Her Majesty's Favorite

Hmm... What a nice color.

Isn't it? And it's super moisturizing, so it won't dry out your skin. I love this store!

While we're here, why don't you try out this one for yourself?

Lovinia? Meryt? What a coincidence.

Aldo! What are you doing here?

I just thought I'd see how things were going in the Golden City. You?

We're doing some shopping! We were just looking at lipstick.

These are more like salves than cosmetics. They prevent dry, chapped skin while adding a little color.

They sell the best stuff here. They have the most beautiful array of colors.

That's because we use special dyes made from the petals of flowers found in Remulia Cavern.

I would like to increase trade with human towns, and I think this would make a great local specialty. Shopkeeper, if you were to increase production...

There she goes again, back in work mode. This was supposed to be a day off...

Is there anything you wanna buy, Lovinia?

No, not especially. But it's fun to browse, you know?

We only decided to do this because Meryt said she really liked my look. She was super interested when I said I bought it all here.

Hehehe!

I can see why. It's a really pretty outfit, and I think it suits you, Lovinia.

Thanks, Aldo!

But I heard you wore that outfit to pose as a dancer and get close to Meryt.

That's right. My family lives in the outside world, but we look just like the people of this city. I came here to find out if there was any connection, but I couldn't find any information.

Then I heard that the queen might know, so I pretended to be a dancer in order to talk to her!

Why a dancer, though?

Well, the first person I met...

Ah!

Her! She's the one who suggested it!

Wait up!

What's going on?

I think Lovinia saw an old friend. We'd better go after her.

I lost her!

Lost who, exactly?

I saw the girl who told me to dress up as a dancer in order to get close to you!

I met her on the ship on the way over. She helped me out when I got to town... but we lost contact later.

If she was on a ship heading this way, that would probably make her a merchant.

Greetings, Lovinia! Queen Meryt!

Say, Lovinia. Remember Leeda, that merchant you were looking for? Well, apparently, she came home the other day.

Really? After all that time away?

Leeda is the girl we were just following.

She's a strange one, that girl. She always seems like she's hiding something.

......

Hmm... I have an idea!

Care to help me out?

Okay, I'll be counting on you! Let's meet up later, in the place with all the desks!

I don't get what we're doing here. I'd rather just shut myself away at home...

Yeah, but there's this event that's gotten really popular in town while you've been out of the picture. It's a great opportunity for a merchant, you know. You don't want to miss out.

There certainly are a lot of people around. Maybe I should take a look...

She's mesmerizing! And what a lovely voice, too!

Lovinia's amazing!

I-It's her!

Hah... She's the queen's favorite dancer, you know.

Ah!

Sorry about this. Lovinia just really wanted to talk to you.

You set me up!

I don't know what happened between you and Lovinia, but you should talk to her. She's worried about you.

......

Leeda! It's been a while. Have you had a chance to catch up with Lovinia? She's been looking for you for ages.

......

Lovinia seems pretty popular with the people of this city.

She's surprisingly well-connected. And as you said, she's quite popular. Apparently, I'm not the only one who sees how great she is.

Wait, why do you sound angry? Isn't that a good thing?

Don't be ridiculous! I am not angry!

Huh?

Thanks for your help, everyone!

And sorry for tricking you, Leeda.

......

Let's go someplace else.

Thanks for inviting us to your house. Are you sure you want to do this here?

It's...it's fine. I...I...

I'M SO SORRY!

Lovinia, I...I deceived you! I only helped you out so that I could get someone close to the royal family, to Queen Meryt. I only did it for my own selfish reasons!

What was that?! You...!

I...I'm so sorry!

Calm down! It's okay, I'm not mad! To be honest, I always had a sneaking suspicion that you were up to something. You're not the best at keeping secrets.

Waaah! I'm so useless!

She's totally losing it!

Hey, why don't I sing you a song? I'll even dance too!

Feeling better now?

Your singing always has a way of calming me down... And I forget all my worries whenever I watch you dance.

Hehe! I'm happy to hear that!

