Page 37 of Slippers and Thorns
Normally, she would bring such matters to the attention of the appropriate castle servant, who would then procure the required goods. However, in keeping with her upcoming role as ausefulprincess, she felt inspired to seek out appropriate boots herself.
Besides, she had her “pocket money” – a small allowance according to her royal in-laws, but a generous amount to her, that she could spend with no oversight – and she wasn’t interested in purchasing anything else for herself at the moment. Taken all together, she had a perfect excuse to escape the castle for an hour or so and visit the nearby market.
Jake was tailing her today, but unfortunately, a trip out of the castle required a second babysitter. Therefore, Charlie also trailed behind her, trying and failing to look casual in his uniform with several weapons strapped to his side. Honestly, why did they bother to act like they weren’t on duty? No one with any sense was ever fooled.
Ella strolled through the market, enjoying the way the sound felt in the open-air space. The low rumble of people mixed with the breeze fluttering the awnings and the occasional whinny of a horse, the clucking of chickens, and other sounds from animals at the stalls.
She paused to admire a stand with beautiful necklaces laid out on the table. Reaching out her hand, she stroked a necklace of beads that reminded her of the one her father had given her.
“You have a good eye, my lady,” the man behind the table said. “Some fine craftsmanship. I can give you a good deal on it!”
Surprised he hadn’t recognized her, Ella glanced around to discover her companions were actually standing back and appearing to look in a different direction, making it less obvious that they were there because of her. She smiled slightly at their thoughtfulness in granting her that small bit of anonymity.
“I used to have one like it,” she admitted. “It would make me happy to have another, but I’m not actually here for jewelry today.”
“Not even for something finer?” he suggested, gesturing towards a selection of gold and silver chains with pendants containing precious stones. Picking up one with a sapphire, he held it toward her. “This comes at a fine price, and would set off your eyes. Just the thing to catch the attention of the gentleman you fancy,” he winked.
Ella fought the urge to sigh. “No, thank you,” she replied politely. “Maybe another time.”
She moved on down the road. The scent of hot, seasoned meat caught her attention, leading her to a food stand with small pieces of grilled meat alternated with chunks of grilled vegetables on skewers. It smelled delicious, and it was about lunchtime. She frowned as she mentally reviewed the coins she had placed in her small purse. Then with a smile, she tripped up to the back of the line.
“Three, please,” she ordered when she reached the front. The woman took her money and handed her the skewers. Turning, Ella grinned as she held two of them out to her guards.
Charlie stared at her with a stoic expression. He was always more starched when they were in a crowd. “We are on duty, Your Highness.”
Ella waggled the skewers, watching Jake eye the food longingly. “It will only take up one hand.” Charlie didn’t move. “If you’re concerned someone will see, we could slip behind the stalls to eat,” she coaxed. “You must be hungry.Heis,” she laughed, nodding towards the younger guard.
Sighing, Charlie gestured towards the back of the market stalls. “Fine,” he relented. “Just this once.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Ella replied brightly. “I hear that feeding your guards is the best way to domesticate them.”
Jake choked back a laugh. Charlie just rubbed his forehead.
After they finished their snack, Charlie herded her back into the press of market-goers. She slipped through the crowd, craning her neck from one side to the other to take in the wares at the booths she passed. Jewelry, fruits, vegetables, live animals, beautifully-crafted wood furniture and figurines, and more sat on display, luring in potential customers.
Ella walked all the way past the stall of a weapons merchant before she stopped and looked back at it. Michael had been ignoring her; she needed something to get his attention. She didn’t think a new sapphire necklace would do much, despite the claims of the jewelry merchant. But maybe something else would do the trick.
Edna had advised her to think of things that would make her feel loved and to try to do the same for Michael. Personally, she wouldn’t want to receive gifts all the time, but the occasional meaningful gift – like the bead necklace from her father – made her feel precious to the giver. Would Michael feel the same?
She drifted closer to the stand, wondering if she dared. How meaningful was a weapon, after all? Michael did like to hunt and train, but did that mean that this kind of gift would make him feel special?
An assortment of bows, arrows, swords, hunting knives, and daggers lay on the tables at the front and sides of the booth and hung from the awning and its supporting poles. The metal gleamed, and the leather sheaths glistened with polish. Ella knew nothing about any of the weapons, but they certainlylookedlike they were decent quality.
“How can I help you, my lady?” the young man behind the table inquired. He wore a leather apron that was far less clean than the goods he was selling. From the smudges of leather polish on his hands, she guessed that if he didn’t make the wares himself, he at least prepared them for sale. Although the size of his forearms – which she could see past his rolled-up sleeves – suggested that he did some of the smithing.
Ella fingered the neckline of her dress nervously. “I’m—I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I suppose I’m just looking?”
The young man set his hands on the table in front of him. “Are you looking for something for yourself? A bow to join the hunt?” he suggested. His eyes flicked behind her, where she suspected he was picking out her tails. “Or a dagger for self-defense, perhaps?”
She forced her hand down and tried to smile normally. “Actually, I was thinking of buying something for my husband. But I’m not sure what to get him.”
“All right,” he said, looking over her shoulder again. “Does he hunt? Or is he more interested in blades?”
“He…” She paused to think. WhichdidMichael prefer? She knew he enjoyed hunting, but he didn’t actually ride out that often. At the training grounds, she wasn’t sure if he spent more time with the bow or the sword; ladies were discouraged from spending large amounts of time there, so she had never wandered down to watch.
She scanned the wide assortment of items in front of her. A bow would be easier to carry back to the castle due to its lighter weight, although a dagger would be smaller and not too heavy. Unless she could convince one of her mandatory companions to carry her purchase for her? Glancing over her shoulder, she happened to meet Charlie’s eyes as he swept them past her. As her gaze fell back on the bows, she felt her cheeks heat with mortification as she remembered the last time Michael had seen her with a bow in her hand.
“A blade, I think,” Ella finally answered. “If I get him something, I think it should be a blade.”
