-----
Idris POV
-----
Leaning against the courtyard wall in the cool morning light, I waited for Fiora. The ceremony had been painfully early, right at the break of dawn.
Dressed in standard noble attire that was not overly gaudy.
Of course the difference between mine and others is that my clothes are heavily enchanted by me. Even though I was just babysitting Fiora for the day, there would be no guards following as the duke knew I had combat skill.
Training everyday for years with estate guards and mercenaries could never escape the ears of the head of the house.
But, I didn't bring any weapons. A simple pair of enchanted gloves were in my pocket. If need be I could use those, I highly doubt any thug could contest with me either way.
I didn't have to wait long as a girl about my age burst through a door. Evidently, she was watching through the windows for my arrival.
Standing in front, she assessed me from head to toe with a playful look in her eyes.
"Took you long enough Prince of Steel~. Though, you seem more like a prince of ledgers, hehe."
She covered her mouth to hide the laugh. Though mischievous she still maintained noble demeanor as demanded. I simply rolled my eyes and huffed while pushing myself off the wall.
"Good morning to you too, Fiora. Try not to aggro the locals today, I don't want to do too much work today."
Though she had never heard the abbreviation 'aggro' before it was clear what the meaning was.
"Whatever do you mean? Such slanderous remarks!"
She let out a fake scoff before stepping closer to jab my ribs with elbow while walking past.
*Thunk*
Unfortunately it was met with the hardened defense of my enchanted cloth. Attacking me would be the equivalent of punching a wall or cast iron.
She let out a quick yelp before jumping back and rubbed her elbow to soothe it. She frowned before looking at me with curiosity.
"Ouch! Idris! Is that thing enchanted or are you wearing chainmail under there!?"
I nodded and smiled as we continued walking.
"Indeed it is. I did it myself. My clothes are stronger than plate armor."
Her mouth opened with mild shock and stepped closer to me, poking my clothes.
"So you're basically wearing armor at all times?"
"Correct. All of my clothes are like this."
"So cool! Alright now come on! I want to go shopping!"
Without asking, she grabbed my arm and practically dragged me with her. The peace and calm of the estate was slowly replaced by the bustling of the city's streets.
-----
As we walked through the higher end commercial districts, the scent of hot metal and a hint of fresh bread wafted through the air.
Fiora walked without stopping, only briefly looking at the shops before deciding if they were worth the time.
Suddenly she stopped in front of a place, its sign had the image of a bottle with fumes. Nodding her head, she turned to me with a smile.
"First stop!"
She quickly steered me to the right and entered the shop. As soon as the door opened, a wave of flowers and herbs washed over us.
The interior was made of a light brown wood everywhere. Its color was broken up by the gold lining all around along with the shelves holding various colors of delicate glass bottles and plants lining the store.
Two other people were inside, an assistant and the alchemist. She was an elderly woman with braided hair. As soon as the door closed she looked up from the shelf behind the counter.
While she had a calm face, her eyebrows raised when she saw Fiora. She gave a slight bow from behind the counter.
"Lady Fiora. Here for more perfumes I'm guessing?"
Fiora nodded as she walked over to the counter.
"Yes! I heard the new popular one from the imperial capital arrived recently. Do you have it?"
Hearing this the alchemist turned around and grabbed something from a shelf nearby. Placing it on the counter, it was a rectangular glass bottle with flowers engraved onto the glass. The liquid inside was a translucent green.
Fiora's face lit up and they began chatting about the contents. Searching around the room while they talked about allure factors and longer durations I decided to go to what seemed to be the more utilitarian section further back.
This was the largest section in the store, with each colored liquid having multiple bottles each taking their own row on a shelf. My eyes landed on the center shelf, completely filled with a red potion.
'Hmm? Is that what I think it is?
I quickly walked up to the shelf and picked up a bottle. Unlike other sections these vials were much more basic. No fancy engravings or embellished caps, just a cylindrical glass.
You could tell this was still a higher end shop's potion by the pristine condition of the glass and the polished black leather cap sealing the bottle.
I held it up and shook it in the air towards the assistant.
"What is this potion?"
The eyebrows of the assistant raised and my question caught the attention of the alchemist and Fiora, stopping their conversation. Seeing my curious face the assistant realized I wasn't joking and answered.
"That's a vitality potion, sir."
I twirled the bottle in my hand, and looked back at the assistant again.
"And what are it's effects?"
"Hehe!"
Fiora laughed at my question, my hermit-like behavior was shining through now, she then glanced at the alchemist. The elderly lady cleared her throat and began to explain with mild confusion, this was the most well known potion type after all.
"It significantly enhances the body's natural regenerative capabilities. A wound that may take months to heal would have its time reduced..."
"Oh, just a regen buff? Damn it... I thought it was an hp pot."
Sighing in disappointment, I put it back on the shelf while muttering. As everyone was still watching me, I pointed at another vial, this one with a blue liquid and looked back at the alchemist.
"What about that one? What does it do?"
"...That improves your ability to use mana. It can somewhat reduce the cost of your magic."
I frowned while rubbing my chin.
"So MP pots also don't exist?"
The alchemist glanced at Fiora for a moment and tilted her head sideways.
"What are these MP and HP pots you mention?"
Realizing I spoke my thoughts out loud, I quickly clarified.
