The leaves rustle as the frigid breeze brushes on the squamose surface of the creature lying on the earth. The creature opens its sapphirine frosty eyes liting the pitch-black forest.

Suddenly, swishing noises are heard from the bushes. Hasty steps from the trees are gradually drawing near. A man in a sable suit comes out from the darkness. Behind him, a furrowing woman appears deep while she grips her coat together on her chest. The man rushes before the creature with a troubled and hurried look while the woman follows behind. The creature notices the bassinet filled with an ivory cot and a baby held by the woman.

“We must go, Eins.” The man speaks to the creature as he gets the basket in his arms. “They are coming.”

From a coiling position, the creature stands. The creature's head protrudes above the trees and its scaly feet raze the grasses and bushes underneath. The branches swing as it flaps its immense wings twice and its stout tails disappear into the trees.

The man and woman climb onto the creature's back as it sits on the ground. “Where do we head?” the creature's voice echoes in the darkness waking up the birds.

“In Hange.”

As the creature begins to flap its wings, the birds fly away in fear. The baby cries constantly in the skies.

With her hair scattered on the pillow, Rein opens her deep bluish eyes. She feels big chunks of cold sweat on her temples. She sees stars from the window next to her bed. She closes her eyes working back on her sleep.

The cry of the baby ringing in her mind fails her to fall asleep. She sits up, reaches for the knob, and opens the window. A cool breeze touches her face as she steps out from the window. With her feet on the sill, she climbs up to the top of the roof.

From this height, she could see the sleeping Suden and on her far right the dark horizon.

Rein does not know how her restaurant will continue from its opening to the future but she had risked her life into it. People certainly sneer at her for doing it instead of going where being a musician leads her. Undoubtedly, her reputation will fly up in the skies if she decides to go with one of the theater companies but she wanted this for her life.

Screw they theater eejits.

“Awright, Rein!”

She turns to see Jade waving his hands in the air. He lives in a room next to Rein's house. His family works for the Viscountess and he works in the cafe owned by the Viscountess which happens to be next door.

“Guid mornin'!”

His exuberance never ceases to amaze Rein since they were kids. His voice could wake up anyone who is still sleeping now.

“Urr ye 'ere fur th' sunrise tae?”

“Na. Ah juist woke up earlie.” Rein sits on the roof.

“Ah cam fur th' sunset. It looks braw up 'ere!”

The starry cobalt sky gradually changes into a blend of scarlet and peach. Clouds hovering up high move farther away from Trayl.

“Tis comin', Rein!”

“Aye, aye.”

The sun slowly appears on the horizon with golden rays bathing the sea, clouds, and roofs.

* * *

Few people pass before her as she sprinkles water to the plants beside her doors. People around the street prepare for the opening of their stores and shops.

However, Rein was worried if her servants would come back or if they would come late for their job. Servants who are discontent with their masters or mistresses can approach the Merchant's Guild to breach their employment contract. When a servant does this on his own, the Merchant's Guild will inform the master or mistress on the next day.

She was born a commoner and once born a commoner will die a commoner. That is unless she marries a bourgeoisie or an aristocrat, however, doing so would close her restaurant and be left sitting on a lounge chair wearing a cincher corset paired to an overflowing bell-shaped skirt with a lady-in-waiting. Nevertheless, she could climb her way up into the society owning enough fame and prestige to claim a bourgeois class wherein commoners hardly attain.

In addition to that, Rein is a woman. Other than taking away their rights upon marriage, a woman is not legally permitted to do what every man does however she still retains few of her rights. Commoner women are not allowed to present themselves before the public unless men allow them to. That's why she only had waiters.

The bell bongs once indicating the eighth hour of the day has come. Rein walks to the door with a long face. Och, they're nae arriving.

“Good morning, Mistress Rein.”

She hears a familiar voice coming from her back. As she turns, her smile beams light seeing the faces before her. Jings, thank goodness.

“Is there something wrong, Mistress Rein?” Laura asks.

“Oh, nothing. Good morning, too.” Rein opens the door and they step inside.

“Wow!” As Laura sets eyes on the grand piano on the round elevated surface in the midst, she immediately runs to it. “This is a real piano! Look!” She was amused at seeing the piano for the first time that she runs her hands on its surface.

Rein clears her throat to get their attention. “I-I, actually, just finished cleaning it.”

Laura immediately puts her hand in her pockets. “I'm so sorry, Mistress Rein.” She feels ashamed for behaving shamefully before Rein. She runs to the kitchen and comes back with a rug. “I'll clean it right away, Mistress.” She hurriedly wipes the piano trying to reflect on her behavior.

“So,” Rein turns to the four servants, “we should prepare.”

As they walk into the kitchen, Laura finishes wiping and follows behind them.

I completely forgot that normally we don't see instruments. Rein was surprised how her servants had responded upon seeing the grand piano.

She walks upstairs to get the flowers she bought a while ago. She walks back downstairs and sees her three waiters wearing black suits and bowties while her cook and chef wear white coats and caps.

“Now, we are looking more like a real restaurant.” Rein hands the flowers to Georg. “I think we've got vases in the storage room. The tablecloths are also in there.” The two men walk to the kitchen while Georg arranges the flowers.

Rein faces Laura and Marie. “Please take out the menus and set up the kitchen.”

“Yes, Mistress Rein.” They disappear into the kitchen.

“Can you manage here until it opens?” Rein asks Georg. “I have to go upstairs.”

“Yes, Mistress Rein. We will prepare the tables and curtains, and place the notice board outside.”

As Georg reassures her, Rein goes upstairs straight to her room.