Chapter 31. You, Me, And The Nameless Store
While talking to Kaid, I looked at both Jasmine and Samua who were talking with the man who was handing out the samples earlier.
“I see. Both of you are from Laius. It must be great as it’s such a big fief. I had always told myself to at least go there once, but it’s not easy to.”
“Please do come by! Dase itself is quite big! There’s so much goods around so it’s quite fun!”
“Isn’t it? It’s not an exaggeration to say that goods from all over the country went through here before going towards the Capital. Do have a look around! I’m sure that you won’t get bored even after one or two days here.”
The proud-looking man placed his index finger on his forehead as if trying to solve a mystery and started to groan. Not long after, he snapped his finger.
“I got it! Both of you are part of the Laius’ Fief Lord’s group. Am I right?”
“Eh?! How did you know?!”
Jasmine jumped up in shock. The man was so pleased with the revelation that he happily swayed his body, almost humming towards himself.
“Well… regardless of the large number of people going in and out of Dase, there will be rumors going around with that large group coming in. I’ve heard the Lord was engaged. Congratulations!”
“Ehehe~ Thanks a lot, uncle!”
“U-ncle…”
The man slightly staggered in shock upon hearing those words coming out gleefully from Jasmine. Samua became flustered and grabbed Jasmine to face him.
“Idiot! Even if he looks like an Uncle, you should have considered that there is a possibility that he may be an older brother instead! Also, there is another choice of not bothering to add that!”
“It’s okay, boy. My heart just died.”
“I’m not a boy!”
It seems that Samua’s words had delivered the final blow. The man ended up groaning in sadness.
I wondered if we should be stepping in and peeked up towards Kaid who was wearing a complicated expression.
“My Lady…”
“Yes?”
“From the perspective of the two, which category do you think I fall into?”
“Right… I’m not that sure since I had never asked but what about me? Am I younger or older than you?”
“My Lady is My Lady.”
“And Kaid is just Kaid, isn’t it? I’m sure both of them will say the same.”
His eyes widened and started to chuckle as innocent as a child.
He’s quite a cute person, both in the way that he was concerned about age differences as well as the way he’s happy with mere words. However, if I were to tell him that outright, he would be looking embarrassed and covering his face. So, I kept those words to myself.
Even so, there is just no end to his cuteness. And I do want to tell it to him once in a while, so, as such, I’m going to slide it in a few times whenever I see my chance.
“Oh well. Let’s just buy a lot of stuff while promoting Laius. Ah, but.”
He stopped his words as we saw Jasmine and Samua titled their heads towards us at the same angle and direction. It was as if the man was punishing them badly for some reason or some sort. Both of them looked adorable to be acting in such harmony, but Kaid and I nodded our heads in acknowledgment.
“Currently, there is a reputable jeweler from Capital in Dase right now, but for some reason, he is adamant on not selling his products to Laius.”
“Eh-?! Why?!”
“I don’t know the specifics behind his decision but, although he is quiet just like most other craftsmen, he is not that much of a talker as well. So, no one knows why. Since he is skilled enough to be selling to the royal palace, he is a talented one, just slightly eccentric. Even his debut works are being offered at a high price. However, he is still determined not to sell it. At least not until he found a buyer who is capable of identifying the story behind his creation. Well, the common people don’t have much to do with jewelry stores, but if you’re related to Lord Laius, it’s a different story. If you need to buy jewelry, don’t go to that store. Plus, I don’t want the people who came to Dase to leave with a bad experience.”
The shop itself must have gained quite a lot of attention for the man to be able to give that kind of detailed explanation despite being in a town where the countless number of interactions come by and go. Rather than saying that the man’s tone was as if spouting gossip, he was casually speaking of what seemed to him that was the truth…
“Very well… Can I know the name of the shop?”
“It’s nameless. They don’t even put up any signs or boards. Even so, people still kept coming, so it must have a pretty good reputation in the capital. I don’t understand the sensibility of nobility. Anyways, it’s better to avoid jewelry stores that don’t have a signboard. Well, I’m sure that you won’t bother to go close once you see it but, just in case.”
We left the place after thanking the man who said it so matter-of-factually. We then returned once again to the place that was away from the flow of people.
The looks on the face of the three of them were too different where Jasmine was pouting, Samua was being quite puzzled with the situation and, finally, an expressionless Kaid.
“What a nasty one, that nameless store person!”
I gave a wry smile when I saw Jasmine fuming with anger.
“Right. However, there may have been some reasons behind it. Have you heard of anything with regards to that store, Kaid?”
“Speaking of which, there was a time where Carolina had informed me of an artisan that makes ornaments that fits the young lady. However, he doesn’t distribute it to Laius. Jasmine, the Lady just finished her meal, please don’t shake her too much.”
“Ah. Apologies! Such a meanie isn’t it Samua!”
“Do know I too finished not that long ago. And may I add on that you just finished eating as well.”
Despite insisting that he had just finished eating, Samua still got shaken in frustration by Jasmine. But, he didn’t seem to be feeling that much discomfort. On the other hand, I’m almost depressed at my fragility where I’m already feeling slightly dizzy from the shaking.
“That person is mean for being mean only towards Laius!”
“Well… If that person is being mean then he is mean…”
Seeing the both of them shaking each other as they were discussing, made me feel quite relaxed where it doesn’t matter anymore that the craftsmen were being mean or not.
Besides, there must be some sort of circumstances that made it this way. Otherwise, he would simply be against trading with just the individuals of Laius rather than the whole of Laius itself. The scale of restriction is too large.
“But… what would happen if a resident of Laius managed to convince the craftsmen to sell his products to Laius… I wonder if he would sell it… Master!”
