Echoes of Ice and Iron-Chapter 94: A Day Out

Peduviel’s markets woke earlier than the rest of the city.

By the time Aya and Nana reached the lower streets, the stalls were already alive with color and sound. Cloth merchants hung long ribbons of silk across their awnings, the fabric catching the morning light in shades of gold, emerald, and deep crimson. Bakers shouted cheerfully over one another while setting out trays of honey cakes and spiced breads, their warmth drifting through the narrow streets in clouds of sweet steam.

The air was alive with voices.

Music from a nearby corner drifted lazily through the market square where a trio of musicians had already begun playing for the morning crowd.

Aya walked beside Nana with her cloak loosely draped over her shoulders, the hood pushed back so the sun warmed her hair. She wore no circlet, no mantle of state - only the simple silver-blue of the North worked into a lighter traveling gown.

People still noticed her.

Of course they did.

Some bowed politely as she passed. Others simply smiled, whispering her name softly as though the Lady of the North had stepped out of a story and into their streets.

Aya acknowledged them with small nods and the occasional smile, but she did not slow.

She was too busy enjoying the rare freedom of the moment.

Nana stopped abruptly at a fruit stall, her eyes lighting with delight.

"Oh - these."

She picked up a small golden fruit the size of a plum and held it out to Aya.

"You remember these?"

Aya blinked. "Of course."

Nana grinned and tossed one to her and Aya caught it easily.

Behind them, Seth remained a quiet step away, his eyes moving constantly over the crowd with calm vigilance. Across the street, the Commander of Peduviel’s Kingsguard mirrored the same watchfulness while Nana bargained cheerfully with the fruit merchant.

Aya bit into the fruit. Sweetness flooded her mouth instantly.

She laughed softly. "I had forgotten how good these are."

Nana looked entirely pleased with herself.

"That is because the North insists on surviving on salted meat and stubbornness."

Aya wiped a small drop of juice from her hand. "We have other food."

"Yes," Nana said dryly. "Snow."

Aya laughed again, the sound drawing curious glances from nearby stalls. "Athax also offers a different kind of cuisine."

Nana shrugged, finished her purchase and tucked the small bag of fruit into the crook of her arm before guiding Aya deeper into the market. They passed a baker selling warm pastries dusted in sugar, a stall overflowing with carved wooden toys, and a jeweler whose table glittered with delicate chains and rings.

Aya paused briefly at the jewelry stall, lifting a small silver charm shaped like a hawk.

"Pretty," Nana said.

Aya nodded faintly before setting it back down.

They continued walking.

For a while Nana said nothing, content to wander between stalls and sample whatever caught her attention. At one point, she handed Aya a small pastry filled with spiced cream.

Aya took a bite. "This is dangerous. Are there any more?"

"Yes," Nana agreed cheerfully.

They walked a little farther before Nana finally spoke again.

"So."

Aya glanced sideways. "So?"

Nana took a bite of her own pastry and chewed thoughtfully.

"How are you and Killan?"

Aya nearly choked.

Nana watched her with complete and unabashed curiousity. "What?"

Aya swallowed carefully. "You are remarkably direct this morning."

Nana shrugged. "I have known you since we were children."

"That does not answer the question," Aya sighed softly. "We are... well."

Nana’s brow lifted. "That sounds suspiciously diplomatic."

Aya slowed slightly as they passed another stall. "We are learning more about each other."

"That sounds even more diplomatic."

Aya gave her a look.

Nana’s grin widened, clearly enjoying the moment far too much.

Aya glanced briefly around the market before leaning slightly closer, lowering her voice enough that only Nana could hear.

"We... finally shared a bed."

Nana froze. For a heartbeat her expression went completely blank.

Then her eyes widened. "Oh."

Aya straightened again, trying very hard to look composed while Nana stared at her like she had just delivered the most fascinating piece of news in the entire kingdom.

"Oh!" Nana repeated, louder this time before catching herself and lowering her voice. "Aya! I was thinking along the lines of finally catching feelings but... This is better news!"

A few people nearby glanced over curiously. Nana waved them off with a smile before pulling Aya a little farther along the street.

"You cannot just say that so calmly," she whispered fiercely.

Aya blinked. "Why not?"

Nana stared at her another moment, then broke into delighted laughter.

"Well," she said, still smiling, "that answers several questions."

Aya folded her arms lightly. "I assume you had those questions already."

"Of course I did."

Nana lowered her voice again, leaning closer.

"And?"

Aya hesitated, then answered honestly.

"It was... good. Really good."

Nana’s eyes brightened immediately. But the excitement shifted almost as quickly into concern.

"Wait," Nana said suddenly. "That was your first time, isn’t it? You’ve never been with anyone before, right?"

Aya nodded and Nana stopped walking entirely.

"You should have told me."

Aya looked confused. "Told you what?"

"I would have brought you something," Nana said, still half whispering. "A potion. Something to help with the pain."

Aya frowned slightly. "What pain?"

Nana stared at her. The silence stretched just long enough to become uncomfortable.

"...It wasn’t painful?" Nana asked slowly.

Aya tilted her head. "No."

Nana blinked twice. Then once more.

"...Not at all?"

Aya considered the question. "No. Should it have been?"

Nana looked momentarily dumbfounded while Aya’s brow furrowed faintly.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No."

