A Trip into Town

I went to my room, and flew around to get ready before leaving. After walking around the halls, I swallowed my hatred of talking to strangers and spoke with one of the posted guards into the palace. They eyed me, slightly confused by my clothes. My outfit screamed commoner.

"Excuse me, but would you be able to tell me where to apply for an escort?"

It seemed that my manners just confused them further as their eyebrows scrunched, but luckily they decided to answer my question anyways.

"You have to go near the training grounds, where the general services office is. It's the door to the left of the entrance into the grounds," one informed.

"Thank you," I replied, curtsying before leaving straight to find the office. After a long walk across the palace to find the training grounds, I saw the door the guard mentioned and walked in.

"Hello," I called out, announcing my presence. A soldier manned the front desk, looking up at me.

"Hello," He returned. I walked up, stopping in front of the desk.

"I'm told I need an escort to go into town? I've never had to apply for one before. I apologize for the trouble, but would you be willing to show me how to do that?"

"Sure. Can you give me the details of the trip?"

"Today, as soon as possible, and into town. I'll be visiting a few boutiques at the request of my Lady," I explained.

"You don't usually need an escort if you're just visiting town. Is there some reason you want one?" he asked.

What?

"I was told that you need an escort to leave."

"Not at all. You only need one for sure if you plan to leave the capital or for more than one day," he stated.

Did the King lie to me? Well, if I don't need one then there's no need to bother any knights.

"Oh okay. Thank you then," I said, dismissing myself, trying to figure out why the King said I needed an escort.

"Come back if you ever need one. We'll happily assign you an escort," he said.

"I will, thank you," I smiled, waving as I left.

Then I guess I'll just go to town.

I shrugged, brushing it off and went to the gates. My heart sped up in excitement as I walked closer and eventually out of the palace. Nothing could stop the grin that was plastered on my face.

I can't believe it. I get to visit the capital and also leave the castle.

I immediately wasted no time and sped through the entrance, barely keeping myself from running. After going through the outer courtyard, I made it to the start of the capital city. The buildings were huge, towering over me. It was nothing compared to the castle, but also leagues ahead of anything my hometown had to offer. The whole place was sparkling. Whether it be the large windows of the shops, the clothes of the nobles walking around, or the carriages that were led by well groomed horses. I watched in awe as I walked through the streets, taking in everything around me. The sound of people chatting filled my ears as the smell of baked pastries wafted around in the air. I decided to look around first, splurging on a little self-imposed hour long vacation. I didn't have any money on me, since I haven't been paid yet, so I decided to mainly window shop, taking note of all the new and amazing things the capital had. I probably spent too long staring at the cake shops display, having never seen such gorgeous tiers before. I made an impulsive promise to myself to save up so I buy and taste one at least once before I die. The clock tower bell rang, pulling me out of my sugar-induced trance. I sighed, walking further down the road and deciding to get to work. I went up to one of the stalls and asked for directions to one of the shops. Once I navigated my way through the town, I came across a building that was supposed to be Diamonds and Dresses. I opened the door to the shop, greeted by one of the workers inside.

"Hel-" They stopped seeing my attire for a moment.

"Hello," they finished a little wearily.

"Hello," I returned. "I here on the business of Lady Refference. I was hoping that you could help me get an estimate for a dress."

They visibly relaxed, hearing that I was a servant.

"Of course!" they beamed. "Right this way. Could you give me some specifics about the dress?"

"Absolutely," I paused, pulling out the details of the dress out of my purse.

"My lady said she wants a blue dress with sheer arm drapes. She also stated that she wants everything custom made," I said.

"By what day?"

"A week from today," I said.

"A week?" They repeated. I nodded. They sat me down in one of the chairs of the salon and had a paper with them.

"Did she say what type of fabric she wanted?"

"I'm afraid not," I informed apologetically.

"It'll be hard to give a proper estimate without many details," the worker stated.

"Even if it's just a general price range or a typical estimation based on how the dresses average out to be, that would be fine," I tried.

"Well any custom dress done in a week will be around 20 gold at the least. Anything after that would be extra," the man stated.

I internally winced. This will end up taking up the whole budget at this rate.

"I see," I said. "Just in case the lady sees any dresses she does like, would a catalogue of your ready dresses be sent as well? Oh, and jewelry."

"Of course. Where will I be sending a representative?"