Now then, explain yourself. Why were you using Lovinia to get close to me?

As a merchant, I do business with the outside world...

I met a human there that I really hit it off with, and...I wanted to live in her town.

What?!

I-I'm so sorry! I...I was trying to leave the city!

There are many things I have to say about that, but...I will overlook it for now. Though I still don't understand what that has to do with you tricking Lovinia into befriending me.

She told me that if a demi-human wanted to live in a human town... I'd need to bring some kind of... "special gift."

And I'm guessing by "special gift," she didn't mean a regular old souvenir.

No. She was looking for some royal secret that could make it easier for the humans to trade with us... Or some incredible treasure hidden in the Golden City. That kind of thing.

Hmm...

I hate to say this, but it sounds like you were being used.

Yes, I agree.

But even though I got close to Meryt like you wanted, you never once asked for an introduction.

Because you got way closer than I ever imagined! I thought if I said anything, the information would be shared right away. I was scared you'd see through my sorry excuse for a plan, so I went into hiding.

I see... So you were forced to give up because Lovinia and I got too close.

Hehe!

In the meantime, I lost contact with the human I'd befriended.

Oh...

After all those plans we'd made! We were gonna set up a little shop together in the human town!

Waaah!

Then let's go see her! We should go talk things out.

But...

Even if it's over, I think it's best to talk to each other and get closure. Wouldn't you agree?

Yeah... You're right.

Where does your friend live?

In a village named Ratle. That's where we planned to open our shop.

Then, first things first, let's go to Ratle! Maybe we'll find some kind of clue.

We used to talk here all the time... ......

Trade between the Golden City and the outside world is controlled by the royal family. But emigration isn't generally allowed. If you want to live in the human world, you have to leave your life in the Golden City behind for good.

Were you really so desperate to leave?

Well...not exactly. It was less about leaving the city than it was about being with someone dear to me.

That person just happened to be from the outside world.

I see...

I'm sure there must've been demi-humans who left the city before.

Even if we do not permit leaving, stopping someone from doing so would be quite the feat. It's not as if we'd send out guards to drag runaways back to the city.

I wonder why my ancestors left.

Hehe. There's something so intriguing about the mystery of it all.

But maybe it's better not knowing the answer. That way, I can let my imagination run wild.

......

Your family lives somewhere with no connection to the Golden City, right?

Right! Our village is pretty far off the beaten path. It's a quiet life, but a peaceful one. The thing is...my dad is a human. It's my mom who looks demi-human.

No way! I've never heard of a human and demi-human couple before! Are they close?

Super close!

But since they were from different species, some of my relatives were against their union at first. I think hearing about that was what got me curious about a city of demi-humans.

I'd never seen people who look like me outside of my own family before.

Do you know what your family's connection was to the Golden City?

I think they probably lived in there a long time ago, but...I don't know why they left. There's no information on them in any public records. Maybe the records just don't exist anymore because it was so long ago... Or maybe they were destroyed for some reason.

Hey! You!

You used to talk to her, didn't you? Do you know where she is now?!

Those ears... Yeah, I remember you. By "her," you mean the one you wanted to go into business with?

I just saw her near a shop. It looked like she was arguing with some men.

Thanks!

We'd better go after her!

Leeda!

There she is!

Give it back! I already paid you what we agreed!

Pfft. You know what we really want. Give us the information you promised, or you ain't ever gettin' your precious treasure back.

But that wasn't the deal! Ugh...Fine. That fabric... It's fine. I don't need it. I'd never get to use it anyway...

C'mon, you can't be givin' up already!

Did you seriously just say that?!

Wait, wha?!

Wh-What are you doing here?

What are YOU doing here?

Hey! We ain't done talkin' yet!

We have to get out of here!

Hey! Wait up!

I think we lost them...

But I can't believe you, Leeda! What are you doing here?

What do you think I'm doing? If I suddenly stop hearing from you, obviously, I'm gonna worry!

So, is this the girl you've been talking about?

