The little boy skipped happily beside Tara, one hand tightly wrapped around hers while the other clutched his newly acquired wooden horse.
Only moments ago he had been crying alone in a dark alley.
Now he hummed happily as they rejoined the lively streets of the Imperial Market.
Tara glanced down at him with a satisfied smile.
"See?"
"I told you we'd figure something out."
The little boy proudly raised his toy.
"I have Horsey now!"
Malini chuckled.
"I believe Horsey deserves most of the credit."
Tara immediately protested.
"Excuse me."
"I worked very hard."
"I told excellent jokes."
Malini looked at her.
"...About cats holding meetings."
"They were excellent jokes."
Satyadhara let out a small laugh.
"I'll leave that judgment to the cats."
The four continued walking deeper into the market.
Not far away...
An elderly grandmother sat outside a small fruit stall, leisurely peeling a pomegranate while observing the endless stream of pedestrians passing before her.
Her cloudy eyes followed the unusual little group approaching.
A young woman.
A little boy holding her hand.
Another young woman.
And a man carrying nearly every shopping bag imaginable.
The old woman smiled warmly.
"...Ah..."
"What a lovely family."
Tara politely smiled as they passed.
The grandmother raised her hand.
"Young lady."
Tara stopped.
"Yes, Grandmother?"
The old woman looked down at the child.
"What an adorable son you have."
For a moment...
Complete silence.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The little boy looked confused.
Tara blinked twice.
Then immediately began waving both hands.
"N-No!"
"He's not my son!"
"We just found him crying!"
The grandmother laughed.
"Oh my."
"My old eyes aren't what they used to be."
"I suppose I misunderstood."
Tara let out a relieved sigh.
"Thank goodness..."
"I thought this was becoming awkward."
"It is."
Malini quietly muttered.
The grandmother looked at Satyadhara next.
He was carrying bundles of rope, blankets, herbs, travelling supplies, winter clothing, the astronomical star chart, and several other purchases stacked almost higher than his shoulders.
The old woman nodded knowingly.
"I see."
"So your husband has been carrying everything."
Satyadhara froze.
"..."
Tara froze.
"..."
Malini bit her lip.
"..."
Then...
Tara and Satyadhara simultaneously shouted,
"HE'S NOT MY HUSBAND!"
Several nearby shoppers turned toward them.
The grandmother blinked.
"...Not your husband?"
She tilted her head.
"But..."
"He carries all your shopping."
"He walks beside you."
"And he's watching over the little one."
She smiled proudly.
"He seems like a dependable man."
Satyadhara felt every ounce of color leave his face.
"D-Devi..."
"Please explain..."
Tara nodded frantically.
"Yes!"
"Please don't misunderstand!"
"He's my royal guard!"
The grandmother looked even more confused.
"...Your guard carries shopping?"
Malini could no longer contain herself.
A quiet snort escaped her.
Then another.
Within seconds...
She had turned away completely, laughing into her sleeve.
"I'm... terribly sorry..."
"I truly am..."
"But this is..."
"...far too funny..."
Satyadhara looked absolutely defeated.
"...Today has been nothing but suffering."
The little boy looked up at Tara.
"So..."
"He's not your husband?"
Tara sighed dramatically.
"No."
"He's just unlucky."
Satyadhara lowered his head.
"...I agree."
The grandmother chuckled warmly.
"My mistake then."
She looked between Tara and Satyadhara one final time before smiling.
"Well..."
"If not today..."
"Perhaps fate will arrange things another day."
Both Tara and Satyadhara immediately denied it again.
"NO!"
The grandmother laughed so hard that even nearby merchants began smiling.
After politely saying their farewells, the four continued walking.
Malini was still giggling every few steps.
Tara folded her arms.
"I can't believe people just assume things like that."
Satyadhara sighed.
"I can."
"I was carrying everything."
"...That certainly didn't help."
Across the street...
Three disguised figures had witnessed the entire exchange from beginning to end.
Chandraveer's face had become strangely blank.
