The anticipation of our journey to Berlin had been building for weeks, and as the day finally arrived, excitement pulsed through me like electricity. The prospect of seeing my extended family and staying with our affluent Aunt Frisca added an extra layer of thrill to the occasion, ensuring that sleep remained elusive the night before.
With the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, I sprang out of bed, my mind already buzzing with anticipation. As I emerged from my room, meticulously groomed and ready for the day, I found myself in the kitchen with Saori, Mom, and Dad. "Good morning, everyone! Today's the day," I greeted them eagerly, my excitement palpable.
Saori returned my greeting with a smile, affirming, "Indeed, it is. Good morning, dear sister."
Mom nodded in agreement, adding, "Once we've all had breakfast, we'll each tidy up before we depart."
I glanced at Dad, noting the furrowed lines on his forehead, a silent indicator of his own mixed emotions about seeing his sister again.
As we gathered around the breakfast table, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Just then, Anco breezed into the kitchen, her appetite voracious as ever. Without a word of greeting, she dove into her meal, prompting neither admonishment nor comment from Mom or Dad, who were clearly preoccupied with the impending journey.
Unwilling to let Anco's brusque demeanor dampen my spirits, I mustered a cheerful "Good morning, Anco," despite his predictable retort. "Huh? Oh, good morning, dimwit," she replied with his customary taunt, a smirk playing on her lips.
While Anco's jibes were as predictable as the sunrise, I resolved not to let her antics mar the excitement of the day. After all, nothing could dull the anticipation of our journey to Berlin, not even the antics of a mischievous tomboy like Anco.
As we continued to enjoy our breakfast, Saori gracefully excused herself from the table, announcing her intention to take the first bath before our departure.
"Please excuse me, everyone. I'll be the first to take a bath before we leave," Saori announced before making her way to the bathroom.
With Saori's departure, my mother took the opportunity to address Anco and me, her tone carrying a mix of authority and concern. "Giselle, Anco, I expect you both to be on your best behavior when we get to berlynne," she said firmly.
"As you wish, Mother," I replied dutifully, eager to ensure a smooth and harmonious journey.
However, Anco remained indifferent, seemingly unfazed by our mother's admonition. Her disregard for our mother's instructions did not escape notice, prompting our mother to raise her voice in reprimand. "Anco Lynette, do you hear me?" she exclaimed, her tone tinged with frustration.
Turning her attention fully to Anco, our mother continued, her voice firm but tinged with disappointment. "Your behavior towards Mrs. Newman last night was disrespectful. When you see her again, you will find a way to make amends."
Anco finally looked up from her plate, her expression unapologetic as she defended her actions. "I understand, Mother, but last night, I spoke the truth," she retorted, her tone defiant.
"It was hurtful, nonetheless," my mother countered, her voice softening slightly as she sought to impart a lesson.
Anco shrugged nonchalantly, her indifference apparent. "Sometimes the truth hurts," she remarked dismissively.
Unwilling to tolerate Anco's defiance, my mother issued a stern warning, her gaze fixed on Anco. "But that doesn't justify speaking it out loud all the time. If you repeat such behavior, you'll find yourself working in the fields with your father," she declared firmly.
My father, who had been relatively quiet until now, interjected with surprise at my mother's suggestion. "There's no need for that, darling. Anco is a girl; girls don't work in the fields," he remarked, his tone betraying a hint of disbelief.
Undeterred by my father's interruption, my mother shot him a stern look, her resolve unwavering. "That is hogwash. Any girl is capable of working in the fields, just as well as a boy. Besides, Anco is a tomboy; that makes her even more suited to fieldwork," she asserted firmly, silencing any further objections.
As Anco's pouting threatened to escalate into a protest, my mother's unwavering gaze quelled any dissent. Suppressing a giggle at the sight of Anco's predicament, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Perhaps, I thought to myself, Anco's karma was catching up with her, promising an eventful journey and family gathering ahead.
As everyone finished their breakfast and began taking turns to bathe, I made sure to thoroughly clean myself before preparing for the journey ahead. Exiting the bathroom and returning to my room, I selected a comfortable pair of shorts and a blouse to wear, opting to tie my hair back in a simple ponytail.
With my travel bag in hand, I emerged from my room and settled into the living room, where Saori and Anco were already waiting. Saori looked radiant in a green sundress, her hair styled in delicate plaits that accentuated her natural beauty. Meanwhile, Anco, true to her tomboyish nature, sported a casual ensemble of pants and an oversized t-shirt. Despite her unconventional style, there was an undeniable allure to her short, shiny hair. Though we may have been at odds, I couldn't help but acknowledge her unique charm, silently noting that her appearance could blossom even further if she allowed herself to embrace a different style.
