Handcrafted Earrings

From there, Elza dragged me into browsing several more shops.

We wandered through clothing and accessories stores. Everything was winter stock, given the season.

Some shops had rings and pendants on display that supposedly kept the wearer warm.

They weren't quite at the level of proper magic tools, but they were priced a good cut above ordinary accessories.

Elza picked up and examined them one by one.

But each time, she'd stop after a moment and say, "Shall we move on?" and that would be that.

"I don't mind buying something, you know."

"Master, I know you don't like playing favorites between us. If that's the case, I'd rather we wait until everyone's together. Oh, but if you're buying for all of us right now, I'd love to pick mine out."

"Hmm."

I hadn't done it consciously, but now that she mentioned it, I supposed I hadn't given preferential treatment to any of the three.

Azu was special to me as the first slave I'd bought, but in terms of how I treated them, they were equal.

I didn't want to lose any of them.

"That's kind of you. But you should be careful, sometimes that kindness invites a cruel ending. Then again, you're the type to act when it counts, so I'm sure you'll be fine."

"… You're telling me to buy."

So that had been a roundabout hint.

I'd thought she was being cryptic about something deep.

"Thank you!"

Elza latched onto my arm again.

The soft pressure still caught me off guard, but I didn't force her away.

"Shopkeeper, I'll take three of these."

"Coming right up."

The portly shopkeeper smiled broadly and wrapped three earrings in a cloth bag.

Red earrings with a warming enchantment, priced at a twenty-percent premium over the other items.

Three at once was enough to put a grin on anyone's face. I could understand.

"Here, a little extra."

What he handed over was a small wooden snowman carving.

It had been carefully painted white, with colored-in eyes and mouth.

"Oh, how cute."

"You think? Made it myself."

The shopkeeper looked proud.

Quite the craftsman. The rounded parts were so smooth they wouldn't catch a fingernail.

"Those earrings are my handiwork too. The effect's about what you'd expect for the price, though."

"You're quite the hobbyist."

"Hear that a lot. I just make what I like, and somehow it keeps food on the table."

He let out a hearty laugh.

People like that came along now and then.

Part of me envied it.

I'd come up with product ideas and even made them myself on occasion.

But a merchant and a craftsman were at opposite ends.

Once I knew a product would sell, I'd formalize the recipe and outsource production.

I'd never be someone who kept making things with my own two hands. That path wasn't for me. Which was exactly why I envied it.

What a pointless thing to dwell on.

I tucked the goods under my arm and left the shop.

"Come back anytime. I've got great stuff if you're looking for a gift for a sweetheart."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Once we were a short distance from the shop, I detached Elza from my arm.

She hadn't been gripping all that tightly, so it came off easily this time.

"Oh, my."

I took one of the earrings from the bag and fastened it to Elza's left ear.

It was the shopkeeper's own handiwork, but the clasp held firm.

The red earring looked lovely against Elza's golden hair and fair skin.

"How is it?"

"Warm. Truly."

Elza cupped her hands over the earring and smiled.

A serene, madonna-like smile, and for a moment, I couldn't look away.

"I wish days like this could go on forever."

"They'd better. I've had enough trouble. The steadiest profits come during peacetime."

"True… Alexia-chan will be thrilled with hers, too. Azu-chan as well, of course."

"I went out of my way to buy them. They fit the season, so they'd better be well received. Getting a strained smile while someone accepts a gift stings."

"Speaking from experience?"

Damn. I'd let my guard down and talked too much.

That had nothing to do with Elza.

"It's gotten late. Let's head back."

I cut the conversation short and started walking toward home.

"Ah, wait for me!"

Elza hurried to catch up.

It was cold. I should have bought one for myself.

Or maybe it had been warmer when Elza was clinging to my arm.

You don't appreciate warmth until it's gone, huh.

On the way home, snow began drifting down from the dull sky.

The sun had been peeking through the clouds when we left, but the weather had turned without my noticing.

Fortunately, it was only enough to dust our shoulders.

I unlocked the back door and we went inside, brushing off the snow together.

"Welcome back. I'll have a warm drink ready in just a moment."

Azu greeted us.

Her gaze flickered briefly to the earring on Elza's ear. But she quickly shifted her eyes back to me.

I handed over the coat I'd brushed the snow off of, and Azu trotted off to the coat rack to hang it up. The patter of her indoor slippers echoed lightly as she went.

Like a little animal. It was endearing.

"Here you are."

She brought over two cups on a tray.

Steam curled upward, carrying a faint apple scent.

I took a sip. A sweet-tart flavor spread across my tongue.

A warm trail slid down my throat.

The usual hot apple vinegar. Comforting.

I'd been drinking it since I was a child; we always kept it stocked at home.

… The reason I'd come to love it was because of her.

Elza's conversation had dredged up the memory before I could stop it.

I'd forgotten for so long, and yet today it kept surfacing.

As I sat lost in thought, Azu peered up into my face.

"What's the matter? Did Elza-san wear you out?"

"Honestly, Azu-chan…"

"Ehehe, just kidding. Please don't be mad."

Elza pretended to be angry and chased Azu around. Azu dodged her with ease.

Watching them, the brooding felt absurd.

I set the cup in the sink and pulled out the earrings I'd bought.

"Azu, come here a second."

"On my way."

Azu broke away from Elza and came over.

I fastened an earring to her ear just as I'd done for Elza, and her face lit up.

"Thank you! Is it really for me?"

"I bought one for each of you."

"I'm so happy. And the cold feels a little more bearable already."

"That's what it does. Should be just the thing for Alexia, too, since she's always complaining about the cold."

"Definitely. She'll love it."

"Here's hoping."

Talking with Azu, the memory sank back beneath the surface.

The first girl I'd ever been in love with, fading once more.