Elyon trudged home, tired from the day's work. It had been a while since he had last had a proper meal with his sisters, who were waiting for him at the door.
"I never realized how dashing our brother looks in uniform," Seraphina joked. "Come on, let's go home for dinner."
"Please tell me there's no fish tonight. I've had enough of it these past few days," Elyon laughed.
After dinner, Elyon slumped onto the bench, exhausted, and Nyara handed him a letter. Noticing the seal of the Gonia Police Department stamped in red wax, Elyon wondered what official matter it could be.
He opened the letter and found a note on a small piece of paper, along with a white fabric-wrapped cardboard. Elyon began to read the note.
My Dear Junior,
How is your work at the precinct? I trust Captain Parker is taking good care of you. I'm writing because our senior, your mentor Professor Russell, has given me two invites.
Councillor Carter Clark's daughter is having her debutante ball, and he hopes I'll bring you along.
Remember to carry a cane to a gentleman and lady's gathering. If you have a female companion, feel free to bring her. If not, we can introduce you to some lovely ladies.
The event is this weekend, starting in the afternoon. You can come find me at the Gonia Police Department beforehand.
Your Senior, Orion
Reading the invitation made Elyon both amused and slightly overwhelmed. As for a female companion, he did have one—actually, he had two.
"Ladies, you don't have classes this weekend at the tutoring school, do you? How would you like to join your dear brother at a party?" Elyon shouted to his sisters, who were still clearing the dinner table.
"What kind of party? Is it fun? The tutoring school is stricter than the church school; my poor little head can barely keep up," Seraphina said, jumping up to him with eager, shining eyes.
"It's for the councillor's darling daughter's coming-of-age celebration. I don't know if it's fun, since your brother grew up with the soil as his companion. But there should be plenty of sumptuous food to fill your stomach," Elyon replied with a smile.
"Seraphina, you go. I'll stay behind. They usually only allow one female companion, right?" Nyara said from the edge of the table.
"What do you mean 'only one'? I've looked over the invitation, and it doesn't say just one. Besides, we aren't going empty-handed; we need to bring a gift to the councillor's cherished daughter. We can't be the only ones giving without receiving."
"I'm starting to doubt if our brother got switched with someone else," Nyara chuckled.
"Get some sleep early; I'm counting on you two to help me choose a gift tomorrow. And we'll also need to buy you two new hats," Elyon gestured dismissively.
On Friday morning, the excited sisters pulled Elyon from his bed. He put on his usual dark blue police uniform.
"Why are you wearing your police uniform today?" Seraphina asked, puzzled.
"Do you know how to haggle? Or do you know the fair price for canes and hats?" Elyon explained.
The three siblings visited a rather large haberdashery on Valen Street, simply named "Valen Gentlemen's Haberdashery."
The shop was organized with formal wear in the front, shirts in the middle, and smaller items like hats and shoes at the back.
Seeing customers, a clerk approached and said, "Good day, Chief, ladies. What can I help you with?"
"I need a cane, and my two sisters need new hats. What do you recommend?" Elyon responded.
"The ladies can follow our associate to the back for hats; Chief, what kind of cane would you like?"
The male associate pointed to a female colleague, and Nyara and Seraphina followed her to the hat section.
"Something lightweight and understated," Elyon replied, not wanting to lug around an unnecessarily hefty accessory.
"In that case, I recommend this one made from ironwood, with a gold-inlaid handle and an amethyst gem," the clerk suggested, presenting a cane with a touch of opulence.
"How much?"
"Five pounds and a shilling. If you decide to purchase, I'm sure our manager would waive the penny for you, considering your service to the king. We also offer complimentary cleaning and maintenance for the cane."
Elyon almost choked at the price—a week's worth of his salary for a stick. Pretending to weigh his options, he demurred:
"The weight might not suit me, and the gold is too showy. As public servants, we can't be seen with overly extravagant items."
The clerk nodded and replaced the ironwood cane with a selection of silver-inlaid canes made from cherry, birch, and maple wood.
"These are all silver-inlaid. Please, feel free to try them."
Elyon eventually selected a cherry wood cane with a silver handle. The red wood was lightweight, and at one pound, it was five times cheaper than the gold-inlaid one.
"Brother, does this hat suit me?" Nyara asked, emerging from the back with a gray, flower-adorned dome hat and a black hat with a bow.
"I doubt there are two girls in all of Aegsburg more beautiful than my sisters. Whatever you choose will be fitting," Elyon, a former STEM student, admitted his lack of aesthetic expertise.
A man in black formal wear entered the shop, and the clerk greeted him: "Manager, we have three esteemed customers who require your attention."
The manager approached briskly. On seeing Elyon's uniform, he politely inquired:
"Good day, Chief. How may I assist you? At Valen Gentlemen's Haberdashery, we are at your service."
"Well... could you possibly offer a discount?" Elyon hesitated.
"Just a moment, sir. If you do not require packaging, I can offer a further discount of five pence. Allow me to calculate the total cost of your three items."
"We're buying for everyday use, no need for packaging," Elyon replied casually.
"The original total is two pounds, one shilling, and five pence. We'll waive the change for you and only charge two pounds," the manager offered.
Satisfied with the price, Elyon took out two one-pound notes, momentarily lamenting the loss of King George's less endearing mustache.
"Now, let's find a gift for the councillor's daughter. Any suggestions for something affordable yet presentable?" Elyon asked, eyeing his remaining coins.
"Perfume would be practical for daily use and not too expensive," Nyara suggested.
With that, the siblings set out and ultimately spent four pounds on a bottle of rose-scented perfume.
Holding the finely wrapped gift box, Elyon felt an unwitting generosity had made him an easy target for the smiling shopkeeper. He was, perhaps, a rare and plump sheep ready for shearing.