The streets of Gaite's grand market buzzed with noise and color. Merchants shouted out their prices, children darted between stalls, and the air was thick with the scent of spices and baked bread.
Aaron, Ashen, and Kain stood at the market's center, a bit lost among the chaos. Kain held a folded piece of parchment and read it aloud.
> "One: bring back fresh fruits and vegetables—make sure they're top quality.
Two: three jars of silver-spotted white squid sauce.
Three: one box of engraved eagle-shaped knives.
That's all. Good luck."
He tucked the paper into his pocket and turned to the others.
"Alright, let's split up. Aaron, you get the knives. Ashen, the squid sauce. I'll handle the fruits and vegetables. Let's meet back here when we're done."
The three nodded and went their separate ways.
---
Aaron's Errand
Aaron weaved through rows of cooking utensils and shining metalware. Every store he entered gave the same answer—no eagle-engraved knives. His frustration grew until a sudden commotion caught his attention.
A group of men were shouting at one another, surrounding a merchant's stall. Behind them, glittering in a wooden box, were the very knives he needed.
"There they are," Aaron muttered. "But how do I get through that?"
He thought quickly, eyes narrowing. Then a grin spread across his face.
"Time for a little trickery."
He approached the men and said casually, "No need to fight, gentlemen. I saw another set of those knives just down the road."
"Really?!" one of them shouted.
"Of course," Aaron replied smoothly. "Go straight ahead, then take a left. You can't miss it."
The men rushed off immediately. Aaron chuckled under his breath. "People are so easy."
He grabbed the box, took it to the merchant, and asked for the price.
"Seventy gold coins," the merchant said.
Aaron paid quickly and was about to leave when angry voices rang out behind him.
"There he is! The liar! Get him!"
Aaron froze, then bolted. "Oh, come on!"
The chase tore through the streets, the group yelling as Aaron darted between stalls and alleys, clutching the box tightly.
---
Ashen's Problem
Meanwhile, little Ashen wandered through the seafood section, eyes wide. He finally spotted the white squid sauce—but there was chaos inside the shop. Customers were hurling fish and shouting at one another.
"What's going on?" Ashen whispered, ducking behind a counter.
A trembling man crouched there too—apparently the shopkeeper.
"It's the sauce," he explained. "Only three jars left, and they're ready to kill each other for it!"
Ashen frowned. "Don't worry. I'll handle this."
The man blinked. "You? You're just a kid!"
"Trust me," Ashen said calmly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Just cover your ears and close your eyes."
The man obeyed.
Ashen gathered a faint aura of energy—just enough not to draw attention. From it, he shaped a small illusion, a ghostly beast with glowing eyes and a mouth full of fangs.
Then, stepping out of hiding, he shouted, "A monster! A monster's loose!"
The entire crowd froze. When the illusion appeared, roaring furiously, panic erupted. People screamed and ran from the store in every direction.
Once they were gone, Ashen snapped his fingers and dispelled the illusion.
He turned to the man. "You can open your eyes now."
The man peeked out, stunned. "What… what happened?"
"Let's just say a scary monster scared them away," Ashen said with a little grin.
The man sighed in relief. "Thank the heavens. How can I repay you?"
"I'll take those three jars, please."
Ashen paid and left the shop with the squid sauce safely in hand.
---
Kain's Encounter
Kain's task seemed simple enough. He carried a list and several empty bags as he made his way through the fruit and vegetable stands.
> "Nineteen green lemons… twenty heads of lettuce and parsley… fifty-four peppers, apples, and oranges…"
He moved methodically, selecting only the freshest produce. Soon, his bags were full. As he turned to leave, he bumped into someone and fell backward.
"Hey, watch where you're—" He stopped mid-sentence. "Naerina?"
The girl blinked in surprise. "Kain?"
They both stared for a second before Naerina extended her hand to help him up.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Running errands for the house," he said. "And you?"
"I just came for a walk. The castle was too quiet after the royal family left for the academy."
An awkward silence followed, both avoiding eye contact until Naerina finally said softly, cheeks flushed, "W–would you like to walk with me for a while?"
Kain's ears turned red instantly. "Uh… s-sure."
They strolled side by side through the market, trying to act casual while everyone around whispered and giggled.
"They look like lovers," someone said.
"A cute couple," another added.
Both turned crimson.
Naerina stopped suddenly. "I… I can go on my own from here. Thank you, Kain."
"Right," he said, still blushing. She walked away, leaving him frozen in place.
He sighed. "Those feelings again… I thought they were gone after we left the orphanage."
Then he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"So, how was the date, Sir Kain?"
Aaron and Ashen stood there, smirking mischievously.
Kain's eye twitched. "You two…"
They turned pale instantly and ran.
"Kain! Wait—it was just a joke!"
"Get back here!"
The chase that followed echoed down the street as laughter filled the air.
---
Meanwhile…
Naerina walked alone, her heart still pounding. Her fingers brushed over her chest as she whispered,
"Those feelings came back… What should I do? I want to tell him—but I can't. Not yet."
She looked up at the bright sky and smiled faintly.
"I'll tell him… when the time feels right."
And with that, she continued walking through the golden afternoon light of the marketplace.