"..."
"...Did she just..."
"...call them a family?"
Nayan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"It appears to have been a misunderstanding, Your—"
Before he could finish...
Mira folded her arms with a mischievous smile.
"I don't know..."
"I think they looked rather convincing."
She pretended to think deeply.
"The child holding Tara's hand..."
"Satyadhara carrying every shopping bag..."
"They really do resemble a married couple."
Chandraveer's eye twitched.
"...They do not."
Mira continued mercilessly.
"And Satyadhara is quite dependable."
"Strong."
"Responsible."
"Polite."
She counted on her fingers.
"Oh..."
"And he already knows how to carry all of Tara's shopping."
"That's a valuable husband skill."
A vein bulged on Chandraveer's forehead.
"...Mira."
She innocently smiled.
"What?"
"I'm merely making observations."
Nayan quietly looked toward the heavens.
"...Please..."
"Let this mission end peacefully."
Neither Chandraveer nor Mira heard him.
One was silently dying inside.
The other was thoroughly enjoying every second of it.
Flowers for a Lady
Leaving the elderly grandmother behind, Tara's group once again disappeared into the ever-growing crowd.
The little boy happily skipped beside Tara, occasionally pointing excitedly at colorful stalls they passed.
"Look!"
"A kite!"
"And over there!"
"So many sweets!"
Tara laughed.
"One adventure at a time."
"If we stop at everything..."
She paused.
"...Actually."
"That sounds like an excellent idea."
Malini immediately answered,
"No."
Tara sighed dramatically.
"You've become very good at ruining my fun."
"I consider it one of my greatest talents."
Satyadhara quietly smiled to himself.
The market continued growing louder.
Silk merchants displayed brightly dyed fabrics dancing in the afternoon breeze.
Potters stacked beautifully painted clay vessels outside their workshops.
Street musicians played cheerful melodies while children clapped along.
For a brief moment...
Everyone simply enjoyed walking.
No ministers.
No emperor.
No politics.
Just ordinary people enjoying an ordinary day.
Meanwhile...
Several shops behind them...
Chandraveer continued following from a safe distance.
His eyes never lingered too obviously...
Yet somehow...
They always found Tara.
Nayan noticed.
Of course he noticed.
But wisely...
Said nothing.
Mira, however...
Never missed an opportunity.
Without warning, she nudged Chandraveer's shoulder.
"...You're staring again."
Chandraveer looked away immediately.
"I am observing."
"Of course."
"The same minister."
"For the last half hour."
"I am making sure she performs her duties properly."
Mira nodded exaggeratedly.
"What an incredibly devoted emperor."
Nayan quietly coughed into his sleeve to hide his laughter.
Just then...
An energetic voice called out from the roadside.
"Young master!"
"You there!"
Chandraveer looked around.
A cheerful flower seller enthusiastically waved him over.
Fresh jasmine, lotus blossoms and marigold garlands decorated his tiny stall.
The fragrance filled the entire street.
"You've been looking at that young lady for quite some time now."
The flower seller leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially,
"Go on."
"Buy her some flowers."
"I guarantee she'll smile."
Chandraveer's face instantly turned bright red.
"W-What?"
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
The flower seller laughed loudly.
"Oh, come now!"
"I've sold flowers here for thirty years."
"I know that look."
He proudly crossed his arms.
"Young men who keep pretending not to look..."
"...are always the ones looking the most."
Nayan slowly turned away.
He had absolutely no intention of witnessing what happened next.
Chandraveer awkwardly cleared his throat.
"I merely happen to be walking in the same direction."
"Nothing more."
The flower seller grinned.
"And I'm the Emperor."
Chandraveer nearly choked.
"..."
"..."
"...That isn't funny."
Before the embarrassed emperor could escape...
Mira cheerfully stepped between them.
"Oh!"
"I'd like to buy something."
The flower seller smiled.
"Wonderful!"
"For your sweetheart?"
Mira glanced sideways toward Chandraveer.
A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face.
"No."
"I'd like..."
She looked across the street.
"...every flower you have."
The flower seller blinked.
"...Every... flower?"
"Every single one."
A few moments later...
The stall stood completely empty.
The flower seller happily counted his coins.
Meanwhile...
Nayan stared in disbelief at yet another enormous bundle added to his already impossible load.
"...Devi Mira..."
"...Where exactly do you plan on putting all of these?"
Mira hugged the massive bouquet proudly.
"I don't know."
"But now..."
She looked triumphantly toward Chandraveer.
"...someone won't be buying flowers today."
Chandraveer finally understood.
"...You did that on purpose."
She smiled sweetly.
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
He sighed deeply.
"...You're impossible."
"I learned from the best."
Across the street...
Completely unaware of the ridiculous drama unfolding behind them...
Tara had stopped before a fruit merchant.
She crouched beside the little boy.
"Go ahead."
"Choose one."
The little boy carefully looked over every fruit.
After several moments of serious consideration...
He proudly pointed toward a single pomegranate.
"I want that one."
Tara smiled.
"An excellent choice."
As the merchant wrapped the fruit in cloth...
Tara unknowingly glanced across the road.
For only a brief moment...
Her eyes met Chandraveer's.
Both of them froze.
Neither spoke.
Neither smiled.
Neither recognized the other beneath their disguises.
A heartbeat later...
The crowd flowed between them once more.
The moment disappeared...
As though it had never happened.
Chandraveer quietly watched Tara continue walking away.
"..."
Mira noticed.
"...Still observing?"
"...Shut up."
At the very end of the street...
A wooden sign gently swayed above a narrow building.
The words carved into it were simple.
"Medicinal Oils & Private Remedies."
Tara slowed to a stop.
Malini followed her gaze.
"...This should be the place."
Satyadhara looked up at the sign.
"...It certainly matches the directions we were given."
None of the three had the slightest idea...
What kind of establishment they were about to enter.
The Entertainment District
The cheerful voices of toy merchants and spice sellers gradually faded behind them.
Without anyone realizing it...
The atmosphere around them slowly began to change.
The streets became narrower, yet strangely more elegant.
Silk banners stretched overhead between beautifully carved buildings, gently swaying in the afternoon breeze. Crimson lanterns hung beneath wooden balconies, while fragrant incense drifted lazily through the air.
Instead of merchants loudly advertising vegetables or pottery...
The streets echoed with music.
The soft melody of a veena.
The rhythmic beat of a mridangam.
Gentle laughter spilled from beautifully decorated establishments whose doors remained half open.
Wealthily dressed merchants leisurely strolled through the district with cups of wine in their hands.
Foreign traders discussed business over lavish meals.
Beautifully dressed women stood outside several establishments, gracefully greeting passing guests with practiced smiles.
The little boy looked around in amazement.
"...Big sister."
"This place smells funny."
Tara sniffed the air.
"...Perfume."
"...Lots of perfume."
Malini looked around curiously.
"I've never seen this part of the capital before."
Satyadhara quietly cleared his throat.
"...This..."
"...is the Entertainment District."
Both women looked toward him.
"The Entertainment District?"
He nodded.
"It is where wealthy merchants, foreign dignitaries and nobles come to relax after completing their business."
"There are music halls... tea houses... luxury bathhouses... wine houses... performance theatres..."
He hesitated for a moment.
"...and establishments intended for more... private entertainment."
Tara blinked.
"...Private?"
Satyadhara immediately looked away.
"...Yes."
"...Private."
Malini noticed his awkward expression and smiled knowingly.
"You sound unusually uncomfortable, Commander."
"I merely wish to finish today's mission."
Tara laughed.
"Relax."
"It's not like we're here to enjoy ourselves."
"We're just buying oil."
Satyadhara silently prayed that statement would remain true.
The little group continued walking deeper into the lively district.
Unlike the ordinary market...
Nobody here seemed to be in a hurry.
Some people enjoyed performances beneath open balconies.
Others listened to travelling musicians while sipping fragrant tea.
Several elegantly dressed women politely invited wealthy customers inside luxurious establishments.
Everything felt refined.
Sophisticated.
Almost dreamlike.
The little boy tugged on Tara's sleeve once again.
"Big sister..."
"When I grow up..."
"I want to come here too."
Three adults immediately froze.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Tara slowly crouched before him.
"...No."
"When you grow up..."
"You'll visit temples."
The boy tilted his head.
"But everyone here looks happy."
Malini quickly smiled.
"Because they're... celebrating."
"Adults celebrate differently."
The little boy accepted the explanation without another question.
"...Okay."
Satyadhara quietly sighed in relief.
He unfolded the expedition list once more.
Only one item remained.
His finger slowly traced the final line.
High-grade warming oil.
Purchased exclusively from Master Govinda's establishment.
He looked around.
"...It should be nearby."
Moments later...
A magnificent three-story building came into view.
It dwarfed every surrounding establishment.
Elegant red curtains cascaded from its balconies.
Golden lanterns decorated each entrance.
Exquisitely carved sandalwood pillars supported an enormous roof adorned with lotus carvings and dancing celestial maidens.
Music drifted from the upper floors.
Gentle laughter followed shortly afterward.
Several beautifully dressed attendants welcomed arriving guests with graceful bows.
Above the entrance hung an elegant wooden sign.
『Govinda's House of Fine Oils & Evening Pleasures』
Satyadhara compared it with the expedition note.
"...This is it."
Malini looked impressed.
"...I expected a small herbal shop."
"So did I."
Tara stared at the magnificent building.
"...Someone certainly enjoys making medicine look expensive."
Across the street...
Three disguised figures stopped walking almost simultaneously.
Chandraveer's eyes slowly rose toward the building.
"..."
Nayan's expression stiffened.
"...Your Majes—"
He quickly corrected himself.
"...Young Master."
"I believe..."
"...we have entered the Entertainment District."
Mira looked around excitedly.
"So this is the famous district everyone whispers about."
Then her eyes followed Chandraveer's gaze.
Straight toward Tara.
Straight toward the luxurious establishment.
Her smile slowly widened.
"...Oh."
"...This is becoming interesting."
Chandraveer frowned.
"...What kind of place is that?"
Nayan awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"It is..."
"...a licensed pleasure house."
Silence.
"...A what?"
"A pleasure house."
"It also sells perfumes, luxury cosmetics, medicinal oils and other expensive goods."
"...Its upper floors provide private entertainment through renowned courtesans."
Chandraveer's face remained perfectly still.
"..."
"...Courtesans?"
Nayan quietly nodded.
"They are respected entertainers."
"Many are skilled musicians, dancers, poets and conversationalists."
"Wealthy patrons often visit simply to enjoy music, poetry or discussion."
"...Others..."
He wisely decided not to finish that sentence.
Mira folded her arms with an amused smile.
"And your minister..."
"...is walking straight toward it."
On the opposite side of the street...
Tara stopped several paces from the entrance.
She watched elegantly dressed guests disappear behind the silk curtains.
She watched smiling attendants welcome them inside.
She watched another wealthy merchant leave while carefully hiding a small parcel beneath his cloak.
"..."
"...This feels..."
"...strange."
An elderly woman carrying several beautifully wrapped perfume bottles walked past her.
Seeing Tara hesitate, she offered a warm smile.
"My dear..."
"Don't be nervous."
"It's everyone's first visit."
She continued walking before Tara could respond.
Tara slowly turned toward Malini.
"...First visit?"
Malini looked equally confused.
"...Perhaps she's talking about the perfumes?"
Before either of them could think further...
Satyadhara confidently stepped toward the entrance.
"If this is indeed Master Govinda's establishment..."
"I shall purchase the warming oil and return shortly."
He adjusted his sword.
Took a deep breath.
And climbed the first step.
Completely unaware...
That someone else had just entered the Entertainment District.
Someone who knew him...
Far better than he wished.