"The royal palace," I stated. Their eyes widened.

"Oh my, is this for one of the queen candidates?" they asked.

"Yes," I stated.

"Goodness, what an honor then," they said.

"Not at all, rather it's an honor to possibly work with such a prestigious store," I returned with a smile.

"Oh my, how polite. We'll send a representative tomorrow evening. Is that alright?"

"Of course, thank you so much," I said standing up. They stood up as well.

"You're welcome. Feel free to come back anytime," they said. We said our goodbyes before I left and I went onto the next store. Unfortunately Jasmine's boutique refused once they heard it needed to be a custom made dress done in a week and Harold's sewing shop was closed for renovations. I sighed.

"I'll just have to hope that Lady Refference likes something from Diamonds and dresses..." I mumbled, scratching my head. I heard the bell tower ring again.

Guess I should head back to the palace and write a report.

I walked back around the streets, trying to trace my steps back to get to the castle, but soon, one unfamiliar building bled into the other. I walked faster.

You can't be serious right now. There's no way I'm lost right now.

I tried to retrace my steps again, trying to go back to one of the shops but soon couldn't find them either.

What? Does the capital's streets change throughout the day or something?

I kept walking around, trying to hide the panic and nervousness that clung onto my stomach.

Why is the capital stupidly big?

I sighed.

"Oi little miss," I heard. I turned to the voice, seeing a group of men walk my way. They were obviously mercenaries, and unfortunately, not the respectable kind. I backed away as they got closer.

"You look lost," they sneered with rather disgusting smiles.

"I have somewhere I need to be, so I'll be taking my leave," I said firmly, already walking away. One of them caught up and grabbed my arm.

"Oh please, you're not fooling us with that little act," They said.

"Let me go," I said, pulling my arm back. His grip was painful.

"Be honest with me, you're some daughter of a count or marquis aren't you? Your game of dress up isn't fooling anybody. If you thought disguising yourself as a commoner would hide it, you were wrong," he said. His other men were on either side of me blocking my path and view.

Did I walk too far from the main part of the capital? A guard should've seen them by now.

"No, I'm not. Sorry to break it to you but I'm a commoner, so if it's money you want, you're not gonna get any from me," I stated, losing any manners I got from the palace while still pulling on my arm. They seemed a little confused as they couldn't tell whether I was lying or not. Irritation bubbled in me as his grip wouldn't release in the slightest, and it still hurt.

"Gosh!" I exclaimed, stomping in frustration.

"Will you let go?!" I let out a short huff, looking at the mercenary with an exasperated expression. He seemed to think.

"I'm not a Lady! I don't know what is wrong with you people. If I was a lady would I really be walking around without an escort?" I continued.

"You're probably running away from home like a spoiled brat," they said, laughing, the other men joining in.

"Are you kidding me right now? Why in the world would I run away from home? First of all, my home isn't even here," I argued. They pulled me forward, dragging me. We eventually turned into a more secluded alley.

"Yeah, yeah. Sure. We'll treat you well and make sure to turn you in once your dad puts out a search party and reward for ya," they said, completely disbelieving anything I said.

"Are you even listening? I'm not a lady!" I said, pulling fiercely on my arm, trying to twist it out of his grip.

"Rather than try to convince us you're not a lady, it'll be quicker to just tell us what family you're from so we can return you," They sighed, bored. They walked through I few more passageways coming to a door.

"I'm not-" I paused, remembering something.

"The castle!" I exclaimed.

They looked at me with a raised brow. "The castle? Trying to say you're a princess? We all know-"

"No!" I cut him off. "I'm a maid for the palace," I said. They raised a brow.

"Oh yeah? Where's your Identification plate?" they questioned, waiting. I blanked, confused.

"Identification plate?"

They burst out laughing.

"What, you thought they just let anyone in the palace?"

"No, but they…"

I was gonna say they'll recognize me, but I'm new…

"But they what?" they mocked.

"You're not even wearing a uniform," they pointed out. I looked down at my simple dress.

"I'm walking around town, I don't have to," I argued.

"Enough excuses. You're coming with us. You can wait in here while we wait for a search party for you," they said, throwing me into some door. It was a small room. They closed the door before I could get up. I tried opening it, only for it to be locked.

"Let me out! I'm not a noble!"

They didn't respond. I banged on the door some more still getting nothing. I let out a frustrated sigh.

You have got to be kidding me.