Ignis never saw a horse as fast as Gale. The stable man was not lying when he said that the horse is the fastest one owned by the Royal Knights. They both rode through a thin forest line before coming out in an opening leading to the City Lapis.
Fenix was just a step behind Gale and that somewhat irked the white horse. Slowly it started gaining more speed. Ignis was shocked to see him gain more momentum as if any more was impossible. She heard the King cry out from behind her.
"Princess, you are going too fast"
Yes, they were going too fast, but, the thrill made her extremely happy that she didn't want to stop, ever.
"How about you slow down first?" she looked back and grinned.
He looked in awe for a moment before closing his lips tight. Adrian slowed his horse a little. Sensing them drops their speed, Ignis slowed her horse as well but still stayed ahead of the King.
She could see them nearing the city gate. Even from afar, she could see the large stone building, tents and crowds inside the city gate.
Upon entering the city from its west gate, Ignis looked around to find anything of interest. Her eyes fell upon a stall selling silk clothes and steered her horse towards it.
She got down the horse and waited for Adrian.
"Your Highness, can you hold him for some time?" she said, offering the rein of Gale to the King.
"It's Adrian. I am not a King today." he said in a hush voice taking the rein.
"Yes, A-Adrian. I will keep that in mind." she could feel a blush forming on her cheeks. She pulled the hood of the robe to cover her face.
Adrian smirked "Is it that difficult to say my name?"
"N-No" she turned on her heels and strode towards the stall.
While going through some of the clothes, she felt that not all are actually silk and some are fake. She bought one piece of each. Happy with her purchase, she returned to Adrian.
While she was walking towards him, she felt a presence behind her. She slowly turned to look behind but nothing looked suspicious.
"Any problem?" she turned to look at Adrian's concerned face.
"No, it's nothing" she gave him a quick smile.
Adrian regarded her for a few moments before turning with two horses and started walking.
"Is there anything else you want to see?" He asked her.
Ignis took a quick look behind before quickening her pace and walking beside him.
"Gems! Are there any good shops?" she asked him excitedly.
He stared at her as if trying to solve a riddle, then looked ahead.
"Lady Domini was right" Ignis was confused with the sudden mention of Domi. "Your eyes do twinkle when you talk about Gems" he said with a smirk. "Let me know if you want me to gift you a rare gem" he winked at her.
Ignis was astounded at his bluntness. 'How could he wink at a woman in public?'
"A-Adrian, you cannot wink in public. That's what a rake does"
"Ignis! Did you just slander me?" He looked amused. "It's just you here and you are my betrothed. You hurt my feelings" he said making a hurtful expression and rubbing his heart.
Ignis looked around to find very few people and most were busy with their own business to mind a poor couple.
"But still ..." she didn't know what to say.
Adrian took hold of both the reins in one and took her hand in the other.
"Let's go" he gently pulled her forward.
Soon they entered a jewelry shop filled with various jewels, crystals and glasses. Women of every age flooded the shop discussing the new trends, upcoming events and budget. There were many Noble ladies and Ignis feared that someone might recognize them.
'Adrian's hair is covered with a hood, so no one will recognize that he is royalty... but still. Should we just leave for now? If at all they don't recognize us, they might wonder what a poor couple is doing in this expensive shop.'
"There are many Noble ladies here, should we come back later?" Ignis asked keeping a look out on the women in front of her.
"They won't bother you, don't worry. Just take a look here" Adrian pointed to a shelf full of crystals and stones. He didn't look worried as she was.
She decided to trust him on this and looked at the various stones on the display shelf.
"What are these?" Ignis was truly astonished at the blue stone with a golden hue of various sizes.
"This is a stone from which the City gets its name - Lapis Lazuli. From painting to medicinal use, we can use it for multiple purposes. Though it is not as expensive as the diamond, it has great meaning to the Royals of the Aqua Land" he hesitated for a second before adding "I know that diamonds are in trend this days, but, if you do not mind, I wished to create our wedding rings with these stones. What are your thoughts?".
"It doesn't matter. I am fine with anything" she said and looked up to face him. The end of her lip quickly fell down when she saw disappointment in his eyes.
He muttered "I feel hurt again"
"I mean I genuinely liked the stone... really. So, it doesn't matter if the ring is expensive or not. As long as you have put your good thoughts into it, that's enough for me." Ignis saw a small smile form on his face.
A sales person approached the couple and greeted them.
Ignis chose a Lapis Lazuli stone about half the size of her fist and asked the sales person to pack it. The sales person gave her a doubtful look. Ignis asked him if there was any problem.
"Madam, we do not judge our customers and allow people of every age and class to walk into our shop. But, I must say this stone is very expensive. I doubt you will be able to afford it"
"How expensive is it?" she asked not showing any emotions.
"The stone of this size will cost you 1 Gold and 5 Silver coins"
Adrian put his hand on her shoulder and asked "Isn't it cheap for you dear?"
Ignis smirked and looked at a large coin bag under her robe. She pulled out the required coins and placed them on the display shelf. The sales person was visibly shocked.
"My wife is rich you know" Adrian said proudly and Ignis pressed her lips in a thin line to control her laugh.
"M-My apologies. I shouldn't have judged" the sales person quickly apologized and packed the stone in a silk pouch.
"It's alright" Ignis took the pouch and shoved it in her coin bag before rushing out of the shop. She pressed her cheeks which were red due to stifling her laugh for too long. She noticed that Adrian was still not out and decided to wait for him alongside the two horses tied in an alley beside the shop.
While waiting in the alley, she felt the familiar feeling of someone's watchful eyes. She looked around but there was no one.
Adrian soon joined them and they left for their next destination.