"Did he do something wrong?"

Nana shook her head quickly.

"No, no. Quite the opposite."

She let out a slow breath, clearly reorganizing her thoughts.

"Well," Nana said finally, "it seems your husband did everything correctly."

Aya’s expression softened slightly.

"He took time," she said quietly. "He was careful. Very careful."

Nana’s eyebrows lifted.

Aya continued, still speaking softly. "He made sure I was comfortable. And afterward he... attended to me himself instead of letting the chambermaids help."

Nana stared at her again. This time the surprise on her face turned into something closer to quiet admiration.

"Well," she murmured. "That is impressive."

Aya blinked. "It is?"

"Very."

Nana folded her arms thoughtfully as they resumed walking through the market.

"Many men," she said, "especially kings, do not concern themselves with that level of care."

Aya glanced sideways at her. "He does."

"Yes," Nana said, clearly pleased. "I can see that."

They passed a stall selling woven bracelets and delicate glass bottles filled with perfume oils. Nana paused briefly to inspect one before continuing their conversation.

"There are a few things you should know though," Nana added.

Aya raised a brow. "Should I be concerned?"

"No," Nana said with a small laugh. "Just informed."

She spoke quietly as they walked.

"The first time is often uncomfortable for many women. That is why I mentioned the potion. But if he took his time, if he paid attention to you... then it makes sense that you did not experience that."

Aya listened carefully.

Nana continued.

"It also means you should not be surprised if you feel a little sore today."

Aya glanced down briefly. "I do."

"That is normal."

Nana nudged her shoulder lightly.

"It improves as you experience more."

Aya nearly choked on the last of her pastry. Nana laughed outright.

"I am serious."

Aya shook her head faintly, though the small smile on her face betrayed her amusement.

"I will keep that in mind."

Nana studied her again, softer now.

"You look happy, Aya."

Aya was quiet for a moment.

Then she nodded. "Yes."

And Nana, seeing that expression on her friend’s face, looked quietly satisfied. They walked a little farther through the crowd before Nana spoke again.

"You trust him."

Aya glanced at her. "That was not a question."

"No," Nana agreed.

Aya watched a group of children chasing each other between the stalls before answering.

"I think I do."

Nana studied her quietly. "And he?"

Aya considered the question more carefully.

"He tries very hard not to influence me."

Nana blinked. "As if you could ever be corrupted or influenced."

"You never know," Aya’s mouth curved faintly. "But I believe he chooses not to."

Nana nodded slowly. "That’s a good sign."

Aya tilted her head. "Is it?"

"Yes," Nana bumped her shoulder lightly. "It means he respects you."

Aya looked ahead again, her expression thoughtful.

Around them the market continued its cheerful chaos- vendors calling out prices, musicians playing louder now that the streets were fully awake.

For a moment, the crowns they carried felt far away.

Two women walked through the sunlight together like they had years ago. But now the world watched them with different eyes.

Nana noticed it more clearly than Aya did.

Perhaps because Aya had never stopped being the girl she had grown up beside. In Nana’s mind, she was still the stubborn noble who climbed trees in the palace gardens, who sparred with wooden blades against soldiers twice her size, who preferred market food to court banquets.

But the people of Peduviel did not see that girl anymore.

They saw a Queen.

Every few steps someone bowed. Some simply placed a hand over their heart in the Eastern greeting. A few children ran past laughing until they caught sight of Aya and slowed, wide-eyed, whispering excitedly to one another.

The woman who had freed her kingdom from tyranny and held kingdoms together while war tore the rest of the world apart.

Nana watched Aya move through it all with the same calm composure she had always carried. Aya returned smiles when they were offered, nodded politely when people bowed, and accepted a small bundle of flowers from a young girl with the same quiet warmth she had shown a thousand times before.

But Nana saw the difference.

Aya was no longer just her friend.

She was someone the world leaned toward.

The thought should have felt strange.

Instead it filled Nana with a quiet, swelling pride.

Aya had always carried too much alone. Even as children she had been the one expected to be strong, the one raised among soldiers and commanders while the rest of them learned softer things. Nana had watched her take on burdens meant for rulers twice her age and never once complain.

Now the world finally seemed to recognize what Nana had always known.

She deserved the loyalty she inspired.

Nana glanced sideways at her friend.

Aya was examining a stall of carved trinkets with mild curiosity while Seth stood nearby, silent and vigilant as ever, his eyes constantly scanning the shifting crowd.

Even now, surrounded by guards and titles and the weight of three kingdoms, Aya still looked faintly uncertain whenever people praised her too much.

Nana smiled to herself.

Some things, at least, had not changed.

Her gaze drifted ahead down the busy market street.

Aya had found something else now, too. A husband who watched her the way Nana had seen that morning in the palace hall, quietly attentive, as though the rest of the world faded slightly whenever Aya entered the room.

Nana had not missed the way Killan’s eyes followed her friend.

Nor the way Aya’s expression softened when she spoke his name.

That realization warmed her even more than the morning sun.

For all the crowns and alliances now tying their lives together, the most surprising victory of all might be that her friend had found something simple and human in the middle of it all.

Love.

Nana glanced back at Aya one more time, watching as she laughed quietly at something the fruit merchant had said.

The sound carried easily through the market.

And Nana thought, not for the first time, that the world was a better place for hearing it again.