Royal Capital

The outline of the Royal Capital gradually emerged on the horizon, resolving into towering walls and bustling crowds. Beneath the tall gates, guards in shining silver armor scrutinized travelers and carriages passing through. Himmel stepped forward and exchanged a few quiet words with the captain, who waved them through. As the captain surveyed the party, his gaze lingered on Ruby in particular, and a familiar, respectful smile appeared on his face.

"Lady Ruby, welcome back." The captain nodded in greeting.

"Mhm~" Ruby puffed out her little chest, trying hard to look mature and composed, but the upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her pride. She stole a glance at Frieren, hoping to see her reaction, only to find that Frieren was already looking past the gates at the dazzling array of shop signs lining the streets, as though pinpointing prey among countless targets.

Passing through the gates, they were met by the noise and bustle of the Royal Capital. Broad, clean flagstone streets ran between rows of shops, their signs vying for attention. People in clothes of every color jostled shoulder to shoulder, while carriage bells, vendors' cries, and children's laughter blended into a lively symphony. The air carried the mingled aromas of freshly baked bread and spices, along with the faint, distinctive scent of magical materials.

"Well, then," Himmel said, stopping and turning around. Sunlight fell on his short blue hair, and he wore a bright smile. "We'll go to the Adventurers Guild first to hand in the commission we just finished and ask around for information. Everyone can do as they please. How about we meet beside Central Square this evening?"

Heiter could hardly wait. He rubbed his hands together. "Great, great! Once we hand in the commission, we'll have more money for drinks!" Eisen nodded silently, indicating he had no objections.

Lowell looked at Frieren. Her gaze was fixed on a distant shop with a honey-colored sign and a window full of exquisite pastries—Honey and Elf.

"Mm." Frieren gave a sound of assent, agreeing to the arrangement, but her feet were already carrying her in that direction of their own accord.

Lowell smiled and said to Himmel, "See you this evening, then."

Ruby watched Frieren walk straight toward the dessert shop, then looked at Himmel. A flicker of indecision crossed her little face. "I... I'm going with Lady Frieren!" she called, then trotted after her.

Himmel watched Ruby's skipping figure with a gentle smile, then headed in another direction with Heiter and Eisen.

The sweet, warm aroma inside Honey and Elf was almost cloying. All manner of pastries were displayed like works of art in the glass counter: cream puffs drizzled with chocolate sauce, cakes adorned with whipped cream and berries, and the ultimate goal of Frieren's visit—a golden mille-feuille with layer upon layer of flaky pastry.

Frieren pressed her face almost against the glass, her emerald-green eyes unblinking, the tempting pastries reflected clearly in them.

She extended a slender finger and pointed straight at the mille-feuille, then at a picture of a strawberry-laden tart on the sign of another shop nearby—she actually remembered it that clearly. Her tone was firm and left no room for doubt. "One of these, and one strawberry tart from Moonlight Terrace when we go there later." She paused, then added, "We'll eat them both here."

The clerk smiled and agreed. Only then did Frieren seem to remember something and look at Lowell beside her.

Understanding, Lowell counted out the silver coins from his purse—some of which had belonged to a certain red-haired little mage not long ago, much to her distress.

As he paid, he also ordered himself one of the shop's signature magic chocolate ice cream cones, piled high.

Ruby watched longingly as the transaction was completed. She glanced at her own flat purse, then watched Frieren take the bone china plate holding the perfect mille-feuille and sit down in a bright spot by the window.

She sidled over to the seat opposite Frieren and gripped the edge of the table with both hands. Her big emerald eyes, like the purest gems, blinked with longing as she tried to melt Frieren's "heart of stone" with her gaze.

"Lady Frieren~" she drawled, "that mille-feuille... looks so delicious... The pastry looks like it has lots and lots of layers..."

Frieren picked up an exquisite little silver fork and carefully cut off a corner. The pastry broke apart with a tempting crunch.

She put the little piece in her mouth and chewed slowly, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction. A fleeting but unmistakable look of pure, childlike delight crossed her face. So unlike her usual indifference, that relaxed and contented expression made her look inexplicably soft and adorable.

"Mm, it's delicious." Her response came out as a muffled murmur, but she showed no intention of sharing.

