" Shall we go?"
Violet was dressed in a full length belted A- line beige dress with bishop sleeves.
" Yes , Mommy."
" Yes , Mom."
Sebastian , Daniel and Ethan nodded.
Violet was taking them to the Capital market today to do a little exploring and shopping for souvenir to be brought back to Asterin.
Nathan , Margaret, Daniel and Violet boarded the same carriage while Sebastian and Ethan sat in another.
Both carriages had the royal emblem of Iretonia.
A huge green snake with five stars.
" Nathan darling, Margaret darling.
Don't run around later without Xander accompanying you , alright?"
They both nodded to show they understood.
As they sat in the carriage, Violet watched as Daniel played with the children.
"Daniel , you'll exhaust your energy if you keep playing with Nathan and Margaret."
" Violet, you seem to forget that I am a general."
Daniel replied as he carried Nathan on his lap while Margaret stood on the seat and played with his hair.
" Entertaining kids need a whole different level of energy. Why did you choose to sit with us anyway?"
" Because I want to spend time with the kids." Daniel replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
" I love children. But children don't seem to like me.
Maybe because I am always with a sword or because they've heard stories of me going to battles that they're scared of me."
" But Uncle Daniel is not scary at all.
I like Uncle Daniel a lot.
If other kids don't like Uncle Daniel , I won't like them either. Humph! " , Margaret complained in a sulky yet adorable tone as she crossed her arms.
" I like Uncle Daniel too. I think Uncle Daniel is really cool.", Nathan also agreed with Margaret.
" And why does Nathan and Margaret like Uncle Daniel?" , Violet asked.
"Because Uncle Daniel feels warm and strong."
" Because Uncle Daniel lets me play with his hair."
Nathan and Margaret replied simultaneously.
" So Princess Margaret likes me only because I let you play with my hair?" Daniel asked with a hurt expression which seemed to shock Margaret.
" Ah..No..No.. Uncle Daniel is handsome too. And cool."
" You are so shallow.", Nathan retorted at the side.
" What's wrong with liking handsome men?"
"Shallow."
" Then, may brother find an ugly wife."
The children continued to bicker all the way to the market.
Violet and Daniel exchanged glances as they watched the children's amusing argument.
They arrived at the Central traditional market located at the Capital which was famed for its vast collection of jewellery of all types – precious and semi-precious jewels, gemstones and traditional jewellery along with ethic wears of various types.
" What do you guys want to see?", Violet asked the group.
Violet felt slightly dizzy after the carriage ride.
" I saw some children accessories' stores on the way. I would like to take a look at it. To buys gifts for my nephews and nieces ." , Ethan replied.
" Then we can go there first."
" No, Violet. That's alright. I shall go with Sebastian, Nathan and Margaret. You can take Daniel to the jewellery store.
He wanted to get something for his mother."
Violet was perplexed at the sudden formation into groups but she knew that the children were in safe hands with Ethan and Sebastian.
" Is that alright with you, Nathan darling and Margaret darling?". Violet then told Xander to go with the kids when both Nathan and Margaret nodded.
" I shall be alright with Daniel . " Violet handed a pouch each to Nathan and Margaret .
" You may buy anything you like. Have fun with Uncle Ethan and Uncle Sebastian."
" Yes .Mommy."
" Yes, Mom."
" Uncle Daniel, please take care of Mommy for me." Nathan turned to Daniel.
" Sure , I will. Have fun exploring the market ."
So they divided into two separate groups and agreed to meet for lunch at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Violet felt that there was something off about the way Ethan insisted on going their separate ways.
' Never mind. It's probably my mind overthinking again.'
"Are you feeling unwell , Violet?"
" No , I'm alright.
So, what kind of jewellery do you want to buy for the Duchess?"
" I don't really know. I haven't decided.
Maybe something simple ."
Violet and Daniel strolled in the market with Violet trying out the foods from the stalls once in awhile.
" These strawberry candies taste better than I expected."
Violet said as she tried out some freshly made and bought candies.
"Oh!Here we are. They have the best jewelleries here."
Violet and Daniel walked around the store to check suitable jewellery for the Duchess.
"Daniel , what about this one? I believe it would match the Duchess' red hair and celeste eyes ."
Violet handed a simple yet elegant platinum necklace with small pink diamond shaped flowers attached to it.
" It's beautiful."
" I shall pick another one for your sister , Lady Penelope Grace Callisto.
Gifts from me to your family.
Let's get a pair of cuff links for the Duke too."
Lady Penelope also had fiery red hair paired with beautiful celeste iris.
Duke Andrew Angus Callisto has golden hair with bluish grey eyes.
Daniel handed a bracelet to Violet which under the soft light reflected off metallic tones with florals and foliage with a combination of silver crystal and golden hues.
" It looks ethereal. "
"Here , let me put it on for you."
" For me?"
Violet was surprised as she did not expect a gift from Daniel.
" Do you like it?"
"Absolutely. It's so beautiful.
Thank you, Daniel ."
" We've picked up a necklace for my mother and sister and sapphire cufflinks for my father. Shall we leave?"
" Please wait a minute."
Violet came back with a bracelet.
" This is for you."
A white gold bracelet with 28 small indistinct diamonds embedded on it.
" Thank you , Violet."
" I don't know if you like it though.
I tried to choose something plain as you might be uncomfortable with flashy jewellery. And I didn't know what to get you either. Should I have gotten a cufflink instead?"
Violet was truly worried that Daniel might not like her gift.
" I love it. I love anything that Violet gives me."
Violet bowed her head slightly to hide her blush.
" I'm glad you like it . Let's go ."
Violet and Daniel went to visit a few more stores , strolled around the market for a while before heading to the restaurant for lunch to meet everyone.
They went to the theatre to watch a play and gradually went home.