Chapter 106
1298 Words
ELAYNE
Tyler looked quite experienced, leading us through the market to a more luxurious store which was quite flamboyant. Even as a former princess, it didn’t look like it was my style.
“Tyler, I’m really not sure…”
“It only looks like this on the outside. Please have a little more faith.”
Tyler opened the door and we stepped inside. A lady was bent over a sewing machine, her eyes concentrated. Beside her was who I assumed was her assistant, also focused on what she was doing. Tyler cleared his throat.
“Madame Haifa, you have a customer.”
It took a while but the woman’s face snapped up. She surprised me, having the strangest pair of eyes I have ever seen on a person; she had two different colored eyes! I had never seen a pair of eyes so beautiful in my life!
“Mr. Tyler! I haven’t seen you in ages! What a glorious occasion!”
She looked genuinely happy to see Tyler and hugged him tightly. He wasn’t shy to not return her hug. They looked very close and comfortable with each other.
“What brings you here today?”
“My… friend here, he’s looking for a dress for his friend.”
“Ouu... A courting gift?”
“Actually, that friend of mine is married. I want to give her a dress as a belated wedding gift.”
“Oh”.
I could actually feel the disappointment from that one word.
“Why don’t you just get her a brooch or something?”
“This was the first thing I could think of.”
“Fine. What kind of dress are you looking for?”
“Hmm, I think a long dress. She’s the kind that likes to cover up but she has a habit of exposing her cleavage. She says it’s for breathing space and I have no complaints there. Something slightly above the ankle. It must be beautiful enough to make her want to wear it or she’ll never stop complaining about it.”
“You have very specific needs.”
“I’m not done. No frills. She hates them so much she spent an entire day tearing them out of her clothes. She likes bows, a little bit of sequins and maybe lace, if she’s feeling fancy, by her words. Oh, she likes the clothes that are open at the back so if you can do that, she would appreciate it.”
“Alright, I think I know what you want. What color?”
“Turquoise.”
“I got all that. Anything else you want to add?”
“Can you add a pocket?”
All three heads snapped to me like I was temporarily from another world.
“A pocket? I’ve never done that before.”
“It’s fine if you don’t want to.”
“Are you messing with me? Of course I want to! This might be the break I’ve been looking for! I’m so interested in this project now!”
“That’s lovely. Do we pay now or later?”
“Tyler can settle the payment just fine. I have to get to work as soon as possible! This is going to be fabulous!”
She ran back to her sewing machine and picked up a book. She began scribbling away, forgetting about our existence. Her assistant gave a knowing smile and attended to us instead.
“Pardon us, she is always like that. Is there anything else you need?”
“Do you make hats?”
“It depends on the type you need.”
“Hmm… what about that one?”
I gestured to a dark blue hat and she nodded approvingly.
“You have a good eye. Give us a few days and it’ll come to you.”
“Splendid.”
We walked out of the shop and I looked at Tyler.
“Where can I get a brooch for her?”
“Follow me. I know where to get the best ones.”
Tyler took the lead, navigating us through the busy markets. He ignored the stalls, a concrete destination in mind. Lion and I shared a look and I just knew he was wondering if we were lost too. Eventually, we stopped in front of another store, this one less flamboyant than the first. He opened the door and we went right in. A middle aged man greeted us at the door.
“Welcome to- Tyler! It’s been so long!”
“Yes Mr. Freed, it’s been too long.”
“Why, I never thought I’d see you in these parts anymore.”
“I’m here because of the competition.”
“Really? I never thought you’d be into such barbaric things. Honestly, to think the church would participate too… tut tut tut.”
“... Right. I’m come to buy a brooch.”
“Do you have anything in mind?”
He turned to me and I shook my head.
“That is fine! Look around and come find me when you’ve settled on one.”
The store was very spacious and filled with many ornaments. There were jade necklaces, rings, pendants, medallions and brooches. There were even gems on display in glass crates!
“You look really excited, my lady.”
“I haven’t seen something like this in so long. It makes me a little happy.”
“You can get anything you want.”
“No… I’ll just look for a brooch.”
“Alright.”
I began my search, looking for something that would fit Geraldine. To be honest, she wasn’t exactly the girly type but she loved cute things and she loved to shop. I wanted something that would fit her.
It also occurred to me, right at that moment, that I also have to get something for the groom. Since I was in the store, I decided to get him a medallion. I couldn’t settle on a brooch so I decided to look at the medallions instead.
While I was searching through the brooch selection, someone walked into the store. I vaguely felt their presence and ignored it until I was right in front of them. It was a tall woman with pale skin that was definitely not from around the area. She was quite attractive, even to me as a woman.
“Excuse me,” I said, trying to bypass her.
“This medallion would fit you quite well.”
She raised a medallion with a lion engraved into it. I didn’t like it very much but it looked perfect for a gift.
“Thank you but I’m not looking to buy myself. I’m looking for a gift.”
“Perfect. It would be good as a gift too.”
“A-Alright then.”
When I reached to collect the medallion, our hands brushed and a tingly sensation travelled up my arm. I snatched my hand back and thanked her in a rushed voice, moving away. I could hear her chuckle, which made me blush.
Lion walked up to me like that, wondering why I was blushing in the middle of the store.
“My lady, are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I got a medallion as a gift for the groom.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. I found this one too. You like it?”
Lion gave me a medallion that had two dragons intertwined in each other. It was a medallion of pure gold with two tiny rubies as the eyes of the first dragon and two tiny sapphires as the eyes of the second dragon. It reminded me of the crest of my father’s house. I clenched it hard in my fist.
“Thank you Lion, I really like it.”
- Writer
