He figured they’d get a good chuckle out of that, since they were all invited. He wondered if he ought to casually ask them if Holo told them why they had been invited, but laughed that idea off. It was far too stupid to write, and Holo was eyeing him suspiciously.
“Well, our guests will be safely here soon enough.”
Letters from Marlheit, Mark, and the others had already arrived a few days ago, with all of them safely in Lenos. They were probably on their way from Lenos the moment they sent that letter, so they could even meet Eve in Sovereign. Well, maybe that was a bit of a stretch. Holo looked up at him, leaning back in his chair with the letter on his knees, and gave him a meek nod.
“But I am still sick..”
She spoke softly.
“There’s still time. You’ll just have to focus on getting well before they arrive.”
Her eyes slowly closed, but she gave him no sign of a response. She just raised her chin and looked at the fireplace. Even sick, Holo was Holo. She became a weak little princess when she felt like being pampered. Lawrence handed her the letter and gently rubbed her head.
She used to shy away from having her head rubbed, but lately she almost seemed to crave it. She finally began reading when he finished rubbing her. She wasn’t good at writing, but reading was a different matter. He wondered if she still remembered how much trouble they went through when she lied about not being able to read, but she sniffed it first and softly laughed.
“She is quite angry.”
“Hmm?”
She smiled and returned the letter right away.
“You mean Eve?”
Holo stared at Lawrence for his question, then laughed. Her eyes slowly closed again, with a look that screamed “you still understand nothing, you fool.” Her good mood made him fearful, especially with her tail wagging like she had just had a good dream.
“How is the inn?”
She changed the topic. She had to be keeping a secret. She always made sure he was the one talking when she was unwell, at least ever since their travels ended. Back then, they always argued more when she was under the weather.
“It’s coming along alright. The frame’s all set, and we’re about eighty percent of the way there. We’ll be able to put on the finishing touches by the time it stops snowing.”
“What a pity that I cannot see all of that hard work.”
Watching the workers do their jobs was a wise decision, but it didn’t help the workers do their jobs any better. After all, it just meant someone watching them and not doing any real work. They had their own ways of doing things, and they traveled far and wide to bring their varying skills everywhere. That kind of expertise made them stubborn, and hard to organize. It took a lot of money, and making sure everything was ready for them. If Cole wasn’t around, Lawrence might have given up entirely. He deeply appreciated all of his help. And now.. it was almost over. Their first guests were on the way. Holo may feel bad about it, but Lawrence felt nothing but pride.
“Don’t you worry about that; we’ve still got other buildings to raise.”
A profiting merchant would always expand their business, after all. Holo sighed and pinched his nose. She might be weak now, but her mind was still incredibly sharp.
“Wh- what was that for?”
Holo smiled at his protests.
“Just consider it a lesson. You still have much to learn.”
Her hand only released his nose after she had enough of tormenting him.
“We have only made it here step by step. You always see the forest, but never the trees, am I right?”
He expected that she would blame something on him, but her words seemed to seek common ground.
“Yes?”
He could only agree.
“Mhm.”
She gave him a satisfied nod before softly continuing.
“That carelessness may wind up giving you quite a shock.”
“Huh?”
She smiled at his response and waved her hands as if to say “nothing.”
“Incidentally.. how about those things?”
She opened her eyes and shot him a fierce look. He couldn’t shrink back from that stare.
“Those things?”
“Those things. Will you have them ready?”
Her face was so grim that it was clear that she was worried, but as her eyes softened that look melted away to expose how she really felt. She now had the same gentle look she wore while laughing - one of her most charming expressions. There weren’t many who could conceal their thoughts as well as she could, but there also weren’t many who could express their thoughts so clearly with only their faces. Lawrence hadn’t seen that face in a while, so he instinctively reached out to fondly caress it.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m able to keep up with the best of merchants in that regard.”
One of her eyes closed, like a dog having its head scratched. She probably felt it was beneath the Wisewolf to wag her tail just because her face was being caressed.
“That only puts us in graver peril!”
“It’s no different from building a wall out of stones. Such is how a future is built.”
He easily responded to her challenge, and won a spiteful look from her in turn. She quickly sighed and stuck her tongue out at him.
“If only you could complete such a wall.”
“I could, if a certain someone could restrain herself at the hot springs.”
This time her nose was being pinched. He had once been terrified of her abandoning him for talking back, but now he didn’t fear that at all (even after their most heated of arguments). Holo’s amber eyes stared at him like they accused him of not truly caring about her, but he just stared right back with confidence. Her ears soon drooped and her tail shrank back. She pulled her knees to her chest and held them in her arms. Even a beast was admitting failure when they averted their eyes, but a beast wouldn’t pout like she did.
“That is because it is too cold when I stand up to leave the spring.”
She was staring at him again.
“Then don’t stand up, and you won’t be cold.”
