Chapter 7 Shopping

The Guard Detail selected for me assembled, and all of them, especially the Captain, were surprised at the Mix. “Hello, Captain of my personal guard Detail, I am sorry in advance for all the trouble that I’m undoubtedly going to cause you. However, all of you were chosen, because I was NOT raised as a Noble. I’m sure Rumors have reached you to some extent, but rumors are never accurate. So all of you keep being yourselves for the most part, you indeed have a Job to do, and I am your Primary; never say my name aloud, someone might be listening, and target me specifically; you call me your Primary, and Jeanette here, as my Concubine is your Secondary. What those titles mean is that I am the one the Crown charged you to protect, while you will protect Jeanette, so long as doing so doesn’t put me at risk. As much as I’d like to say she’s more Important, this is an official duty station, so I’m explaining how it works. Captain, don’t worry about formalities; for the most part, only deal with that when other Nobles, or some official, or a Merchant that needs the decorum that I loathe to be happy. Worry about their duties, not their manners otherwise.”

The Captain visibly relaxed, understanding that the Hell he perceived didn’t exist. “Certainly, Milady, I fully endorse the Titles of Primary and Secondary as well. Your security is paramount, so avoiding using your name, now that you mention it, is a wise course of action. These lads and lasses are quite good at their Jobs, and if needed, they can straighten up their acts for short durations. This detail is perfect for them in my opinion.”

I smiled. “The Queen selected them all at my request for a less formal detail. May I have your name, Captain? Even if I don’t get to use it, I want to know it anyway. God forbid something happens to you, but if it did, I want to know the name of the person who was lost on my account. Though part of me feels almost like this is a Jinx, or an Ill Wish of sorts, I know intellectually that superstitions don’t affect anything, but not knowing your name would affect me terribly if the worst happened.”

He bowed to me and answered. “You honor me, Milady, my Name is Freddrick. If you’ll forgive me, I feel that introductions to the rest can wait till later.”

I smiled broader. “It is truly an Honor to make your acquaintance, and I agree. Our first stop is the Adventurer’s Guild, to collect a Quest Reward. If you hadn’t heard, I am Gold Rank, and Jeanette is Iron now. Your Protection Detail isn’t as troublesome as most in some ways, but I will tend to jump into the fray, rather than huddling in fear, or simply ignoring dangers entirely out of arrogance. These are my weapons, they’re a Knuckle Type, allowing me to punch at full power, without risking my fingers, yet my Claws can still be used. My Backup Weapon is ranged. It’s called a Crossbow, and is much easier to aim than a traditional Bow. We will visit the Palace Smiths later, and commission one of these for each of you, because you never know when a bit of range will be needed, and a traditional bow isn’t very practical in the city. I only have twenty bolts, but they’re strong enough to punch through most armor. I intend to visit several shops as well, but the reason is private.” We left the Palace as Alian waved forlornly.

It took nearly forty minutes to reach the Guild Hall, but when we entered, there was almost nobody there, and those that were, all were seated, and staring openly at me. I approached the Receptionist, and Jeanette and I handed our plates and the Quest Tile. His startled gaze found the proffered items after a while, then he had us place our hands on the Tablet to confirm that we had indeed completed the quest, and that our tier was what was presented. He handed us our equally split payment. I then transferred what I owed Jeanette to her stack and pocketed the rest. Jeanette also pocketed hers. I thanked the Receptionist and left the still stunned audience behind.

We then headed to the Market Place, and after a short while, I found a Jewelry stand. I zeroed in on the stand. I found three elegant rings that were perfectly identical. “I’ll take these three rings, and I’d like to commission three additional rings with diamonds in them, which need to sort of twine with these three when they’re on the finger.”

The clerk was eager to comply with the request. I instructed him to deliver the completed secondary rings to the Palace addressed to the Queen, and I wrote a note for the Queen’s Eyes only, explaining the purpose of the secondary rings, and their significance in my Culture. I sealed the letter with wax and my thumbprint. Signing my full name on the back.

We then continued to look at the marketplace stalls, but then I saw a young girl being yelled at by someone who was by no means related to her. She was being berated as a useless Chit, and not worth the coin he spent on her. My Rage Boiled, and I barely restrained myself from killing the Man outright. I tapped him on his shoulder, and he turned in Rage, only for his face to Pale at the sight of me and my Guard Detail. “You have two choices, First sell her to me for one Gold, Second, I kill your useless ass, and take her anyway. Which is it?” He took out the girl’s slave paperwork and handed it over, accepting the coin. “Good choice, no get out of my sight you pathetic piece of Scum, who isn’t worth the money I just spent!”

