After leaving the toy store, we continued our walk through the city. Thanks to taking our time, I got a better idea of what life was like in this world.

  Looking around on each side of the road, I noticed that the buildings seemed surprisingly well suited to the different races of the empire's inhabitants. All of the doors seemed to be of a much, much greater height than I was used to. Many of these gates ranged from 3 to 6 meters high, made for the larger races.

  Most of these buildings were multi-story, the most common being three floors and having a strange balcony on the front or side, if there was the space, which also looked like an entrance to the store. How do I know that? Well, I saw some Valven flying into one of the clothing stores, landing on that balcony and walking in like it was nothing, which answered one of the questions I'd always had regarding that tribe. Their wings were actually functional.

  Now that I think about it, the number of people walking around us, although not too many, was enough to notice how varied the races in the empire were. Many were not even as tall as Dad, and a few were just a little taller than me, although I didn't know which tribe they belonged to. To see so many different races walking down the street alongside us was very interesting.

  Looking around a bit more, I noticed that a few stores had familiar storefronts, where they displayed a lot of their flashier merchandise. They were mostly clothing stores, but there were also some expensive-looking shoe shops and a few bakeries or butchers displaying their products that looked almost like pieces of art because of how beautifully prepared they looked, and appetizing.

  I had to restrain myself from begging mom to go into some of those places so I could taste those incredibly eye-catching delicacies.

  Apart from clothing stores, cafes, and the toy store, we also visited other types of places, including one that I could only describe as a curio store or even a so-called trinket store. We found vast amounts of assorted items that were either very useful or just plain useless.

  Among the most interesting was the communication sphere, which, in a nutshell, was a crystal ball having a function similar to a telephone, although it could only be tuned to five other spheres. You needed to make a small signal when tuning them in so that they could differentiate themselves from each other, and you could only talk to one at a time. It seemed like an incredible invention, until you realized that the effective distance of use was only about 200 meters. Useful in some circumstances, but very limited for others. Even so, we bought a set of 5 spheres.

  Another interesting item that we got, and I begged my mom to buy for me. It was called “The Mind Codex”. It is a hardbound book with a mana stone embedded in its spine. When the bearer places their hand on the book, it takes the magic from the stone and writes whatever the bearer thinks. It can be in words or drawings, but it records whatever you want, as long as the stone has mana available.

  In fact, according to what we were told by the store clerk, who couldn't help but look nervous and excited when talking to my mother, this book was only possible because of the mana stones that started selling thanks to our family and the Nazzik. He spent more than 10 minutes thanking my mother for starting that business. The whole exchange was a bit strange to watch, but Mom smiled happily during the exchange.

  He also told us that there was a pen that had a similar function, but it only wrote. It did not draw and only did so if you told it what to write aloud. Despite that, the pen seemed to sell much better than the book.

  We left that store with quite a few new and interesting items.

  The next place was a must-visit in a fantasy world. An alchemist. It seemed quite popular, actually, though very different from what I had imagined from the books I had read.

  It was quite clean and well kept. There was a rich herbal smell that, rather than being annoying, it was wonderful. It gave me the same kind of feeling as freshly cut grass. There were many glassed-in shelves, each displaying different ingredients, herbs and potions, and a counter with a smiling receptionist dressed like a classic witch, only without her trademark hat. Mom went straight to the girl and they talked at length about different potions, although from the context of the conversation, they seemed to be something like vitamin supplements for my sister and me.

  There was something curious while we were there. Mom motioned to Tina to take me to look at some of the ingredients on the shelves. Oddly out of hearing range. The receptionist girl looked a little taken aback for a second, as if she hadn't expected whatever Mom had asked her. She looked around nervously and reached over to say something in my mother's ear. They both seemed to agree, nodding with a complicit expression.

  I was a little concerned and extremely curious about everything they said to each other.

  Before lunch, we stopped by the Garland Trading Company's headquarters, which is the company that Mom allied with to do her business, including the magic stones. It was an informal visit rather than business, but I still got my chance to see her acting more like the Duchess that she is.

  One of the managers greeted us and we were ushered into a rather lavish reception room filled with many pieces of art and sculptures ranging in technique to a very high level. Every piece of furniture in the place was made of breathtakingly beautiful wood, in shimmering shades of reddish and brown, which showed only how successful the company was... or how eccentric the boss was about their possessions.

  In a short time, a male arrived, a little shorter than my mother, he was a little chubby and dressed in an elegant wine-colored suit. His long, dark beard, tied in a perfectly braided plait, rested on his big belly. His hair, the same color as his beard, was short and neatly combed, combined with a thick nose and small eyes, hidden by the wrinkles formed by age, enhanced his image, reminding of a young Santa Claus. His bright-toothed smile made him look even more like a person full of joy and cordiality.

