Oh, we just talked about some blacksmithing things. It would’ve been too boring for you, I’m sure. I wiggled my hand out of her grip and wove my fingers back more gently between hers.
I’m sure, she echoed sarcastically. After a final moment of embarrassed standoffishness, she moved the remaining step closer to me, and we continued walking hand in hand.
Lia, how would you like to visit with Lyn and Layne before we leave the capital? I asked. Layne invited us to visit anytime we like. I figured we could stop in on our way out of the city.
Lyn said the same thing! Lia said excitedly. I think that’d be a great way to end the trip.
I gave her a wide smile. It’s settled, then. We walked on quietly together, both absorbed in our own thoughts. Layne had opened the floodgates that held back my dreams of marriage, and my mind was consumed with a half-dozen plans for my Union offering, potential ceremony locations, and our life beyond. The thoughts bounced around too fast for any one topic to develop until the buzz became overwhelming. Hey, Lia?
What’s up?
I love you. The single, unifying thought was enough to dispel the chaos from my mind and provide me with a unified point to focus on; the only thing that mattered was Lia.
She bumped her shoulder against mine. I love you too, Lux.
I let out a satisfied sigh as I looked down the road ahead of us, feeling renewed and eager for our trip to continue. We joined in conversation with Miles and Lyn, who had been discussing which Lybesian delicacy should be considered the quintessential dish to try in Ellawynn, and the remainder of our morning flew by. The hilly but otherwise clear countryside generally blocked our view forward past any given turn in the road, which caused a moment of surprise when we rounded a corner to find our destination of Lienna in full view only a few miles away.
The town was much larger than the ones we had passed through so far on our trip, rivaling Mayaan in both size and traffic. Lia and I followed along behind Layne as he led us along the side of a bustling street; as opposed to most cities I had seen, the traffic on Lienna’s roads was made almost entirely of horse-drawn carriages. The clattering of their wheels on the gray brick roads mixed with a dozen conversations from the foot traffic around us on the sidewalk to create a lively, if not slightly suffocating, atmosphere. I kept my head low as we worked our way into the center of the city, eventually stopping our trek in a large cobblestone courtyard.
A towering, four-story tall building made of bright red bricks stood to our left, lined with neat rows of white shuttered windows on each floor and ringed by a manicured wall of hedges. A long, one-story wooden building stretched along the remaining edges of the courtyard, faced with open bay doors that seemed to constantly intake and output passenger carriages. Multiple workers in vibrant overcoats directed the traffic in and out from the busy road behind us. Near the exit to the courtyard, a small booth plastered with informational posters was constantly swarmed by a crowd of travelers.
We quickly made our way across the overloaded plaza and regrouped at the front doors of the brick building. “Well,” I said, scanning over the group, “I suppose this is where we part ways.”
“No, not yet!” Lyn said, tugging on Lia’s shoulder. “At least have lunch with us before you go! They have a small restaurant here that’s quite good.”
I gave her an apologetic laugh. “I’m not sure we—”
“That sounds great!” Lia interrupted, quickly shifting sides to join the rest of their party.
Pursing my lips for a moment, I shook my head and sighed. “In that case, I suppose we will,” I chuckled.
“Perfect!” Lyn clapped. “I’ll make sure our accommodations are in order while the rest of you get a table.” She led us through the front doors into a posh lobby; the space was mostly filled by two large emberwood desks that each had their own queue of patrons, whose impatiently tapping feet were muffled by a thick, fluffy carpet that matched the interior brick walls. The opposite wall from the entrance had two large doors labeled with a range of room numbers, while a single glass door to our left revealed a small room lined with booths and tables.
Lyn took her place at the back of the nearest line and nodded us towards the glass door. “Make sure you order a basket of apple muffins; they’re the best in Lybesa!” Leaving her to her waiting, the rest of us made our way into the restaurant and took our seats around one of the few tables large enough for our six-person party. A young woman approached the table a few moments after we were settled and gave us a small bow.
“Good morning! What can I get for you today?” she asked with a wide smile. Her hand briefly pointed back to a slate board hanging beside the door to the kitchen. “We have three options today if you’re looking for a full meal, and plenty of assorted baked goods otherwise.” Her eyes landed on me as she waited expectantly.
I blinked at the slate board for a few moments, unable to read the words, then returned the server’s smile. “I’m certainly looking for a full meal. Surprise me; chef’s choice.” I felt a small tap on my elbow, and turned to find Lia watching me with her eyebrows raised. “She’ll have the same,” I added, nodding in her direction.
I caught an oddly severe glance from Josephine as I ordered, but the server simply nodded and proceeded to take the rest of the table’s orders. When she had returned to the kitchen, Layne grinned at me. “Lux, I didn’t know you
