A Father-Daughter Outing

After meeting with the knights, Ruby and Duke Stoneborne head into town to get Ruby's measurements taken so that she can get fitted into her new dresses and knight's attire. Once the carriage makes it in front of the seamstress's shop, the duke gets off first. Ruby takes her turn to get off but misses the step and falls out, causing the duke to quickly catch her.

"You want to learn swordsmanship, yet you can't even get out of a carriage properly."

"I'm sorry, Father."

"Don't say sorry. Stonebornes never apologize for anything. Just do not let it happen again."

"Yes, Father. This will not happen again."

"Good."

Just as the duke reaches for the shop's door handle, the door opens. Exiting the shop is a tall man with striking green hair and a boy with similar features.

"Ah! If it isn't my childhood friend, Duke Stoneborne! What are you doing here of all places?" the man shouts as he pats the duke's shoulder. As his laughter begins to subside, he notices Ruby standing behind the duke. "Are you being forced to do charity work, Nicholas? I know you hate children."

The duke motions for Ruby to step forward to which she does and stands next to the duke.

"This is my daughter, Ruby."

"Da-daughter?! You?! Are you sick? Did you hit your head? I think I must have died and was sent to a parallel universe."

"Count Flintwood, you are being rude to my child. You may be my only friend; however, I will not hesitate to give you a befitting death."

"Ah~ hahaha. My apologies." The man faces Ruby and bows his head. "Good morning, Lady Ruby. My name is Keith Flintwood. I am a count that serves under your father. I hope you can forgive my foolishness."

Ruby curtsies back. "Good morning, Count Flintwood. My name is Ruby Stoneborne. It is a pleasure to meet you."

-Ah! She is just too cute- Count Flintwood internally squeals to himself. -I wish she could be my daughter!-

"Lady Ruby, the duke is being nice to you, yes? He isn't making you do anything you don't want to?"

Annoyed, Duke Stoneborne punches the back of Keith's lowered head. "Why would I have my daughter do such unnecessary things?"

"If I may ask, how is it that you have a daughter? If I recall, you are still unwed and very much dislike women."

"You don't need to know such details."

Feeling his son tugging at his pants, the count ushers his son forward. "Lady Ruby, this is my son Adrien. Adrien, greet the princess."

"G-good morning, Lady Ruby. My name is Adrien Flintwood. I am the youngest son of the Flintwood House."

"Good morning, Adrien. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Noticing the people around them starting to catch Ruby in their sights, the duke sets a hand on Ruby's shoulder.

"We have a lot to do today, so we will have to excuse ourselves first. It was an unwelcoming pleasure to see you again, Count Flintwood."

"The pleasure is all mine. If you would like, you can come to my estate one of these days. I'm sure Lady Ruby and Adrien will make great friends."

"That will be up to my daughter. Now, if you will excuse us."

As the duke and Ruby enter the shop, Count Flintwood slowly watches them. "He has a daughter, now," the count scoffs. "If he has that child next to him, then there must be something special about her that will make such a stubborn man go back on his hatred for children. I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens."

---

"Welcome to Tally's Salon, Your Grace! How may I be of service to you today?"

"My daughter needs to have her measurements taken. When you finish, bring out a catalog for her to choose her dresses along with your finest accessories. Price will not be an issue."

The women in the shop stare at Ruby in astonishment as she steps from behind the duke.

"I will be in your care," Ruby says as she bows to the workers.

One of the women approaches Ruby with a smile. "Right this way, my Lady. We will need to have you undress for us so that we can take your measurements."

"Okay."

Ruby follows the women behind a screen as the duke takes a seat in a nearby chair. After a few minutes, Ruby walks out from behind the screen and sits next to the duke. As she is seated, a worker brings out tea for Ruby and hands her their catalog.

"You can look through this to find any style you like, and I will come back in a few minutes with the accessories."

"Thank you."

As Ruby looks through the catalog, the duke notices that she has a confused expression on her face.

"Is there something that you don't like?"

"I am unsure of what to do. I was naked when I was found in the mine, and my dress was given to me by Taylor from her little sister. I have no set preferences yet, and I am uneducated on the attire that the women of the kingdom wear."

Irritated but trying to be patient, the duke calls one of the workers over. "Have one of every dress in your shop tailored and sent to the Stoneborne estate along with the accessories. Ensure that the bill is sent along with it. I will have the payment sent as soon as the dresses arrive at the estate."

"Y-yes, Your Grace! Thank you for your patronage!"

"Also, help my daughter select a dress to wear to leave with and throw away the one that she is wearing."

"Of course, Your Grace."

The women excitedly take hold of Ruby's hand and show her around the shop so that they can pick out a dress to compliment her. In the end, Ruby returns with a gradient orange dress with red ruffles. Ruby bracelets adorn her wrists with a matching necklace. An orangish-red ribbon is tied to the back of Ruby's head.

"Do you like it, Ruby?" the duke asks once the child is in front of him.

"It is very pretty."

"I will buy everything that is on her." When the duke takes the bill from the woman, he also asks, "Do you also sell pants for girls?"

"No, we don't, Your Grace. It is unheard of for girls to wear boy's clothing. If you wish to have her fitted for boy's clothing, there is a shop nearby that sells clothing to the sons of nobles."

After getting the name to the shop, Ruby and the duke leave the salon and return to the carriage.

"Where are we going, now?" Ruby asks as she looks out the window.

"I am taking you to another shop to get fitted for your knight apprenticeship attire. Women don't normally partake in such an activity apparently, so apprenticeship attire for girls is not readily available."

"Why not?"

"Why not what?"

"Why don't women learn swordsmanship?"

"A woman's pastime hobby is not one that I think about, so I do not know the answer to your question either."

Ruby doesn't have a response to Nicholas's answer, so she quietly looks out the window. As the carriage continues down the road, Ruby sees children around her age playing in the streets, laughing and smiling.

"Father, Leyna said that when a person smiles, it is because they are happy, but I have never seen you smile like how the children do outside or like how the workers at the estate do while they work. Are you not happy?"

The duke does not reply to Ruby's question. He just continues to look out the window.

"Leyna says that happiness is like a warm feeling in your heart. I don't know what a heart is, but it seems like everyone has one from what Reyna says. Do you have a heart, too, Father?"

"You ask too many unnecessary questions. Just sit quietly until we make it to the shop."

"Yes, Father."

---

"Welcome to our shop, Your Grace. How can we help you?"

"I need a pants set made for my daughter. Is this shop knowledgeable in making such attire?"

"We are more than proficient in making such attire for young men, but we have never made one for a young lady before."

"Well, you are going to make one, now. Have her measurements taken and prepare a set of my knight's apprenticeship attire by the end of the day."

"B-but Your Grace, only men work in this shop. I feel that the Young Lady will be uncomfortable with a man seeing her in a vulnerable state."

"My daughter will be fine. I trust that your employees are educated enough to know not to lay a hand inappropriately on a woman, let alone a girl. Correct?"

"Yes, Your Grace! Of course, we only hire the most well-trained men to our shop. We will get a screen ready and call the Young Lady when it is ready."

"Good."