Yes. This is Shepp, my human friend. And um...she's the one who told me... I'd have to bring a treasure or information about the Golden City in order to live in a human town.

Y-Your ears... You're from the Golden City...

Yes. In fact, I am its ruler, Queen Meryt. Now, I believe you've been looking after a resident of my city.

Eek! I-I'm so sorry! I should never have asked Leeda to do that for me! P-Please forgive me!

She's losing it...

Hey, why don't I sing you a song? I'll dance for you, too. Just keep your eyes on me, okay?

Feeling better now?

Yes...

Can you tell us what's going on? Why did you say you should never have asked Leeda to do that?

I came a long way to see you, Shepp. I'm not leaving until I've heard the truth.

Okay... The truth is, I borrowed money from those guys. I needed it to buy tools and pay the rent for our store.

Then why did you say to leave the finances to you?

I used my savings at first, but it wasn't enough. You were going through enough trying to leave your city. I didn't want to worry you with this, so I took out a loan. But then they went back on our deal and moved up the payback deadline. Then they added an extra fee on top of that, and...

So the "gift" you asked Leeda for...

Yes, they told me to do that. They said if I couldn't pay back the loan... I should use my demi-human friend to bring them either treasure or information.

Then they'd give me more time to pay back the loan, and they wouldn't interfere with us opening our store.

It sounds like you were set up from the start. Some humans will do anything to get their hands on something from the Golden City. They see value in its scarcity.

I'm so sorry, Leeda. When I came back to my senses, I realized what a terrible thing I'd done. So I panicked and cut off contact.

You should've just told me! I could have helped.

I'm so sorry. I don't expect you to ever forgive me.

Don't be stupid! Of course, I forgive you! You're the best friend I've ever had, and I'm not letting it end like this.

Oh, Leeda!

Hehe! I'm so glad you were able to make up!

And it's all thanks to you for suggesting it, Lovinia!

But what do we do about the loan?

I was able to pay back the money I owed. I had to give up the store and sell all our equipment. So we're not going to be able to run a store together after all, Leeda...

......

Then what was that argument about earlier?

They took something important to me as collateral and haven't given it back. And I, Oh!

What? Something wrong?

Leeda! I just noticed her outfit!

Yes, I had it made with the fabric you bought!

You did?

Shepp's a total expert on fabric! She told me all the good qualities of this particular cloth. So I asked a tailor in the Golden City to make it into a dancer's outfit. Then I met Lovinia, and I just knew it would look perfect on her! I had to give it to her.

So that's why you recommended she become a dancer?

I may know fabric, but I can never work out how it should be used. But that's where Leeda comes in! A dancer's outfit really was the perfect choice! Still... If only we could run a shop together...

No... Never mind. Forget I said anything.

Shepp!

Like I said, I don't owe those guys money anymore. All that's left is to get my treasure back. But...

......

Then let's go get your treasure back! This time, you won't be alone.

You really mean it, Lovinia?

I'll go too.

Perhaps this was destiny.

Thank you... Thank you all so much! Those guys often hang out at the Vasu Mountains. That's where we'll find them.

Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going!

I can hear voices from over there.

It will put them on guard if we all go up to confront them, so I'll go in alone first.

Don't be ridiculous! Why do you think we're all here? I'm going with you!

Me too.

I appreciate the thought, but it will only provoke them if I show up with a big group.

Then Lovinia and I will watch from here. Call us when you need us.

Okay, got it.

Those two were able to reconcile thanks to you, Lovinia. And it looks as though they may even get their treasure back.

Yeah, but... Do you think Shepp's going to disappear again once she gets it?

It's possible. What would you do if she did?

I don't know. I don't think I should interfere.

Oho...

I'm not being up or anything. It's just that this is between Shepp and Leeda...

...... Sometimes you just can't do anything to help, even if you want to.

Lovinia?

I left my village because I wanted to use my music to make people happy. But of course, sometimes things go well and sometimes they don't.

Sometimes I think the world is just too big for little me.

I had no idea you felt that way...

Maybe Shepp's feeling like that, too... A feeling somewhere deep down that, no matter what we do, there are some things we just can't change on our own.

