Chapter 9

The vendor had been stationed in this flower market for several days, unable to sell one seed. Now, all of a sudden, a little miss with heavy pockets showed up to save the man from returning home empty handed. A part of him wanted to cough up blood from the twenty silver difference, but he quickly dispelled his negativity, deciding to accept the offer. It wasn't as if he had much to lose. He overestimated the market and the power of his goods. With thirty silver each, he'd be able to have a small profit and walk away cleanly. In the end, all the depressing days of a failed investment have flown away with one transaction. Now, he is able to once again lift his head.

One young master and three servants patiently waited for the man to bag up the seeds before paying him the shiny gold normal people could only dream of.

With the coins in his hands, he bit down to test the authenticity. Relieved that it was real, the heavy pressure that had been weighing on the stall owner finally lifted. Now, he can return to the countryside contentedly. As the stall owner hurriedly put the coins away, Jamie asked, "Will you be selling any other variety of seeds?"

Hearing an opportunity to make more big bucks, the stall owner bobbed his head, rubbing his hands in eagerness. "Yes! Was there anything that the young miss was looking for in particular?"

Too lazy to correct the man, Jamie thought about the General's condition. The treatment for the General wasn't clearly mentioned in the story, but Jamie remembered that it did have something to do with a flower called the King Peony.

This plant was a thousand times rarer than anything that was currently being sold in this stall but considering how the seeds being sold were already un-ordinary, Jamie decided that it didn't hurt to ask.

"King Peony?" Not just the stall owner, but the three servants on the side looked at Jamie as if he was crazy. "I heard that the flower is extremely rare and can only be found once every hundred years or so... Not only that but it only grows in severe conditions. You wouldn't be able to find such a plant here in flower market."

Jamie thought for a bit before asking, "Then in the seeds that you do have, is there anything I could substitute with that could help cure paralyzed limbs or numbness in the hands?"

Hearing their young master asking such a question, the two guards stiffed. Why would he ask something like that? It couldn't be that the young master knows...

The two guards looked at each other briefly and decided to observe Jamie closer.

"I do have some seeds that are common remedies, but if the case is so severe that the King Peony is required I'm not sure if they will suffice. If you could have a physician look over the patient and bring me a list of ingredients needed, I would be happy to help you find the necessary plant items." Not wanting to let go of the big thigh of the little girl that just paid him in large gold, the stall owner thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea to offer his services to ensure future benefits.

With such an agreeable suggestion, Jamie didn't take long before saying, "Then, I'll do so and get back to you."

After agreeing on a future meeting set for a week from now, Jamie left the stall with the three half-grown adults in tow, all of whom had varying thoughts.

For example, Isla and Gale were thinking about how their young master was much keener than he led on. Only a handful of people knew that the General's right hand was injured and out of those people, it's very unlikely that any would expose the secret. Thus, for young master Soleil to figure out that the General sustained an injury, it just proved how capable he was...

If Jamie knew what was in their heads, he would just tell them to not think so much. The reality was that this young master just that knew the plot.

After a few more hours of browsing the market, it was soon lunchtime. Going by Gale's suggestion, the four returned to the carriage to head over to Rhett Street where many famous restaurants were. As they drove closer, the smell of delicious cuisine was inhaled and Jamie's mouth began to water uncontrollably. During his time in this world, he has never experienced one pang of hunger and each meal was always presented to him with the utmost care. However, it's sad to say that although the food smelled and looked good, it could only be said to be just that. Good but not great.

Jamie, a poor student who lived on ramen packets and leftover baked goods didn't have the right to be a food critic nor did he have the palette, but he did have a few tricks up his sleeve as a self-proclaimed chef that specialized with nutritious home-made food.

Not to brag, - well, maybe a little - but the things he could whip up with his limited resources could only be described as delicious. And the things that he has been eating in this world most definitely could not compare to his own cooking, even those things that were made in the manor. But since Jamie was used to eating on survival mode, he was just grateful for having food to eat at all.

The carriage stopped in front of a corner building with Victorian architecture. People roaming the streets and looking through windows fixed their gazes at the carriage with the famous crest. It's been long since the great General Lovel showed his face and although the man was a bit scary-looking, he still was a hero of the country whom they respected and admired.

This is why the many passers-by were shocked when expected shadow of the war-god turned out to be one of a fairy-like child.

Maybe it should have been mentioned that when Jamie roamed the market earlier, many heads turned to stare at his beauty. But because of his excitement, he completely ignored the attention he received and went about the market without care.

However, now taking away his distraction, he definitely noticed the familiar gazes of inquiry and confusion. While traveling with the General, Jamie was embarrassed at the unwarranted attention. At one point, he learned to just ignore it, but now that he was in the capital where there were many more mouths and eyes, his internal nervousness broke out again, causing a little sweat to form on his temple.

The two guards and one maid blocked Jamie the best they could while stepping into the restaurant. The host noticed the carriage from the window and, like others, was wondering who this pretty child was. Regardless, that was the crest of the General. The best service must be provided no matter what!

Greeting the group enthusiastically, the host had the server bring them to the best room in the house. It was located on the third floor and with a view of the outside. They faced the street down below and could peak a bit over the neighboring buildings. Above the rooftops, Jamie could see a glimpse of the palace in the distance. Like the rest of the world, the palace had a flare of east and west. It wasn't harmonious at all...

Turning away from the eyesore, Jamie sat down in his seat and motioned for the others to sit. All three were hesitant, but expressing his discomfort of being watched while eating, they eventually gave in.

The waiter handed him the menu, backing away three steps. This was the only room on the top floor. It wasn't as if he had anywhere else to go.

Jamie read over the menu, choosing a few items before asking what else the others wished to add. No one said anything, prompting Jamie to look up. The three servants were watching their master with confused faces. 'Soleil' was a poor orphan from the countryside. How did he know how to read?