Chapter 342 Visiting Old Friends

Megan, still fidgeting slightly, nodded, her earlier shock softening into something more resigned.  

“Yes, we just want you to be happy. Both of you,” she added, her voice still tinged with uncertainty but warmer than before.

“It’s just… not what we pictured, is all. But Olivia, dear, you’ve already impressed us. I suppose if anyone’s going to win Suzu’s heart, it should be someone as strong and lovely as you,” Megan said with a smile.

Steven blinked, his stern face softening.

“I admit, I didn’t see that coming. But you know what? I’m glad to see my daughter happy. You two seem to make a good team.”

Olivia leaned back in her chair, taking Suzuka’s hand in hers.

“We do. And I plan to keep it that way. I will take good care of your daughter, you can rest assured,” she said, her tone a perfect blend of teasing and sincerity.

Suzuka squeezed Olivia’s hand as she looked back at her parents.

“So, there you go. Maybe not the perfect couple you were expecting, but I think it’s a pretty good one.”

“Yeah,” Steven added, nodding slowly, his earlier discomfort beginning to dissipate.

“As long as you’re happy and safe, that’s what matters. Just be careful with your heart.”

Suzuka leaned back, crossing her arms, a playful smirk still lingering on her lips.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve got this. Besides, I can take care of myself. I’ve survived in the forest and dealt with goblin breeding farms! A little family awkwardness? Pfft, please. I’ve handled worse!”

Not wanting to delve deeper into love matters Suzuka quickly shifted gears, her usual playful demeanor surfacing again.

“Alright, enough mushy talk about love and feelings!” she declared, waving her hands dramatically.

“Let’s talk about something way more important! Dad, do you still have that old card deck with the pretty pictures on the back? You know, the one I used to sneak off with to play cards with Antonio’s little brother and sister?”

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she recalled the memories.

“I remember to this day how I’d get scolded every time I got caught, but those games were worth it! I’d sit there with those kids, trying to teach them how to bluff like a pro, while you were probably wondering where I had disappeared to.” She chuckled, shaking her head at the memory of her father’s frustrated face when he found her giggling with the neighbors’ kids, the card deck spread out between them.

“I swear, that deck had the best pictures! It was the best,” she continued, leaning forward with excitement.

“You’ve got to let me see it again! I want to have a card game with them - just like old times!”

Steven chuckled, the earlier tension finally melting away.

“Ah, that old deck? Of course, I still have it! It’s in the drawer of my nightstand. How could I throw it away, it holds so many precious memories of you. It's my little treasure. I’ll go get it for you.”

“Thanks, Dad! I can’t wait to see their faces when I show up to play. It’ll be just like old times!”

Megan laughed, shaking her head.

“Oh, I remember those days. You’d always come back home with a smug look on your face, like you’d just conquered the world! And I could swear that sometimes I smelled wine coming off you.”

Suzuka chuckled, a warm smile spreading across her face.

“Oh, come on, Mom! That was just the scent of victory! You know how it is - card games can get intense! It is true, I had a little sip of wine here and there. It was Antonio's wine we are talking about here, it was the best around. As good as the nobles drink in the main town or some say that even better.”

Megan chuckled, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

 “Antonio’s homemade wine, huh? So that’s the secret ingredient behind your ‘victory scent’! No wonder you were always so smug after those games. I should have known you were up to something!”

Suzuka laughed, leaning back in her chair, clearly enjoying the memory. 

“Oh, Mom, you have no idea. It wasn’t just about the cards. Antonio’s little brother and sister were just as bad as me! We’d all sneak off, and each of us would bring something to bet - cookies, candies, whatever we could swipe from the kitchen.”

She smiled, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia.

 “And when we felt especially bold, we’d sneak a few sips from the wine barrels when no one was looking. We thought we were so clever, like master thieves! Of course, we’d try to act all normal afterward, but looking back, I’m sure everyone knew exactly what we were up to.”

She winked at Megan, her playful smile widening.

 “But hey, those were some of the best card games ever! And I won the most - probably because I had a bit of ‘liquid courage’ in me!”

Steven chuckled, though there was a playful hint of concern in his voice.

 "Well, Suzu, I’m starting to think you were a little too fond of Antonio’s wine! You’re not planning to become a town ruler and a secret vineyard owner, are you? One sip too many and you might be building your town with wine barrels instead of bricks!"

