* * *
Last day in the desert.
Before leaving, I spent the morning hanging out with Princess Ram Hertiti and having a meeting about women’s clothing sales.
“So you want men’s clothes to be heavily decorated, then?”
“Yes, because we are going to sell it to the wealthy.”
“Well, I have just thought of the perfect thing for that. It’s brand new, so I’ll go back and make it, and get it into circulation before the Terrans do.”
I said cheerfully and shook hands with Princess Ram Hertiti. The shape of the ornament was already pictured in my head.
‘I need to make ivory, green jade, and pearls into beads and string them on.’
The thread could be made in a variety of ways, including red thread, gold thread, and silver thread.
‘I needed something new.’
What I’m going to make is ‘norigae’*. I was planning to incorporate traditional Korean patterns into the clothes here.
*(The word Norigae means “pretty and playful objects” or “favourite trinkets” and is the name of decorative pendants hung on women’s hanbok. Women of all classeswore them, but the class difference was still visible through the materials used for the norigae as well as its style and size. See picture below for reference.)
‘I’ll put gold leaf on the hem of the dress, while a norigae would be attached to the waist.’
The same goes for men’s clothing. Since it is new, it will sell.
There will definitely murmurs questioning the idea of men wearing any accessories, but when they see Lacius wearing a norigae, they will have no choice but to keep their mouths shut. Because a pretty and handsome man like Lacius would look really good wearing a pink norigae with pearls and green beads intertwined to it.
“It’s already afternoon.”
Now that I’ve taken care of one thing, I should move on to the next one. I quickly headed to the dining table, which included Daphne, Kun’s chief, Lacius, and the princess. They should already know enough about what kind of place Evershal is, and thanks to Daphne, it’s almost a done deal, so all I had to do was finish it.
“I want to attract group of tourists to Evershal. It’s such a fun place, shouldn’t people of the desert enjoy it too?”
“I’ve heard that place so many times that my ears are already numb from hearing it. I haven’t even been there, but I feel like I can describe that place with my eyes closed.”
“I’ll offer a very low price to the first-time guests. Also, you’ve never seen the sea, have you?”
The chief of Kun and I were almost friends now. I gently cajoled him.
“I’ll show you the sea. The mysterious underwater world.”
Why did I create an aquarium? This is because we need something that will attract people from other countries. Using the connections I made with the princess of the Edmund Kingdom here, I have to gradually expand, starting with the desert. I smiled brightly and explained how exciting and fun the Evershal amusement park was.
“Sure, alright. I’ll select about thirty people from the Kun clan and send them over. Consider it as my way of repaying you for saving our people..”
“Great. You’re making a wise choice while the costs are low.”
I extended my hand to the chief of Kun. Pale and dark hands hold each other. When I first arrived in the desert, we didn’t know each other well, so there was caution.
But it was different now. We became closer to each other, transcending race, nationality, gender, and skin color. It was a time of great learning for me as well.
‘I did well saving those people back then.’
After eating, we went out and walked down the street. The looks the desert people give me and Lacius are also full of goodwill. It was definitely different from before.
“Lacius.”
“Yes”
“I love you.”
Pride floods my chest. And love for him at the same time. Lacius didn’t answer for a moment, but then he grabbed my waist, lifted me up, and gave me a spin.
“I love you too.”
Although there’s no star candy here, the world tastes so sweet, like I’ve just popped a handful of it into my mouth.
* * *
It felt like it took a long time to arrive, but felt quck to leave here.
Before getting on the plane, I looked back and took one last look at the vast desert.
‘There were so many things that happened.’
I thought I wouldn’t miss them at all, but I was wrong.
Daphne, who had come with me but was now in the position of seeing me off, caught my eye, and Edmund’s princess, who was trembling in the distance, also came into view. The same goes for the Kun warriors whose faces I recognized but whom I have never spoken to, as well as the Ram princess. When will I see them again if I leave now?
Even after I got on the float and settled down, I looked outside for a long time.
-I’m sick of the desert now. I hope we don’t have to come again here, master.
Cat, who was lying on the pillow next to me and was brushing its head with its front paw, grumbled like that.
Cat rode in the cargo on the way here, but now he got to ride next to me when we left. It was thanks to the understanding of people who realized that Cat was not a scary creature, that he is calm, and he understand words well.
‘He must have suffered a lot, knowingly or unknowingly, so he should be able to enjoy this level of luxury when we leave.’
However, if the men’s clothing business does well, I will have to come back to monitor the progress. I gave an ambiguous smile and gently scratched Cat under its chin to soothe it.
“When we get back, I’ll order you a new scratcher that can handle your claws.”
-Hmph.
“I’ll get you about five of various shapes. I’ll add a sturdy hammock, and I’ll even create a whole section in the garden with various sizes of oak trees as a cat tower. How does that sound?”
The tip of Cat’s tail fluttered at my words. It was a sign that it was quite satisfied and pleased. Of course, I wasn’t sure how long the oak trees would withstand those fearsome claws, but for now, Cat deserved some reward.
“We’re taking off!”
With the captain’s shout, the plane finally rose into the sky. At the same time, Lacius squeezed my hand. I don’t know what awaits us when we get back, but for now, we are finally going home.
Me and Lacius. To our home.
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