In the grand castle at the heart of Twin Dragons City, a young man lay lounging on a soft, luxurious bed. Dressed in fine embroidered clothing, he reclined on one arm while several maids attended to him.
One maid gently fed him peeled grapes.
Another massaged his shoulders with delicate hands.
With his eyes half-closed, the young lord, Sharon, ruler of Twin Dragons City, asked lazily,
"Kran, have you seen anything new or interesting in the city lately?"
The butler at his side bowed.
"Reporting to Lord Sharon: nothing unusual has occurred in the territory."
He paused, then added as if recalling something:
"However, a new group of merchants arrived recently. They brought several curious items from other regions."
"Oh?"
Sharon opened his eyes with genuine interest.
"What kind of items?"
"One of them is something they call a newspaper," Kran replied.
"In addition, they brought fine white paper, as well as various goods produced by magical beasts, honey, wool, fruit juice, and more."
"Would you like me to fetch one for you?"
Sharon waved him off and stood. The maids immediately stepped forward to drape a robe over his shoulders.
"No need. Since there are so many novelties, I'll go see them myself."
Without further delay, Sharon left the castle with Kran guiding the way.
Though Twin Dragons City was not the largest territory in the kingdom, its population of over sixty thousand made it a prosperous and lively place.
Commoners bustled about the streets, and farmers were already leaving the town to tend their fields.
Ahead, a crowd had gathered in front of a merchant's stand.
"My lord, that is where the merchants are set up," Kran explained.
Sharon approached with mild curiosity.
From within the crowd came enthusiastic shouts:
"Fresh honey and soft wool from Lucien City! Don't miss it!"
"This honey is sweeter than sugar, this wool softer than silk! Only fifty copper coins a bottle!"
"Fifty copper coins?! That's outrageous!" someone exclaimed.
The merchant laughed.
"This isn't ordinary honey. It's produced by the Three-headed Bee colonies, far richer and more nutritious!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Magical bees?
Everyone knew about them.
Some beekeepers had tried raising them, but their powerful Queen would command the entire swarm to attack if she sensed danger.
Sharon raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Honey made by magical bees? I've never tasted that."
Understanding the hint, Kran stepped forward, pushing through the crowd.
"Pack all of this honey for Lord Sharon."
The merchant brightened instantly.
"A generous customer! Of course!"
As the honey was packed, Kran asked, "Do you also carry the item called 'newspaper'?"
"Certainly! Would you like one, sir?"
A moment later, a freshly printed newspaper was placed into his hands.
But before Kran could leave, the merchant produced a stack of immaculate, snow-white sheets.
Kran froze.
"This… this is paper?"
Not parchment, paper. As white and flawless as polished ivory.
"You have a discerning eye, sir," the merchant said proudly.
"This is white paper, invented by my prince for writing. It's more elegant than parchment and much easier to carry."
Kran touched the sheets with near reverence.
Smooth. Light. Refined.
It was unlike anything the kingdom had ever produced.
Sharon stepped closer, intrigued by the butler's reaction. He picked up a sheet and examined it carefully.
"This truly is remarkable…"
The merchant, noticing Sharon's bearing, answered respectfully:
"We come from Lucien City."
"Lucien City…?"
Sharon frowned and turned to Kran.
"Is there such a place within the kingdom?"
"Never heard of it," Kran admitted.
The merchant quickly explained:
"Lucien City lies northeast of Twin Dragons City, about half a month's journey on foot. It's a newly developed settlement. Our honey, our wool, our juices, our carpets… all of them come from there."
Something felt wrong.
Sharon narrowed his eyes. He had never heard of a place called Lucien City until today.
Suspicious.
"My lord…" Kran hesitated beside him, as if wanting to warn him further, but Sharon raised a hand and silenced him instantly.
"I'll take all these sheets of paper," Sharon declared with a dismissive wave.
The merchant startled, eyes widening.
"M-My lord! T-These sheets cost over a hundred gold coins…"
He hurried to explain, scrambling to present cheaper options.
"We also have lower-grade paper for writing and record-keeping. far more affordable!"
He pulled out a stack of yellowish, rougher sheets.
"These ones are only five copper coins each!"
Sharon's expression turned disdainful.
Did this merchant really think he cared about the price?
Did he look like a man who couldn't afford ink, paper, or anything he desired?
Only the pure, snow-white sheets were worthy of him and his noble station.
The merchant, seeing his expression, dared not continue. He immediately began packing every last piece of the premium paper.
On the way back to the castle, Kran finally spoke, worry evident in his tone.
"My lord… why purchase so much paper?"
Sharon didn't bother looking at him.
"My third uncle will appreciate it," he said simply.
His third uncle was a renowned scholar, obsessed with books, records, and rare writing materials. Even Sharon, who had little interest in such things, could recognize the value of the sheets. His uncle would recognize it even more.
Kran bowed.
"As you say, my lord."
When they returned to the castle, Sharon immediately dismissed the attendants and carefully stored the pristine white paper in his study.
Afterward, with a maid assisting, he sampled the honey produced by the magical beasts.
The moment it touched his tongue, his eyes brightened.
Rich. Smooth. Sweet without being sickly.
A floral fragrance lingered, delicate yet unforgettable.
Far superior to any honey he had tasted before.
Is everything from this Lucien City of such high quality?
Intrigued, Sharon reached for the newspaper.
Though he enjoyed being pampered, he was an earl who had received formal noble education. Reading was not difficult for him. And for the first time in a long while, genuine curiosity stirred in him, about the newspaper, about the paper it was printed on, and above all… about this mysterious Lucien City.
He waved the maid aside.
"I'll read it myself."