Soon, the trio arrived at the diner.
Lysaria sat upright, sleeves neatly folded back, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she unfolded a small parchment scroll onto the table.
"Riku, I was thinking we could begin looking for stoneworkers today," she said. "I've heard there's a mason's guild near the eastern quarter—and possibly a glassblower, too."
"We can," Riku said with a smile, "but only after we can actually afford to hire them."
Lila chuckled. "That's his way of saying we're broke."
Lysaria blinked. "But I can pay—"
"You've already paid for our room," Riku reminded her gently. "Let's earn a little before building sanctuaries. After all, the church is for Elowen"
Just then, the innkeeper arrived, setting three wooden bowls onto the table with a warm nod. "Stew of the day. Root vegetables, barley, and spiced broth."
Lila rubbed her hands, eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Let's gooo!"
She picked up a spoon, blew dramatically on the surface, and took a hearty bite.
And then…
Her expression froze mid-chew.
There was a long pause.
Then she slowly turned toward Riku.
"…Did I get the wrong dish?"
Riku blinked. "Nope. Same as ours."
Lila frowned at the contents. "People pay how much for this?"
Lysaria, having just begun sipping hers, tilted her head. "This is considered a fine dinner in most parts of the kingdom. In fact, this inn is among the more expensive ones."
"That's not comforting," Lila muttered. "I'd rather have half a butter mochi than all of this."
At that, Riku smirked. "Say no more."
He reached into his system panel and withdrew a small pouch. Inside, perfectly wrapped, were three freshly conjured servings of matcha and butter mochi.
The warm, sweet aroma filled the air instantly — roasted green tea, subtle vanilla notes, and that golden, lightly crisped mochi shell.
Lila leaned in eagerly. "Now this is food!"
Even Lysaria, who looked unsure at first as to where the food came from, took a tentative bite.
And paused.
"…This is…" she began, eyes fluttering halfway closed, "…sublime."
Her posture relaxed. The tension in her shoulders softened.
Riku raised an eyebrow as she took another slow bite.
Lysaria whispered. "The divine has truly blessed your hands."
Riku grinned. Then suddenly, he had a thought.
He blinked once.
Then again.
And slowly set down his spoon.
Lila noticed the change first. "What?"
"Buns," Riku murmured.
Lysaria tilted her head. "Come again?"
"Matcha buns. Mochi. The stuff that you folks are drooling over right now." He leaned forward slightly, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if we didn't just eat them… what if we sold them?"
Lila's eyes widened. "You mean here? In the city?"
"Exactly," Riku said.
"But I don't want to sell them all. What will we eat?" Lila said, making a small face.
"Don't worry. I have plenty to feed you for your entire life." Riku said, smiling.
"Really, now you have said it. You have to feed me for my entire life now, or I will become a ghost and haunt you." Lila shot back, giggling.
After the last kiss which Lila planted on Riku's cheeks, their relationship had definitely grown closer,
"You both seem to be really close... Must be nice.." Lysaria said in a soft voice, inaudible to anyone but herself.
--------------------------
The next morning, the trio hired a small cart with a flat serving plank and a small collapsible canopy stitched from pale red cloth. Riku had scrawled the name in bold charcoal across the signboard:
Elowen Delicacies — Matcha Buns & Butter Mochi
A Blessing in Every Bite
1 serving = 2 Gold
Lysaria stood to one side, covered in a dark robe, as she did not want to involve the church.
Lila arranged the treats in neat rows, each one gently glowing from a minor presentation enchantment Riku had infused during the night.
At first, it started slow.
A few passersby paused, sniffed the air, and glanced at the cart's glowing confections. Some pointed. A few leaned over to read the sign.
Elowen Delicacies — Matcha Buns & Butter Mochi
A Blessing in Every Bite
1 Serving = 2 Gold
A hush of murmurs rippled through the early crowd.
"Two gold? For a bun?"
"Looks magical."
"Maybe it sings hymns too?"
More people gathered, forming a small semicircle around the cart. The sweet aroma tempted many noses, but when they reached the price… hesitation set in.
"No way I can afford that," someone muttered.
"Two gold could buy me three meals in the merchant quarter."
"Still… it smells better than anything I've eaten all year."
Riku stayed calm, arms folded behind the cart, smile easy. Lila twirled a serving spoon idly. Lysaria stood poised, radiating serenity.
And then—
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
A lacquered black carriage rolled into the plaza, its wheels polished to a shine. A retinue of clean-cut attendants surrounded it, parting the crowd like water.
The door opened with a click, and down stepped a nobleman in green brocade, his hair tied in a sharp knot, a cane clinking with every step.
He glanced once at the crowd, then at the cart.
"What's all this fuss?"
"A sweet shop, sir," one of his aides said. "They say the scent has filled the entire square."
The noble raised a brow and stepped forward.
He looked at the cart.
At Riku.
At the sign.
Then at the neat tray of mochi and buns.
Without another word, he reached into his pouch and dropped two gold coins onto the counter.
"One serving."
Riku, polite as ever, selected the softest, most perfectly toasted mochi, placed it with a matcha cup on a small ceramic plate, and handed it to the nobleman.
The nobleman brought the mochi to his lips. The moment it touched his tongue, he paused — eyes gently widening as the sweet warmth unfurled across his senses. The texture melted like cream, the roasted tea cut through the richness with an earthy bite, and for a moment… the entire city square faded around him.
He exhaled slowly.
"This," he said softly, "is… exceptional."