Immediately, she shakes her head. “It’s lovely that you would be willing to have them at the palace but it simply won’t happen, Kaillas," she replies, knowing better than to get her hopes up. She tried as hard as she could have have her pets sent with her but nothing worried.
“My relationship with my family… it's complicated. I haven't heard from them since I left. I'm not sure how they would respond to a request like this. They firmly believe that my pets would prove to be a distraction from our marriage and my job to produce children.” It’s ridiculous but there is no getting through to them.
Her gaze drops momentarily, her mind filled with memories and unresolved emotions. Family is not a subject of conversation that she enjoys. She then looks back up at Kaillas, offering a weak smile. “While I appreciate your offer, I don’t think that it would work.”
As Kaillas's horse staggers, Ophelia quickly maneuvers her own stallion to give them some space, concern etched on her face. "Is your horse alright?" she asks, her voice filled with genuine worry. She leans over slightly, ready to offer assistance if needed. “Are you alright, darling?” She coos softly to the horse, gently petting her own to keep him calm.
Kaillas merely frowned. He was a persistent man and people usually listened to him when he spoke. He figured he would likely be able to get her pets if he tried. With the help of Ambrose, they could come up with a compelling argument and why it was imperative for Ophelia's pets to be delivered to her.
"At least let me try. I would feel guilty if there was ever a possibility and I didn't at least attempt to get then back for you. They are yours. You should have them. Even if I have to pay for then and their transport. They make you happy so they will make me happy." And if they refused, he would buy whatever animal Ophelia wished for.
He looked down at his horse, brushing the side of his neck gently. "He's alright. There was a small indent in the road that put him off I think. He's not limping so I think he's fine."
He would still have the stables hands check over him when they reached the town. He wouldn't risk having him walk on an injured foot.
“You’re welcome to try,” She agrees reluctantly. She would love to have her pets back but she has her doubts. If she knows one thing, it’s that her parents are stubborn people, especially when it comes to making her life as difficult as possible. It’s her own fault. She should have been born a boy. “I do appreciate that you’re willing to try.”
It’s very sweet that Kaillas is wanting to try and get them for her. She appreciates that he cares enough about her to try and get her parents to cave on the matter. While she doesn’t doubt his capabilities, she also doesn’t want to get her hopes up in case it doesn’t work.
She studies the stallion for a moment before nodding. Horses can be pretty fragile creatures when it comes to injuries so she hopes that he’ll be alright. The stumble didn’t seem like it would have caused an injury but it will be best to have him examined like Kaillas sugggested.
Petting the side of her horse’s neck lightly, she looks around as they ride. She still hasn’t the faintest idea of where they’re going.
Kaillas wasn't just going to try. He was going to succeed. And in the small chance he didn't, he had a backup plan of course. He woukd try to remember the species of all the different pets she owned and adopt them for her. He would give her the pleasure of naming them all. Or he would do what he had for the horses and bring a plethora amount of animals to palace for her to choose which ones to keep.
A pet would not keep her from her duties. There were plenty of families who owned pets and tended to their families. Perhaps not as many as she but they were royals, what did it matter? It shouldn't. They were king and queen. They could do as they pleased.
"Remember you are a queen now, even if you haven't been officially coronated. Your parents have no higher authority than you do now." He never wanted her to loose sight of who she was. He didn't want her to accept her parents belittling of her. She was a queen now. His queen. And he would not allow it.
They were close now. He could see the tops of buildings. Just a few more minutes and the whole of the merchant town would come into view for them. He was excited to show it to Ophelia.
Ophelia smiles a bit at Kaillas' determination to get her babies back and his kindness towards her. "They may not have any authority over me anymore but my father is the one who purchased my pets. I have no legal rights," She points out gently. "I do wish that they would learnt to respect me more but I also know that they will always see me as a little girl and not a queen." They will respect her husband since he is both male and the leader of a kingdom larger than their own.
