I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

The afternoon was pleasant when the Dmond family left the Hall of the Eternal Crystal.

The sun still shone high in the sky, but the air was already beginning to cool, a gentle breeze blowing from the southern mountains, carrying the scent of pine trees and damp earth.

There were a few clouds, white as wisps of cotton floating above the city. The heat of midday had given way to a milder temperature, perfect for walking.

The City of the Great Rock was bustling with activity. The wide cobblestone streets were crowded with people, merchants pushing carts loaded with goods, children running between the legs of adults, guards in light armor patrolling in pairs, their spears gleaming beneath the sun.

The sound was a chaotic symphony, voices shouting offers, coins clinking, carriage wheels creaking, and the distant song of a musician in a nearby square.

The smell coming from the food stalls was irresistible, roasted meat, fresh bread, herbs being ground on the spot, and something sweet that Lukas could not identify, perhaps honey or some caramelized fruit.

Aurora held Judite’s hand with one hand and Lukas’s with the other. Her violet eyes swept over the shops on both sides of the street, evaluating, planning.

”Now that the Awakening was a success,” she announced, with a radiant smile on her face.

”Let’s enjoy the city. We need new clothes for both of you. The ones we brought from home are already getting too small.”

Judite jumped in place, her face still flushed from the excitement of the crystal. Her brown eyes sparkled like stars.

”I want a blue dress!” she exclaimed, pulling on her mother’s hand so hard that she nearly made her stumble.

”Just like the princess from the books! The one with ribbons on the back and puffy sleeves!”

”Light blue or dark blue?” Aurora asked, laughing at her daughter’s excitement.

”Light! Light like the sky!”

”Light blue. Understood.”

Lukas simply smiled as he walked beside his mother. His violet eyes never stayed still, absorbing every detail of the busy streets, every face, every shop sign, and every symbol painted on the walls. He wanted to memorize everything.

One shop sold cages filled with colorful birds, red, blue, and yellow feathers, some shining as if they had stardust on their wings.

Another shop sold maps and scrolls, with drawings of continents and oceans Lukas had never seen. A third, a jeweler’s shop, displayed silver and gold jewelry in its windows, glittering beneath the sunlight.

’The more I see of this city, the more I realize how little I know about this world,’ Lukas thought.

They began on Needle Street, a long block dedicated to seamstresses, tailors, and fabric shops.

The name was fitting. Signs shaped like needles swayed above the doors, painted with colorful threads. The sound of sewing machines, or something equivalent in this world, came from inside the shops, mixed with women’s voices discussing measurements, cuts, and fashions from the capital.

Aurora entered a large shop in the middle of the block, with a dark wooden façade and clean glass windows. A painted sign above the door read: ”Fine Fabrics and Custom Clothing.”

Inside, rolls of fabric were stacked all the way to the ceiling, shimmering silks, thick wool, soft linen, and colorful cotton. Wooden mannequins displayed finished garments. Elegant dresses, embroidered tunics, heavy hooded cloaks.

The shop owner, a woman with round glasses and gray hair tied into a tight bun, immediately recognized the Dmond crest on Clavor’s cloak. Her eyes widened, and she approached with a respectful smile.

”Baron Dmond! What an honor to receive you again.” She gave a small bow, her hands folded in front of her white apron.

”It has been years since the last time you were here. Back then, you came with your eldest son, young Asmon.”

Clavor nodded politely.

”Indeed. Time flies. Now I’ve brought the younger ones.”

The woman looked at Judite and Lukas with curiosity.

”They are beautiful. They take after their parents.”

Aurora smiled, clearly flattered.

She began choosing carefully, examining every fabric, every color, every finish.

For Judite, she chose a light-blue dress with silver embroidery of stylized wolves along the hem and cuffs. The fabric was soft, a fine cotton imported from the capital, cool for the summer but durable enough to withstand the girl’s running and playing.

”To match our family,” Aurora said, smoothing the fabric.

”The wolves are the symbol of the Dmonds. You’ll wear them proudly.”

Judite touched the embroidery with her fingers, her eyes shining.

”It’s beautiful, Mom.”

”It’ll be even more beautiful when you’re wearing it.”

For Lukas, Aurora chose two tunics for young children, simple but well-tailored.

The first was white with blue details on the cuffs and collar, made of light linen, perfect for hot days. The blue details were small embroidered dots that formed waves or perhaps clouds; Lukas wasn’t sure.

The second was dark green, made from a thicker material, almost like soft leather, more durable, ideal for play, exploration, and future training. The sleeves were longer, and there were many inner pockets.

”For you to keep your treasures in,” Aurora said with a wink.

Lukas slipped his hand into one of the pockets. It fit perfectly.

She also bought new pants for both children, two pairs each, made from durable fabric that did not tear easily.

Soft leather shoes, with thick soles and straps that tied around the ankles. And small accessories. A silver bracelet with a wolf-shaped charm for Judite, and a discreet brooch with the same symbol for Lukas.

”So you’ll look even more handsome,” Aurora said, fastening the brooch onto Lukas’s green tunic with practiced fingers.

Lukas touched the brooch with his fingers, feeling the cold metal against the fabric. The wolf was small, about the size of his fingernail, but the details were impressive, pointed ears, a sculpted mane, and eyes made from tiny blue stones.

”Thank you, Mom.”

”Ah, and don’t worry,” Aurora added, lowering her voice.

”All of this fit within the budget. Your father will sell the tiger later today.”

After the clothes, they stopped at a small stall in the Central Square.