Daniel took an extra time to get ready this morning as he was going to the market with Violet.
He examined himself in the mirror and left only when he was satisfied with the way he looked.
Daniel had repeatedly told Ethan and Sebastian the night before to take the Prince and Princess somewhere else so that he could spend sometime alone with Violet.
Daniel stared as Violet walked towards them.
' Beautiful. She's always lovely.'
Daniel held Nathan's and Margaret's hands and let them to the carriage as took the opportunity to sit with them.
Daniel played with the children as he sat in between them.
He would look at Violet once in awhile but most of his attention was on the kids.
Daniel truly adored these two pretty children.
"Daniel , you'll exhaust your energy if you keep playing with Nathan and Margaret."
Daniel chuckled at Violet's words.
It seemed that she had forgotten that he was a general.
Prince Nathan was on his lap feeling his calloused hands as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
Princess Margaret was playing with his hair as the colour of his hair seemed to fascinate her.
She seemed to be pretty much attracted to beautiful things .
"Violet, you seem to forget that I am a general."
" Entertaining kids need a whole different level of energy. Why did you choose to sit with us anyway?"
Daniel could relate to Violet's words.
As much as it was fun to take care of the children , it exhausted a huge amount of energy to entertain them.
But he did not mind.
He always had a great time in their company.
" Because I want to spend time with the kids."
Daniel explained how children usually tend to be frightened of him because of his occupation and aura.
" 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! "
Daniel felt warm and fuzzy as Margaret tried to make him feel better.
' The Princess is such a sweet child.'
" I like Uncle Daniel too.
I think Uncle Daniel is really cool.", Nathan said .
Daniel gave Nathan a little squeeze to let him know that he appreciated his words while he patted Margaret on the head .
" And why does Nathan and Margaret like Uncle Daniel?" , Violet asked.
Daniel was curious about this answer too.
He wondered why these children warmed up to him so easily.
"Because Uncle Daniel feels warm and strong."
' I did not know that I give off a warm feeling to children.'
" Because Uncle Daniel lets me play with his hair."
Daniel felt amused at Margaret's reply.
She was always cheerful and playful.
" 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.
Daniel simply wanted to tease Margaret because she was an extremely expressive child.
" Ah..No..No.. Uncle Daniel is handsome too. And cool."
' So cute.'
The carriage ride to the Capital market was about thirty minutes.
"What do you guys want to see?",
Violet asked the group after they alighted from the carriage.
Daniel gave Ethan a signal with his eyes which Ethan seemed to have understood.
" 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." , Violet suggested.
" 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."
' Seems like he can be pretty useful too.' Daniel thought silently.
They separated in to two groups with Daniel and Violet in one group while the rest formed a different group.
A few knights followed each group to secure their safety.
Daniel looked at Violet who seemed to be deep in thoughts.
' Is she perhaps finding the whole arrangement suspicious?'
"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 ."
Daniel did not know what type of jewellery women liked.
He just wanted to bring gifts for his family and spend time alone with Violet.
It was the best opportunity to be together.
Daniel watched with warmth and fondness in his eyes as Violet tried out different foods from the stalls.
Violet and Daniel walked entered a grand store and looked around the store to check suitable jewellery for the Duchess.
Daniel was looking for jewellery from counter to counter.
But it wasn't for the Duchess.
It was for Violet.
"Daniel , what about this one? I believe it would match the Duchess' red hair and celeste eyes ."
Daniel looked at the necklace embedded with pink diamonds.
Violet had great eyes for jewellery.
" 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."
Daniel felt touched at Violet's consideration and smiled at her thoughtfulness.
Daniel continued to search a suitable gift for Violet when he finally found one that caught his eyes.
It was a bracelet with metallic tones of florals and foliage.
It looked even more enchanting under the reflection of light.
Daniel felt nervous as he handed the bracelet to Violet .
He hoped she would like it.
" It looks ethereal."
"Here , let me put it on for you."
" For me?"
Daniel smiled as Violet seemed surprised that he would pick a gift for her.
Daniel told himself at that moment that he would always keep her as a priority and treasure her.
Because she was precious.
Because she deserved to be someone's first.
" Do you like it?"
"Absolutely. It's so beautiful.
Thank you, Daniel ."
Daniel felt delighted as Violet seemed to truly love the gift that he picked for her.
"We've picked up a necklace for my mother and sister and sapphire cufflinks for my father. Shall we leave?"
" Please wait a minute."
Daniel was confused as Violet went back to look for something.
'Did she forgot something?'
Violet came back with a white gold bracelet.
" This is for you."
Daniel was not someone who would wear jewellery often.
But the bracelet that Violet bought for him was inconspicuous even with all the small diamonds embedded on it.
' So that was why she went back.
To get a gift for me.'
Daniel felt elated and his heart skipped a beat as Violet put the bracelet on his wrist.
"Thank you , Violet."
' I am going to treasure this.
I don't think I will ever take this off.
It's Violet's first gift to me.'
" 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?"
" I love it. I love anything that Violet gives me."
They visited a few more stores , had lunch together and went to the theatre before finally going back to the Palace.
Daniel kept staring at the bracelet on his wrist that night that by the time he dozed off it was already 3 o'clock in the morning.