  But out of all that, the most distinctive features in his appearance were that he had no legs, or at least no bipedal ones. He walked on four thick, short, hippopotamus-like legs, although his feet seemed normal, given that he wore perfectly polished, shiny, thin black shoes. Along with that, from his back protruded a pair of tentacle-like appendages that rested lazily on his shoulders, and only twitched from time to time, similar to the wagging of a cat's tail taking a nap. They were dark purple and, although they seemed somehow “evil”, the cheerfulness conveyed by that male made you ignore such a thought.

  He introduced himself as Theodore Garland, owner of the Garland Trading Company. He greeted us both cordially, with a big smile and a firm handshake for my mother, and a gentle pat on my head for me. Mom returned the greeting with the same level of joy and respect, directing me to do the same. Like the previous times, I received praise from Mr. Garland, who added that, if I already had that level at my age, when I grew up, I would be the center of attention at all social events.

  I decided to raise a silent prayer to Sathalia that such a thing would never come to pass.

  The impromptu meeting between the two was relatively short. They had a light conversation in which they caught up on their lives, shared some information on the current state of the market and, like any good mother, I had to endure her bragging about her daughters, my sisters and I, in front of someone who in the future would come up to me and say “remember me? I knew you when you were a baby” or something along those lines. It always made me wonder how they expect a child who is barely self-aware, or not even self-aware, to be able to remember everyone their parents introduce them to?

  Anyway.

  After a while the atmosphere changed completely, giving way to what was important.

  “So, your grace, I'm sure your sudden visit wasn't just for idle chit-chat, am I right?” asked Mr. Garland, looking much more serious than his cheerful smile let on.

  A tiny smile tugged at my mother's lips as she took the last sip of the tea she had been drinking. “No, of course not. I'm glad you've always been so perceptive.” She set the cup down on the nearby table and as she did so, her expression changed completely. One I had never seen on her before. It was like watching a veteran hunter picking out her next target, fully prepared for her future hunt. A glint in her eyes that gave her a certain coolness. I swallowed audibly at the aura my mother gave off. She was overwhelmingly cool.

  “Rumors have reached my ears, Theodore. Rumors that I do not like.” She expressed firmly. Her voice was soft, but her gaze and gestures indicated that she had no intention of taking this lightly. “So, I need someone to clarify where they're coming from and with what intentions.”

  “Hmm.” Mr. Garland held his expression, remaining momentarily thoughtful. He didn't seem affected by my mother's words, although he might simply be faking it to maintain his image. “I've certainly been hearing some rather...negative rumors too, regarding our business.” He conceded. One of his hands started stroking his beard as he was lost in thought. He seemed to be choosing his next words carefully.

  Mom didn't seem to want to be patient with him, given the stern expression that had formed on her face.

  “Let's stop the games Theodore, and tell me, why haven't you done anything about it so far?” my mother demanded. Her voice had become deeper, her posture straighter, and the atmosphere around her became more tense. Everything about her showed the true dignity and strength of those in power.

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  The smile on young Santa's face disappeared fleetingly, as if he realized he could not escape my mother's scrutinizing gaze. One of his appendages pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped off the sweat from his face. His hands clasped together in front of him as he took a deep breath. It all seemed like a deliberate act to buy time while he thought of a response.

  “It's not like I haven't done anything so far, your grace. This affects me just the same.” Mr. Garland's expression had become more solemn as he spoke. “The problem we have in hand is that these rumors are popping up from everywhere. Sometimes from a Valven Maternate, others from a random business in the central market. And more recently, some rumors have been popping up among the worldtracers.”

  “Even among them?” asked Mom, raising an eyebrow.

  “That is correct. My sources have informed me that several parties of worldtracers have been spreading the rumor that the mana stones sold by our company, and provided to us by the Baelian family, are fakes or that they are imperfect and dangerous.” Mr. Garland sighed deeply as he shook his head. “It is unbelievable that they would think such a thing when we have Imperial family certification for sale and distribution.”

  “It certainly is strange. It almost seems like a rumor created by some drunk in a bar with a grudge against our family.” Mom commented, considering Garland's words a bit.

  “That's not all.” Mr. Garland walked over to his desk and, grabbing a stack of papers, handed them to my mother. “These are some of the rumors I've collected over the past few days. I'm sure you'll notice the same thing I did when you read them.”

