Chapter 11: The Arrival

The rest of the city streets soon burst into view. Cobblestones covered the ground as far as the eye could see, winding in paths lined with buildings of white stone and timber frames. Stained-glass windows glimmered in the last rays of daylight, catching colors of crimson, amber, and emerald.

And at the city’s center, visible even from here, rose the cathedral itself. Its four spires on each tower stretched into the sky, radiant and immense. It was one of the largest structures apart from skyscrapers in Tokyo that either twin had ever seen, though perhaps because they were shorter now than they used to be, it appeared even more daunting.

Lucina leaned forward, her glistening hazel eyes softening as she watched her children’s faces. “This is where the kingdom gathers to honor the gods. And for you both, this will be the place where you’ll truly learn how things are done.”

The carriage pressed on, passing through multitudes of people gathered in the streets. For the first time, Lea and Leo felt the weight of the world pressing in—vast, alive, exciting, and waiting for them.

Solan brought the carriage to a halt outside of a building in a more residential, quiet street. He stepped down from the driver’s box, dusting off his cloak, and with a gloved hand, opened the door to let the rest of the family out.

“Here we are. This is the hotel we’ll be staying at for the remainder of our trip: The Golden Hearth. Children, follow your mother inside to check in. I’ll follow after I find the stable yard.”

“Yes, Father,” Lea answered. Leo nodded, and both stepped out after Lucina. She grasped one of the golden handles and pushed open one side of the hotel’s double doors.

Inside, the reception room glowed with the light of hanging candles. To the right, a cushioned seating area sat beside a round wooden table. The whole room was paneled in polished wood, the scent of pine and faint smoke giving it a homely warmth. The family walked toward the counter.

A young lady with a warm smile stood waiting. Her black hair was tied back in neat twin-tails. “Welcome! How many nights are you staying, my lady?”

“Three nights, for the duration of the festival,” Lucina replied.

“Alright, so just the three of you?”

“No, my husband is outside with the carriage, so four. We sent in a reservation notice a few months ago, under the name Kazantria.”

The receptionist opened one of the large ledgers on the counter, flipping through its pages. “Ah, yes. I see here. Okay, that will be three gold, please. You’ll be staying in the suite at the top of the establishment. Dinner and light breakfasts are included.”

Lucina nodded, producing the coins from her purse. She slid them across the counter. The twins, peeking from behind her, stared at the gleam of the gold. They hadn’t often seen real coin in this world, and never so much at once. It fascinated them, real precious metal, heavy and warm, not just paper notes or numbers on a phone screen like in their past lives.

The receptionist took a wooden tag off a hook behind her and handed it to Lucina. “Here you go, my lady. I’ll have someone take your chest upstairs right away.”

“Thank you, dear.” Lucina inclined her head. “Come, children. Upstairs.”

They turned to the staircase at the side of the counter and climbed upward. The air grew quieter the higher they went, the sounds of the busy dining hall fading behind them. By the time they reached the top floor, the corridor was narrow and dimly lit, candles flickering in iron sconces along the wall. Only two doors waited here, one on either side.

“Hm… number 40 must be this one,” Lucina said, slotting the key into the lock. She turned it, and the door opened with a soft creak.

The room was dark at first. Lucina raised her palm and murmured an incantation: “Lumos.” At once, a sphere of soft golden light blossomed above her hand and floated toward the ceiling, filling the room with a gentle glow.

“Whoa… I’ve never seen that before, Mother,” Leo said, eyes wide.

“Well, although I rarely need to use magic at home, that doesn’t mean I don’t know a few useful spells,” she said with a wink.

The children stepped inside. Two large beds stood along one wall, each with fresh linens and thick woolen blankets. A large window faced the street, its curtains half-drawn, letting in faint sounds of the city below. At the corner stood a small desk and chair.

Lea slipped off her cloak and set it over the chair. Leo, meanwhile, hurried to the second door and twisted the handle. Inside was a small washroom, stone floor, a copper basin resting on a stand, a jug of water beside it, and folded towels stacked on a shelf above. The faint smell of soap lingered in the air.

Lea padded over curiously, brushing her hand over the towels. “So even inns here give us this…” she whispered, half in awe. It reminded her of hotels back in Japan, though different and simpler, but in its own way, refined.

Lucina set her satchel on the desk. “Freshen up a little before supper,” she said gently. “You’ve been on the road all day.”

The twins took turns washing their hands and faces. The cold water shocked their skin, but it felt good and refreshing after the long journey. Each caught their reflection in the polished basin. For a moment, Leo thought he saw Haruka’s eyes staring back but he shook away the thought. Remembering who he is now.

Before long, Solan returned. His heavy steps creaked up the stairwell, and he entered, brushing his dirty-blond hair back and unfastening his travel cloak. His neatly trimmed beard caught the glow of Lucina’s light spell.

“The carriage and horses are safe in the stable yard,” he said. His green eyes swept the room, and he gave a satisfied nod. “Hm, not bad. It's more comfortable than I expected.”

Leo caught how tired he looked beneath his strong posture. But when Solan’s eyes met theirs, he smiled faintly. “Now then. Let’s go down and get some dinner.”

The dining hall of The Golden Hearth was warm and full of life. Wooden tables lined the floor, each with small lanterns flickering atop them. A great stone fireplace roared at the far end, filling the room with golden heat and the smell of burning oak. Merchants, adventurers, pilgrims, and families sat together in the room, their voices blended together in a low hum of conversation.

The Kazantria family took their seats at a table near the window. Soon, platters arrived—roasted chicken glazed with herbs, bowls of seasoned vegetables, soft bread fresh from the oven, and cups of lightly spiced cider for the twins.

Lea clasped her hands together instinctively, the way she used to in her past life before meals. But as Lucina took a glance over she realized what she was doing

“Eat,” Solan said simply, tearing a piece of bread. “You’ll need strength for tomorrow, and we've had a tiring journey”

The dinner passed calmly. Lucina asked what the twins thought of the city, and Lea eagerly told her of the things that intrigued her such as stained glass in the buildings, the bustling crowds of people and the overwhelming noise. Leo admitted he wanted to see the cathedral up close and to visit some stalls. Solan listened quietly, pride in his gaze, though he still watched the doors and people out of habit.

When the meal ended, the family climbed the stairs once more. Lucina helped the children into bed, smoothing their hair and pressing a kiss to each forehead. Outside, sounds of the city drifted in. But now quieter as the night drew on. The clatter of hooves, and chatter of people. It was strange, but soothing.

The twins lay together in one of the beds across from their parents. Neither spoke, but both thought the same: what awaits us tomorrow?

Sleep began to take them slowly, the city still alive all around them.

The next morning, sunlight spilled through the curtains. The streets outside were already stirring. Vendors shouted, carts rattled, and bells chimed.

Lucina tied Lea’s blue ribbon neatly in her hair and smoothed Leo’s tunic. Solan buckled his sword at his hip, polished steel catching the morning light.

“Come,” he said. “We’ll walk the streets a little before visiting the cathedral. Best you see the city properly first.”

The family stepped out into Marchten. The world burst alive—stalls overflowing with fresh food, bright fabrics, and trinkets. A pair of street performers entertained a group of children. Colorful banners painted with Athnea’s symbol of equilibrium swayed overhead.

Lea’s eyes sparkled, every detail reminding her faintly of festivals back in Japan, though louder, brighter, more alive. Leo walked beside her, gaze sharp, noting the guards at every corner, the mercenaries in the alleys, the weapons openly carried. His fingers twitched toward the hilt of his wooden sword.

And above it all, rising higher than any banner, the cathedral's towering spires loomed above as they neared.