Unbeta-ed chapter. Do check out my latest work on Izana x Shirayuki pairing entitled If Thou Must Love Me. You won't regret it (maybe).
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June 18, 2017 Updates: Beta-read by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her. Thank you.
Title: The City of Scholars
Inspired by: Chapter 34 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Lady Haki
Word Count: 1012
Rating: General
Lyrias is the knowledge capital of Clarines, where scholars gathered and execute on their theories, experiments and research. The Allulion family, being one of the most learned families in Clarines set up a huge private library, were involved in various activities in arts, scientific research and music. About two hundred years ago, they donated the library and set up one of the first dormitories and labs to be made available for all the scholars and aspiring scientists wishing to conduct research and experiments. The news spread far and wide, and ever since, a lot of people come to Lyrias to interact and exchange knowledge. The small city expanded, new buildings crop up every few years or so. The city now has a thriving support community: markets, bars, travel lodgings, local schools, public baths, hospitals and even a public theatre.
The current Guardian post of the city is held by Lord Makiri and his sister, Lady Haki; direct descendants of the Allulion family. Their parents both died from smallpox a little more than a decade ago; Lord Makiri assumed the mantle of being the head of the family at a tender age of sixteen. Since then, brother and sister have both effectively controlled Lyrias. In the last few years, they have overseen the fast expansion of its population. As Keepers of Knowledge, they are the ones who approve residency applications, even reviewing research funding before sending their recommendations to Her Majesty, Queen Haruto.
The next few days were spent in secluded meetings. Plans were drawn up, and potential sites were identified for a closer inspection. If we are to prepare for the continued success of Lyrias as the apex of knowledge, we need to anticipate what the city would need for its expansion.
More buildings need to be erected, as well as retaining walls to protect them from avalanches. Lyrias' is blanketed by snow for most of the year. There are offers for radical approaches to make the walls sound and strong. The city would need more guards, more locals willing to provide basic services like shelter and food for the influx of scholars. The markets need to be improved. The old building structure is not strong enough to withstand the next few winters.
The Allulion family has their work cut out for them. Expansion will continue in the coming years, even decades, for the city to continue. Of course, with our support, this is possible. However, as long as there are people willing to dedicate themselves to improve the lives of the citizens, our initial plans would bear fruit.
During these few days, I hardly ever saw Lady Haki; my goal to observe her has proven difficult given that she has her own duties to fulfill. As the head of the League of Scholars, she oversees a lot of paperwork-complaints, application and requests from researchers and scientists living within the city walls. She would spend a few hours in the morning, organizing their household; after that, she will head to her office in the Scholar's district, spend a few hours there and come back late in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, her brother, Makiri, regularly makes his rounds around the city, doing regular building inspections, organizing regular health and safety inspections in laboratories, meeting the wall guards and the patrol guards for daily and weekly reports, before coming back in the evening to do his research. Makiri is involved in research for crops that can survive the harsh winter, given that fresh produce is a rarity in Lyrias, and the city survives on preserved food for half the year. I have seen how good he is when he gave me a tour of his greenhouse constructed behind Allulionne Keep.
However short the time I spent observing the two, I am quite pleased with the information I obtained regarding the two siblings. I have no doubt now that Haki is the only candidate suited as my bride. And that with Makiri's support, our marriage alliance would be formidable and mutually beneficial. Lyrias is poised to gain a lot. And vice-versa.
After a particularly long day at the meeting, I decided to venture out and explore the city more intimately. I left a note for Lady Haki, citing that I would be out to do some rounds and I might be late for tonight's dinner. I haven't got the chance to explore the Scholar's district and I am most eager to see what interesting things they have there.
Two shadow guards continue to dog my pace, along with my aide, Maruko.
The snow is as thick as ever, but with my heavy cloak and winter clothing, I feel warm and eager to feast with my eyes.
Scholar's district is lively, full of people both locals and resident researchers alike. Laboratory buildings both public and private were set up side by side, windows shuttered with painted wooden panels and heavy draperies, chimneys puffing with wood smoke. Along the streets hundreds of shops sell laboratory equipment like, cauldrons and crystal phials, brass scales, precious minerals and other accouterments. There was a huge apothecary selling a staggering number of varieties of dried herbs and even spices used for medicines. There is a large public bathhouse, a handful of taverns selling local and exotic food. Behind the major thoroughfares where both pedestrians and carriages jostle for space, dormitories are built to accommodate the researchers.
I almost feel like a kid again, marveling at the sights and sounds I see. I savored this bit of freedom, wondering when I can do this again when I spied something that caught my eye. My heart pounded wildly.
"…. you can visit the pharmacological institute on the way to the hothouse..." a tall, young woman was saying to the two persons following her.
I stood, mesmerized when I saw the familiar stance of Garack Gazelt's protégé, Ryuu Illuma, trying to keep up with their guide. Beside him followed a lithe figure, wearing a dark blue cloak, concealing her vivid coloring.
There's no mistaking that person.
What is Shirayuki doing here?