Holo didn’t want to go home to Yoitsu, because she knew what it must look like now. According to the books in Tereo’s church, the wolves who were her kin, having been attacked by the Moon-Hunting Bear, had fled to all corners of the world. Not one of them had come forth since then to seek her out, and their names had all been lost to time. The truth was harsh. Going to Yoitsu wasn’t necessary for her anymore. Of course, it was still a question in the back of both of their minds. Holo could use excuses all she wanted, but she thought about Yoitsu from time to time. Her clan was no longer the one in power. They had been forced into exile.
It wasn’t as though Lawrence would be there to see her final moments. He had no choice but to leave the world before she did. She was strong enough to not just know that, but also prepare for it, so all Lawrence could really do was make sure that the springs didn’t dry up after he was gone. That was why he wanted to build a wall around them, one with music and food. A happy merchant was one whose products were in demand, and one who heard nothing but satisfaction from their customers.
“The spring has not been hot enough lately; even if it has not gone cold just yet.”
That was all she could muster. It made him want to spell out in full detail just what lengths he went to every day for her sake, but he knew he was her merchant to agitate.
“I’m quite sorry to hear that.”
He hugged her in lieu of using words. She slowly took a deep breath in his arms, even deeper than when she was smelling a tasty meal, making him wonder if she found him tastiest of all. He knew it was dumb, but if she wanted him to salt and oil himself so she could eat him before he died, rather than being buried, he would do so. He only released her when she had fallen asleep.
* * *
“About that..”
On cold mornings, Holo usually stopped Lawrence from getting out of bed wh
en he wanted to. Today was no exception; in fact she was even groggier than usual.
“That? Oh.. hmm?”
“Want to give it a look? It might be nice to put it up before the feast.”
Lawrence was asking her about something made in Sovereign that was now on its way to Nyohhira. She lost herself in thought for a while, then gave a brief reply before resting her head on his chest and sighing.
“No need.”
Lawrence smiled at how lightly she brushed it off, but it seemed she was being honest. She yawned.
“Now that it is growing warmer I only wish to sleep.”
Even when she was groggy, she was still the Wisewolf.
“That’s just like you.”
After his exclamation, she twisted her body around and reached out her hands.
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Pick me up.”
He wasn’t embarrassed by such things. In fact his natural merchant’s inclination had been to demand such things from her anyhow, so he picked her up. He suspected it would quite a while before he tired of it, but then a strange thought crossed his mind. She looked younger than he did, but up until now his thoughts were devoted to her well-being.. but what about his?
He’d only recently begun to appreciate what aging truly meant. Sure, he felt quite healthy now, and he knew he could travel and trade if he put his mind to it, but before he knew it he would be ”old.” It would look like he was holding his grandchild in his arms. Would she come to expect this treatment as a matter of course, then blame him when he could no longer lift her up? He didn’t like that thought; he fought to maintain his composure, but shot her an annoyed reply.
“Why does the Wisewolf cry to be picked up so much?”
Her arms were wrapped around his body, and her eyes were squinting happily.
“If I did not cry, would you still comfort me?”
Her ears and tail flicked around playfully as he held her. They could still afford these kinds of games, so he knew he should just enjoy it. Time wasn’t going to slow down or come chasing after them. He opted to kiss the tips of her ears and gracefully lay her back into bed.
* * *
Things were very local in town; the roads were narrow, there were no inspectors, and everyone ran a similar business. They all knew he was planning a private function. Back when he was a traveling merchant he never dreamed he’d have such a vast social network, but now he understood what it was like. He didn’t have to like it, but he was going to be the focus of everyone’s attention. He had to bear his hosting duties with pride.
“What is the matter?”
Holo inquired as he scanned his eyes around the decorated hall. She had finally recovered, and probably because they found what foods she was able to keep down. In fact, she was hungrier than ever.
“I’ve finally made it this far!”
Holo laughed at his joke.
“Are you crying on the inside?”
“..”
He looked down at her and sighed.
“Let me put on a strong front, will you?”
“Oh˜ho˜”
She clasped her hands behind her back and leaned her face down against his arm.
“Yes, you have certainly had to try time and time again to open a shop.”
It had taken him several tries to get this far. He still remembered how angrily she scolded him, even making him sell her in order to not give up his dream. All of that flighty behavior of hers had lead up to this point, with the two of them looking around the banquet hall. Fine tables and chairs, lovely drapes on the walls.. everything was immaculately set up to receive the most prestigious of guests.
All the utensils were silverware. All the jugs and vases were brass; sure they might be ”fake gold,” but brass yielded a cheerier atmosphere compared to the depressing gloom of gold. Lawrence had expected an uphill battle to find flowers during this season, but Hannah managed to find enough blossoming to decorate the hall with them.
It was silent now, but this hall would soon spring to life as one traveler after the other safely arrived. An independent merchant for 13 years, he was finally opening his own inn as tears fell from the eyes of his companion.
