TCPFDH 15

Episode 15: Amid the Bustle of the Town

“It’s such a waste if we don’t! The Queen said you can use the gardens more freely now. So why don’t we go down to town and look at new seedlings and plants?”

That was the sudden suggestion Iris and Lotos made during their break.

It was unexpected, but Bertina guessed right away they had planned this. They sometimes left in pairs with Hanna, so this outing was probably their idea of being considerate.

It wasn’t something she needed to refuse. But Bertina still wondered if it was really okay to leave the castle. When she voiced that concern, the twins only replied carelessly, “No need to worry, it’s perfectly safe.”

Apparently, the town of Nachtberg was known for its good order.

“And besides, Iris and I were born and raised here. We’re true Nachtberg kids!”
“Exactly! We’re city kids—we know the streets inside and out. Leave it to us!”

Their proud words left Bertina with no choice but to agree.

She glanced back at the towering castle and murmured, “Is this really alright?”

“Of course! We’re just going to the market. The castle is right nearby,” they reassured her.

“But I don’t have any money,” Bertina said, frowning. She didn’t even know what kind of currency this country used.

The twins only smirked confidently.
“That’s fine! We’ve got wages saved in gold coins.”
“And seedlings are cheaper than cut flowers or vegetables. So just tell us what you want, and we’ll buy them. Easy as that!”

They spoke proudly, puffing their chests—though a moment later, they giggled, “When we get back, could you help us put it on castle expenses, please?” That made Bertina smile wryly.

“Alright… but I should ask. I’m still human. Do the townsfolk know a human princess is here at the castle?”

She thought of the hatred some held for humans, of the forests burned in the past. The twins glanced at each other and shook their heads.

“It’s fine. Everyone knows that one day you’ll be our princess too. Didn’t the people in the castle welcome you warmly?”
“And besides, while you smell human, you also carry a faint scent of our kind. So most will take you as one of us. You’re even wearing the same uniform as us. No one will see you as a foreign princess.”

Bertina accepted their words. Maybe she had been overthinking. She decided to trust them.

＊＊＊

The town market was overflowing with smells—meat sizzling, sweet honey, fresh herbs.

So many people—no, so many beings. The streets were wider than expected, filled with every kind of form: those with horns, wings, animal ears, scales, even tiny fairies flying about.

Bertina, who until recently had lived completely alone, was stunned by the sheer liveliness and blinked again and again.

“Come on, let’s find the plant seller!”

Holding one twin’s hand so she wouldn’t get lost, Bertina stepped into the busy street.

Just as the twins promised, nobody gave her a second look. Only a few beastfolk paused to glance at her, realizing she was human, but there was no hostility in their eyes.

Before long, they reached the shop. Herbs lined the front, along with vegetable seedlings—pumpkins, carrots, and more. Bertina had never been to a shop before, and she was impressed. There were even herbs she’d never seen in the gardens back home.

After some time looking, she chose seedlings of echinacea, elderflower, and fennel, then turned to head back toward the castle with the twins.

That was when one of them tugged her arm.
“Wait, Bertina! Since we’re already out, let’s explore a little more!”

“Hanna is waiting for me,” Bertina frowned. “And shouldn’t I be careful about wandering too much?”

“It’s fine! Hanna is older than you,” the twins insisted.

They called her “more of a big sister,” and though Bertina didn’t know Hanna’s exact age, she nodded in agreement.

The twins smiled brightly. “Exactly! Hanna’s older than you, and we’re only thirteen. So she’ll be fine waiting. Besides, she told us you were locked away in the garden your whole life in the human world. That’s too sad! As your maids, we want to show you the beautiful sights here.”

Pulled along by their eagerness, Bertina sighed and finally nodded.

＊＊＊

They wandered the lively streets.

Glühwein stalls even though it wasn’t winter, stollen for sale though it wasn’t a holy day, men laughing in taverns over beer, wine, sausages, and ravioli—so much was strangely familiar, just like taverns in Vermeburg.

“Strange. They say this is a world behind the human one, but the food is the same,” Bertina murmured.

The twins explained cheerfully.
“Our ancestors once lived in the human world, so food customs remain.”
“And even now, many still go into the human world disguised as people, bringing back the latest trends!”

Bertina was amazed, though she soon understood. Humans and demonkind had once lived together, after all. Still, she had imagined demons as wild and barbaric. She never expected a country this advanced.

Even elevators powered by magic existed. In some ways, it felt more advanced than her own homeland.

As she pondered this, one twin gasped.
“Bertina! Let’s get a snack! You can’t leave town without trying it. Our top recommendation!”
“It’s called a Schneeball—it’s like bread, but sweet!”

Bertina frowned. She knew that word—“snowball.” She had read about it once: a southern specialty, round bread dusted with powdered sugar.

She murmured, “If I remember… isn’t it a ball-shaped bread covered in sugar?”

“Correct!” the twins laughed.

“I’ve never eaten one. Is it really good?”

“So good your cheeks will fall off!” they answered dreamily, before quickly adding with a grin, “And please let us count it as expenses later.”

Bertina nearly laughed aloud.

But then—it came again. The burning heat at her chest where the mark was.

It lasted only a moment, but she pressed her hand against it in surprise. The twins’ ears twitched.

“Bertina, what’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing… Just, whenever I feel happy, the mark on my chest burns like fire.”

The twins exchanged a glance, then smiled softly at her.