Arcane Innovator

The air in the Southern District's temple was heavy with anticipation as the hour approached for the wedding of Konrad and Kari.

I stood there at the entrance of the exquisitely decorated temple, sweat dripping from my forehead. My gaze was fixed on the young couple standing at the front, close to the altar. They wore nervous smiles as they awaited the arrival of Leif and the rest of the family.

'Ugh, I almost didn't make it,' I thought, releasing a sigh as I tried to steady my breathing after the long run.

I dusted off my tunic as I tried to squeeze through the crowd inside the temple. I forced out a smile as I greeted some of my distant relatives in the back. I knew most of them only by sight as I tried to avoid the family gatherings, but I knew it would be rude to simply pass them, so I smiled brightly at them but didn't stop for long enough to exchange words.

Contrary to my outward appearance, I was actually seething with rage. As with all my problems these days, the reason I almost didn't make it on time was that little vixen Elena's fault.

I asked Isadora for a day off almost a week ago when the wedding schedule was finalized so that I could attend it. It took some convincing, but in the end, she reluctantly agreed. However, it was under the condition that I still needed to come early in the morning to prepare the shop for the opening before I was allowed to go.

It meant I would be on a tight schedule to make it there, but there was nothing I could do about it. 'Unless I wanted to risk losing my job, that is...'

The wedding didn't start until the middle of the second period, so I still had some time to make it there.

I knew that there would be a lot of important guests gathered there, and I didn't want to disgrace my family by showing up in my work clothes. So I needed to run back to my apartment for a quick wash and to change into my best clothes before going back to the Southern District, where the wedding would take place.

'Why must everything be so complicated around here?' I thought bitterly.

I'm sure Elena could have handled this in my place for a single day, but I guess that would be asking too much...

But this was not something worth arguing about, even if I got there a little bit late. 'Not that I wanted to go there in the first place...'

It was still possible to make it there just fine. But when Elena heard about it, she smiled at me with that poisonous grin of hers, and I instantly knew I was in trouble. She then purposefully dragged out each task as slowly as she could, watching me suffer while smiling sweetly at me.

However, this dirty trick backfired spectacularly on her in the end. When I heard the ringing of bells signaling the start of the second period and also the time when the shop was supposed to be opened, I jumped out of the window on the first floor, generating a cushion of air to slow down my fall and then dashing out onto the street as fast as I could.

Elena was smart in her wickedness and was aware I could simply run away. So she locked the doors, planning to keep me there until all the preparations were done while also throwing all her work onto me.

But then, before she had a chance to react, I was gone in an instant, and now she was left with an unprepared store at her hands and also to be the one to receive the blunt of Isadora's rage when she comes downstairs and finds out.

I heard her shouting after me, but I didn't slow down one bit while grinning victoriously as I disappeared into the city's winding streets.

I knew she would try to get back to me for this and didn't want to find out what would await me in the store when I got back there the following day, but for now, I concentrated on the road in front of me as I tried to make it to the wedding in time. I noticed the bells had stopped ringing, so there wasn't much time left.

In this world, there was no precise timekeeping, or at least not any that I was aware of. Instead, there is a system of periods, each lasting about three hours.

The start of each period is signaled by the tolling of bells. The first period starts at sunrise, and the last fifth period signals the beginning of the night and the closing of shops and inns.

During the night, there are no bells as most people are sleeping, and only the night's watch and a few drunks roam the city. It's not a perfect system, but it also has its advantages.

The beginning of the first period is tied to the sunrise and not some fixed time. It naturally follows the changing of the seasons, making the working day shorter in the winter, meaning you don't have to move about in total darkness in the morning…

I usually travel through the city long before sunrise, as I already had to be in the shop by the start of the first period. This means I kind of underestimated the morning traffic, which slowed me down considerably.

That in turn led to this moment of me standing in the temple, still trying to catch my breath. 'Luckily, I'm not too late; the priest hasn't arrived yet...' I thought with relief as I silently stepped inside the temple.

I didn't want to face the judgmental gazes of my family for arriving late; that's why I tried to blend in with our distant relatives. But alas, my mother noticed me as soon as I entered and beckoned me to come to them.

"Sigh." Oh, well, that's my luck...

