In the bustling heart of the Siacan Royal Capital, the air was thick with the anticipation of commerce and the faint hum of a city alive with activity. It was the third day since Dahlia and Catherine had returned to the capital, and the atmosphere in their newly established shop was electric with preparation. Tomorrow marked a pivotal moment—the official opening of their store, where goods brought from Sedona City would be unveiled to the capital's elite. For Dahlia, today was the final opportunity to ensure everything was perfect, a chance to make a resounding impression on the discerning nobles of the capital.
The shop, nestled in a prime location along a cobblestone street lined with elegant storefronts, was a hive of activity. Shelves gleamed with polish, and the scent of fresh wood mingled with the faint sweetness of exotic goods. Dahlia moved with purpose, her crisp voice cutting through the clamor as she directed the shop assistants with precision. Having rested only on the first day after their arduous journey, she had thrown herself wholeheartedly into the preparations, determined to make the launch a triumph. The perfume, a rare and luxurious item from Sedona City, was their trump card, capable of captivating even the most jaded aristocrats. But Dahlia knew that even with such a remarkable product, a single misstep could invite criticism or sabotage from envious competitors.
"Careful now, set it down gently—speed isn't as important as keeping everything intact," Dahlia called out, her tone firm but encouraging as she oversaw a worker handling a crate of delicate glassware.
"Place those on the shelf over there—yes, a bit further to the right. The rest go in the cabinet below; it'll make tomorrow's sales smoother," She instructed another, her sharp eyes catching every detail.
She paused, inspecting a display rack. "Hold on! This shelf is damaged. Replace it immediately. Everyone, double-check your work. Tomorrow's opening is critical—nobles will be flooding in, and we can't afford mistakes." Her voice carried a blend of authority and urgency, ensuring the assistants understood the stakes. The shop's success hinged on flawless execution, and Dahlia's meticulous nature left no room for error.
Tomorrow was more than just a grand opening—it was a test of her resolve. The goods from Sedona City were unlike anything the capital had seen, their novelty both a blessing and a risk. A single blunder could give rival merchants or scornful nobles an excuse to undermine her, dismissing the venture as amateurish or overambitious. Dahlia's resolve hardened; she would not let that happen.
The rhythmic clatter of footsteps approached from outside, followed by a familiar voice that broke through her focus. "Dahlia, I'm here! Open the door quick!" The voice was unmistakably Catherine 's, laced with her usual exuberance.
A series of sharp knocks echoed through the shop. "Bang, bang, bang!"
Dahlia rolled her eyes, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Really? The duke let her out to cause trouble already?" She muttered under her breath. Rumor had it that Catherine had been confined to the duke's mansion for reflection after falling ill, a consequence of her father's strict discipline. How had she managed to escape so soon?
"Coming!" Dahlia called, striding to the door herself. She unlatched it with a swift motion, the hinges creaking as it swung open.
"Creak!"
Dahlia froze, her eyes widening as she spotted two figures standing behind Catherine . Instinctively, she dipped into a graceful noble curtsy. "Greetings, Princess Lucy," She said, her voice steady despite her surprise.
"Dahlia, it's been too long," Princess Lucy replied, her voice warm and melodic, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Her golden hair shimmered in the sunlight filtering through the shop's windows, and her presence radiated a quiet regality that commanded respect.
"Please, come in!" Dahlia stepped aside, her teal eyes flicking to Catherine with a subtle glare, as if to say, 'A little warning would've been nice.' Catherine, catching the look, stuck out her tongue playfully as she ushered the princess inside, her enthusiasm undeterred.
Princess Lucy's visit was no small matter. She had come specifically to see Dahlia, which had given Catherine the excuse she needed to slip out of the duke's mansion. Her recent illness had not gone unnoticed by her father, who had grounded her for days, forbidding her from leaving. Only the princess's invitation had secured her temporary freedom, and Catherine was clearly relishing the chance to be out and about.
"You two snuck off without telling me!" Princess Lucy said, her tone a mix of mock reproach and genuine curiosity as she stepped into the shop. "I had to track down Catherine just to find out where you've been these past few days."