He ran, full-out ran, never looking back. I turned to the girl, paperwork, and collar key in hand. “I’ll serve you as best I can, Mistress! What do you wish of me?” I went to her, and knelt, inserting the key into the lock, and removing the collar. “If you remove the Collar, I’ll be freed, that’s in the Contract!”

I smiled, “Good, cause I didn’t buy a Slave, I paid a Ransom to get a Family Member away from a Bad Person.” The collar fell away, and I embraced the Girl with a fierce hug. “You’re mine now, you hear, nobody can ever hurt you again.”

Her happy tears burst forth, and the misery escaped through racking sobs into my shoulder as the Guard detail, smiling at the tender moment, kept watch around me. Once she calmed down a bit, I asked her a Question. “Do you know where a Florist is? I need to get a Bouquet before I can take you home, get you cleaned up, and dressed in better clothes. This isn’t how I expected to get my first Daughter, but I’m not complaining. At least you won’t have to worry about any of the Noble stuff.”

She wiped her teary face and nodded, smiling. “Yes, it’s this way, the flowers are super pretty.”

She led us down the street to an intersection, then around to the back of the left side of the stalls, where indeed a Florist was set up. The Florist couldn’t afford a better spot, and they were struggling for sure. “Make me a Bouquet worthy of the First Princess’s Private room. It’s a gift for her, and I have the Money.”

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Jeanette came up behind me. “Never got me a gift!”

“Never had the chance, but you’re not left out, you saw I got three rings right?” She smiled and grabbed our new daughter in a side hug.

She looked at Jeanette in confusion as to why she was hugging her too. “I’m one of her soon-to-be wives, so in a way, you’re my daughter too, and you have another mother to meet still. You’re overloaded with Family now!” The girl, who couldn’t be more than twelve if even that, hugged Jeanette back, hard, afraid to lose this newfound warmth.

The Florist did a marvelous job of assembling a Bouquet the likes of which I had never seen. I beamed at her and forced ten Gold onto her. “You’re excellent at your Job, and I want you to provide flowers for my Wedding. I don’t know the details about the Color Scheme yet, but I want centerpieces for each of the Banquet Tables. You will provide them at that time. I’m paying ahead so you can ensure you have enough of the right flowers for the Job. I’ll write a Note for the Queen’s Eyes, so you can go to the Palace to receive instructions. I’ll take no buts on this.”

She bowed repeatedly and agreed to do as asked. I wrote the note and sealed it, signing my name on the back. Then took the Bouquet and left with my new Daughter. I noticed a food stall with meat skewers, and bought ten, and handed four to the girl. “Eat those, and I’ll hand you more once they’re gone. All ten of these are meant for you. You’re too skinny, that evil thing didn’t feed you enough. I’m half tempted to hunt him down and end him anyway.” She didn’t need a second urging. I had to slow her eating a few times, explaining that she wasn’t to throw up, and eating too fast could cause that. Chew properly, take your time, it’s not going anywhere besides her belly.

She had just finished off her ten skewers by the time we reached the Palace, to the astonished gazes of the Palace Guards. One of the Maids approached to see if I needed anything. “This is my adopted Daughter as of today. She was a slave and wasn’t treated well. She’s been fed, but she needs a Bath, any wounds tended, and decent clothes. Something pretty, but more like what your children might wear when you bring them to the Palace, assuming they live elsewhere, that is, I don’t know anything after all. I just realized, I still haven’t asked your name, sweetheart. Haven’t even told you mine yet either. My name is Jane, and your other Mother here is Jeanette. After you’re cleaned up, we’ll surprise your third Mother; Her name is Alian, but don’t go saying it to anyone else till after you meet her. So what’s your name?”

“Gabby is my name, Mother Jane Mam.” I smiled at her and gave her another Fierce Hug, joined by Jeanette on her other side.

“It’s a lovely name, now you need to run along with the Maid here, she’ll take care of you for me, ok? I need to run interference for your third Mother, till you’re all cleaned up. Don’t take too long, ok, I’ll miss you, so hurry up, and do what you’re told, no matter how weird it seems to you.”