  Mom began to read quickly, going through the five pages she held in her hands. With each one she finished, more wrinkles appeared on her brow and more irritated she looked.

  “This is much more problematic than I thought.” Mom placed the papers aside and folded her arms. Now, not only was she irritated, she also looked worried. “There is not a single one of those rumors talking about Katarina or the Nazzik's.”

  Huh? Even though she's the face of this whole business, who first negotiated to obtain the stones, there's not a single rumor about her?

  Even I could see the strangeness of such a situation. It was as if...

  “Yes, that's just what I thought. It seems like someone is doing this on purpose. It's done in such a way that puts the Nazzik's as the culprits.” Mr. Garland concluded

  Mom remained silent; I could see her fist clenched tightly in her lap. After a moment she took a deep breath to calm herself and turned to Garland again. “For now, our priority has to be to drown out all these rumors. Put people in as many places as possible and have them debunk everything they say, but avoid all confrontation. The last thing we need is for them to fan the flames and use us to fuel their lies.”

  “Of course, such things do affect my business as well. We can't allow these troublemakers to sully our reputation.”

  Mom nodded in satisfaction. “Then I'll trust you with this task,” she said, standing up before motioning for me to follow her, but before we started walking. “Oh, there's something else I need you to do.” She said, turning to Garland who was already preparing to see us off.

  “Of course, of course, what can I do for you, your grace?” he asked in a deliberately exaggerated act. Part of me admired his helpful attitude, but another part, I could see through his act, how acted out he was. I guess, as expected of a successful trader.

  “...I need you to contact a shadow broker and check someone out for me.”

  We left the building without too much haste, strolling down the sidewalk, moving toward our next destination. As we had been doing so far, I walked hand in hand with my mother, but she suddenly stopped at a corner and crouched in front of me.

  “Tya, what's wrong?” she asked looking a bit worried. I was surprised by the sudden question, but I realized that I couldn't hide something from her. After hearing the situation, especially what those rumors implied, I felt worried about Katarina.

  Mom and she had been striving for so long to mend the relationship between the two families, a process that would take a long time but was already on the right track. But now? If these rumors got to the wrong people or the person spreading them was successful, everything they had accomplished so far would be in vain.

  What would happen to the business they have worked so hard to make successful?

  ...

  What would happen to me and Yuliana?

  “What would happen to Aunt Katarina?” I asked in anguish.

  Mom was surprised for a second, perhaps wondering how I'd managed to understand the conversation they'd had earlier, but she abandoned that thought and gave me a reassuring smile as she picked me up off the floor holding me in her arms. She hugged me tightly, letting my head rest on her shoulder, and kissed me on the forehead before responding in her motherly voice.

  “Honey, you have nothing to worry about.” She said reassuringly, moving me to look directly into her face where I could see her calm and sincere expression. “It's not the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last either. Nothing will happen to your Aunt Katarina, and nothing will happen to your dear friend Yuliana either.” She stated, stressing especially the “dear” friend. I didn't have the time to answer her as we had reached our destination.

  A two-floor building with a luxurious fa?ade, large windows that allowed us to see the fancy interior, a beautifully carved door that could not be anything else but a masterpiece of a craftsman dedicated body and soul to their work. A sign at the top showed “The Rose of Ambaris” in large, jade-green letters.

  “Orinthya.” She called to me as we walked into the restaurant. “No matter what, neither Katarina nor I will let them tear down everything we are doing. A future where you can visit, play and even walk with Yuliana as friends, without hiding or denying your friendship. There is no way we will let anyone get in our way. So, you have nothing to worry about. Eat a lot, play a lot, grow strong and healthy. That's all you have to do. Mami will take care of everything else, okay?”

  My mother's face, firm, sincere, resolute and unbeatable, warmed my heart as no one had ever done before. I felt something welling up in my chest, a slight warmth in my cheeks and a smile growing on my lips. Without a hint of hesitation in her words, I decided to do as she asked and trust her with everything. If Mom said she would handle everything, I could only do what she asked and trust her. I nodded and hugged her tightly, kissing her on the cheek. Mom let out a small laugh and we walked into the restaurant, ready for a quiet lunch.

  The food was wonderful. Mom allowed me to eat many things I normally couldn't, resulting in several different types of meat, especially meats that were a little tougher than normal. I don't think I ever ate as much as I did then, and I was utterly satisfied by that.

  We left the place with happy faces and headed towards a nearby park. Although I say park, it looked more like a small square. Small gardens lined the sides of the large space, full of flowers of different colors, some quite leafy trees that offered their shadows to passersby, some benches under the canopy of some of those trees, and even a beautiful fountain in the middle of it all, spurting little jets of water in a strange rhythm.