Sitting up a little straighter, she looks around to try and figure out where they are. She hasn't been successful in getting him to share even the smallest of details about where they're going and what they're doing. Surprises are wonderful but she's also insanely curious about what the plan for today is.
"Are we nearly there?" She asks curiously, admittedly wanting to change the subject. It's awkward to be speaking about her family. They have such a strained relationship. She thought that things would improve at least a little when she did what they wanted and got married. That didn't happen. She hasn't heard a single thing from them. They didn't even send her off. Not even a goodbye. With a light sigh, she shakes her head, wanting to get those thoughts out of her head.
She wants to focus on her outing with Kaillas. It's their honeymoon. It's supposed to be a fun and magical week. She doesn't want to ruin that with her negative thoughts.
Kaillas pursed his lips. It wasn't right. She should be respected. She was a queen and she was brilliant. She deserved respect. Especially because she was their daughter. Not the opposite. But he didn't say anything else. He could tell she was ready to move on with the conversation.
The closer they got, the more buildings came into view. He looked over at Opehlia, catching her surprise and wonder on her face. He smiled at her before turning his head forward. "We're almost there, darling." A part of him was glad to focus on something else. Her parents were a sore spot with her and he didn't want to make her upset. It was a conversation that would need to be revisited at a later date.
The stables were at the edge of town. That was there first step. They stopped right outside, stablehands rushing to greet them as they approached. Two more guards were there to greet them but Kaillas knew there were a few more scattered through the town. The four would stick by their side and the rest would keep the town secure.
He dismounted from the horse and moved to Ophelia's side, grabbing her waist to help her dismount.he didn't move away from her nor let her go once she was firmly on the ground. He only spun her around to look at the town. "Welcome to Asura."
Not much else is said on her part for the duration of the ride. She's excited about their adventure but there's also a lot weighing on her mind right now. The conversation about her parents has worried her. She's glad that they don't have to discuss it anymore right now but she has a feeling that this will be revisited. It's not something that she's looking forward to.
As they approach the town, she perks up. She's excited to explore and see everything that the town has to offer. She gently tugs on the reins, thanking her horse when he comes to a perfect halt. She thanks Kaillas and dismounts easily with his help.
She's been wanting to explore the town ever since she's heard about it. The market is supposed to be amazing. They do need to get a few gifts for Katya, Elora, and Catalina as well so this will be the perfect chance to do so.
Once her feet are securely on the ground, she takes a look around. "This is going to be so much fun!" She exclaims, all thoughts of her parents long forgotten. The town looks absolutely lovely. The only downside is that they're royalty so she worries that they won't be able to have a normal relaxing experience. Especially with the guards around. She'll take what she can get, though.
Kaillas squeezed her waist before finally stepping away from her. He offered her his arm to take so he could lead her around the town. "It's a nice little merchant town. There's a port nearby that allows for better trade. Fabric is the most common trade here. All different silks and embroidery and patterns. Katya and Elora love coming here for a reason."
They loved to shop, the elder more than the younger. Elora was getting to that age that she care more and more about her appearance and wanted to dress more mature. Katya still enjoyed buying dresses with bright colors a little too inappropriate for court life.
"I know a jewelry dealer here as well. He has the best gems there is to buy. Perhaps we can take a look. See if there is anything you would like to add to the royal collection." Kaillas led her into the town. He noticed the streets weren't as filled as they should have been with the few guards clearing their way through the city.
He knew it would have been busier had they not been there. Ut was times like this he wished he wasn't who he was. He hated that the streets had to be cleared for him to walk through them. He wasn't free to do as he pleased. It was just one of the many cons to being king.
Ophelia loops her arm through Kaillas', relishing the closeness and connection as they head into the town of Asura. She hums quietly as she listens to his description of the town, picturing the vibrant fabrics and anticipating how much fun this is going to be. The mention of the jewelry dealer piques her interest and she gives a small nod. She's happy to look but she doubts she'll make any purchases.