“You should have invited your mentor.”
Holo seemed to grow emotional as she counted off the guests they had invited. Lawrence shrugged and smiled.
“That weirdo would only spend the whole time complaining.”
“Would you like to go see him?”
Despite her question, he knew that the moment he showed signs of wanting to travel again, she wouldn’t know whether to be angry or just cry. His faithful horse of many years had even been disobedient when he tried to help Cole move goods around town for the banquet. And so, in lieu of answering, he placed his hand on her head and pulled her to him.
“Is that a no?”
She looked him in the eyes for not even giving her a proper answer.
“I have a long way to go before I have a place big enough to satisfy my mentor.”
“..”
Holo’s ears flicked to and fro, as if they were searching for his aim. Her eyes narrowed, as if trying to read his emotional state. He realized that the fact she was doing that was because he didn’t sound confident in his reply.
“More importantly..”
He realized what he had to say when he considered how she felt about Yoitsu. He remembered traveling with his mentor, and taking a dangerous mountain path to make it to a large town. As the exhausted young Lawrence was falling asleep in the inn they reached, his mentor told him he had to step out for a while.. and never returned. He took his goods, and Lawrence never saw him again.
Some said his mentor had heavy debts, others said he found himself a bride. Either way, Lawrence still worried that he had been nothing but a burden to him, until one day all of his mentor’s deeds and most of his money found their way to Lawrence. It was strange; perhaps the man had become an ascetic monk, or opted to quietly retire somewhere. At least, Lawrence hoped that was the case.
“..I have a long way to go before I’m successful enough for you to stop laughing at me.”
“You know I will laugh at you no matter what happens.”
“Then I guess I’m in for a really long struggle.”
He scratched his cheek and turned away.
“But I guess that’s what makes life interesting.”
The traveling merchant in him did feel that was true; he had to chase profits like they were the moon hanging in the sky. That way, once he caught them it would feel like he caught the moon itself.
“It is because you are blessed with my presence.”
There was no trace of embarrassment in her voice, so he picked up her hand and kissed it like she was a princess.
“Verily.”
“Just as I am blessed with this good life because of you.”
She laughed and put on an indomitable expression, earning a shrug from him.
“Verily.”
Her tail wagged as she chuckled, and just then Cole entered the hall. Given the prestige of this banquet, he had set aside his usual ratty clothes and put on a set of priestly robes Hannah had sewn for him. His hair, on the other hand, was simply tied back with a red band.. it was futile to try harder, because all of the dancers and musicians would be playing with his hair anyhow. He panted a moment before shouting out.
“They’re all coming!”
It looked like he’d run all the way up the main street. Holo and Lawrence looked at each other and nodded, then stepped outside. It had become sunny of late, so in such heavy clothing they would be sweaty in no time.
“After all of those cloudy days, it hurts to open my eyes in this light.”
“Are you alright?”
“That is why there are tears in my eyes, you see.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
“Fool.”
Cole closed the door, smiling the way he usually did when the two of them bantered like this.
??
?Oh right.. Mr. Lawrence!”
“Yes?”
Cole was under the eaves, surrounded by ladders and hammers that had been purposely left there.
“Mr. Myuri should be bringing that with him.. what should we do with it? Announce it when the banquet starts, or just hang it right away?”
They were standing at the main entrance of their inn, which for various reasons was still incomplete. Lawrence mulled over Cole’s question for a while before finally responding.
“Let’s hang it right away. This is where it belongs, after all.”
“Right.. it would make a more dramatic impact here.”
Cole was still easy to work with. He’d saved Lawrence a great deal of trouble by always preparing things in advance.
“You really are dependable.”
Holo smiled to show off her fangs, as if accusing Lawrence of being jealous.
“You seem happy to lose to a child.”
Seeing that wolf-like look on her face was increasingly rare, so rather than being unnerved by it, Lawrence felt it made her look even more beautiful.
“You seem happy to be fatter these days.”
His evil reply earned his foot a fierce stomping fit for him to yelp in pain.
“Fool!”
“Ah, Mr. Myuri! How good to see you! How was your trip?”
Cole was shocked at the events unfolding before his eyes, and ran off to welcome Myuri as Holo laughed and Lawrence remained silent.
“I wonder how we must look right now?”
Holo was happily musing as if nothing at all had happened; Lawrence was going to voice a protest, but decided to take the high ground.
“How else? Like a happy couple.”
“Mhm˜”
She replied with a nod.
* * *
Lawrence had only given Hugh a rough outline of what he wanted, and Hugh then created a proper design.. an elegant one. Lawrence then sent it to Sovereign, where Milicky had it built. Lawrence had intended to ask someone else, but Holo firmly insisted on Milicky. Of course, that meant Milicky was able to request an invitation to their inn’s unveiling.