After breakfast, Alaric, Elara, and Lalanat decided to head out after Elara suggested visiting the market.
"You're late, Alaric. You're a guy, so what took you so long?" Elara shouted toward the stairs impatiently.
A moment later, Alaric hurried downstairs while fixing his hat.
"Sorry. I couldn't figure out what to wear," he said as he rushed down the steps.
As he approached them, he suddenly stopped.
Both of them were staring at him.
For a brief moment, Alaric's eyes locked onto Elara.
He forgot to look away.
Lalanat quietly watched him staring at Elara. Slowly, she followed his gaze toward her.
The two stood there in silence, looking at each other without realizing it.
Lalanat lowered her eyes for a moment before quietly opening the door.
The sound snapped both of them back to their senses.
"We should get going," Elara said quickly before stepping outside.
Alaric followed behind them.
I know she looks good… but why am I reacting like that? he wondered before shaking his head lightly.
As they walked through the streets, Alaric caught up to them from behind.
"Ohhh, Lala. Your hat and outfit look really good on you," he said casually.
Lalanat paused for a moment, gently touching the brim of her hat.
"Ah… thanks," she replied softly before continuing to walk.
Elara glanced at Alaric.
"Don't tease her like that. You'll make her uncomfortable."
"Eh? But I was complimenting her," Alaric complained immediately.
"Is that so?" Elara said suspiciously. "Because it sounded creepy."
She grabbed Lalanat's arm and quickly pulled her away.
Alaric looked offended.
"Oi, what's that supposed to mean?!"
Elara laughed and started running while dragging Lalanat along with her.
Alaric quickly chased after them, still complaining loudly.
And so, their journey toward the market became filled with noise, chaos, and laughter.
Soon after they arrived at the market, Alaric was left stunned by how massive it was compared to the markets back in his nation.
The crowded streets, the endless rows of shops, the noise of people talking all around him… everything blended together into a lively chaos that left him in awe.
A faint smile slowly formed on his face.
Elara and Lalanat quietly watched him before exchanging small smiles of their own.
"Waaah… this place is huge. I walk past this area every day, but during weekends the market becomes completely different," Alaric said while looking around excitedly.
Elara crossed her arms and replied firmly,
"Yes, it is. So don't get lost."
The moment she looked back at him, he was already gone.
Her eyes widened slightly as she searched through the crowd.
Lalanat gently pulled on her sleeve and pointed ahead.
Alaric had already stopped in front of a small street food stall, curiously questioning the owner.
"How much does this cost? And what exactly is it?" he asked while staring at the food with interest.
The shopkeeper smiled.
"Ah, this? It's noodles. But instead of boiling them, we fry them."
He pointed proudly at the dish.
"And it only costs two silver."
Alaric's eyes widened.
"Ohhh… fried noodles? I've never heard of that before. Back in my city, noodles are usually boiled."
Then he leaned in slightly.
"By the way… could you tell me the recipe before I try it?"
The shopkeeper burst into laughter.
"Sorry, young man. I can't tell you that. That's the secret behind my business."
Alaric frowned dramatically.
"Ahhhh… that sucks."
While thinking, he suddenly noticed Elara and Lalanat walking toward him.
His eyes lit up immediately.
He quickly turned back to the shopkeeper.
"Then let's make a deal," he said with a grin.
"You tell me the recipe, and I'll bring you two extra customers besides me."
He smirked confidently at the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper rubbed his chin thoughtfully while looking at Alaric, who stood there grinning confidently.
"But only you can know about it. How about that?" the shopkeeper added with a condition of his own.
"If you can't promise that, I'm not sure I can tell you. Even if I lose two customers, more will come eventually. But if my recipe spreads around, then the specialty of my shop disappears."
Alaric paused for a moment.
"Ah… that actually makes sense. Alright then, deal."
The shopkeeper leaned closer.
Alaric immediately bent down and offered him his ear dramatically.
"We boil the noodles in plain water first," the shopkeeper whispered seriously. "Then we take only the noodles out and fry them in oil with special ingredients."
Alaric blinked.
"How do you make the oil?" he asked immediately.
"That," the shopkeeper replied proudly, "is another secret."
Alaric stared at him in disbelief.
"That's not a fair deal! You promised to tell me the recipe!"
Completely unbothered, the shopkeeper continued cooking three bowls of fried noodles.
"We made a deal about the noodle recipe, not the oil recipe," he said calmly with a smile.
A moment later, he handed Alaric a bowl.
"Here. Try it."