“Do you want to try to go?”
“Yes! I just wanted to try to solve the situation!”
Looking at Jasmine being curious with her sparkling big eyes was cute. It’s good to have interests in things but in this case, what should have been the best course of action.
Jasmine stopped shaking Samua as the both of them fixated their gaze towards Kaid. It seems that they were curious about the shop. If I were to say that my curiosity was not piqued, I would be lying. Furthermore, I wondered if it was appropriate for us to go and search for it even.
It was thanks to the hard work of Carolina and the others that we managed to have the ornaments to be in order despite the short notice. The color of my hairstyle has gradually become brighter these days despite how difficult it must have been to match the colors. They did a great job.
Kaid let out a small sigh as his shoulder slumped slightly.
“I don’t think we would be able to find it. But, in the case you do, please remember that you are only looking out on the store.”
“Roger!”
“Are you sure it’s okay?!”
“I’m a bit curious about it too. Remember, only if we managed to find it. Right now, your initial plans should be prioritized first, is it not?”
Kaid was scratching the back of his head as he said those words and the two of them just responded to that honestly. Jasmine even raised her hands in excitement.
Then, she began to walk briskly with Samua hurriedly lined up beside her. Of course, both Kaid and I followed suit. Even though we came using a carriage today, we have been walking throughout the day. Despite this, none of us seemed to be tired. As long as we’re having fun, all is great.
“Is it really fine?”
“Yeah. It’s Dase and it’s a fairly small town, so I don’t think it will take that much time. Well, that’s only if the shop can be found that easily.”
“You’re right. As much as I’m curious about it, I’m sure that it would be better if we can’t find the shop.”
It should be okay if he was being rude towards Laius as per what Jasmine had said. However, if the reason stemmed from conflicts or hatred, the best action would be to stay out of his way. In the case where confrontation was unavoidable, there’s nothing that we could do since our scheduled tour at the royal palace was tomorrow.
“Well, it does pique my curiosity. An artisan that had been given the authority to enter and leave the palace as he pleases refused to have a single trade with Laius. There would be some impact to that… but”
Since he stopped his words mid-way, I looked up at him. What I saw in his eyes as he gazed straight at me was somewhat distant. Whenever he was to reminisce about the past, he usually would have those eyes. The same goes for Caron, Isadore, and, of course, I’m sure I, too, would have the same look.
“Kaid, could it be you have an idea on the reason behind it?”
“…..No.”
“Kaid. You’re… unexpectedly quite easy to read.”
I told him that with a wry smile and then Kaid did the same. He was probably trying to gloss over the remark but it’s already too late for that and he was aware of that fact.
“Pardon my rudeness. I just thought that if I am the cause of it, all the more reason for it not to be found. “
“Do you have any idea why?”
“I might be overthinking this, but when it comes to the person making ornaments that fits you, refuse to trade with Laius and craftsmen from the Capital… Shouldn’t you be the one who has an idea of who might it be?”
“Me?”
My eyes widen in shock with that unexpected response from him. Perhaps Kaid had already anticipated my reaction but only gave out a small laugh.
“If he is an artisan that has some relation to you, he probably would have a grudge on me. Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising for him to refuse trading with Laius.”
True enough that back in those days, there’s a jewelry store in the Capital that our family had loved and would frequently visit. I was ignorant of the value nor was I aware of the implications to choose it within the Capital. I merely took whatever that was handed over to me on a silver platter without sparing any second thoughts. I was just a foolish daughter.
I gritted through the bitter memories and shook off any further lest I would drown in it. Right now, I should be thinking about the information Kaid had given me. But no matter how much I think about it, I couldn’t come up with a single idea.
I still remember all of my favorite stores as well as the artisans favored by my family. However, I’ve never heard nor came across a shop that refused to have a single business trading with Laius. Everyone just treated it as their job.
Of course, it was. It’s their job. There wasn’t anyone who liked our family as individuals. That’s just the way it is. We were that kind of family.
A forced smile. Indifferent gazes. Their conversations with us were strangely impudent. I let out a breath of relief the moment our gazes broke apart.
Only now that I could finally understand the meaning behind their attitude after being given a genuine smile. That time, despite smiling on the outside and their voices sounded happy and joyful, I could still see their disinterest towards us pasted on their faces. Which made it unnecessarily harder to understand.
“Kaid, I think you might be overthinking. Because I’m sure there’s no one out there who would be angry with us.”
“I do think it’s possible that the target was you, My Lady. Then again, it is all mere speculations. I’m not sure we will be able to find the shop. Furthermore, we are to return to the inn before dinner so we won’t have much time anyway.”
“You’re right. I feel bad for the two who were so excited about it, but it’s better that way.”
Whatever reasons it may be for him to refuse trading with Laius, it’s probably for the best.
As I let out a soft sigh, I felt a big hand wrapped around mine. I blinked in surprise and turned to look at Kaid, smiling with a slightly troubled look on his face. Seeing him that way made me sure that I too have the same look on my face.
Although they weren’t memories, I have too many connections in the Capital. Those connections would inevitably turn into bitter memories. That could probably come in between Kaid and me… For me to get shaken up with just speculation. I have to get a grip on myself.
“Fufu… I never thought the day where I would be able to hold hands with you would come.”
“Same goes for me.”
Kaid, who is taller than me, slowed down slightly to walk alongside me without pulling me. Even though we were holding hands, I was glad that I didn’t need to quicken my pace. It’s probably because I was walking slowly, that we were nearly left behind by the two that were in front of us.
The moment the both of them saw us, they hurriedly headed toward us. Seeing that, Kaid and I ended up calling them out with a smile.