"Child, come with me," Belle said gently, her voice like warm honey.
I followed her across the room, her steps slow but sure. She stopped in front of a small, brown-colored wardrobe pushed up against the far wall. The wood was worn and faded in places—its age showing in the patches where the color had long since disappeared. Belle reached for the handles, and as she pulled the doors open, a loud, prolonged creeaaak filled the air.
I jumped slightly at the sound—only to flinch harder when Sunny suddenly appeared right beside me, as if materializing from thin air.
"Don't get scared," he said casually.
I looked at him, my heart still racing, and thought to myself, How can I not be scared when you sneak up on me like that?
He studied me for a moment. "What's your name again?"
"Liora Dread—" I began.
But he cut me off. "Liora, we have plenty of eye potions." Without waiting for me to respond, he lifted his right hand toward the wardrobe's shelf, gesturing for me to come closer. Inside, rows of tiny bottles gleamed under the dim light.
He picked up a small, pink glass bottle and held it up. "This one's for eye poisoning." Then he reached for another—a bright yellow liquid sloshing inside. "This is for unconsciousness." His hand moved to a green bottle, but before he could continue, I shook my head politely.
"No, no… I don't need these kinds of potions," I said. "I need something that can make tears appear in the eyes exactly five minutes after use—harmless, with no side effects."
Sunny froze, looking at me as if I'd just asked for a potion to make the moon fall from the sky. A faint, incredulous laugh escaped him before his expression smoothed back into something more neutral.
"So," he said slowly, "you just want an eye potion that… makes you cry?"
I nodded. "Yes."
He reached deep into the wardrobe, moving bottles aside until his fingers closed around something small. When he pulled his hand back, he held a thumb-sized glass bottle filled with light blue liquid. He passed it to Belle.
Belle examined the potion carefully, turning it in her hands as the pale blue liquid shimmered like the surface of a quiet lake. Then she handed it to me.
"Child, this is called Weeping Sky," she said softly.
"Weeping Sky…" I murmured under my breath, the name tasting strange and poetic on my tongue.
"No one asks for this potion," Belle continued. "It's been a long time since anyone even mentioned it. But since you've asked, I'll tell you how to use it. Place one drop in each eye. It takes effect after ten minutes, and lasts for five to six minutes. After that, you'll need to reapply."
I held the bottle with both hands, my gaze fixed on the swirling liquid inside.
Belle's voice grew stern. "Listen carefully, child—never use it carelessly. Two or more drops in each eye can be dangerous. Overuse can even cause blindness. Understand?"
I nodded firmly. "Yes. I understand."
We walked to the counter, where she retrieved the keys for the wardrobe. Sunny put the keys back into the counter's drawer, then glanced at the potion in my hands. "That'll be 100 silver coins," he said.
Belle turned to him sharply. "Honey, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice carrying a light note of anger in her smile.
They bickered like children, and I couldn't help but laugh softly. I reached into my pouch and handed them a single gold coin, since I didn't have any silver coins.
Both of them froze. Sunny frowned. "We don't have change for this. Take it back and bring 50 silver coins."
"Fifty?" I repeated with a smile.
Belle answered for him. "Yes."
I looked between them and, with a gentle smile, placed the gold coin back in Sunny's palm. "Please take it. I'm giving it because I like this shop, and I'll be coming here often. From today onwards, I'm your regular customer."
Belle's eyes softened instantly, but Sunny's expression twisted slightly in suspicion.
"Are you making fun of us?" he asked gruffly. "Saying you 'like' this shop?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, I mean it. I've never seen a shop like this before with ancient books, scrolls, and potions. It's strange, I don't know why, but being here… gives me a little peace in my heart. That's why I'll return in the future."
Sunny just looked at me for a moment before turning away, muttering something under his breath. Belle smiled warmly and tucked the gold coin away.
We made our way back downstairs. I could tell Belle believed me—maybe even liked me a little now. Sunny... I couldn't tell what was in his mind, or if he believed me even a little. For now, what I needed for my plan was in my hands.
Nirelle rushed toward me the moment we reached the bottom. "My Lady, do you need anything? Are you alright?"
"There's no need to panic," I assured her with a small smile. "I've recovered completely—you know that. Relax."
We left the shop and returned to the portal. Magnus collected his sword and belongings, and escorted me back to the carriage. Our journey toward the capital resumed.
---
By nightfall, we stopped in an open field with a small inn nearby. Magnus knocked on the carriage door.
"What happened?" I asked, opening it.
"There isn't much space in the inn," he explained. "But we have no choice. I booked all the available rooms."
I stepped out, and Magnus escorted me inside. Nirelle carried my luggage behind us.
"There are no rooms left," Magnus told her, "so you'll have to share with the other servants."
I interrupted. "Sir Magnus, Nirelle will stay with me."
Nirelle blinked. "But Lady Liora, how can I—"
"I'm tired, Nirelle," I said gently. "Open the room. Let's rest."
Magnus bowed slightly. "Yes, My Lady. If you need anything, call me."
The room was simple—a single bed, a small washroom, one window, and a narrow wardrobe. I glanced outside before Nirelle announced that the bathwater was ready. After bathing, I saw her lay a mattress and blanket on the floor.
"Why are you putting that there?" I asked. "Come sleep on the bed with me."
She shook her head. "The bed is small. If we share, neither of us will sleep well. Tomorrow we enter the capital, so we should rest properly."
I smiled. "You're right. Let's sleep then."
I lay in bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin, whispering to myself, "Tomorrow… we'll be in the capital."
---
Morning came far too quickly.
"Lady Liora, wake up!" Nirelle's voice called.
I groaned. "Five more minutes…"
"I'm sorry, My Lady, but we must start packing. I need to get you ready before we leave."
I sat up reluctantly. "Is it morning already?"
"Yes, My Lady. I prepared your bathwater, and I'll bring breakfast."
After my bath, I found Nirelle in the room with a plate. "Today's breakfast is sandwiches. Would you like something else?"
"No, these are perfect," I said happily, sitting down. "It's been half a month since I've eaten anything besides soup. These are much better."
Nirelle laughed softly. "I'm glad, My Lady."
Once I'd finished, she helped me dress. Before leaving, I reached under the pillow and retrieved the Weeping Sky. I handed it to her.
"What is this, My Lady?" she asked, examining the tiny bottle.
"It's called Weeping Sky. I'll need it when we're in the palace. I'll explain in the carriage how it works, and when to use it. Keep it safe, and only give it to me when I ask."
She nodded seriously. "Yes, My Lady. I'll take care of it."
"And don't tell anyone about it."
"I understand."
I smiled at her. "Good."
A knock came at the door.
---