"Chatter! Clatter! Laughter!"
The marketplace was louder like yesterday but brighter and
livelier today.
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.
It was neither controlled nor calculated.
Just real.
The familiar path came into view.
The stalls.
The voices.
And
"There!"
Her steps almost turned into a run.
["The jewels stall!"]
She reached it
Only to stop.
"…Huh?"
Silence.
There was no display, no jewels***,** and the man from the other day was nowhere to be seen.
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 man 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 and travels to another district after."
"…Another district…?"
"Yes..Far from here."
"…Ah…is he a merchant?"
"Uhh...yes he is.."
"..ahh..okay, thank you!.."
Lunivara stood still 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."]