It was raining quite heavily outside, causing a harsh wind to blow into the room. Ishtar hastily closed the balcony door he had left open.
"Achoo!"
He had clearly caught a cold from the draft blowing in all night. However, no matter how tired and sick he felt today, he had to go to work; there were orders they needed to finish. He went downstairs and brewed himself some tea to soothe his throat. Taking his favorite cup with an orchid painted on it from the cupboard, he poured his tea and sat at the dining table in the middle of the living room.
While sipping his tea, he thought about the "transformation" phase he had learned last night. He had always faced walls in his life, but this was probably the biggest one he had ever encountered. He set the cup on the table. He wanted to test what he had learned on this very cup, but if it exploded again, he could be severely scolded by his mother, Nera. She was a very meticulous woman and absolutely hated messes. So, he gave up on the idea.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs above. It had to be his mother; as always, she was the one to prepare breakfast. Nera came downstairs and planted a kiss on Ishtar's forehead, but her lips burned against his skin.
"You have a fever. Did you catch a cold?"
"Yes, Mom, I forgot to close the balcony door last night. But it's just a cold, it'll pass."
Nera put both hands on her hips. Her child was sick; she had to make something that would do him good. She went to the counter and started making her special recipe soup. A short while later, his father, Andor, also came downstairs. Seeing that Ishtar was unwell, he told him to take the day off, but Ishtar didn't want to leave his father alone with so much work to do.
After being seen off at the door with Nera's warm smile, Andor and Ishtar set out for the shop. The rain had stopped, but the fierce wind continued to howl. The Emerald Sword they had forged together was safely hidden away at home. Ishtar still hadn't properly thanked his father for it.
By the time they reached the shop, both were sweating from walking in such a hurry. It was freezing inside; they immediately lit the forge and sought refuge by the fire. Once the chill broke, they got to work.
Suddenly, the bell on the shop door rang. A customer had arrived. Hearing the chime, Andor stepped up to the counter.
The newcomer was wearing a black tuxedo and held a cane topped with a skull. He looked very much like a nobleman. The man took off his top hat and set it on the counter. In a quiet tone, Andor said, "Good day, monsieur."
The man pulled a picture from the inside pocket of his tuxedo and showed it to Andor. The picture depicted a girl with black hair and red eyes. Yes, it was her; those unique eyes couldn't belong to anyone else. But Andor simply shook his head.
"No, sir, I don't know her. May I ask why you are looking for her?"
The man tucked the picture back into his pocket. "She is a wanted criminal across the Empire. We received a tip that she's in this area. If you see her, report it to this address."
Andor took the piece of paper the man handed him and placed it in the counter drawer. "Very well, sir, I will certainly let you know."
The man put his hat back on and walked slowly out of the shop. Ishtar came over to the counter, burning with curiosity. "Father, who was that just now?"
"I don't know, a man who looked like a noble. He came asking about a woman, and I told him I didn't know. Then he left. Anyway, you stay at the counter and attend to any customers who come in."
Ishtar brought over the wooden chair he always sat on and took his place behind the counter. He began watching the street through the window. The storm had died down, and the sun was shining. "Today probably won't be as eventful as yesterday," he thought.
Time passed. It was noon, the clock striking one. Ishtar had dozed off at the counter again when he woke with a start at the sound of the doorbell.
The person standing before him wore silver armor and carried a sword engraved with the crest of the Rose family. This was a knight of the Rose Duchy! He had a heavily built physique and striking blue hair.
A wave of fear washed over Ishtar at the sight of the knight. The Duke had probably found out that his daughter was hanging around with a common stranger. Ishtar stood up and asked in a trembling voice:
"H-how can I help you, Sir Knight?"
"Are you Ishtar ven Trangd?"
Hearing the deep voice from the front of the shop, Andor hurried to the counter. When he saw the knight, he immediately whispered into Ishtar's ear:
"Hey kid, who is this knight? What kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?"
"Father, I didn't tell you, but I met the Lady of Rose and escorted her home. The Duke must have found out."
Andor was struck with horror. His son had gotten involved with the princess the Duke doted on! This could only end in execution. He bowed his head before the knight and cried out:
"Please forgive my son, my lord! You can take my head instead of his!"
The knight stared in astonishment at the blacksmith bowing before him, trembling and begging for his son's life. His blue eyebrows weren't furrowed in anger; instead, they shot up in surprise. A brief, deep chuckle echoed through the shop.
"Your head? For God's sake, calm down, master blacksmith!" said the knight, his voice booming but entirely devoid of threat. He placed a hand on Andor's shoulder, straightening him up gently but with an irresistible strength. "I didn't come here to execute or arrest anyone."
Andor raised his head, unable to believe his ears. His eyes were still filled with terror, but the knight's expression carried military politeness rather than grave anger. Ishtar, meanwhile, remained frozen to the spot, his heart beating as if it would burst from his chest.
The knight shifted his gaze from Andor to Ishtar. "On the contrary," he said, reaching into the leather pouch at the side of his armor. "Lady Rose is grateful to you for saving her life and for the kindness you showed in escorting her safely."
From his pouch, the knight produced an elegant, cream-colored envelope bearing the red rose seal of the Rose Duchy and placed it on the counter directly in front of Ishtar.
"Young Ishtar," he said in a formal tone. "His Grace the Duke and his daughter, Lady Rose, request the honor of your presence as a special guest at the 'Silver Moon Festival' to be held at their manor this weekend. The Duke wishes to personally meet the young man who brought his daughter home safe and sound in that storm."
Ishtar's mouth hung open in pure shock. While expecting to be dragged off to the gallows, he had just been invited to the Duke's manor. Andor let out a massive breath; the trembling in his legs had only just begun to subside.
"So... you don't want my son's head?" Andor asked, still not entirely convinced.
The knight smiled. "No, master."
"You are expected at the manor tomorrow evening, young man. Do not be late; the Duke doesn't like to be kept waiting."
With the clanking of his metal armor, the knight turned on his heel and strode heavily out of the shop. The bell on the door rang one last time with his departure, and the shop sank back into a stunned silence.
After making absolutely sure the door was closed and the knight was gone, Andor leaned heavily against the counter, placed a hand over his heart, and turned to Ishtar.
"My God... That took ten years off my life, Ishtar! I almost had a heart attack. When we get home, you are going to tell me exactly what happened, step by step."
Ishtar smiled.
"Okay, Father."