I offered Saori a genuine compliment on her attire, eliciting a warm smile from her in return. However, I refrained from extending the same courtesy to Anco, mindful of our strained relationship and unwilling to invite any potential hostility.
As we awaited our departure, my mother emerged from her room, exuding an air of elegance and grace. Her sleek black hair was fashioned into a ponytail, mirroring my own, and she adorned herself in a stunning long skirt that accentuated her beauty.
Approaching us with a sense of purpose, my mother issued instructions for us to gather our belongings and prepare to depart. "Get your bags and head outside. Your father is fetching the wagon and his horses," she announced, her voice carrying a sense of urgency tinged with excitement.
With a nod of understanding, we each retrieved our bags and stepped outside, joining the bustle of the street as pedestrians passed by, going about their daily routines.
Before long, the familiar sight of wagon drawn by two majestic horses came into view, making its way toward us. As it came to a stop before us, I recognized the figure guiding the reins, it was none other than my father.
As my father dismounted from the wagon, he graciously offered to assist my sisters and me with our bags, a gesture that Saori and I readily accepted. However, Anco, true to her independent nature, adamantly refused, insisting that she could manage her belongings on her own.
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With our bags safely stowed away, my father ushered us into the wagon, where we settled in for the journey ahead. The interior of the wagon was modest and unassuming, as expected, but it provided ample space for us to make ourselves comfortable. Turning to Saori, who sat beside me, I couldn't help but voice the question weighing on my mind. "Are you feeling nervous, Sister?"
Saori met my gaze with a hint of apprehension in her eyes before replying, "A little, but it's important that we make a good impression when we arrive in Berlynne."
I nodded in agreement, silently resolving to do my part to ensure a smooth and successful introduction to our relatives.
As we prepared to depart, my father returned with two large bags in hand, placing them strategically at the rear of the wagon before taking his place alongside my mother at the front. With a reassuring nod from my parents, the journey commenced, and soon we were on our way, leaving the familiar sights of Jonathon Town behind us.
As the wagon bumped along the dirt road, I couldn't contain my excitement, eagerly taking in the sights of the surrounding countryside. The tall trees, lush greenery, and crisp, fresh air filled me with a sense of wonder and anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.
Several hours passed, marked by lively conversation and occasional bouts of laughter, until the sight of a bustling city came into view. Saori and I leaned forward eagerly, eager to learn more about our destination.
"Mom, what city is that? Is it where we'll be staying?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
"It's known as the Holy City," my mother explained, "because many people there worship the gods. We'll be stopping there for the night before continuing our journey tomorrow."
Saori's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of exploring the new city, mirroring my own enthusiasm. As we approached the city gates, however, our progress was momentarily halted by a pair of guards.
"Sir, your identification card, please, and state your purpose for entering the city," one of the guards demanded, eyeing my father with suspicion.
Undeterred, my father calmly presented his identification card and explained our intention to stay at an inn for the night before continuing our journey. Satisfied with his response, the guard then turned his attention to my mother, requesting her identification as well.
Once we were cleared for entry, my father skillfully guided the horses through the gates, leading us into the heart of the Holy City. As we entered the bustling streets, we were greeted by towering statues of gods and goddesses, their imposing figures bathed in cascading waterfalls that lent them an air of majesty.
Saori gasped in awe at the sight, her excitement palpable, while my mother provided us with some context. "Those statues represent the different gods, though belief in them is a matter of personal choice," she explained.
Saori's fascination with the statues was evident, prompting her to request a book on the gods from our mother. Ever the pragmatist, my mother agreed with a smile, though she couldn't resist teasing Anco, who had been dozing throughout the journey, about her lack of interest in the gods.
"Yeah, I'm certain Anco wouldn't give a second thought to the gods," I remarked, earning a nod of agreement from Saori. As the wagon pressed on, the bustling activity of the city became increasingly apparent, with wagons and elegant carriages filling the streets.
My mother then directed our father to pull over at the side of the road, signaling that Saori, I, and she had something to attend to. Following her lead, we disembarked from the wagon, leaving Anco behind. Stepping onto the paved road, I couldn't help but marvel at the contrast between the city's infrastructure and the rustic roads of Jonathon Town.
Joining my mother, who was waiting patiently by the roadside, we watched as our father guided the carriage onward before disappearing into the bustling thoroughfare. With a sense of anticipation, my mother beckoned us to follow her, leading us further into the heart of the city.
"Girls, since you expressed interest in books, I thought we might stop by a bookstore," my mother explained as we walked.
