Prince Arnold is watching. Is this why he brought me here? What does he want me to do, appraise jewels? He has a shop right here to do that, so that can't be it. Maybe sales are struggling, and he wants my help? No, that doesn't seem right either.
As Rishe deliberated, the old woman beamed at her. "My son and his wife operate on a much larger scale; this store is just my personal hobby. I gather gems from around the world and take great pleasure in selecting the clients I sell them to."
Merchants often did this sort of thing, so it made perfect sense to Rishe…until the proprietress said something unexpected. "I would absolutely love to obtain something for you, Lady Rishe."
Hmm?
Rishe wasn't prepared for that angle. She glanced at Arnold for an explanation, but he'd moved away from the counter to sit in one of the leather chairs. He propped himself up, resting his chin in his hand and looking up at the old woman.
"Spare her your flattery. If you want her as a client, take her order."
"Very well. I would be delighted."
The conversation was moving along without her, so Rishe hurriedly cut in.
"Umm, Prince Arnold? What exactly is going on here?"
"My, have you not heard what you're here for, Lady Rishe?"
Rishe shook her head.
The old woman smiled and said, "His Highness is here to purchase the ring his bride will wear at their wedding."
"Hwah?" A strange noise flew out of Rishe's mouth.
Wait a second. A ring… The kind of ring you wear on your finger?
Right. That had to be it. This was a jewelry store where they sold exactly that kind of ornament.
Wait, what does she mean by bride? Prince Arnold's bride… His bride is… Rishe's mind churned. That's me!
Rishe thought her legs would give out. She whirled on Arnold, but he just wore that same unflappable expression as always. He sat there with his chin in his hand like this was business as usual. That only made Rishe more confused.
Why? Seriously, why?! Are rings a part of marriage ceremonies in Galkhein too? No, that can't be! Rings worn on your left ring finger only have meaning in my country!
The jeweler's voice broke through her spinning thoughts. "I haven't had a customer in a long while now. I'm prepared to give this piece my utmost effort! I need to make a few preparations. Kindly take a seat."
Rishe did as she was told, sitting down beside Arnold. Timidly, she asked, "Your Highness, umm, what is all this?"
"Are you still confused?"
"Of course I am! I came along with you in secret today because I promised I would fulfill any request! Why are we buying a ring?" She couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Arnold took out his pocket watch, gazing at it as he answered simply, "My request is that you let me buy you a ring."
"But why? Wasn't there anything else you wanted to make me do—I mean, something I never would under ordinary circumstances—that would benefit you?"
"What, is that what you wanted? Did you want me to ask you to do something you wouldn't like?"
"Well, no, but…!"
Maybe she did want that. Rishe had made this bet in the first place to gain insight into Arnold's true nature and intentions. This only gave her a new set of mysteries to ponder.
"You didn't need to waste your favor on something like this. If there's some reason you want me to wear a ring, you could have just asked."
"Listen, you," Arnold began. Rishe thought she was being perfectly reasonable, but he looked exasperated. "If I just told you, 'I want to buy you a ring, so pick something you like,' you'd kick up a huge fuss over it."
"Ugh."
"I have a sneaking suspicion you don't like people buying you things."
There was nothing she could say to that. Arnold was exactly right; it made her uncomfortable. Hence her current upset.
"Therefore, I have no choice but to make use of opportunities like this. The gems at this store are of the highest quality. Money is no object. Pick whatever you prefer."
"Y-Your Highness, you shouldn't spend money without due consideration!"
Arnold had a response ready: "Rishe. Any ring you pay for here will mean an immediate transfer of funds into the castle town."
Rishe's shoulders twitched.
"I know you have an interest in business. I have an excess of personal funds and nowhere to spend them. My money isn't circulating. What do you think of that?"
"W-well, I…!"
Arnold grinned, pressing on. "The proprietress here is very particular about her furnishings, as you can see. If I spend my money here, she may purchase more. In other words, my money will eventually go toward putting food on the table of merchants and skilled craftsmen."
"Argh…"
"If there's a gemstone you'd like from abroad, that can be arranged. When people and things move, money moves as well. Or do you disagree?"
Th-this isn't fair!
Everything Arnold said made sense. People hoarding money without spending spelled tragedy for merchants. No one wanted royals to spend wastefully either, but if they had excess personal funds, then funneling that money to their citizens was ideal.
"Very well. I'll pick something wholeheartedly, with everything I've got!"
"Heh."
Arnold snickered at her declaration.