8 Bonding

"This was a brilliant idea, Lillian. Thank you for inviting me. I have not been to the marketplace in years."

"It's my pleasure, Duchess. I wanted to explore this kingdom a little bit as well."

The smell of freshly baked bread whiffed through the air mixing with the sounds of the market, shopkeepers shouting about their wares and people attempting to bargain for them.

Just an hour ago, Lillian was inviting the Duchess to accompany her to the market. She was so surprised when Margaret immediately agreed.

Here they are now, cloaks over their shoulders and baskets in hand. They visited every stall they passed, buying little nicknacks here and there.

It's a relief the King gave me some spending money.

'Gave'

"What part of 'the rest is up to you', didn't you get?" Roman looked at her, annoyed.

"I don't like this as much as you do, do you think I enjoy asking you for help. But, the thing is, I don't have any money."

"Aren't you the Fairy Godmother? Shouldn't you at least have some?"

"I know right? I don't understand why I can't even summon some amount of money. Anyway, aren't you the King? You have the kingdom's treasury. I'm just asking for a little bit of it. I'll return them when I find a way to get money."

"Those belong to the people."

"And?"

"You are not even a citizen of this Kingdom."

"But I am here to help aren't I?"

"Ah~ I can absolutely see all the help you have done."

Lillian narrowed her eyes at him.

"Fine. I'll take care of this myself. It was a mistake asking you to help me."

Roman let out a deep sigh and called to Lillian just as she reached the door.

"Wait."

Lillian patted the coin purse hanging off the belt on her waist. She made a face at the thought that she now owes Roman a lot for all the help he's done for her.

"Lillian? Are you alright? You look like you just saw a man."

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh, you are forgiven."

"No. I mean . . . What do you mean by man?"

Margaret laughed, "I am sorry. It's just an inside joke between the king and I. Whenever we see something that utterly disappoints us, we just say that we have just seen a man."

"Isn't the king a . . . man?"

"Yes. But he has an intense dislike for his own gender after . . . But that is not really my story to tell."

The Duchess took a bite of the apple they bought, smiling at Lillian arousing her curiosity.

"So Lady Lillian, how is the king?"

"How?"

"Yes. You come here to help him right? How has it been going? Are you able to find anything about his condition?"

"Ah! That! I still am performing some experiments, trying to determine the problem. I haven't forgotten it at all, not even for a moment." Lillian laughed nervously.

"With someone as capable as you, Lady Lillian, I know his Majesty is in good hands."

She may not mean to but now Lillian felt incredibly pressured to find a way to give Roman the ability to use magic.

Great. Another thing in my hands.

"Lady Lillian, I see the peaches."

Margaret ran to the fruit vendor and asked him the price.

"Six gold coins for three."

"Woah. Isn't that a little much?" Lillian walked to the man, frowning.

"It is what it is." The man shrugged. "Look, lady, we're just trying to make it through the day. These peaches are the sweetest ones in all the kingdom's, that's also why they're so expensive."

"Sounds like a scam."

"Lady Lillian, it is alright. Here, ten gold coins, please give me what you can for this much."

The vendor gave a smug smile to Lillian.

"The lady here knows what I'm talking about. I will pick out the best for you."

He picked three peaches and dropped them into the basket.

"Wait a minute. That doesn't add up. Shouldn't you be giving five? Two gold coins for one peach, ten gold coins would be the price for five peaches."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Why you little-"

Margaret touched Lillian's shoulder, shaking her head.

"Thank you, sir." She said and walked away.

"I've got my eyes on you." Lillian glared at the man before running after the Duchess.

"Pardon my question if I sound rude Duchess, but why did you let him get away with it? He is clearly scamming you."

"It is alright, Lady Lillian. This is all I can do to atone for what everything he's done, for now."

"He?"

Margaret's kind, gentle face contorted to one of pure disgust, like what she was about to say revolted her to the core.

"My husband."