The Eternal Market
We arrived a bit late, but fortunately, the carriages were already ready and waiting in the courtyard.
In the time that I'd had conversing with Kevin, Isabella, and the other servants, they'd been able to pack all the necessities we'd require on the journey—organized, disciplined, just as was typical of the Fireheart clan.
Only Kevin and a handful of servants, such as Isabella, would be joining me this time. That simplified the departure, the quickening. In a matter of minutes, we were settled, and the wheels of the carriage were rolling around the stone road.
Nevertheless, there was one picture that stayed with me—Isabella by her grandfather, Max. She had never seemed more beautiful, not even in a dream; the weathered eyes of the old man softened, though with a touch of something bitter. He had tousled her hair and patted it, the same manner in which he had when she was little. The scene remained etched in my mind long after the carriage disappeared.
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"Woah! It's so cool! It's moving!"
Isabella's enthusiasm filled the air, breaking the tedium of travel.
She leaned her face against the glass, staring wide-eyed at the forest racing past. "Look! The trees are going so fast!" she exclaimed in wonder.
One of the servants chuckled gently and corrected her, "It's not the trees that are moving, young miss. The carriage is what's moving quickly. It only seems that way from where you're sitting."
Isabella blinked, then nodded in realization. "Ohhh…" she murmured, her tone somewhere between curiosity and wonder, before returning her gaze to the passing scenery as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.
Her naivety-bliss pulled a smile out of me. I did not laugh out loud, but my heart was lighter observing her this way.
The servants also obviously loved her—particularly after her metamorphosis. Since she had started displaying her real look, their affection for her had grown tenfold. It was as if her beauty had opened up more depth in them.
The trip to the Eternal Market would take about four hours. I'd intended to pass the time sleeping, perhaps catch a little nap before the craziness of the day started.
Sleep had not been common lately. Midnight training exercises and constant planning had left my body fueling itself on adrenaline.
Isabella's talking made that impossible, though. She was too loud, too obnoxious.
After a few minutes of futile effort, I finally gave her a piece of chikki, the sweet item immediately stopping her from making any noise as she stuffed it into her mouth.
Ideal. Enough silence to sleep.
I allowed my eyes to close.
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By the time I woke up, the wheels had slowed down, and the rhythmic bang against the road had mellowed out.
We'd arrived at the outer street leading to the Eternal Market—a long, sprawling avenue now alive with noise and color.
Crowds swelled on either side, merchants shouting, children running, banners fluttering overhead. The sheer scale of it all reminded me again why this was the grandest ceremony in Emberhold City.
To most, it was a day of joy and honor.
To me, it was nothing but a day of hassle.
…I might have been practicing.
The mere idea hurt worse than it ought to. Since Father's return, I'd seen flaws in my stance—insidious holes in my style, laziness born of complacency. My physique cried out to iron them out.
If I don't keep moving ahead, I may not survive long enough to regret it.
The carriage halted at the gate of the market square, where a portly, short man in gold silk was waiting for us. Across his chest was embroidered the proud word "Eternal".
He bowed low the instant I alighted.
"I am the representative of Eternal Market, Eshi. It is an honor to make the acquaintance of the little star of the Fireheart clan."
"Davis Fireheart," I replied, maintaining a polite yet reserved tone.
When Eshi raised his head, his eyes fleetingly focused on Isabella. His eyes went wide before he rapidly adjusted his expression back to indifference. Brilliant recovery. Sign of an experienced merchant.
"Second Elder is not here yet," Eshi replied suavely, "but the Lady of Fireheart has already sent ahead her stuff and is resting now. I would like to have the young master taken to your chambers so that you can rest too."
".Mm. That would be pleasant. Please, go ahead."
Eshi personally led us through the marketplace's winding streets.
I'd heard Eternal Market was enormous, but strolling through it once more after coming back to this era, I had no idea just how humongous it really was. The air reeked of spices, seared meats, and fresh bread. The laughter, haggling, and music in the distance filled all the streets.
Was it possible that this market was larger than the Fireheart estate itself?
Perhaps.
Then again, Father's obsession with moderation had always kept our clan's holdings smaller than they could have been.
Still, the market pulsed with life, with ambition.
And apparently, Mio Fireheart—my dear sister—was already here.
Eshi mentioned that she had arrived earlier, unpacked, and retreated to her chambers to rest until the ceremony began.
Perfect. The less I saw of her, the better.
Mio sure despises me. If I see her, something inconsiderate will occur. That's simply the way things work.
I nearly grinned to myself.
'There is no way I'm unlucky enough to run into her.'
Naturally, I was.
As I turned onto the guest hall, fate chose that moment to demonstrate that point.
"Can't believe I have to look at such a disgusting face upon my arrival," Mio snapped, venom dripping from her words.
I let out an inward sigh. Spoke too soon.
"Hello, older sister."
"Don't speak to me. You're so annoying."
Her glare could have sliced steel.
"You'd better not cause trouble today. It would be pathetic for the blood of Fireheart to spoil the ceremony."
"Don't mind me," I said lightly, "I'll quietly make a break for it in a bit."
"Who said I was concerned…" Mio's voice was laced with disdain. But then her gaze shifted to Isabella.
She stood stock-still for a heartbeat. Surprise crossed her face before it contorted into a scowl. Her eyes grew darker as she turned to regard me.
"They say you can't break old habits—and you're the best example of that."
"…What are you suddenly going on about?"
"I expected you'd have improved a bit, but it's obvious that some people never change."
She strode past me, her scent strong and acrid in the air.
I glared after her, furrowed brow. What the devil was she trying to say?
By my side, Eshi twitched with unease, beads of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"Well, yes, young master," he stammered uncomfortably, "it is normal for siblings to quarrel. I myself, as a child, used to fight with my sister frequently…"
I glared at him blankly.
"…"
You don't have to comfort me, old man.
Eshi coughed in embarrassment, hastily showing me the way to the guest rooms.
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The space they'd set aside for me wasn't much smaller than my own bedchamber back at the Fireheart estate. Spacious, clean, neatly organized—probably attended to every day by the market's finest servants.
I half wanted to lay down on the bed, but there wasn't much time before the wedding ceremony could start. Grumbling reluctantly, I made myself change and venture out once more.
The Eternal Market's conference hall loomed before us, a gigantic building that overshadowed most mansions of the clans. Its high, arched ceiling was held up by huge wooden pillars carved with detailed phoenix designs.
Even I couldn't help but stop.
'Even for Eternal Market, this is… excessive.'
"Woah! It's so big! It's the first time I've seen something so huge!" Isabella gasped, eyes wide as she gazed upwards.
I couldn't help but agree in my mind.
If a stranger came in, they may be confused as to which one this is, the central hall of the Martial Alliance. That's just how impressive it was.
The first day of the Nine Day of the Flames was spent commemorating the Swordfighters of the Fireheart clan—the warriors who'd closed the Hell Gates and returned, or died doing it.
The second day would be for the competition, where the future generation of Swordfighters would be selected from the young martial artists of Emberhold.
Fortunately, those of Fireheart lineage did not have to compete.
My assignment here was straightforward: sit, observe, and keep out of trouble.
I let out a disappointed sigh.
"I'm just watching," I grumbled, "so nothing ill will occur… correct?"