After breakfast, Oswald, Percival, and the maid stood at the foot of the tree, leaving Aelindor with his family. Leaves fell around him, carrying the scent of moss and distant flowers on the wind as sunlight pierced the branches above.
"Let's split up and buy gifts for him and the bride. After that, I want us to buy the outfits for the wedding together."
"Understood. Let us meet at this tree below his residence."
Oswald waved. "Let's. See you later."
He and the maid walked through the tree village beneath a canopy of interconnected rope bridges. With the help of locals, they arrived outside a jewelry shop.
"Heh. I like this village already," he said, pointing at the sign. "With a giant diamond on the signboard, who'd miss this jewelry shop?"
The two walked toward the shop.
Wait a minute, I only planned gifts for the maids, not for the wedding. Uhh…
DING!
The bell chimed as the two entered the shoe-box-sized shop, a warm and woody smell hit his nose.
Damn, I actually like the smell, no wrinkling.
The bark walls were carved with crooked shelves, lined with wooden trays of rings, brooches, and other jeweled accessories. A multi-layered display sat on the counter, a golden glow from the lantern above casting light on the finer pieces.
A female elf shopkeeper stood behind the counter, wearing a green apron over a lime high-necked blouse, her hair covered by a small white kerchief.
"Eh, welcome to my little establishmen— Oh-ho, ain't this a surprise. The Hero of Sylvia, walkin' through my door."
ANOTHER MAFIA ACCENT! WHAT! Do villagers speak Mafioso?
"You bet, uh, Ms. Shiny."
I'm gonna go on a whim.
"A blue gem and green gem ring, please. A wedding gift for my friend and his bride."
"Ah, the Thalorian's kid, huh. Sit tight…"
Thalorian's kid?
Sitting tight, the shopkeeper opened drawers behind the counter with the sound of metal colliding with each other.
Damn, how many rings does she have?
"Here they are. Any of 'em catch your eye?" The shopkeeper had three rings in each hand: emeralds in one, lapis lazuli in the other, the gems' sizes from large to small, all fitted for the bride and groom's finger.
The small emerald ring for the bride—no brainer. But for Aelindor…
"Ah, I don't know about him. Does he want big and showy, or small and reserved." He shook his head. "Ah, screw it—give the small one."
Lord, please let me be correct.
The shopkeeper gave a nod, placing the rest inside, getting ring cases from another drawer. While she retrieved the ring cases, He leaned over the counter, whispering loudly.
"Hey, so I also want gifts of my own."
She paused mid-retrieving the cases. "Oh? Go on, sweetheart. What kinda gift we talkin' about?"
Here we go, boys.
"Two amethyst gemstones for future use and amethyst pendants. And hand it over in a… hush hush way."
Understanding, she retrieved the ring cases and his requested items.
The maid stood behind him with a tilted head. He has been conversing quietly with the shopkeeper for some time; what is occurring between them? She thought.
Oswald got the gifts and the goods, the coin sack jingled as he placed them on the counter.
"Thank you, Ms. Shiny!"
"You come back if ya need anything wrapped in jewels, yeah?"
"Hahaha. You got it!"
The two left with the wedding gifts with maids' presents in a sack. Next stop: the flower shop.
It's not much, but I hope they like them. Something to remember me by when I leave this world behind.
* * *
"Heh, there it is." They stood before the flower shop, its signboard adorned with a giant wooden flower. "I don't even need to read what it says."
DING!
The cheerful bell on the door chimed as its customers entered. An explosion of aromas bloomed in his nose—sweet, floral, with a tinge of earthiness.
It was another shoe-box-sized shop. Multi-colored flowers native to the island grew in beds to his right, while prepared bouquets—some matching, some mixed—adorned the walls in beautiful patterns.
A little elven girl sat behind the counter, wearing an outfit similar to the jewelry shopkeeper's but in pink with yellow floral patterns. She looked at the two customers entering her mother's flower shop.
"Welcome ta ma's flowah sho—" Her eyes widened, mouth agape at the sight of Oswald.
Uhh… Why's she staring at me like—
EEK!
A happy squeal escaped her as she zipped around the counter and leaped onto Oswald.
"Whoa!" He staggered slightly from the leaping girl.
She rubbed her face on his armor. "Thank ya! Thank ya fuh savin' my mutha! Thank ya so much!"
Her… mother?
A flashback to the ceremony surfaced—meeting the families of the rescued women. One had been an older sister, holding a little girl.
She's the very same girl.
"There, there."
The maid's mouth twitched upward in a smile for a millisecond.
"How's your mother doing? Is she doing well?"
"Yah! She told me tuh put everythin' fuh you, free! Take anythin' an' however many he wants, she said."
"Oh, no, no, no. I can't just take your stock. I'd rather pay."
The little girl released herself, jumping jovially, giggling.
Oswald placed a hand on her shoulder and lowered his voice. "Alright, listen close." He glanced behind him. "I want to buy a pretty flower for the pretty lady behind me. Gimme two of your best pink ones."
"A'ight~"
She skipped to a flowerbed blooming with light pink, violet, and amethyst flowers, and plucked two. She brought the flowers to him.
Whoa! They're actually light pink roses!
The second rose was taken behind the counter. Oswald stepped beside the maid.
"Stay still now." He trimmed the stem and tucked the flower into her hair.
He gestured toward the maid, looking at the girl. "Well, what do you think?"
Elbows on the counter, chin in her hands, the little girl's eyes glittered. "Wah! She's very pretty~"
The maid's cheeks flushed for a millisecond.
"Hahaha. Ah, if the little girl approves, then I've done a fine job."
He produced two gold coins from his sack. "Here you go. Thanks for the amazing flowers." He placed two gold coins on the counter. The girl stared at them, frozen. "See you later!"
The bell chimed again as they left.
She actually does look pretty. Heh. Probably the most beautiful one at the whole wedding.
* * *
He stopped a few steps from the entrance.
"You're free to remove the flower—I won't be mad," he said, glancing back at the maid. He walked on ahead, leaving her behind. She adjusted the bloom before catching up to him.
After a five-minute walk, they arrived at the base of the tree beneath Aelindor's house. Oswald spotted Percival placing something in the coat's inner pockets.
"Hey!" He yelled, waving him over. "Over here!"
His attention caught, Percival walked toward them. "Good to see you again. I take it you've acquired the gifts?"
"Yep!" He rubbed his hands together. "And I'm ready for the suits."
His gaze shifted to the maid. "I'd like to do this next part just with him. Here…" He handed her the sack containing the wedding gifts—and the gifts meant for her. "Return to the house and help with the wedding preparations anyway you can."
The maid gave a nod and took the sack.
WHOOSH!
She vanished before them, leaving a puff of dust in her wake.
Oswald gestured ahead. "Shall we?"
The two of them walked together toward the tailor's shop for their wedding suits.
* * *
ns216.73.216.247da2
and then Add to home screen.