Chapter 5
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Rina stepped away from Grizel Park after covering two blocks on foot.
Indar Street held markets near her residence, yet this shop offered superior value and broader selections.
Her demanding routine had emptied the cupboards lately, demanding heavier loads this trip.
She reached the entrance precisely at opening time, finding the space serene and unoccupied.
Methodically, she gathered essentials into her carrier.
The bill tallied one gold coin plus forty-seven silver ones.
Such a steep figure caught her off guard inwardly.
Eggs cost two silver a dozen, alongside stew makings like potatoes and tomatoes, plus basics—nothing lavish.
A quick reckoning in her thoughts matched the sum precisely.
Even so, bundling ten silver into gold struck her as peculiar.
Daily immersion in ledgers amplified the oddity.
Those same eggs fetched one silver just two years prior.
Every market visit drove home the relentless price surges as she settled up and departed.
Postwar recovery might finally temper those costs, she mused hopefully.
The burdened haul tugged at her arms during the walk until a sharp prickle teased her cheek.
She yielded to the compulsion without question.
Lowering the load, Rina halted to ease the itch while scanning nearby instinctively.
Pure golden irises met her gaze, gleaming like forged metal.
A startled sound slipped from her throat.
Did the capital shrink to village size?
Had she craved fresh sightings of Everett Rojas to soothe her sight?
His unmatched appeal likely drew their paths together repeatedly.
Awareness dawned mutually, halting them in mutual unease.
Everett Rojas had exited the neighboring shop of rare volumes moments before.
Chance meetings piled up, but casual acquaintance remained distant—no salutations flowed.
Rina managed a shy grin, hoisted her dropped basket, and marched homeward with gaze averted.
That prior evasive glance she’d sensed replayed uncomfortably.
His attention burned against her nape, yet she refused to verify by turning.
Victory felt hers this round.
Her lips twitched upward in subtle glee.
Random encounters slipped from mind as she arranged purchases into sparse storage.
Tidying neglected corners then reclining consumed her focus now.
Edwin fixed on Rina’s form shrinking into the distance until oblivion claimed it.
Captivated like a seafarer spellbound by enchanting vocals, he rooted in place for extended beats before advancing.
Palace path forsaken, he pivoted toward a modest café framed by vast glassy panes.
Entry triggered a soft chime; the apron-clad owner emerged solitary to offer welcome.
Sunbeams highlighted his chestnut mane, while kind emerald eyes amplified his buoyant vibe amid the intimate setting.
Edwin tossed a lax reply and dropped into a proximate seat.
The fellow darted anxiously near the emperor’s indolent pose.
“Those files about that noble remain unfinished.”
“Spare me Duke Camelot updates today.”
Kyle, Edwin’s enduring ally atop the shadow network, breathed easier at the words.
“Deliver findings promptly, within days.”
Edwin tacked on; Kyle weighed his plate momentarily.
“Four days tops—palace drop-off upon completion.”
Edwin dipped his chin in approval.
Business chatter concluded, he ventured, “Kyle.”
“Ever put stock in chance happenings?”
Bewilderment creased Kyle’s brow at the pivot.
“Like one woman materializing repeatedly.”
Edwin swung his stare from blank walls to pin Kyle.
“Fear she’s planted opposition?”
Some overlooked operative? Kyle’s pitch quieted.
A beat’s pause, then Edwin pressed on.
“Her mannerisms rule that out.”
Limbs toned solely for endurance, supple and harmless.
Wrist contact had screamed harmless impulse.
Blithely unguarded, she latched on with doe-eyed wonder, evoking a lady’s cherished lap pet.
“Palace exits summon her unfailingly.”
Edwin cataloged the brushes.
“Entry point: capital arrival ahead of schedule for Bliss’s tribute.”
Year-eight reunion demanded her cherished frangipanis.
“Follow-up: Grizel Park trek, toy in pocket for the site’s quiet resident.”
Proximity struck again.
“Next: this café exit bound palace-ward; her hasty cart flight went unnoticed by her—still counts.”
Thrice over, city scale felt diminutive.
“Today’s pair pushes five.”
Chance strained credibility.
“Patterns emerge,” Kyle conceded, fingering his chin.
“Divine whim or mortal scheme—probe it.”
Kyle bowed assent.
Scribbling agent directives, Kyle fielded incoming guests.
His venture passion sparked a genial facade for them.
Service pivot drew girlish gasps and murmurs.
Fine roasts and charming proprietor fueled the buzz.
“Coming right up.”
Sweeter beam for patrons, pure host perfection.
Keen senses feigned ignorance of flutters, Edwin observed wryly.
He inwardly jeered the polished pretense.
Drinks and pastries dispatched, Kyle extended a mug Edwin’s way.
“No brew for me—got spirits?”
“Strictly café fare,” Kyle griped softly.
“Missing ‘abominably wretched’ qualifier.”
Edwin nodded toward puckered patron reactions.
“Escalated past abysmal.”
Kyle clung to pride.
Teasing glint lingered on Edwin.
“Dirt brew illusions haunted me.”
Southern import decade fresh; rarified pursuit, café sprouts emerging.
“Domestic drought versus source mastery.”
Barista archetype, execution dismal.
Exile mentor’s months drilled minimal uplift.
“Tavern route—far less toil.”
Edwin hissed conspiratorially.
“Offbeat venture merits nod.”
Placation attempt as dampness gathered in Kyle’s gaze.
“Brew repels nuisances.”
Zero solace landed.
“Gains registered, honest.”
Hurt propelled Kyle away, skills demo vowed.
Edwin’s mirth followed, steeling for premium-sourced disaster ahead.
Vacation’s trio of delights yielded to drudgery gears churning anew.
Fiscal dossier wrap-up loomed as pivotal conquest.
Morning pierced with finance overseer, scowl etched, hefting ledger monolith steeped in crew anguish toward assembly hall.
Survivors implored seamless passage, weekend sanctuary intact.
Fates scorned the plea.
“Capture awaits Duke Camelot’s graft accomplice and pilferer!”
