The tavern remained closed for a while, observing a period of mourning. The usual bustling activity was absent, and the workers seemed to have been granted time off in light of the funeral. Madam, in her quiet strength, offered me a familiar drink, the Morning Dew ale, which I gratefully accepted. Beside me, Sofia sat, clutching my left hand tightly, unwilling to let go. Since the burial, she had been holding onto me as if seeking solace in our shared grief. I understood the depth of her pain, and I didn't mind offering her this small comfort, knowing it meant so much to her.

Silently sipping my ale with my right hand, I allowed my thoughts to wander. The warmth of the drink contrasted with the heaviness in my heart. My gaze shifted around the tavern, realizing the void left by Master's absence. I wondered how the tavern would fare without his presence. Would the patrons continue to flock here, even without Master's beaming smile behind the bar, extending his warm welcome to all who entered?

"Sofia, it's time to let go of Takahiko's hand," Madam gently admonished her daughter, her voice filled with understanding. "I know we're all grieving, and it's natural to seek solace in each other's presence. But it wouldn't be fair to burden Takahiko any further."

"I don't mind, Madam. I understand Sofia's grief, for I too, shared in the depths of her sorrow. Please, let her be," I gently interjected, offering a reassuring smile. "We all cope in different ways, and if holding my hand brings her some comfort, then I willingly give my hand for her to grasp it as long as she desired."

Sofia's gaze met mine. Her eyes spoke volumes, expressing a mix of gratitude, relief, and longing.

"I'm sorry that you had to cancel your journey for us," Madam's small voice filled with a tinge of guilt.

I shook my head. "Please, don't be sorry. Master was like a second father to me, and that makes both Madam and Sofia my family as well. It's only natural for me to want to be by your side during this time."

Madam nodded appreciatively, her eyes welling up with tears. "We are grateful for your presence, Takahiko. You have truly been a pillar of support and a dear friend to our family."

I reassured them both, my voice filled with sincerity. "Please, don't worry. I made a promise to Master to assist you in any way I can. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

"In that case, can I leave Sofia with you for a while?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern, "I need to go to the tavern guild to confirm some documents regarding my husband."

I nodded, understanding the importance of her responsibilities. "Of course, Madam. You can trust me to take care of Sofia."

"Sofia, I'll leave you for a while. Don't trouble Takahiko too much, okay?" Madam gently said to Sofia, her motherly concern evident in her voice.

Sofia, still grappling with her emotions, simply nodded in response, not trusting her voice to speak at that moment. Madam then turned and left, the door closing behind her with a soft click, leaving Sofia and me alone in the quiet tavern.

Me and Sofia maintained our silence, our hands tightly clasped together. I understood her need for solace, and I patiently waited for her to find the words to express her fears.

"I'm sorry," she at last spoke, with her voice filled with vulnerability.

"There's no need to apologize, Sofia," I reassured her gently.

"It's just.. I.. I'm afraid. If I release your hand, it feels like you will be gone too. I can't bear the thought of facing loneliness after losing my father."

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"It's okay to feel scared, Sofia. Losing someone we love is incredibly difficult."

She looked at me with tear-filled eyes, searching for guidance.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do. When my father was alive, I felt safe. Despite his strictness, I knew he cared for me. But now that I've lost him, everything feels.. scary."

I listened intently, understanding the depth of her emotions. I squeezed her hand a little tighter, conveying my presence and support.

"I am grateful that you are here with me now," she continued, her voice trembling. "But what about tomorrow? Or three days later? I.. I don't want you to go, but I know you still have your own path to follow, don't you?"

I continued to stay silent, attentively listening to her words.

"Sorry, it was selfish for me to say it like that. I'm a bad girl," she whispered, her voice filled with self-doubt.

Sofia's self-blame broke my heart, and I knew I needed to offer her comfort. I gently raised my free hand and placed it around Sofia's head, pulling her closer to my chest. I embraced her softly, allowing our warmth to envelop us.

"Don't blame yourself, Sofia. It's not selfish to have fears and concerns." I reassured her gently.

"I don't mind if you're being a bit selfish. Master spoke highly of you, describing you as a kind and intelligent girl. He was proud of you, and I believe him wholeheartedly."

Tears welled up in Sofia's eyes as she absorbed my words.

"Takahiko..."

"You were right. After this, I will fulfill my duties and embark on my journey. I will need to leave you again for around six months."

Sofia continued to listen silently, her eyes locked with mine.

"But I will always return here. This is the place where I met him, Madam, and you. You don't want Master's.. your father's memory to fade away from this place, do you?" I asked with all sincerity.

"No, I don't want my father to be forgotten," she replied, her small voice starting to spark with hints of determination.

"Then, you have something that only you and Madam can do, right? Master said that he taught you everything to enable you to run this tavern." I continued with a hint of encouragement in my tone.

Sofia's eyes seemed to come alive, as if she understood what I meant.

"Yes, you are right. Father's teaching and legacy are within me."

As I sensed her spirit beginning to ignite, I decided to give her an extra nudge, a small purpose to strive for.

"I will be coming 6 months later expecting you to recreate Master's famous Knights' Table Stew. You haven't been able to produce a similar taste like Master's, have you?"

Sofia pushed me gently, releasing herself from my embrace.

"You are right. I haven't been able to produce that Stew. Thank you for reminding me of that Takahiko. I will do my best and produce the result that I can be proud of as my Father's creation."

I smiled, reassured by her steadfast resolve. She shall fare well now.

"Good! I look forward to tasting your Stew, when I'm returned."

Sophia smiled back at me, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. "Promise me that you will always return here," she said, her voice soft yet earnest.

Even without a promise, I had already made up my mind to return. The tavern, the memories, and most importantly, Sophia and Madam, held an irreplaceable place in my heart. But for her, I wanted to offer the comfort of a definite commitment.

"Okay, I promise," I replied. "I will always return here for you."

Sophia's face lit up with a radiant smile, as if the clouds in her heart had been lifted away.

"Thank you, Takahiko," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "It'll be a source of strength as I navigate through these months without you."

As we continued our conversation on various topics, Madam returned and was taken aback to see Sophia's restored cheerful demeanor. She playfully questioned what spell I had cast on her to bring back her brightness. I was about to respond, but Sophia, for some reason, didn't want her mother to know. She swiftly covered my mouth with both hands. Madam's eyes sparkled with curiosity, yet it seemed as if she already had an inkling of the answer. With a mysterious smile, she simply stated that she understood and teasingly chuckled, causing Sophia to blush and feel flustered.

After a two-day period of grief, the time for my journey had come. Sofia and Madam accompanied me to the city gates. Despite my assurance that I would always return, Sofia's reluctance to let me go was evident. We shared tender hugs and I reaffirmed my promise as if casting a spell to grant them strength until our next meeting. As my carriage carried me farther and farther away from Goldkorb, I could see Sofia and Madam standing at the city gates, their hands waving in farewell. Though I was unable to witness it firsthand, I could envision the tears welling in Sofia's eyes, for her tender-hearted nature would struggle to restrain them in the face of our increasing distance. I waved back, a bittersweet feeling washing over me, knowing that our paths had temporarily diverged but holding onto the hope that we would reunite in the future.