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"My two favorite customers!" the owner of Matteo's greeted them as they walked into the restaurant, once again booming after the recovery of Treviso.
"I am certain you are just saying that because my appetite brings in good money," chuckled Lilja as they were escorted to their usual table that overlooked the canals of the city.
"That may be part of it, but you are otherwise very kind, and you both helped save our dear city." The man turned on his heel and looked at one of his servers, speaking in Antivan. Lilja knew he had asked for the finest wine they had and to begin preparing a full meal. He turned back to them. "Tonight is on me as a thank you for everything you have done."
"Please, you don't have to," said Lilja. "I want to make sure you and everyone here gets the money they deserve."
"Look. You do something kind for us, we do something kind for you. A free meal for the Hero of Thedas and her company is the least I can do. Besides, if I need the money, I'll bill Teia and Viago for that appetite you mentioned earlier." The man gave a full-bellied laugh as he patted Lilja on the back before walking away.
"How's it feel to be holding up the Trevisan food industry with your stomach?" asked Lace, grinning in amusement from across the table.
Lilja smirked as she rolled her eyes. "Hey, if the food's good, then I feel great about it."
They dove into casual conversation from there as plate after plate was brought out and presented to them. Matteo had treated them to several courses, plus dessert and a delicious wine that Lilja enjoyed so much she asked for the vineyard's name and the year. After they were done being spoiled, they traversed the city along hidden paths, through alleys, and up the footholds on the sides of buildings that led them to the rooftops high above the city. There was a spot on a roof ridge overlooking Rialto Bay where they sat and relaxed.
In peaceful silence, they took in the state of the city. All of the blight had been cleared out. The waterways were now flowing with water as clean as anyone could expect for the city. Buildings had been scrubbed, and all signs of the Antaam occupation had been collected and burned. Lilja hardly remembered that night of celebration, when the whole city gathered to drink and party around the bonfire that burned as brightly as their future. All she remembered was waking up the next morning, squeezed onto a couch in the Crow hideout of the Cantori Diamond with Lace, with an horrendous hangover that Viago offered a special concoction for. It did the trick, but at the cost of nearly burning her taste buds off with its putrid taste.
"They've come a long way," muttered Lilja, amazed at how well Treviso had been turned around. Teia and Viago had kept their promise to ensure their city would be cared for once the roadblocks to their success were removed.
"They have, thanks to you, my love." Lace scooted closer and wrapped an arm around Lilja's waist. "You led the fight to help get this city where it needed to be. You guided the Wardens in helping the Crows. And I am so proud of you."
"And you were by my side the entire time," replied Lilja as she placed a hand on Lace's thigh to give it a gentle squeeze. "You are just as responsible for the success of everything." She looked up at the full moon that hung over the city, its reflection bright and rippling in the small waves of Rialto Bay. Treviso had managed to nestle its way into Lilja's heart, and she wished it nothing but peace and good tidings for the rest of time.