Chapter 3

The sun began to rise high, kissing the ancient rooftops of Solstice City with its golden light. The cool morning air began to be replaced by a comfortable warmth. The city stood by the sea, with winding cobblestone streets, lined with old shops and markets bustling with merchants and street musicians filling the air with soft melodies.

Inside the studio, Leander—or Lean, as he preferred to be called—stared at Celestia standing in front of the large window, her eyes glued to the world outside. A small smile spread across his lips as he saw how amazed the girl was.

"Celestia," he called softly.

Celestia turned her head with a curious expression. "Hm?"

"Come outside," Lean suddenly asked.

"Out?"

"Yes. You've been sitting in the yard for quite some time, watching the world from afar. Wouldn't it be nice if you could see it up close?"

Celestia stared at him for a moment, then looked back out the window. Outside, the mortal world was pulsing, living in its own rhythm.

"But will they know where I come from?" she asked doubtfully.

Lean chuckled. "And you think the people in this city will notice? They're too busy with their own lives. Besides, I'm sure they've never seen a girl as beautiful as you."

Celestia narrowed her eyes at him, feigning annoyance. "I don't know if that's a compliment or if you're just trying to persuade me."

"If I wanted to persuade you, I would have said something more impressive," Lean replied with a mischievous smile.

Celestia stared at him for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Very well. I want to see the world up close."

Lean nodded in satisfaction. "Then let's go."

The streets of Solsticea were bustling with life. Merchants hawked their wares loudly, the aroma of baked bread and spices filled the air, while the gentle sea breeze made the atmosphere even more comfortable.

Celestia walked beside Lean, her eyes constantly exploring every corner of the city with a sense of wonder that she could hardly hide.

"What's this?" she asked, pointing to a stall selling cute little knick-knacks.

"It's a necklace," Lean replied. "People here wear them around their necks. They say they glow beautifully."

Celestia picked up one of the blue necklaces and examined it in the sunlight. "Like the sea…" she murmured.

"You're right. The sea has different colors all the time, too."

"I like this."

"Then I'll buy it for you," Lean said without hesitation, taking out a few coins and handing them to the vendor.

Celestia looked at it with a puzzled look. "Why are you giving it to me?"

Lean shrugged. "Think of it as your first memento from the mortal world."

Celestia held the piece of glass tightly. "Thank you, Lean."

They continued walking through the city streets. Celestia tried various things—touching the soft fabrics sold in the market, tasting freshly picked fruit, even interacting with a stray cat that crossed the street.

Her every movement was filled with wonder, as if she were a child who had just discovered the world for the first time.

Lean chuckled as he watched Celestia lean her face closer to a bakery window, her eyes sparkling at the various sweets displayed there.

"Would you like to try something?" he asked.

Celestia turned her head, then nodded eagerly. "What's that?" She pointed to a small cake covered in caramel sugar that sparkled like crystals.

Lean nodded. "It's amber candy. It tastes sweet and a little bitter."

He bought two small pieces and handed one to Celestia. The girl took it carefully, then put it in her mouth.

"And?" Lean asked, curious about her reaction.

Celestia stared at him, then suddenly laughed sweetly. "This is delicious!" she said with a happy expression.

Lean laughed too. "That's good. I don't want you to think that this mortal world is boring."

Celestia chewed slowly, savoring the sweetness that melted on her tongue. "This world... is more beautiful than I imagined."

Lean looked at her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yes. And I will show you more of its beauty."

The sun rose high in the Solsticean sky, and amidst the bustling city, two figures walked side by side—a human of unusual parentage, and a goddess of the sea who was finally able to experience the world she had only seen from afar.

But far away, in the place where the sea and the sky met, something was watching them. Something that was slowly rising from the depths, waiting for the right moment to disturb Celestia's newfound peace.

Celestia surveyed the crowd around her with sparkling eyes full of curiosity. People were walking around, some laughing, some talking with serious expressions, and some were busy selling or shopping.

"There are so many humans here," she said softly, her voice filled with wonder. "Are they all weird? Evil?"

Lean chuckled at her question. "Not all of them. Some may be weird, some may be evil, but most are just... ordinary."

Celestia looked at him. "Ordinary?"

"Yes, they are just living their lives," Lean replied, his eyes darting around. "Like you who are seeing this world for the first time, they are also busy with their own world. Some are traders, some are artists, some just want to enjoy the day."

Celestia nodded slowly, although there was still a little confusion on her face. But her attention was quickly diverted when her eyes caught something interesting. She pointed towards a small stall on the side of the road, where an old man was preparing something in an iron box that was emitting a fragrant aroma.

"Lean, look!" she said excitedly. "There's food inside that thing!"

Lean followed his finger and laughed. "That's a food cart. People here call it a vendor."

Celestia was still staring at it with great enthusiasm. "What's that? Why does it smell so good?"

Lean glanced at the stall and saw that the old man was making thin pancakes filled with honey and dried fruits.

"Would you like some?" he asked with a smile.

Celestia nodded quickly, her face full of anticipation like a child who had just seen something delicious for the first time.

Lean chuckled and walked over to the vendor. "Two honey crepes, sir."

The old man nodded and deftly prepared their orders. Meanwhile, Celestia stood beside Lean, watching the process with great interest.

"He poured something liquid on the hot plate... then rolled it up?" she whispered to Lean.

Lean smiled. "That's right. It's a flour dough that is heated, then filled with honey and fruit."

"Interesting..." Celestia murmured.

A few moments later, the old man handed her two still-warm crepes. Lean paid and handed one to Celestia.

"Try this," he said.

Celestia took it carefully, examining the soft and warm outer texture before finally taking a slow bite.

She was silent for a moment.

Lean waited for her reaction, but before he could ask, Celestia's eyes widened and her face turned full of amazement.

"This is… amazing!" she said with a delighted expression. "Sweet… soft… and warm!"

Lean laughed. "I'm glad you like it."

Celestia chewed with relish, then looked at him. "Why does the mortal world have such delicious food? The sea has nothing like this."

Lean shrugged. "Maybe because humans are always looking for ways to enjoy life."

Celestia looked down at the crepe in her hand, then smiled. "Maybe this world isn't as bad as I thought."

Lean only smiled a little, but deep down, he knew that Celestia's journey in the mortal world had just begun. And this was only the beginning of something much bigger that awaited them.