Shopping

The morning light outlined the eaves of the Royal Capital with golden edges, and the dew from last night shimmered faintly between the cracks in the stone slabs. The air was crisp and cool, yet one could already smell the warmth and aroma of wheat from the bakeries that had been lit early in the morning.

Ruby open the heavy wooden door of the inn, took a deep breath, and her fiery red curls bounced lively in the morning breeze. Today she wore a light-colored dress that was easy to move in, with a warm knitted cloak over it.

"Alright! Today we're going to visit all the famous dessert shops in the Royal Capital!" She turned around and announced to Himmel, who was walking out slowly, her blue eyes gleaming with unwavering determination.

Himmel followed behind her, his short blue hair meticulously styled, dressed in well-fitting casual clothes with a dark blue travel jacket over it. He smiled at her words and gently agreed, "Alright, whatever you say Ruby."

"First," Ruby pointed her index finger dramatically to the end of the street, "Our target is 'Honey and Dreams'! They say their signature dish is a molten honey cake, and they only sell a hundred a day!"

The two walked side by side on the gradually awakening street. Early risers cast friendly and respectful glances at them, but did not disturb the tranquility.

Himmel nodded slightly in response, Ruby looked around curiously, like a little animal exploring new territory for the first time.

The "Honey and Dreams " shop is small, with a cute bee painted on its wooden signboard. Through the window, you can see a dazzling array of pastries, golden and tempting.

As she pushed open the door, a rich, sweet aroma wafted out. Ruby's eyes lit up instantly, almost pressing against the glass counter.

Wow! This! And that! They all look so delicious!

The shop owner, a middle-aged woman wearing a pristine white apron, recognized them and her face immediately lit up with a warm smile, "Oh! It's the brave Himmel and Ruby! Please come in! The lava cake that just came out of the oven today will definitely be the biggest and sweetest for you two!"

"Thank you!" Ruby said happily, but her eyes remained fixed on the pastries, unable to make a choice.

Himmel stood beside her, looking down at the girl's conflicted yet longing expression, a smile unconsciously playing on his lips. He whispered to the shopkeeper:

"Excuse me, one lava cake would be perfect. Also, please pack some of these frosted seashell cookies and some of that chocolate-covered fruit tart."

"OK!"

Ruby looked up abruptly, surprised, at Himmel: "How did you know I wanted to try those two too?"

Himmel blinked. "Because your gaze lingered on it for a full three seconds."

Ruby's cheeks flushed slightly as she muttered softly, "... Using such keen observation skills in this kind of situation, really."

The shop owner quickly packed the pastries and handed them over in an elegant paper box. "Thank you for your patronage! Have a pleasant day!"

Ruby took the still-warm cardboard box and hugged it to her chest as if she had received a rare treasure.

Stepping out of the shop, the chilly air contrasted sharply with the warmth in her arms. Ruby eagerly opened the box, and the enticing aroma wafted out immediately.

"Let's find a place to eat it first!" she suggested, worried that the cake would get cold and affect its taste.

They sat down on a stone bench in a nearby square. The morning light was just right, dispelling the chill of the early morning. Ruby carefully cut a slice of the molten cake, and the golden honey filling immediately began to flow out slowly.

She scooped up a spoonful, put it in her mouth, and her eyes narrowed happily. "Mmm--! It's so delicious!"

Seeing Ruby's satisfied expression, Himmel also picked up a seashell cookie and ate it slowly. The icing was sweet and Melt on her tongue.

"Here, Himmel, you should try this too!" Ruby handed him another slice of cake, still holding it steadily with a spoon.

Himmel paused for a moment, then naturally lowered her head slightly and ate the cake from her hand. The soft cake and warm honey melted in her mouth, the sweetness just right.

"Mmm, very sweet." He nodded, his gaze falling on the spoon Ruby still holding, and added, "Just as delicious Ruby recommended."