"Exploring the fabric market sounds delightful," She replies, her eyes bright with anticipation. "We should go ahead and get something for Kayta and Elora while we're here." She did promise to bring them something back after all. "I'd also like to get something for Catalina as a thank you gift for everything she's done for me this last week." She isn't sure what all to get everyone but she figures that Kaillas will be able help pick things out.
As they walks, Ophelia can't help but notice the streets being cleared to make way for their passage. A pang of sympathy for the townspeople tugged at her heart. She understands the weight of their expectations and the limitations imposed on their freedom. It's frustrating but it's part of what comes with being king and queen.
She does feel quite guilty about the townspeople feeling the need to leave the market. The people are having to put their lives on hold just to accommodate them. She wishes that they would stay. It would be nice to have a normal experience and that way everyone else could go about their day as they usually do.
Kaillas couldn't help but beam as she thought of his sisters and even Catalina. "Well, Elora would like something more mature, perhaps something closer to the royal colors or something more neutral. We can find a gown already made that you might think she'll like." He was not a fashion man. Other than being able to tell what was modest and appropriate and what wasn't, he was a lost cause. "Or we can purchase some fabrics that she might like for the royal seamstress to use for a gown for her."
It took him a moment to think of what Katya might like. Had this been a few years ago, he would have gotten something that Elira might wear. But she was finally exiting that phase where she did everything her sister did. She was becoming her own person.
"Katya likes gardening. Perhaps we can find her some exotic seeds she can plant. Or some proper gardening clothes." A few people might just explode if they saw her in a pair of trousers but he wanted her to be happy. He hoped one day, far in the future, that she met a nice man who let her have her own garden and indulged in it. One day. He would accept nothing less for his sister.
"As for Catalina, I can't be quite sure. I've never see her as a very materialistic woman. She's always cared for the well being of the palace and it's people. It'll be something to be on the look out for." It was kind of Ophelia to want to get Cat something and he hated to admit he didn't gift her presents as often as he likely should.
Ophelia considers his suggests as he speaks, nodding her head. “I’m certain that I can pick out a gown that Elora will love. Though, she may appreciate the opportunity to design something unique and perfect for her….” She’s leaning towards getting her some lovely fabrics. Designing her own dress will also give Elora the chance to try out something new that she and Kaillas wouldn’t have thought of for her.
“I think that some exotic seeds and a pair of trousers or gardening shoes would be perfect for Katya. We just have to make sure that if we decide to get her a live plant, we wait until our last day here to collect it. I’m afraid that with my lack of a green thumb I would kill the poor thing before she could enjoy it,” She comments with a light laugh. Gardening is certainly not her forte.
The first two will be relatively easy. It’s Catalina’s gift that she’s most unsure of. “Please let me know if you spot something she would like. I’m afraid that I don’t know her tastes very well yet.” Laillas has known Catalina much longer than she has so she’s hoping that he’ll be able to spot something. If not, perhaps they could ask around for suggestions.
Now that the ideas for the gifts are mostly sorted, she’s ready to start shopping. She wants to make sure that they find wonderful gifts for everyone. This market seems like the perfect place to find them.
Kaillas bent his head to speak closer to her ear. Had there not been so many people about, on the streets or looking through their windows, he would have been inclined to kiss her. Alas, people made him uncomfortable to do anything more than offer to her hand or arm.
"I think my sister's would love both of those gifts. A live plant," he made a face, "I'm worried it won't survive the travel. Seeds would be easier. I font have much of a green thumb either." The one toke Katya had shown him how to care for a plant he had killed it ten minutes later. To this day he still had no idea how.
"Catalina is hard. She has never showed much interest in anything other than me and my family. She has no family of her own. No husband nor children. She never asks for anything unless it's in the interest of my family." It saddened him then to realize how much he truly depended on her. He felt like he didn't show her enough appreciation. "I'm sure we will fund her something. Perhaps a nice perfume or bracelet will do the trick."