Megan laughed but shook her head slightly, her brow furrowed in mock worry. 

"Goodness, Suzu! Sneaking wine when you were just a kid? You better not have picked up a habit. We don’t want you turning your town into a tavern! One day, we’ll get a letter about some wine festival you’ve thrown in your little kingdom.”

Olivia, who had been quietly observing the exchange, leaned back in her chair with a playful smile. She shot a naughty glance at Suzuka, her tone teasing and flirtatious.

“Oh, so this is where all that naughtiness comes from, hmm? Sneaking wine and playing cards, I see! No wonder you're so good at handling yourself. Maybe I should be worried - seems like I’m falling for a rebellious queen who likes her drink." She winked, then leaned in a bit closer to Suzuka.

"Just promise me that when you throw that wine festival in your town, I get a front-row seat to watch you ‘conquer the world’ all over again. You in charge of a vineyard sounds... dangerous. And I like it."

She gave a playful nudge, her laughter joining the light mood, making the whole room feel a bit warmer.

Suzuka smiled at Olivia’s teasing, giving her a playful nudge back.

“Oh, you think I’m dangerous now? You haven’t seen anything yet," she teased with a smirk.

 "But don’t worry, when my town throws its first festival, you’ll be right there, front and center. I’ll make sure you’re the one trying to keep up with me!”

She glanced at the small clock on the wall, her smile fading slightly as she noticed the time.

 “Speaking of keeping up,” she said, stretching and standing from her chair, “I should get moving. I’ve got a few things to handle before visiting Antonio’s place. Need to stop by the shop and pick up something first. You know, a little surprise,” she added with a wink.

Suzuka turned back to her parents, her voice softening but still holding that playful edge.

 “Don’t worry, we’ll catch up more when I get back. There’s still plenty of stories to share, and I’m not done being a troublemaker just yet.”

Then, with a glance toward Olivia, Suzuka’s tone shifted back to casual, but there was a hint of seriousness beneath the playfulness. 

“Olivia, can you check in on Isaac at the inn while I’m out? See if he needs any help with that little situation of his, okay?” She shot her a knowing look as if hinting that Olivia’s ‘charm’ might make things easier.

"I will and good luck." 

"I’ll be back in the evening," she added, pulling her jacket over her shoulders and tightening the straps with a casual flourish.

 “Try not to miss me too much.”

"I miss you already."

With that, Suzuka gave a quick wave, already halfway out the door, leaving behind the lingering warmth of her banter as the morning light streamed into the room.

Suzuka strolled down the early morning streets, a cool breeze brushing against her skin, carrying the mingling scents of fresh bread and newly opened market stalls. The air was alive with the faint sounds of shopkeepers setting up their wares, eager to catch the first sales of the day. Suzuka loved mornings like this, where everything felt fresh and full of possibility.

As she passed by the stores, she headed straight for the crystal shop. She pushed open the wooden door, the faint chime of a bell announcing her arrival. Inside, the shop glittered with an array of crystals and magical stones that filled every nook and shelf. Suzuka browsed through them, her fingers trailing over the smooth surfaces, glistening in various colors. With the jingling of the coins she’d taken from Clive, she made her purchase that piqued her curiosity. Once paid for, they disappeared into her magical storage with a wave of her hand. Satisfied with her haul, she set off toward Antonio's vineyard. 

The town was slowly waking up around her, a couple of children racing past her in a blur of laughter, and merchants hawking their early morning deals. As she passed a wandering merchant, something caught her eye - a small, pretty pendant shaped like a sun and a simple silver ring adorned with a tiny blue gem.

 "Perfect, a pretty sun pendant to reflect little Nick's lively energy and a silver ring with blue gem to match Anna's lovely eyes," Suzuka thought, buying them as little gifts for Nick and Anna.

As she approached Antonio’s place, memories began flooding back - days spent running around the vineyard, sneaking sips of wine when no one was looking, and playing cards with Nick and Anna while Antonio wasn't around. It felt like another lifetime ago.

Finally, she arrived at the gates of Antonio's vineyard. The large, worn wooden archway stood just as shabby as ever, a testament to years of neglect. But as she stepped past the gates, a familiar sight greeted her - a plump, lazily snoring cat sprawled out on the warm stone path.