“Of course,” I say in a dignified and not at all trembling voice. “Shall we?” I offer her my arm and we set out.
For the first time since Moe moved in, she is rather generous with her smiles and not at all stingy with words. If she can bestow such attentions on me, then how can I not give her the most grandiose, most extravagant outing of her life?
After all,thatis why I risked my life for extra money. So my Moe can have all the beautiful things in life.
The fact that she grants me her presenceandher smiles is all the reward I could have dreamed of.
The dessert shop is one of the most famous attractions in Mesquine District. They’re particularly known for their jelly cakes, made from a combination of fragrant flowers and fruits from the mountainous area of Sattoriya. Due to the limited quantities available, the desserts are not only expensive but also in extremely high demand.
The line outside stretches some two hundred steps. When we arrive there, my face falls as I think about waiting so long—not for me but for Moe. It’s cold and a little humid. It might rainlater. Hopefully the line will move fast and they won’t run out of jelly cakes by the time we make it there.
“This is so exciting,” Moe mentions, her eyes sparkling with joy as she takes in the long queue. She wrinkles her nose. “I can almost smell the sweetness in the air.”
She’s right. The smell is intoxicating and far reaching.
“If you like them, you should get some for later too,” I offer. I don’t know how expensive they are yet, but if she likes them it’s all worth it.
“Really?” She blinks. “That’s so generous of you, Nyk. Thank you.”
I stare at her, unmoving.
“I’m curious if I can recreate their recipe, with local flowers and fruits—” she continues, but I can’t focus.
She notices my expression a few moments later.
“Nyk?” She calls out.
“…” I gulp down. “Nyk?”
“I… I’m so sorry. I won’t call you by that name if you don’t like it. I don’t know what came over me and?—”
“No, don’t. I like it. No one’s ever called me that so I was just taken aback.”
“Are you sure I can use it?”
“If it’s you.” I nod. “I think Nyk suits me better. But only whenyousay it.”
Her cheeks redden and she glances away. But I catch a small smile pulling at her lips. Instantly, my expression mirrors her own.
Time passes fast; not because the line moves quickly, but because I’m lost in her sweet words and shy smiles. Before I know it, we’re at the counter, ordering a pack of six jelly cakes which cost a staggering twenty-five slova.
“T-twenty-five?” Moe repeats incredulously. She leans in to whisper in my ear. “Nyk, I think we should just go. I’m sure there are cheaper options. This isinsanelyexpensive.”
“It is.” I don’t deny that. “But it is a rare opportunity. Besides, we have the funds. I told you I got paid a lot for my last job.”
“But—” She tries to protest again, but I can see the way she looks longingly at the cakes inside the store.
“Here you go,” I tell the clerk and hand him the money in exchange for the cakes.
Moe lets out a resigned sigh, but she doesn’t take her gaze off the box.
“I suppose we can do it just this once,” she murmurs, more to herself.
“Come on.” I pull her with me to one of the sitting areas. There is a domed area where paying customers are allowed to sit should they want to. Most people who buy jelly cakes do so as take-away for their masters, so it’s quite easy to find an empty table.
We both sit down and I start preparing the table, placing a napkin in front of Moe as well as a bottle of water that I brought with me.
She smiles at my thoughtfulness and I can’t help but pat myself on the back for having such foresight. Moe takes a cake and brings it to her lips. The bottom layer is a soft, spongy texture while the top layer is entirely made of fruit and flower compote.