Ruby then realized that her actions had been a bit too intimate, and quickly withdrew her hand. Her ears were burning, and to hide her fluster, she lowered her head and took a few bites of cake, mumbling, "Y-yes! I knew it was amazing!"

The sunlight cast their shadows close together on the stone slabs. Pigeons cooed and strolled leisurely in the square. In the distance, the sound of horse-drawn carriage wheels and the faint cries of vendors could be heard.

A dessert and a quiet morning seem more satisfying than any grand celebration.

After eating the cake, Ruby a great mood, and her energy returned.

"Next! I heard there's an old shop in the west of the city that makes incredibly crispy apple pie! They also have their signature candied fruit to take away!"

"Okay." Himmel stood up and naturally reached out to help her up.

Ruby looked at the hand, hesitated for a moment, and then placed her hand on it. Himmel gently pulled her up, and she stood up.

The hand quickly released its grip, but the warm touch seemed to linger for a moment.

"Let's go!" Ruby took the lead, as if to shake off her discomfort, her steps light and quick.

Himmel followed half a step behind her, watching the girl's lively back and the red hair that bounced with her steps, a gentle smile on her face that she herself did not realize.

The old shop in the west of the city is hidden in a quiet stone-paved alley. The signboard has been worn white by time, but the words "Oak Oven and Apples " are still legible. The door is open, and the rich aroma of cinnamon and toasted butter is like a warm hand, gently pulling people in.

Ruby stood in the doorway and took a deep breath.

"This is it!"

The shop was dimly lit, with only the fire in the brick oven flickering. An elderly man with a white beard sat behind the counter, wearing glasses, carefully wiping a copper plate.

Seeing that there were guests, he looked up, his gaze lingering for a moment on the sword at Himmel's waist and Ruby's curious face, before revealing a simple smile.

"Welcome, both of you. We have some freshly baked pie, would you like to try?"

"Yes!" Ruby answered almost immediately.

The old man got up, placed a heavy cotton cloth under his hands by the stove, and carried out a heavy metal baking pan. The dark brown pie crust was crisp, with woven patterns on the surface, and the edges were slightly curled up, bubbling with tiny oil bubbles.

He deftly sliced off a corner with a broad-bladed knife, placed it in a rough earthenware dish, drizzled a small spoonful of clear honey on it, and pushed it to the counter.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Ruby took the plate and, without thinking twice, cut off a small piece with her fork. The crust crackled crisply between her teeth, revealing perfectly stewed apple chunks inside—warm, soft, and sweet-sour, with the warm aroma of cinnamon and the smoothness of honey. She sighed contentedly, her eyes narrowing again.

"Grandpa, this is so delicious! It's even better than the rumors!"

The old man chuckled, his wrinkles full of kindness. "I'm glad you like it. Young man, would you like one too?"

Himmel nodded. "Thank you."

He also received a dime, which was also drizzled with honey.

The two stood by the counter, eating quietly. Occasionally, someone would walk by in the alley outside the shop, their footsteps clearly audible. The fire crackled in the stove. This moment was simple, consisting only of food, warmth, and quiet companionship.

Ruby finished her portion first, then licked the tip of her fork, which was still slightly moistened with honey, with a lingering sense of satisfaction.

Himmel noticed her subtle movement and a slight smile played on his lips. He gently pushed the remaining pie, about a third of the way from his plate, toward Ruby.

"I'm almost done. Ruby Lady Ruby likes it, please use it."

Ruby paused, looking at the neatly shaped pie. "Is this okay?"

"Hmm. It would be a waste." Himmel said casually.

Ruby a moment, but the temptation of the delicious food ultimately prevailed. "Well... to avoid waste!" She carefully forked the pie, put it in her mouth, and her cheeks puffed out slightly.

Himmel looked at her, his gaze lingering on the tiny honey stain that had accidentally appeared on the corner of her mouth. His fingers twitched slightly, but he did nothing more, simply turning to the old man and saying, "Please wrap another whole apple pie for us, and then buy some candied fruit."

"Good!"