Ruby swallowed and tried again. "C-can I have just a tiny taste? Just one bite!"

Frieren lifted her eyelids and glanced at her, then very naturally shifted the plate closer to herself. Her other hand even moved unconsciously to shield the pastry, the motion smooth as though she had practiced it countless times. "No."

Short and decisive.

"Stingy!" Ruby immediately pouted, her cheeks puffed up like a hamster with its mouth full of nuts. She accused Frieren pitifully, "Stingy, stingy, stingy! Lady Frieren, you're the worst! You used my... mmph!" She choked on her own words before she could finish. After all, she had "voluntarily" paid the money as "tuition."

Just then, Lowell came over carrying the enormous spiral chocolate ice cream cone and sat down beside Frieren. He examined the remarkably large dessert, his tone carrying a hint of teasing resignation.

"Mm... what a big cone." He took a bite of the ice cream at the top, coated in chocolate sauce and crushed nuts, and nodded. "I'm definitely going to eat you."

Ruby looked at the two of them, one enjoying his treat in peace and the other making no secret of guarding hers, and felt weak, pitiful, and helpless.

She slumped onto the table and buried her face in her arms, leaving only her eyes visible, full of envy, jealousy, and craving. She gazed resentfully at Frieren, who was savoring the mille-feuille as she finished it off one tiny bite at a time.

Just as the sugary air in the shop was about to overwhelm Ruby, a gentle voice sounded beside her ear.

"Ruby."

Ruby raised her head to find that Himmel had returned at some point and was standing beside the table, holding a delicate little paper box. Inside was a fresh, luscious strawberry tart! The bright red strawberries looked especially tempting against the milky white cream.

"Wow!" Ruby sprang back to life, bouncing out of her chair, her eyes shining as she almost pounced on it. "A strawberry tart! Is it for me?"

Himmel smiled and handed her the box. "I was passing Moonlight Terrace, so I picked it up. Let's call it... a celebration of our safe arrival in the Royal Capital?"

Ruby took the box, and as she breathed in its sweet aroma, her little face flushed red with excitement. But the next second, she seemed to remember something. She forced down her excitement, gave a little cough, and turned her face away, trying to hide her rising smile. In a slightly nasal voice, she struggled to maintain her tone.

"S-since you bought it so sincerely... Lady Ruby will just have to do you the favor of accepting it! It's not because I really want to eat it!"

Yet the way she clutched the box tightly, afraid it might fly away, and the glances she kept stealing at the strawberry tart had already given her true feelings away completely.

The amusement in Himmel's eyes deepened, and he readily nodded. "Yes, thank you very much for doing me the honor, Lady Ruby."

Lowell, who was concentrating on his ice cream cone nearby, witnessed the scene and gave Frieren a gentle nudge with his elbow.

Frieren had just finished the last bite of her mille-feuille and was taking small sips of the complimentary herbal tea, savoring the lingering sweetness and buttery crispness on her tongue. Following Lowell's prompting, she looked up. Her calm gaze passed over Himmel's indulgent profile and settled on Ruby's little face, glowing with simple happiness. Then she looked away without a word, lowered her head, and took another sip of tea. She gently pushed her empty plate, with only a few pastry crumbs remaining, a little closer to Lowell.

Lowell: "?"

Outside the window, the Royal Capital was bathed in lovely sunlight, which shone through the glass and cast warm patches of light on the lace-covered table. The air was full of the scents of sugar, cream, and caffeine.

For the moment, only a contented quiet remained in the corner of Honey and Elf, along with the faint, blissful sighs of a certain little mage who had finally gotten her wish and was savoring her strawberry tart in small bites.

At another small table nearby, Heiter had already heartily ordered a large mug of foaming ale, while Eisen had asked for a more refreshing drink. They clinked their glasses, sighed in contentment, and spoke quietly about how smoothly the commission handover had gone.

Lowell finished the last bite of his ice cream, wiped his hands, and looked out at the steady stream of people beyond the window. Frieren gazed quietly outside. The bustle of the Royal Capital was reflected in her green eyes, yet seemed to be separated from her by an invisible film. Her fingers unconsciously stroked the rim of her teacup, her expression as impassive as ever.