I reluctantly squeezed into the front, right next to the altar, where the rest of my family stood. Both of my parents wore their best clothes and were smiling proudly. Helga had a simple but elegant dress with her hair tied into a ponytail. She, too, smiled at me as I stood beside her.

My oldest brother, Rolf, was the only one who wasn't smiling. Instead, he wore an indifferent look, but underneath it, I could tell he was bored. It seems he too doesn't like family gatherings too much, and he would much rather be in his forge.

Konrad, with his unruly chestnut hair, wore a tunic, freshly cleaned for this momentous occasion. I then looked at Kari. She wore a simple gown spun from delicate linen that whispered of grace and humility.

A cascade of lace spilled from the neckline, accentuating her modesty with subtle elegance. Her eyes, a reflection of the clear summer sky, held a soft glow of anticipation as if the weight of her dreams rested on this sacred day.

The ceremony commenced with a gentle melody played on a wooden flute, its lilting notes floating through the air like whispers of the forest. A chorus of voices joined in, their harmonies weaving a tapestry of heartfelt hymns that resonated with the souls of all who bore witness to this union.

Soon the priest, draped in flowing robes of gold and crimson, began his speech, his voice carrying through the hallowed space. He spoke of love's endurance and the power of unity; his words were entwined with the whispers of the people gathered in the temple. The air itself seemed to shimmer with the magic of the moment, an intangible force binding us all together.

I watched it all with a curious gaze. I had never attended a wedding in this world before, and I watched everything with interest. As the vows were exchanged, I glanced at Konrad, searching for any sign of vulnerability beneath his stoic facade.

His gaze remained fixed on Kari, a flicker of tenderness replacing the stubbornness that usually defined him. At that moment, it was as if time stood still, and all the grievances and unspoken words between us were momentarily forgotten.

With the ceremony complete, the procession made its way to a nearby inn where the wedding feast will take place, as my uncle's house is too small to accommodate all the guests.

The hall, resplendent with weathered oak beams and a crackling hearth, welcomed us. Adorned with flickering candles and garlands of flowers, long oak tables stood there, overflowing with various dishes.

The scent of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air, mingling with the chatter of family and friends. The guests took their seats, their faces bright with anticipation as they awaited the arrival of the newlyweds.

Konrad and Kari entered the hall; their hands were tightly intertwined, and they wore radiant smiles on their faces. The room erupted in applause and cheers, the sound enveloping the hall in a joyful symphony.

I watched Konrad's gaze meet Kari's, a flicker of uncertainty mixed with longing. It was a reflection of their complicated relationship. Their union was not one of love but rather an arranged one. Its sole purpose was to preserve the family's wealth. But it seems they have come to terms with it.

Konrad's eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, a hint of acknowledgment passing between us before he turned his attention back to Kari. The feast commenced, and platters of opulent dishes were served. The inn's servants, clad in humble attire, moved gracefully through the hall, bearing trays laden with savory treats.

Succulent boar, tender and golden, its skin crackling with flavorful delight, took its rightful place in the center of the table. Braised fowl, lovingly seasoned with fragrant herbs, nestled beside roasted vegetables that seemed to have been plucked from the fertile earth mere hours before.

Steaming bowls of hearty root soups and freshly churned butter were passed around, filling the air with a heady warmth. Goblets of mead, the liquid amber of honeyed dreams, were raised in celebratory toasts, the delicate bubbles cascading over the rims like promises whispered in secret.

The rich, velvety wines, aged in cellars hidden beneath the city, flowed freely, their ruby hues reflecting in the flickering glow of the hearth. As the feast progressed, the sounds of laughter from the growing number of inebriated guests echoed through the hall.

I used this opportunity to stuff myself full. My uncle outdid himself with such a feast. I can't even imagine how much all of this would cost. But I can understand his intentions. Such feasts are less about the food itself and more about a projection of power. Showing off his wealth to all his peers in the Craftsman's District.

Most of the faces here I didn't recognize. Some of them are my uncle's business partners, as well as many distant relatives. I lived most of my life secluded in our village, so it was the first time I met all of them.

As I discovered that my uncle is a very rich and respected person in the city, I couldn't help but wonder what made my father abandon everything here and settle in such a small village...