"Ah, sorry, I was lost in thought. I confused them for something else."
After a brief moment of silence Fiora tapped the perfume bottle on the counter, bringing the confused alchemist out of her stupor.
"Well I'll be taking this today. Idris, come pay for it."
"Huh, don't you have money? You the Duke's daughter..."
Fiora rolled her eyes and pointed at me.
"Well normally my servant carries money. But they're not here because of someone."
Shaking my head I paid for the perfume and left with Fiora.
-----
We strode through the bustling commercial district, Fiora occasionally stopping at stalls selling intricate lace or exotic fruits. It wasn't long before she steered us towards another shop, this one more pronounced than the other high end shops around it.
To the side of the embellished door, it had two large spotless glass windows showcasing dazzling displays of necklaces. Some gold or silver, some covered in more jewels than I could count, shining from the sunlight.
"I should have expected we'd come here eventually."
Fiora gave a beaming smile, already pushing the door open and dragging me by my wrist.
"Only the best for the Duke's precious daughter! And her esteemed cousin, of course."
The interior could only be described as luxury. Plush cushioning under rows of pieces, soft light evenly spread throughout the entire store. The air was cool and crisp, with a slight citrus scent.
Hearing the door close, an older gentleman, probably in his 50's, came out from a door behind the counter and bowed. Wearing attire similar to a steward's, he put a pair of fine white gloves on.
'He was probably working on a piece in the back.'
Upon spotting us, a slight sweat formed on his face, probably from seeing two mahogany haired nobles walk into his store.
"Lady Fiora! A pleasure, as always. And Lord..."
He stopped, slightly scared since he did not recognize me, which could piss some nobles off.
"Idris, my face is rather unknown so don't worry."
I waved my hand in the air, dispelling his worry.
After a moment he recognized me and bowed again, anyone of some wealth in the Duchy of Abellon had heard of me, but due to my recluse, there was no face to the name.
"It's an honor to meet you sir. How can I help today?"
Fiora started looking around the room, eyeing anything shiny enough. She immediately commandeered the man's attention.
"We'll be looking around today. Show me the new necklaces you've made!"
As they walked away to the main displays, leaving me on my own, I began to drift around the store.
'Maybe some rings or bracelets would be nice.'
I passed cases glittering with gold and a myriad of colored gems, I found a more subdued section near the back. Filled with finely tooled leather accessories, and a display of silver jewelry.
Jewel encrusted items held little appeal to me. Maybe a ring with a single gem was cool but a gaudy glitterbomb was not my thing.
And even though gold goes well with my red hair, my style had been more inclined towards silver, which complemented most things due to its monochrome nature.
My gaze locked onto a ring. Crafted from cool, polished silver, it had sharp, clean edges and no gems or stones inlayed.
"Hmm."
Instead, the center was encircled by an intricate weave engraved directly into the metal. It was a continuous interlocking pattern resembling a Celtic knot.
I picked the ring up for closer inspection, feeling the balanced weight of it in my hands.
'Wow, this is really a masterpiece.'
It wasn't flashy, but the silver was of incredibly high purity, and handled with care. I couldn't spot a single blemish on the ring or its engraving.
Satisfied, I took the ring and went back to the front, joining Fiora and the artificer once again.
The man noticed me through Fiora's incessant chatter. Once he saw the ring in my hands his eyes lit up with a smile.
Fiora, drawn by the sudden change, darted her eyes toward me and the ring in my hands. A playful look appeared on her face.
"Silver, Idris? Not gold?"
"I suppose it is more fitting, isn't it? Matches the 'Steel' in your title."
Then she gestured towards the pieces of jewelry on the counter she had chosen.
"I'm more of a gold and gemstones girl. Fitting of our status."
I raised an eyebrow and held up the woven ring, catching the light so the intricate engraving made shadows.
"Status? Look at this Fiora."
I traced the delicate weave with a fingertip.
"Gems are brilliant, yes. And gold matches our noble hair. But this isn't just about the metal, this is skill."
I met the old man's eyes, seeing the quiet pride there.
"True value isn't in the size of the gem, or the color of gold. It's in the precision and mastery of the hand that created this weave."
I slowly rotated the ring in front of Fiora.
"The pattern isn't just continuous, it's flawless. On such pure silver, it requires absolute control and a perfect understanding of the material."
I put the ring on my index finger and raised it up parallel to my eyes.
"A master poured his dedication and knowledge into this. In my eyes, this is worth more than any gemstone."
Silence settled in the room following my statement. Fiora's playful smile was gone, replaced by deep contemplation.
The man stood straighter, his attitude switched from submission of my noble status to respect and appreciation. He gave a very deep bow.
"To hear such understanding, especially from one of your standing, is deeply appreciated."
"I'd like to buy this ring, at any price."
He moved with renewed vigor, carefully wrapping the items Fiora had chosen. She remained unusually quiet, studying the ring's pattern with newfound interest.
Stepping back out into the street, it was now noon. Holding Fiora's sparkling perfume and pack of jewelry, I stretched.
"Alright, is that everything? Time to head back?"
Fiora whirled around, the earlier look of mischief returning. Clasping her hands she leaned in towards me.
"Head back? Idris, my dear cousin, we have one final engagement! You didn't think I'd let you off that easy, did you?"
As she giggled at my frown, a sense of foreboding washed over me.