Alaric narrowed his eyes suspiciously before taking a bite.
The moment he did, his expression changed completely.
"Wahhhh… this smell and texture are amazing!" he shouted with noodles still stuffed in his mouth.
The shopkeeper burst into laughter.
"Haha! Right? That's why my food is special."
Soon after, Elara and Lalanat finally reached the stall.
Lalanat tilted her head slightly.
"Oh? What's this?" she asked while looking at the noodles.
Alaric quickly looked at them.
"Oh, you guys are finally here. I already ordered for both of you. Try it, it's really good," he said while still chewing loudly.
Elara raised an eyebrow.
"Hm. That's surprisingly thoughtful of you."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Almost suspicious."
Alaric flinched for a second.
"Ah… I'm just saying thanks for bringing me here," he replied awkwardly while offering them the bowls.
Both of them took a bite.
Lalanat's eyes widened immediately.
"Aww… this tastes really good. It's so unique."
Meanwhile, Elara stayed silent for a moment while everyone waited for her reaction.
Finally, she nodded.
"Oh… this is good. The seasoning is balanced really well."
The shopkeeper instantly smiled proudly.
"Ahh, miss, you have a good sense for food, I see."
Then he looked at Alaric with a grin.
"You're lucky to have such a smart girlfriend."
Both of them froze instantly.
"We're not dating!"
They spoke at the exact same time.
The shopkeeper laughed loudly.
"Haha, alright, alright."
Meanwhile, Alaric continued complaining about being misunderstood.
At the side, Lalanat quietly lowered her gaze.
Maybe… I shouldn't have come along with them.
Her eyes softened slightly as she slowly chewed her noodles in silence.
After a while, they finally left the shop.
Alaric and the owner kept waving goodbye to each other, both reminding the other to visit again someday.
As they walked through the street, Alaric looked unusually excited after learning some of the recipes the shop owner had shared with him.
"Oh, look at this," Elara said, pointing toward a jewelry store. She wrapped an arm around Lalanat. "Lala, want to check it out?"
Alaric glanced at the signboard.
Hmm… interesting. Maybe I should buy something for someone.
The moment he said "someone," both Elara and Lalanat silently turned toward him.
Alaric quickly stepped inside first.
The two followed behind.
As they entered the store, a shopkeeper greeted them warmly.
"Welcome to Valerith Jewelry Store. Are you looking for anything specific?"
Elara stepped forward politely.
"We'd like to look around first, if that's alright."
"Of course. Please, take your time."
Alaric wandered toward a shelf filled with necklaces, quietly looking through them one by one.
Nearby, Lalanat stared at the rings displayed inside a glass case.
I wonder who Alaric is trying to buy something for… she thought while absentmindedly examining the jewelry.
Meanwhile, Elara noticed Alaric staring at one particular silver necklace with unusual focus.
This idiot… don't tell me he actually figured it out already, she thought to herself.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Who is he even planning to give that to? He's staring at it like it'll decide his fate.
After a while, they finally left the shop.
Alaric had bought a silver necklace, and the satisfaction on his face was obvious.
As they walked through the street again, Elara and Lalanat kept glancing at him curiously, though neither said anything.
On the other side of the city—
Caelin sat beside a small girl as she hurriedly ate a piece of bread as though it were her first proper meal in days.
She suddenly choked and began pounding her chest in panic.
Caelin quickly handed her water with a small smile.
"Here. Slow down," he said gently, patting her back lightly. "No one's going to take it from you."
The girl nodded awkwardly and slowed her eating.
Caelin quietly watched her finish the bread.
After a while, he stood up.
"Well then, I should get going," he said while crouching beside her. He brushed her messy hair gently with his hand.
"I'll come visit again sometime. So behave yourselves, alright? And no more stealing."
The little girl nodded quickly.
As Caelin turned to leave, she suddenly grabbed the edge of his sleeve while looking down.
"Big Brother Caelin…" she called softly.
Caelin stopped and looked back at her.
"Why are you so kind?"
For a brief moment, Caelin said nothing.
Then he slowly turned toward her fully.
The girl quietly looked up at him.
Caelin smiled faintly.
"Because…" he murmured softly, placing his hat back on his head,
"…kindness never found me."
Then he walked away.
The little girl remained there silently, watching him disappear into the crowd.
After a while, she picked up the flowers she had been trying to sell earlier—
and slowly walked in the opposite direction.
--------------------------------------------------------
If you enjoyed the chapter, stay for the next one and continue supporting the journey. Thank you for reading.