“Franky, this is Camden. Cam, Franklin.” Kat introduces us as she hangs on Franklin's left arm.

  I reach out to shake his hand, “Franklin, I think we met a couple days ago in the tea shop, but it's nice to meet in this context. I’ve heard great things from Katrina, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”

  He smiles and takes my hand. “Camden, the pleasure is all mine. I wasn’t positive, but based on Kat’s description I thought that was you in the shop. That tea was incredible – your master really knows what he’s doing.”

  We take our seats and order a round of drinks for the table. As we are getting situated, Ash hops over to Franklin’s shoulder and rubs her head against his cheek. He reaches up to gently pet her before guiding Ash back to Katrina’s shoulder.

  Franky looks across the table. “So, Camden, I heard your Sowing Day is coming up soon. Are you hoping to stay at the shop and follow in your mentor’s footsteps? Or are you hoping for any other classes in particular?”

  “Yeah, it’s tomorrow, which is why my master gave me the day off,” I reply. “I’ve been training under him to follow his path, but it shouldn’t keep me in the store too long. Tell me more about your class and job. The Old Man was a little cryptic – he said you work in the court, but you’re not a mage?”

  He guffaws. “That’s pretty cryptic for sure. Funny enough, my job doesn’t require any secrecy, but I do appreciate his clients’ confidentiality. I am an enchanter for the court with a specialty in metal mana. I actually met Katrina when she came into my shop to commission a pair of razor claws with a sharpness enchantment for Ash.”

  Metal mana explains the black sheen to his eyes, but I still don’t understand why the Old Man was so secretive about his job. He’s told me about other customers and their roles in the court.

  “That’s really interesting. Do you take a lot of commissions for gear, or do you mostly work from your boss’s backlog?” I ask.

  Kat interrupts, incredulous, “He doesn’t have a boss, Cam. I thought you were joking, but do you really not know who this is?”

  I stare at Franky for a few moments, trying to place his face, and nothing comes to me. I shake my head, hoping someone will put me out of my misery.

  Franky rests his hand on Katrina’s. “Now, don’t give him too hard a time, Kat. I worked hard to avoid having a public image, and it sounds like he’s been working hard in preparation for his Sowing Day. Cam, my full name is Franklin Reed. I am a part of the royal family of Verdance.”

  He raises his hand to stop me before I can fumble a reply. “No, I am not in the direct line. The King is my uncle, but my family has always been more supportive of the throne. I come from a long line of enchanters who support the portal clans.”

  I take a deep breath – not expecting my best friend to be dating literal royalty. Katrina’s family has always pushed that the upper echelons of society are her birthright. I immediately recognized the flicker of jealousy, though I can’t help also fearing that I am a friend who might hold her back.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “That… makes a lot of sense, then, how you met.” I manage. “ I assume Kat’s parents sent her to get some gear as congratulations for her class selection. I’ve been very casual with you since we sat down, and I apologize for that. What is the proper way to refer to you?”

  “No, none of that. If I cared about formalities, I would have corrected you a long time ago. In my shop, no one is allowed to use a title, and Franklin is about as formal as I can stomach.”

  I chuckle. “That’s good for me, because formality has never been my strong suit. Honestly, I was a little worried I would end up in jail if I continued addressing you wrong.”

  Franky belly-laughs. “No, I think Katrina would have my head rolling before our food came out if that’s how I treated you!” He raised his hand to catch the server's attention, “Speaking of food, I’m starving. Are you both ready to order?”

  The server came over and we all placed our orders. I was tempted to order my regular bowl of ramen, but I remembered Master’s advice to expand my palate. The lotus petal noodles stand out to me, especially with my recent affinity for the flower.

  The rest of lunch blurs into easy conversation—Franky’s dry humor, Katrina’s bright laughter, stories about portal mishaps and clan gossip I only half follow. It’s the kind of simple, warm moment I didn’t realize I’d missed. Just like that, hours pass, and my nerves about tomorrow dull considerably.

  Franky explains that he has to return to the shop to finish some high-priority projects, and Katrina insists on walking back with him. I shake his hand, hug Katrina, and gently scratch Ash’s head.

  Before I turn to head back to the shop, Franklin says, “Cam, good luck with tomorrow. I really hope all of your training with your master pays off. When you get your adventure class – come find me – I’m sure we could come up with a little congratulatory tool for you!”

  I thank him and wish them all a good rest of the day, promising Katrina that I’ll message her as soon as I can after my selection tomorrow. Watching the two of them so effortlessly embrace their place in society… it makes me question whether I am ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

  With that, I head back to the shop, thoroughly enjoying my day off and appreciating that I was able to avoid thinking exclusively about Sowing Day.

  Twilight starts to settle as I take my time walking back to the shop. I swing by the bakery around the corner and pick up the Old Man’s favorite orange cake since I still had some of his money left over. When I walk back into the tea shop, I see that it is practically empty – just a solitary customer in the corner and Mallorc cleaning a table.

  “Hey, Old Man, I’m back.” I hold up the orange cake, “and I have some cake to celebrate with tonight.”

  We sit at a table and he pours a herbal tea into both our cups. I cut up the cake, placing a large slice on each plate before sliding one to Mallorc. Even though I’ve eaten this cake dozens of times, I’m still surprised by the rich citrus oils and bright flavor in the dense, custard-soft crumb. I take a sip of the tea, unsurprised by his choice. It’s a simple vanilla rooibos – his standard accompaniment for this cake for years. The quiet shop feels like a last sanctuary before tomorrow’s storm.

  I sit back and smile, reflecting on a wonderful day. Not a speck of mana training from Master in anticipation of Sowing – just time with people I care for, doing things I love, enjoying nostalgic food and drink.

  Tomorrow is the start of something new.

  But today… Today was for savoring the life I’ve had.