Intrigued, I couldn't resist asking, "Mother, have you visited this city before?"
"Indeed, I've been here several times, though the city seems to expand with each visit. I'm not quite as familiar with it as I once was," she replied, her tone tinged with nostalgia.
Saori chimed in, eager to learn more about our mother's experiences. "Did you enjoy your visits here?" she asked.
My mother nodded, her expression fond as she recalled her previous trips. "Of course, the Holy City exudes a sense of peace, and there's a notable presence of magic users," she explained.
The mention of magic piqued my interest, prompting me to inquire further. "Magic users?" I repeated, eager for more information.
"Yes, dear. Those who wield magic are considered to be incredibly powerful," my mother affirmed, her words sparking my imagination.
Before I could delve deeper into the topic, however, my mother announced our arrival at our destination. Looking up at the storefront, I was immediately struck by its elegance and charm. The exterior boasted a classic brown and white color scheme, inviting us to step inside and explore its treasures. With a sense of excitement, we followed my mother into the store, eager to discover what awaited us within its antique walls.
Once we stepped into the bookstore, a young man hurried over to greet us before our mother, his voice filled with warmth and eagerness. "Hello, my name is Clyde. Welcome to our bookstore. What may I help you with?" he asked politely.
Clyde had striking black hair and piercing green eyes, and his courteous demeanor immediately put us at ease. My mother wasted no time in stating our purpose. "Hello, Clyde. I would like to purchase two books on the gods, please," she requested.
With a nod, Clyde disappeared into the depths of the store, promising to return shortly. As we waited, anticipation bubbled within me. The prospect of diving into a new book filled me with excitement, especially since our home library had been thoroughly exhausted.
Moments later, Clyde emerged from the back room, carrying two hefty tomes in his arms. "Here are the books on all the gods, as requested. That will be one silver coin," he informed us.
My mother's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the price. "One silver coin for just two books?" she echoed incredulously.
Clyde simply nodded, unwavering in his stance. Unable to resist our pleading gazes, my mother relented, producing the silver coin from her purse with a resigned smile.
In the world of ivory, the currency system revolved around coins, with various denominations ranging from coppers to large platinum coins. The intricate hierarchy dictated that 100 coppers equaled one bronze coin, 100 bronze coins equaled one silver coin, and so forth, culminating in the coveted large platinum coin.
As my mother was preparing to leave, I gently touched her arm and made my request. "Momma, could I get a book on magic?" With a regretful expression, my mother shook her head. "No, Giselle. Two books on the gods already cost one silver coin. Imagine the cost of a book about magic. I'm sorry, baby, but I don't have enough money for that."
Understanding my mother's financial constraints, I nodded without protest. Glancing at Saori, I could see the excitement in her eyes. She couldn't wait to dive into her new book.
Exiting the store, we trailed behind our mother as she led us through the bustling streets. After several minutes, we arrived at a grand building labeled "Inn."
Stepping inside, our mother approached the clerk and inquired about a gentleman who had reserved a large room for five.
The clerk smiled warmly in response. "Of course, madam. Are you his family?"
"Yes," confirmed my mother.
"In that case, he is in room 13 upstairs," the woman replied.
Thanking the clerk, my mother gestured for us to follow her to the designated room. Upon reaching room 13, my mother knocked and entered, with us following suit.
Inside, we found three beds, indicating that we would have to share. Anco was already napping on one of the beds.
"Oh, darling, you and the girls are back. I hope you like this room; this is the best I could afford on our budget for one night," my father greeted us.
"This will do, dear," my mother replied.
Taking a seat on one of the unoccupied beds, I noticed Saori doing the same, already engrossed in her new book. Just as I was about to join her, my mother made a proposition.
"Girls, I'm going to order some food from the inn. Any of you care to join me?"
Eager for the opportunity to choose my own meal, I quickly volunteered. "I'll come, mother."
Accompanied by my mother, we descended the stairs to where the innkeeper awaited. My mother inquired about the menu options.
The innkeeper listed a variety of dishes, including pork, rabbit stew, skewered chicken, fried fish, along with sides of potatoes, soft bread, rice, and cake.
Surprised by the extensive selection, I couldn't help but feel intrigued. When given the chance to order, I touched my mother's arm, seeking permission.
"As long as it's not too much," she cautioned.
Turning to the innkeeper, I made my request. "Miss, could I have fried fish with potatoes and cake?"
The innkeeper then inquired about the cake, to which my mother intervened, opting for a whole cake along with fish and potatoes for everyone else. With our orders placed, we found seats and awaited our meals.