Dahlia led the group to the shop's private back courtyard, a tranquil space shaded by a flowering trellis and furnished with a simple wooden table and chairs. "This way, please," She said, her demeanor shifting to that of a gracious host. With the princess in attendance, she felt the weight of her role as both merchant and diplomat.
The four—Dahlia, Catherine , Princess Lucy, and Lucy's leopard-eared bodyguard, Jones—settled in the courtyard. Dahlia and Catherine took seats at the table, while Lucy sat across from them, her posture elegant yet relaxed. Jones, ever vigilant, leaned against the courtyard wall, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Miss Jones, please, join us. There's plenty of room," Dahlia said kindly, gesturing to an empty chair.
"No, thank you," Jones replied, her voice cool and detached, her leopard ears twitching slightly as she maintained her post.
"Don't mind her," Princess Lucy said with a soft laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "Jones's always like that. She says standing gives her a one-second advantage if danger strikes."
Dahlia nodded, respecting Jones's choice. She turned to a small wooden box on the table, lifting the lid to reveal two packets of powdered milk tea—a rare treat from Sedona City, courtesy of Nicole. Of the five packets she'd been given, one was reserved for her father, and two had been consumed during their journey. These were the last two, and she intended to make them count.
With practiced ease, Dahlia tore open the packets and poured their contents into a kettle of steaming water, the rich, creamy aroma of milk tea filling the air. She carefully poured a cup for each of them, the ceramic cups warm in their hands. Catherine , who had also received five packets, scratched her cheek sheepishly—she'd greedily drunk all of hers on the road, unable to resist the sweet, comforting flavor.
"What's this delightful smell?" Princess Lucy asked, her delicate nose twitching as she inhaled the fragrance of the white, frothy beverage in her cup. Her golden eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"It's called milk tea—a new kind of drink," Catherine said with a grin, blowing gently on her cup before taking a small sip. The flavor was milder than usual, diluted by the generous amount of water, a trick she'd learned on their riverboat journey to stretch the drink for hours.
Lucy followed suit, blowing on her cup to cool it before taking a tentative sip. Her eyes widened, the golden irises gleaming with delight. "Jones, you have to try this! It's amazing!" She called, turning to her bodyguard with an eager smile.
Jones hesitated, her stoic expression softening under the princess's expectant gaze. She stepped forward, picked up a cup, and took a small sip. Without a word, she carried the cup back to her post by the wall, her silence speaking volumes.
Lucy giggled, clearly pleased. "See? Even Jones likes it—she didn't put it down!" She said, sipping her own tea with relish. The subtle sweetness and creamy texture were a revelation, a far cry from the usual herbal brews or watered-down ales of the capital.
"Told you it's good," Catherine said, her grin widening as she leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying the moment.
"It's wonderful," Lucy agreed, her voice warm with appreciation. "Where can I buy this?"
Dahlia set her cup down, her expression thoughtful. "It's not available for sale yet," She said. "It might be next year before it's on the market."
"Next year?" Lucy's eyes flickered with interest. "Is this milk tea from the place you two visited?"
"Yes," Dahlia confirmed with a nod. There was no point in hiding the truth—tomorrow's sales would make Sedona City's name impossible to conceal. "It comes from a city in the western frontier called Sedona City."
Lucy's brow arched in surprise. "Sedona City? You're not keeping that a secret?"
Dahlia shook her head, taking another sip of her tea. "It won't stay secret for long. Once we start selling tomorrow, word will spread. Plenty of people have already been to Sedona City."
"I see," Lucy said, nodding thoughtfully. She didn't press further, sensing that the origins of such an extraordinary product were likely guarded for good reason.
After a pause, Lucy's expression grew somber, her voice softening. "I came today to say goodbye," She said quietly.
Catherine and Dahlia froze, their eyes locking onto the princess in shock. "What?" They said in unison.
"Lucy, what do you mean?" Catherine asked, reaching out to grasp her cousin's hand, her voice laced with concern. The two shared a distant blood tie, a bond that made Lucy's words all the more alarming.
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