted her, and each time, it made me sick to my stomach for not inflicting more pain upon him.
With a heart laden with memories, I finally arrived at the grand gates of Goldkorb city. The guards, familiar with my face, greeted me warmly, and I reciprocated with the usual pleasantries, allowing them to carry out their customary procedures. We exchanged a few words about the city's current state and their well-being before I continued on my way. As was my routine, I made my way to the merchant guild to report my trading activities, ensuring everything was in order. Then, I parked my carriage, secured lodging for myself, and with my bag in hand, I headed towards the familiar Dragon's Paw tavern.
The afternoon sun was slowly making its descent towards the horizon, signaling the impending dinnertime. It was the perfect moment to visit the tavern. I couldn't help but wonder how Madam and Sofia were doing. I held on to the hope that they were well, as I always did. As I approached the tavern, it looked just as I remembered it, with several patrons coming and going through its doors.
With a sense of anticipation, I pushed open the door, and to my delight, a familiar voice called out, "Welcome, ah! Takahiko? Is that you?"
Turning towards the source of the voice, I saw Guinevere, one of Sofia's close friends, standing there. Her shoulder-length brown hair fell straight, and the hint of freckles on her face gave her a charming appearance.
"Greetings, Guin. It has indeed been a while. Are you working here now?" I replied warmly, feeling a sense of lightheartedness in her presence.
"Yes, I've been working here for the past three months. It's been nice to have something to do," Guinevere replied cheerfully, her bright tone reminiscent of the girl I remembered from before. "Please take a seat. Let me take your order."
"Thank you. I'll have my usual Knight's Table Stew and a glass of Morning Dew ale," I replied, feeling a sense of comfort in the familiar choices.
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"Got it. Please wait a while, and I'll let Sofia know you're here," Guinevere said before making her way to the kitchen. I feel happy knowing that Sofia was likely working hard to improve her cooking skills just as she promised before I left her before.
So while I wait for a few minutes, "Takahiko!" another bright female voice called out my name. I turned to see Sofia, the spirited tavern poster girl and daughter of the tavern master. With both hands carefully holding a steaming plate of hot stew, she approached me with confident steps, her smile infectious. I couldn't help but worry for a moment if she might trip, but having worked here for so long, she was clearly adept at navigating the tavern's busy floors.
"Here's your stew! Please enjoy it and let me know if it can compare to my father's cooking," she said cheerfully, her enthusiasm warming my heart. It was good to see that she had found solace and happiness, even after the loss of her father, the tavern's previous master.
"Thank you, Sofia. And happy belated 15th birthday! I apologize for not being able to return in time for your celebration," I said, handing her a carefully wrapped package containing the gift I had prepared. It was clear that she had grown more than I had imagined. Her cheerful face now held a touch of maturity, but still radiated with a sense of innocence. She had also gotten taller since the last time I saw her, and her shape was starting to look more feminine as she entered young womanhood.
Her smile widened as she accepted the gift, her joy evident. "I forgive you, Takahiko," she replied graciously. "And thank you for the present."
"So, where have you been? Why did you come late this time?" Sofia's curiosity got the better of her, and she quickly took a seat beside me, almost as if she feared I might slip away. As I pondered how to respond, Madam's voice interrupted her.
"Sofia, you mustn't disturb Takahiko while he's eating. Remember, you're still on duty," Madam Ruth, her mother, appeared suddenly from behind and reminded her with a serious tone.
"Oh, I forgot.. Sorry, Takahiko. Please enjoy your meal," Sofia apologized with a bright smile and stood up. "Don't forget to tell me your impression, okay?" With that, she hurried back to the kitchen.
"It's been a while, Takahiko." Madam then talked to me.
"I'm glad to see her happy now. I believe the Master would be pleased to see her like this," I commented sincerely.
"It was you who gave her purpose and helped her channel her grief," Madam replied. "Thanks to you, that girl found the courage and determination to follow in her father's footsteps."
I observed Madam's expression, I could see the kind gaze she always had, but now it carried a weight of responsibility. She had stepped into the role of tavern master at the Dragon's Paw tavern after the passing of the previous master. Her demeanor had changed slightly, a mix of gentleness and authority, as she navigated her new responsibilities. Despite the change, she still treated me with the same care and consideration as before.
"Are you well, madam? I apologize for not arriving sooner; circumstances delayed my return," I said, genuinely apologetic to Madam.
"Don't worry about that, my dear. Thankfully, my late husband made ample preparations before his passing. The guild provided us with a substantial compensation, which has allowed us to hire new workers to run the tavern," she replied, a sense of relief evident in her voice."
"That's wonderful news, Madam. Speaking of new workers, I was wondering if you could accommodate one more?"
"Perhaps, do you have someone in mind?" she inquired.
"Yes, it's my mother. My brothers and I will embark on our own journeys this year, we feel uneasy leaving her alone with nothing to do at home. So, I was thinking if she could be of assistance to the tavern. She is well-versed in domestic tasks and would be a valuable resource for the tavern," I explained.
"In that case, of course. I would be delighted to have her here, Takahiko," she replied warmly.
"Thank you, Madam. My mother and brothers will be deeply grateful to you. I will visit our village on my next journey and bring her here," I said with a sense of relief and gratitude. Her answer reassured me.
"Other than that, Takahiko, are you alright?" Madam inquired, her keen eyes observing me.
"Huh?"
"It seems like you haven't had proper sleep in days, and there's a sense of sorrow in your eyes. Has something troubling happened to you?" her voice showed hints of concern.
I sighed softly, realizing that my emotions were indeed etched across my face. "Well, you could say that. A tragedy occurred during my journey, which delayed my return this time," I reluctantly explained, not wanting to burden her with the details.
"I see..." Madam responded with understanding, her caring demeanor offering comfort even without words.
She reached out and gently tapped my shoulder. "If you feel the need to, please rely on us too, okay?"
I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Madam. I'll keep that in mind, and I'll share with you on another occasion."
With my meal complete, I continued to converse with Sofia and Guin whenever they had a moment to spare from their duties. Their company provided a comforting warmth that momentarily lifted my spirits. Before bidding them farewell, I made a promise to return for lunch on the morrow. Engaging with them and seeing the tavern prosper filled me with a fleeting sense of contentment. Although the pain of losing Cordelia would likely persist for some time, witnessing how Madam and Sofia had found the strength to carry on gave me hope that I too would find solace someday. I strolled through the quiet streets, I held tight to the cherished memories of Cordelia, yearning for the possibility of glimpsing her in my dreams.