VIII
1303 Words
The Primavera Empire’s imperial capital, Ylvich, is a bustling city with a lot of places one can go to. It is also one of the richest and biggest cities in the Phlegein Continent. Ylvich is divided into four districts:
The Commercial District where high-end stores, inns and restaurants were located. Merchants thrived on these parts and many noble ladies liked shopping things in this district. The latest news and rumors could also be found in it.
The Residential District was where houses (aka mansions) of nobles and wealthy people were found. Parks and lakes were also found in this area, although it was quite some distance due to security measures.
The third district was the Commoner’s District. Commoners who lived in the capital made their homes there. They usually worked on any of the first two districts, at least those who did not live on where they worked, and the district had its own marketplace where commoners can buy daily necessities on a price they could afford. This district was also the closest to the military barracks since most soldiers were commoners.
The last district was the Imperial City, where the imperial family lived. Apart from the grand palaces and mansions where members of the imperial family lived, administrative buildings were also found in the Imperial City.
Ed and I made our way to the Commoner’s District.
Why?
Because according to the guy I got the information from (the guy I nabbed the drugs from) they get their supplies from a shop in the Commoner’s District.
“What shop are we looking for exactly?” Ed asked as we walked around the area.
“A candy shop.” I answered.
“A candy shop? Like for kids?”
“Candies aren’t only for kids Eddie.” I pointed out. “Some adults also like them.”
Edmund just gave me a disgusted look.
“Well apart from bitter people… like you.” I added with a snort.
“Hey!”
“And besides Eddie, we’re kids at the moment, we can get away with snooping on a candy shop.” I gave him a wink.
He sighed and gave me a pointed look. “Then we should get rid of the cloaks. It’ll just make us suspicious.”
“We need to hide our hair Eddie. Silver hair and white hair is not common in Primavera Empire.”
“Then use your magic to disguise us.” he said with a deadpanned expression.
-Point taken.
***
A chime of a bell rung as Ed and I entered the store. I took a peek around the store and saw many jars of candies in many colors. I personally liked candy, jellybeans and chocolates were my favorite, and I couldn’t help but drool at the sight of them.
“Hey, you’re drooling.” Ed whispered.
I only rolled my eyes and wiped my mouth with my sleeve. We took off the hoods of our cloaks. My black locks cascaded down my mid-back, while Ed just ruffled his own black hair with his hair. The two of us also sported green eyes. Thankfully I could pull off disguises with my magic.
“Hello children.” I heard a voice say.
The two of us turned to the source of the voice and saw a man standing behind us.
-Damn. I didn’t even sense him.
“Hello mister!” Ed said enthusiastically, although albeit childishly. “You see, we’re with the travelling merchants from the north and we’re making a stop here in Ylvich. We were told this is the best candy shop in the district!”
“Oh? You heard right.” the man said with a smile. “Is there a particular type of candy you’re looking for?”
“Mister, do you have chocolate candies?” I asked, my voice and actions timid.
We actually discussed how we would act a little before we entered the shop. Ed insisted I act girly and timid since I was a girl while he acted active and mischievous because he was a boy.
Gender bias much?
But the society of the current era was like that so it couldn’t be helped.
“Chocolate? Hmm… The trade with the nations of the Sundt Continent where chocolates are from is quite hard this time little girl, I’m afraid we do not have chocolate candies.”
“Oh.” I showed a rather said face.
The world had six continents; the Phlegein in the north, the Sundt in the south, Hesperos in the west, Yamato and Heos in the east and Alis at the very center. The raw materials for chocolates were grown and manufactured in Sundt and was one of their most successful products. Unfortunately, the nations of the Alis continent were at war so the trading route was quite dangerous to travel on. A voyage in the sea was also not ideal since it would be lengthy.
-Planes would be nice for business stuff.
“How about looking around the shop and see what candies you like, hm?”
I only nodded my head while Ed voiced out his agreement rather enthusiastically.
While looking around the shop, I did not find anything related to drugs. I did find however a suspicious looking door that probably led to a cellar or some sort.
I suddenly heard a chime and a well-dressed man entered the shop. Behind him were two burly men, each carrying medium-sized crates.
“Two crates of chocolates for the north.” said the well-dressed man with a smile on his face.
“…I’ll sign it.” replied the man, although I did notice his hesitance.
-That is definitely not chocolate. What a coincidence.
“Chocolates?!” Ed exclaimed and made his way to the group of men, still on his childish demeanor. “Ellie! They have chocolates now! Mister, can we buy lots of them?”
I brightened up my expression and made my way towards them as well.
-*sigh* Spying is never really easy.
“Chocolates?” I asked.
“Uhm…”
“Customers?” asked the well-dressed man.
“Erm… yes, regular ones.”
“I see.” the well-dressed man dropped to a knee and put his hands each on our shoulders. “Sorry kids, but these kinds of chocolates are only for adults.”
“There are chocolates only for adults?” I asked, but both Ed and I had our heads tilted to the same side, our expressions filled with confusion.
“Err… yes. You see, there are somethings only adults can have, right? These chocolates are some of them.”
“Hmm… We’ll ask our dad later.” Ed responded with a toothy grin. “When we’re adults, can we buy them?”
“Sure!”
“Okay! I’m excited! How about you Ellie?” I only nodded my head as a response. I then pointed to a shelf where a jar of jellybeans were displayed. “Then we’ll buy some jellybeans and lemon-flavored candies mister!”
“Ooh, taking care of your little sister huh.” commented the newcomer.
“We’re twins mister!” Ed said proudly.
“Twins? Even better! I’m sure the store owner will give you some free candies along with what you bought.”
““Really?”” I could imagine mine and Ed’s eyes sparkling in wonder.
Ah, childlike-wonder. I wonder when I lost them.
Minutes later, Ed and I found ourselves on a roof, hidden in the shadows of a much taller building. We still had the candy shop in our sights.
“Those crates are probably the d**g delivery.”
“Don’t I know it?” I responded.
“Investigation tonight?”
“You know it.”
“Now what?”
“Now, let’s find someone to kill some time.”
- Writer
