34 The Mitskapalazah Part 2

"You never said anything about keeping a gem," Kaius said when they were already moving.

"I found it on my gown."

Allyria was supposed to use the sapphire to rent them a horse to Windemere Castle. She decided they had to go back. Kaius still had responsibilities with his country. She didn't want to bring him down with her. But she conjectured that won't happen any sooner.

"We're here," Kaius said and they entered a stall covered in tarpaulin cloth.

It wasn't much. Most of the dresses with sleeveless tunics were hung on the side. Sheepskin cloaks, woolen hats and mittens were displayed as well for the winter weather in the following month.

Women would ogle their eyes for these bright and colorful fabrics but she wasn't like Vysela who's into fashion and lavishness.

"Choose whatever you like," Kaius said as he scanned his eyes on the displays.

"Whatever I like?" Allyria's eyes narrowed, testing him.

"Sure but only those we can afford," he tittered, "I only have 50 here."

She scrunched her nose and walked towards the hangers.

The clothes in the castle couldn't compare to the clothing being sold here but for these people, it was already passable as long as it covered enough skin. Peasants would even treat these as luxury dresses, something they can never afford but can only dream of having.

"May I ask how much is this?" she asked the lady merchant and showed her the dress that was less extravagant than the others, just a simple wool fabric thread into an ankle-length dress.

"Sixty qintars."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Sixty, lady," the lady merchant answered and went to another shopper who was going to pay for the only dress adorned with jewels. It was certainly fake but from the way it was made, people could already fall for it.

"How much?" Kaius mouthed who was standing by the entrance.

Allyria shook her head.

"How much?" he asked again.

Allyria sauntered towards him. "Sixty."

Shock crossed his face, his mouth dropping open slightly, "Oh," he scrambled for something in his pockets, "Wait, maybe I have 10 here."

Allyria stood, waiting as he's busy searching for the hidden treasure.

He pulled out a coin—no, "Will a button do?" he asked and chortled at his frivolous remark, "We could sell this for 10."

Allyria snorted. 'His ideas are really something, no?'

"Seriously, you don't need to buy me anything," she said, "It's okay."

"I can..." Kaius handed the only money he has left.

"I'm fine. I don't need new clothes," she took his hand and folded it into a fist, "Let's just save it for more important things."

"Oh," she said as an idea popped into her mind, "Why don't we just get a new cane for Silas? He deserves it," she flashed a smile.

"Are you sure you don't want it?"

"Want? Pfft. There are a lot of things I want in life but clothes aren't one," she said with much confidence.

But she immediately took it back when she noticed the awkwardness in his expression, "Uh... Of course, I need clothes to... uh... cover me. But I don't want them."

Kaius pinched her nose, chuckling, "I was just kidding."

"Hey, you two!"

They both turned to the lady merchant who was now crossing her arms, feet tapping on the ground, "Are you going to buy anything from my shop or not?"

They looked at each other. Allyria only shook her head and gave a shy smile, "We're sorry."

"Then leave!" she lashed out, throwing daggers at them, "Children these days really can't even differentiate a hostel and a public space," she uttered under her breath.

Allyria's face flushed, "I think we really need to leave."

"I think so too."