The packaged pie was neatly wrapped in oil paper and tied with thin hemp rope; it felt heavy and warm to the touch.

Stepping out of the old shop, the sunlight in the alley brightened. Ruby, carrying a pie, walked with a light step.

"Where should we go next?" she asked herself.

Himmel walked beside her, her gaze sweeping over the more bustling street at the end of the alley.

"I heard there's a shop near the South City Market that sells a kind of hard candy made with Northern Frontier berries and honey, and it's very popular with kids... cough, very popular."

"Hard candy? Let's go check it out!" Ruby's attention was immediately drawn.

They walked through several streets, where the noise of people gradually increased.

The area around the West City Market is lined with shops, and the air is filled with a complex mix of aromas of spices, leather, grilled fish, and various foods. The candy shop that Himmel mentioned has a small storefront, but its window is filled with crystal-clear candy jars that reflect a dazzling light in the sunlight.

Ruby's face was almost pressed against the shop window.

"Wow... the purple one, is it a blueberry? And the red one, is it a wildberry? And the milky white one... is it honey milk candy?"

Himmel patiently answered each of her questions in a soft voice, as if he had already done his homework.

The shop owner, a middle-aged woman with rosy cheeks, warmly invited them to sample the candies. The candy pieces, held on small wooden skewers, resembled miniature gems.

Ruby tasted a purple one; the sweet and sour berry flavor exploded in her mouth.

"Tasty!"

She tasted another milky white one, its rich milky aroma and mellow honey flavor perfectly blended.

This is super delicious too!

Her face beamed with pure joy as she turned to Himmel, her eyes sparkling. "Himmel, you must try this milk and honey!"

She casually picked up a sample candy and held it to Himmel's lips.

Halfway through the action, she seemed to realize something, her fingers froze in mid-air, and her face flushed red.

Himmel looked at the small, milky-white candy in front of him, then at Ruby's flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. He lowered his head slightly and gently took the candy into her mouth, using her fingertips as a base.

His lips inevitably and very briefly touched her fingertips.

Ruby if burned, quickly pulling her hand back behind her back, her fingertips curling up, seemingly still retaining a trace of warm, soft touch.

Himmel slowly chewed the candy, the sweetness melting in his mouth. His gaze gently fell on Ruby's lowered, reddened earlobes, then shifted to the dazzling array of candy jars.

"It tastes very good," he said calmly, then turned to the shop owner, "Excuse me, could you please weigh some of each of these two flavors?"

"Alright!" The auntie grinned from ear to ear and quickly began packing the items into bags.

Ruby secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt a corner of her heart sink softly, as if soaked in the sweetness of the candy. She touched her still slightly burning ears and secretly looked up at Himmel's clean-lined profile.

Sunlight streamed through the shop window, dancing on his blue hair and shoulders.

The bustling market background seemed to blur into distant noise.

Only the rustling sound of candy wrapping and his calm breathing were exceptionally clear.

The candy was wrapped up, Himmel paid, and took the two small paper bags.

He handed one of them to Ruby.

"Give."

Ruby took the paper bag; it was very light, and the colorful candies inside swayed slightly, making a soft, pleasant rustling sound. She hugged the apple pie in her arms tightly, then squeezed the candy bag, feeling as if both her hands were stuffed full of happiness.

"Thank you..." she said softly.

"We don't need that between us," Himmel smiled. "Where else would you like to go next?"

Ruby moment, then suddenly looked up, her smile shining brightly in the sunlight.

"I want to go see the north city wall! I heard you can see the entire Royal Capital and the distant mountains from there!"

"Alright." Himmel nodded. "Let's go."

He adjusted his pace slightly, walking half a step ahead of her to shield her from the occasionally crowded flow of people. Ruby beside him, clutching her spoils, the sweetness in her heart spreading with each step.

I bought cakes in the East Market, candied fruit in the West Market, hard candy in the South Market, and... I looked at the distant mountains from the North Wall.

It was still early in the afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly.