"Chatter—! Clatter—! Laughter—!"
The marketplace was louder today.
Brighter.
Livelier.
And Lunivara—
Was walking faster than usual.
"…Clara, let's go a little quicker."
"Yes, milady—?"
But Lunivara was already a step ahead.
Her eyes sparkled slightly as she looked around.
[Yesterday was just emeralds… but today—!]
A small smile grew.
[What if there's a diamond I could find?]
Her pace quickened.
[Or something rarer—!]
"…Maybe they have more today…" she murmured, almost to herself.
Excitement slipped through her voice—unhidden.
Not controlled.
Not calculated.
Just real.
The familiar path came into view.
The stalls.
The voices.
And—
"There!"
Her steps almost turned into a run.
[The merchant stall—!]
She reached it—
Only to stop.
"…Huh?"
Silence.
No display.
No emerald.
No merchant.
Just… empty space.
The excitement faded just a little.
"…Wait…"
She stepped closer.
Maybe she was mistaken—
Maybe—
"…It's gone?"
A small pause.
Then—
"…No way…"
Her shoulders dropped slightly.
[But I was so sure—!]
She turned quickly to a passerby.
"Excuse me—! The merchant here yesterday—where is he?"
The man blinked at her sudden energy.
"…Ah, that one? He only comes every Saturday."
"…Only Saturday?"
"He leaves at night. Travels to another district after."
"…Another district…?"
"Far from here."
"…Ah…"
Lunivara stood still.
Just for a moment.
Then—
"…That's so far…"
Her voice softened.
Not dramatic—
Just honestly disappointed.
[So I can't see him today…]
[No emeralds… no diamonds… nothing…]
She let out a quiet sigh.
"…Let's go, Clara."
Her steps turned slower this time.
Not heavy—
Just… less bright.
But even then—
A small thought remained.
[Next Saturday…]
A faint smile returned.
[I'll come earlier.]