The man had vanished from her sight in mere moments as he passed through the Palace District's massive reinforced gates. The entire wall surrounding that district was made of white stone, which she couldn't identify by just looking.
The wall was incredibly smooth, it only had buttresses and overhangs which gave it an appealing structure. There were large banners which were hung over the edges which gave it colors of blue, black and gold.
Personally she liked the choice of colors used for the blank banners. The main banner which was hanging above the front gates though was a combination of the three colors. It started with a golden trim, a blue body and a symbol of a three heads of a hound which had body of black; outlined in gold embroidery.
"Heh, kinda looks like Cerberus." The Princess seemed to gain some color on her face as she regained her composure. The fact that she had lost so many of the original's supporters and friends within the castle, almost threw her into a panic attack.
Looking side to side, she would let out a sigh.
The Mage tunic reached a few inches above the rim of her gown. Its color was a blue-green which matched her eyes, but was just a bit darker. She was the color of an evergreen tree, with a black leather patch over her chest and back which served as protection. On top of that was gold embroidery of the Mage Guild symbol.
Wiggling her toes on the ground, she would look at her red and white feet. They were clearly cold and in need of being covered.
Bria had ignored this fact from the beginning, that she was barefoot. The bales of hay kept her warm for the most part even though she wasn't covered in them.
Looking around at the shops which now surrounded her, she tapped her finger on her lower lip as she moved from window to window. Each of the buildings had high quality glass.
From what she remembered the commercial district had been built and paid for by the Royal house in order to instigate trade and commerce within the capital without crowding the streets with stalls like in the commons district and the slums. So all the materials used to make the buildings were of high quality and vibrant in color.
Walking over to what seemed to look like a shoe maker's shop, she peered through the window. There were a group of nobles having their feet measured by a man wearing a top hat and sophisticated clothing.
"Hmm…"
Pushing the door open slowly, a bell rang above her head. She paused for a moment as the eyes of the man who was working on one of the shoes at the back counter, glanced over. However his gaze was only on her for a few seconds before going back to what he was doing.
Walking up to the front counter, she looked around at the prefabricated shoes and socks for sale.
[ Quest added: Shelter your feet. 500 EXP. Clothing Auto-Resize Function. ]
Blinking a few times at the new quest which appeared, she smirked a little and looked up towards the man at the front counter. He looked down at her and arched a brow at the smirk.
"If you plan on stealing anything, make it quick so I can summon the gu–" He was cut off by the sound of a single coin being placed on the counter.
"Seven pairs of white socks please. Two pairs of black belted boots. Two pairs of brown belted boots, and three pairs of casual shoes." The girl would state with a light nod to the man who was recognizing her voice.
The man was completely frozen as he heard the voice of the princess ringing throughout his head. Royalty was buying shoes from his very shop? He could use this as advertisement! This shock completely made him forget the fact that the Princess was supposed to be missing.
"Sir?" she asked as he stared at her in a daze.
"Ye-Yes, coming right up."
The man went to the back of the shop after passing through a door labeled storage. A few moments later he came out with three packs of socks which each had five pairs. It was more than she asked for, but the coin which she had placed on the counter was worth it. He also carried the pairs of shoes which she had asked for and placed it with the socks.
[ Quest complete. Rewarded. Function added. Level Up. ]
Though as he looked down at her small white and red feet, he pursed his lips slightly.
Why was the Princess in such a manner? Why didn't she have shoes? Where were her… Right, her servants were all dead and she was suppose to be missing.
This realization rang through his head. This girl was in disguise, she was hiding. Someone wanted the Princess dead. He stared at the girl as she was only sixteen years of age.
Three years ago she had her first social debut and met many suitors. After being engaged she had broken off the engagement within a few months. The same pattern happened again and again until the day she disappeared and all her public supporters with her.
A grim expression appeared across the shoe merchant's face as he stared down at her with a solemn look in his eye. "Are you…"
"No." The girl said as if he was about to try and validate who she was.
Suddenly all the objects which he had placed on the counter vanished. Blinking a few times he glanced down at her feet, there was nothing.
Opening her inventory, she noticed that the socks remained in the packages since each package only took up one space. Pursing her lips slightly she would focus on one of the packs and an open option appeared. Doing so, seven pairs of socks appeared in her inventory; leaving a empty labeled sack in her inventory as well. Equipping the socks, they were auto-resized to perfectly fit her feet. She did the same with a pair of black belted boots. Wiggling her toes in warmth, she smiled a little more.