“Yes, Mother Jane, I won’t take any longer than I have to.” She smiled, and nervously followed the Maid who couldn’t help but shed a little tear at the tender moment she had just witnessed. The detail broke away, now that I had returned to the Palace. Jeanette and I followed another Maid as she led us to the Audience Chamber, where Alian was attending Court alongside her Parents.

When we entered, it was, apparently, the perfect timing between one matter and another. “Your Majesty, may I intrude for a Moment? It’s somewhat urgent.”

Donican raised a Brow and noticed the Bouquet hidden behind my back from Alian’s sight, then nodded. “As long as it’s brief, I have no objections.”

I approached and Knelt on one Knee, with both my Lovers in front of me. “First Princess Alian, Jeanette, will the two of you do me the great Honor of wearing my engagement ring, and will you together place your shared ring upon my finger in return, to carry the symbol of our betrothal for all to see?”

Saying so, I held the first ring to Alian, as she joyously nodded her head, “Yes, a thousand times YES!”

I placed her ring on her Finger, then turned to Jeanette. “You didn’t even have to ask, YES!”

I placed her ring on her Finger, and the two took the third ring and together placed it upon my Finger. I then handed the Bouquet to Alian. “The Flowers are something of an Apology, as something happened before I came home, which altered our family, without your say so.”

Just then, a Maid entered with Gabby, Clean and Dressed, and I reached my hand towards her. “I adopted a Daughter, she was enslaved, and being mistreated. I bought her, rather forcefully, and then freed her, explaining that I didn’t buy a Slave, but paid a Ransom to get a Family Member away from a Bad Person. I hope you’ll forgive me for this surprise child of ours.”

I kissed Alian’s hand while hugging Gabby. “Of Course I forgive you, I would have done the same, if I had the courage at least.” She knelt to Gabby and opened her Arms. “May I have a Hug too, Daughter? Gabby was it?”

Gabby nodded and happily entered Alian’s warm and genuine embrace. I could tell she was truly overjoyed to have Gabby to pamper. The crowd applauded, with one exception, whom I noticed. The very same man who had mistreated Gabby, he noticed my Gaze, which had turned cold as ice. I pointed directly at him. “That is the very piece of trash in question!”

He tried to escape, only to be grabbed by the Guards. King Donican called the Maid to him and whispered into her ear, then got a response. “The Maids inform me that this child has been abused, which is a direct breach of the Laws protecting Slaves. The punishment for this Crime is to be Enslaved yourself, and be sold to a Salt Mine. Collar him, and take him away!” A slave Collar was placed upon his neck, and he was hauled away.

Profound satisfaction was all I felt at that moment, as all three of us embraced Gabby from all sides. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for indulging my interruption, and I am glad this situation was also solved. I suspect the trash thought he could cause trouble for me by complaining about misappropriation of his “Valuable” slave, that he treated “Oh So Well,” Never thought it would involve the Royal Family Directly.”

Donican huffed in annoyance. “I see what you mean about Power Corrupting. He had Power over Gabby and abused it, ignoring the Law. Good Riddance!”

Just then, a runner from the Gate Guard arrived with a Message Scroll. “I bring a Message from the Guard Captain.”

A Palace Guard accepted the Scroll and brought it to the King. “Hmm, it appears your fears were well-founded. Guards, seize the General Talos, under the charge of treason.”

A muscular Man, who was no Surprise NOT a Tiger, roared in anger, and drew his weapon, beginning his charge towards the King. I cast my super bright light beam into his eyes, and then instantly raised my loaded crossbow and pulled the trigger. The bolt flew straight and true, burying itself in the bear man’s eye. He dropped like a stone, and everyone in the room marveled at the Weapon that saved the King.

“My thanks, future daughter, I’m glad you kept that weapon on you, though I imagine it was an oversight on this occasion. Do try to remember not to bring weapons into the Audience Hall in the future. I can overlook it this time. Fortunately, the General seems to have acted alone, rather than a major conspiracy throughout the Nation. The Bandits didn’t even withhold anything before the Mage Breakers verified their testimony. As a result, I will commute their sentence as you suggested, so enslavement in the Salt Mines, the same as the Trash from earlier. Enough of this, take your new Daughter, and mine, and go relax for the day. We shall speak this evening after dinner.”

He patted my head; it felt good to my surprise. I then left with my girls, two lovers, and one adorable daughter. “Huh, I just realized, technically I’m the first one of us with a child.”

The two slapped my shoulders affectionately. ”That doesn’t count, and you know it!” They both stated in unison.