  We decided to sit on one of the benches under one big lush tree. Its shade was refreshing and the view soothing. It was a good place to rest after eating the good food. Dozens of people were passing by, different from what I had seen before. They no longer wore luxurious clothes or were followed by servants. They were normal people, with clothes, in some cases, patched, second-hand or rather poor-looking, even ragged. It was not until I saw children running around the place, wearing what could only be called “rags” that I realized we were no longer in the previous luxurious area.

  “Tya, I want you to see all these people,” Mom said suddenly. I looked at her somewhat confused, but immediately did as she asked.

  There were many people, the vast majority being Atenosia, Friasan, and surprisingly, Valven. They wore common clothes, fabrics of not very good quality, with somewhat worn shoes for the most part. Some were in a hurry, others were strolling. There were some mixed families, the traditional family seemed to remain the norm, but there were also some same-sex couples, some with children, some without. I even thought I saw three people whose gender was difficult to determine. There was one in the middle holding the hand of another and clinging to the arm of the third. They had a vaguely insectoid appearance, but I didn't have much time to get a better look at them. There wasn't much to note besides their alien appearances for someone from my previous world.

  After watching for a while, Mom took her words back to me, “Of all these people here, what can you notice about them?” she asked. I was surprised by that kind of question and left slightly confused, but I decided to grant Mom whatever she was planning to tell me.

  I returned my gaze to the people around us. They looked busy. Some were running around a bit, others just strolling. Some children were playing around, laughing happily. There was something I hadn't noticed before, though. Soldiers were patrolling the streets in small groups of 5 or 6 individuals. Since we arrived earlier, one or two soldiers always stood on a street corner, keeping watch. Some even seemed to be chatting quietly with some passersby, almost as if they were acquaintances meeting unexpectedly on their way to work. That might be accurate enough.

  But despite all that, I noticed nothing out of the ordinary, nothing strange or remarkable. It was simply people going about their lives peacefully.

  ...

  Maybe that was it?

  “Peaceful?” I said, a little doubtful of my answer. Mom smiled sweetly and stroked my head gently.

  “Yes, it is certainly peaceful, why do you think that is?”

  I tilted my head thoughtfully, was this a test or a lesson she wanted to give me? I was not sure, but I decided to go along with it. I considered things a little more seriously, and tried to find an answer that would fit what she was possibly looking for.

  “Because soldiers are protecting them.”

  “Hmm, yes, but that's not quite right. Orinthya, what are we?”

  I scrunched up my face, more confused than before. “Mother and daughter?” I replied, eliciting an amused laugh from Mom. I heard restrained laughter behind us. It seemed that both Sir Erlathan and Tina found my response funny. I puffed out my cheeks, annoyed at that. Is Mom making fun of me, is that it?

  “Don't get mad, honey, I'm not making fun of you. What I meant is that we are noble. That means we should make it our duty to make it possible for all these people to live this way. Our responsibility is to protect the life that we all have.” Her voice as she spoke was solemn and leisurely, she spoke like a wise teacher teaching her young disciple, something that might well be exactly what was going on. She continued, “But, I don't want you to think that makes us better than everyone else. We are all important. We, the nobles, protect them with laws, guard them from enemy countries and dangerous monsters with our swords and our magic, the same way they protect us by giving us food, tools and potions.”

  I kept my silence, listening carefully to my mother's words. I felt that perhaps, this was the reason she decided to go out with me this morning.

  “This may be too complicated for you because you are still too young, but I want you to understand something.” Her gaze and expression became soft and loving. I could not take my eyes off her, giving my full attention to every word she uttered. “Orinthya, my little one, I want you always to be fair and wise, no matter what may lie ahead. You may face many difficult situations when you grow up, hidden enemies who try to bring you down without showing their faces, and dangers in which even I, your father, or Makila cannot protect you. Therefore, I wish you to study hard, to look carefully at others, and not to be carried away by appearances. Honey, always be the best version of yourself.” With those last words, she kissed my forehead and smiled at me, reflecting all her love for me.

  My heart was pounding in my chest. I felt an enormous happiness that I was unable to express in words. Little by little, with every precious moment I spent with her, I gradually felt my wish being granted.

  I smiled at mom, clearly understanding that she wished to her heart's content that she could raise her daughter as a good person. That alone was enough for me to feel a deep respect for her. Really-

  “Mami is so cool,” I said, with the biggest, most sincere smile I had ever shown her.

  Here!) everyone is welcome!