The man went from grim to astounded. She hadn't even moved and yet the objects which he had seen disappear, appeared on her completely different in size.
"Incredible…" He muttered to himself, not having known that the Princess had been skilled in such magic abilities. It was only known that she could use persuade, which was her selling point right next to her adorably small features.
Clasping her hands together, she would bow her head before turning and scurrying out of the shop. The clacking of her freshly equipped boots could be heard as the door swung open and closed; the bell ringing in kind.
…
Meanwhile at the Royal Palace grounds, a small cart filled of hay drawn by horses would pull up to the designated parking area several meters away from the palace entrance. While the Knights would tie the horses down to the posts, Quin would take the chest off of the seat beside him from opposite of where the girl had seated before.
It was a chest full of seeds for growing garlic. His masterpiece.
With the chest under one arm, he would make his way up the several hundred steps to the top of the hill in which the castle was situated upon. Once he made it to the top, a soft sweat could be seen glistening across his kin.
Oddly enough it gave the man an attractive allure. One of the female guards seemed to smile to see his arrival, yet she didn't recognize the man until she glanced down at the piece of parchment in her hand which had his face sketched upon it.
"Welcome, Quin of Quinville!" The two guards at the front doors shouted and bashed the side of their fists against the door. The loud banging of their armored gauntlet making contact with the heavily reinforced door echoed as if the other side was an empty abyss.
Seconds later the doors opened and revealed an empty hall. Decorated with a blue and gold carpet, the place was lined with decorations which no commoner would dream of having in their lovely abode.
Walking in with a casual disposition, Quin would keep his gaze down towards the ground as he continued to walk.
Where were all the servants of the castle? There are only guards here. There are usually several hundred servants who worked in the halls around this time. Could everything had changed since the last time he was here?
He kept his thoughts to himself, he didn't want to make a target of himself. If what he deduced was true, then it would be a bad idea to ask questions.
Great, just great. The time he returned was in the middle of a struggle. Such bad luck.
Passing through the hall, the man would then enter the throne room where he would find a man sitting on the throne. He was old and grey, a long majestic pointed beard. He wore a gold robe with black satin trim.
"Welcome back old friend." He had wet eyes, as if he had been in emotional turmoil. Though the spark in his eye could be seen. It seemed the King and the Alchemist still had some chemistry left.
Smiling in return, Quin would nod lightly. "It is good to be home," his eyes remained on the King. He was the only one who dared stare at him as he would be the only one who wouldn't be struck down for doing so.
"So what have you brought me today?" The King would ask as he leaned forward from the throne to see the wooden chest in his friends arm.
"Seeds. Garlic seeds created specifically for mass production. We no longer have to import the product." He said with a hardy laugh, a grin forming over that small smile he had before.
The King could only applause this notion. They could flood the market with this commodity which they previously had to import in small amounts. The people would be able to enjoy this with their food and use it to do so much more.
"When shall we begin operations in handling these seeds?" He asked curiously and tilted is head to the side. Looking at the fake farmer with a brow raised.
"Within two weeks I will have a massive field toiled and ready. With the help of some life mages, I will be able to have the garlic industry up and running." Quin would inform his majesty. Some of the Knights around them seemed to be rather annoyed however as the two people of different status were speaking casually with one another.
That's when the first prince came bounding into the room, using is own body to bash open a pair of doors and made his appearance.
"Father! The Princess has been sighted by the guards just outside the Palace District!" The prince was beaming with delight. Or was it delight? This man was acting. Even though he was first in line for the crown, he was definitely a scheming individual like his second brother.
Quin would slowly deflate his lungs of the air they held and his eyes remained locked on the second prince. The Prince completely ignored his presence. As if he was nothing but a farmer.
The King noticed this, but didn't say anything. He wasn't known for punishing or speaking up to his children. Even when they were little, he just let them run wild. They were able to do anything they wanted and no one stood in their way. While his oldest were power hungry and ruthless, his youngest ones seemed to show compassion to the people. Yet they were the only ones to disappear.
"You are dismissed, my friend. You may return once your field gives its first yield." The King released his decree. His order would not be defied!