Still...

I think that's why I like you, Meryt.

What do you mean?

I mean, you work hard toward these huge goals that I think, deep down, might be hard to accomplish.

Hehe. Maybe I'm just weak... This isn't like me at all, is it? Are you disappointed?

No. I could never be! You are even stronger than I am, Lovinia. So if I can work hard, then I know you can too.

Oh! You're right!

Hehehe!

Queen Meryt! Lovinia!

We found the men, but negotiations have kind of broken down! They have monsters!

Uh-oh! We'd better go!

So you're not going to give Shepp her belongings back?

Thanks to her, our plan to find out the Golden City's weakness failed! So we're takin' it as compensation. Keep runnin' your mouth and these guys'll shut you up for good!

We'll see about that!

Sorry to keep you waiting, Aldo.

Th-They're so strong!

You're the ones who wanted to know my city's weakness, yes? Well, you will regret making an enemy of the Golden City!

Oh no... Look! I think they're from the Golden City!

We ain't strong enough to take on a city of demi-humans head on!

Tch! Just take this stupid thing and forget you ever saw us!

Hmph. How dull.

You did it! You got my treasure back! Thank you so much!

Your treasure was...fabric? Wait. Is that our...

Yes, it's the fabric I bought to embroider our shop's name on. The one we were going to hang in our store. I couldn't bear to part with it, but they found out about it and took it away from me.

Oh, Shepp...

It's all I have left now. I lost my shop, my tools, my savings, everything.

Oh...

Then why not come work in the Golden City?

Huh?!

Meryt!

I've been wanting to expand our trade with humans anyway. Our island produces great dyes, and I would love for us to sell dyed fabrics and products made from those fabrics.

I think you and Leeda would do a fine job assisting me with that.

That's an amazing idea!

And since this is an order from the queen, we will provide both a location to start your business and some initial funds.

I...I can't believe this...

Thank you so much, Queen Meryt! And you too, Lovinia and Aldo! Our dreams are coming true because of you!

Thank you all so much!

Now all that's left is to inform the local defense force about those ruffians. They dared set their sights on our city of demi-humans. They need to be tracked down and punished for their crimes. Hahaha...

That's one scary look in your eyes, Meryt...

Hehe! Okay, let's head back to the Golden City!

Before that...I just want to thank you again, Lovinia. If we hadn't met, Shepp and I never would've been able to find happiness like this again.

Hehehe! Don't mention it!

Looks like everything worked out in the end. Leeda never had to leave, and the Golden City gained a wonderful new store.

Perhaps we should have them make you a new outfit.

There are so many reasons why people might come and go from this city. Some might even leave for good reasons, even if records of it don't remain.

Lovinia... I think you should try looking into your ancestors again.

Huh?

When you realized there were no records, you pretended like it was fine. You acted like you gave up. But in reality...

I-I really had given up!

After all, you can't always get what you want, no matter how much you want it. And not knowing who my ancestors are doesn't really affect me here and now.

But you're dying of curiosity, aren't you?

Y-Yeah.... I guess I am. I'm sorry, I couldn't hide it after all.

But I shouldn't be obsessing over something this much. It's just selfish of me.

Is that so?! I think you aren't nearly selfish enough! You are the queen's favorite dancer, after all. Whatever you wish, it shall be granted!

A-Are you sure?

But what if what I want is too much to ask for?

Hah. Try me!

I...I want to look into my ancestors again. I thought I'd ruled it out as impossible... but I guess I'm just bad at giving up! I don't even have to find answers. I just need to keep looking!

You have my permission. And my help!

Thank you, Meryt. Oh, and while we're at it, do you mind if I make another selfish request?

I'm listening.

I want to choose a lipstick for you at that shop we visited the other day! I saw one that I think would be perfect for you!

Is that it? I certainly wasn't expecting that, but...very well. You have my permission to pick one out next time...

Nope, not next time! Right now! Come on, let's go!

Lovinia!

Time to take you shopping, Meryt!