He guided her to the first shop on their list. It had since veen cleared out of customers by the guards who'd come earlier. He made a note to send some coin to each shop for taking then out of their money this morning. This shop focused primarily on silks.
"Don't forget to buy something for yourself," he murmured. "My money is yours. And I have plenty of it. There's nothing that you can buy that would put a dent in what we have."
Much to her relief, Kaillas agrees with her that a live plant is a bad idea. She knows that she wouldn’t be able to keep it alive for any length of time and the trip back to the palace certainly wouldn’t go well. The seeds will be more special anyways since Katya will get the satisfaction of watching them grow.
A small frown tugs at her lips. It seems at though Catalina has put the needs of the royal family first for so long that she has neglected her own life. “We need to get something special for her. She does so much,” She comments lightly. “A bracelet might be nice. Perhaps also some time off so she can relax?” The woman needs a break from caring for everyone.
As they arrive at the first shop, Ophelia's attention turns to the array of silks on display. The rich colors and luxurious fabrics are a feast for the eyes. She’s captivated by the softness and elegance they exuded. She has no problem admiring that she’s impression by the quality of the items being sold here.
At the mention of buying herself something, she smiles a tad. “I much prefer buying gifts for other people,” She comments lightly. Gift giving is her love language. She loves to see people light up when presented with a special present.
Kaillas hummed. He placed his hands behind his back, clasping them, as Ophelia walked forward to admire the silks. "Believe me, if she wanted a vacation she would have one. As long as she wanted. Unfortunately, she refuses. She's married to her work. There's no where else she'd rather be."
He had that conversation many times with Cat over the years of her servitude. He had offered her time and time again to take off a few days, weeks even to relax. He's offered her some of his vacation homes and would finance it all. She refused every time. He needed to fund something to physically had to her. Not a favor. She would never take it.
Kaillas produced a pouch of gold coins and handed it to Ophelia. "Then count this as my gift to you. I expect you to spend all of this gold today on yourself and no one else. Buy whatever you want. Buy the whole town, for all I care. But spend it."
Kaillas wanted her to spend his money. He wanted to shower her with all the best things that money could buy. He wanted her to have whatever she wanted. It would please him for her to spend his money.
Ophelia listens quietly to Kaillas's words, understanding the depth of Catalina's dedication to her work. She respects her commitment and admires her unwavering devotion to serving the palace and its people. Some individuals found their true purpose and fulfillment in their work, and it seems Catalina was one of them. Still, she hopes that the other woman finds some enjoyment in her life. It must be hard to work all of the time.
“Perhaps she’ll change her mind one of these days.” She’ll ask Catalina about a vacation upon their return. If she declines then she’ll drop it. She isn’t looking to stress her out and bug her half to death about this. That just wouldn’t be fair.
As Kaillas hands her the pouch of gold coins, her eyes widen in surprise. She weighs the pouch in her hand, feeling the weight of his generosity, both metaphorically and literally. She quickly turns her gaze to him and goes to hand the pouch back in the politiest way possible.
“While I appreciate the thought, there isn’t a possibility that I would be able to spend all of this.” She only wants to buy one small things for herself from the market today. It doesn’t need to be anything expensive. She just wants a nice souvenir of their honeymoon.
Kaillas did not take the pouch back. On fact, he took her hands and folded it kber the pouch before gently pushing it back to her chest. He was not taking no for an answer. "You can't say no. I want to spoil you. I want you to spoil yourself. And now is the time to do it. You have all day but I want it to be empty by the time we leave."
He didn't care if she made one huge purchase or many smaller ones. But he wouldn't take the pouch back if there was a single coin inside. "Please, it would make me happy to see you buy something for yourself."
When was the last time anyone spoiled her? When was the last time anyone did anything for her simply for her own happiness? As far as he had learned her parents did things for her only out of duty or because they wanted something from her. That was not a way to live. He had the means. He had more than enough money. He wanted her to spend it all.
If she wanted her own palace, he would build for her. If she wanted a wardrobe of the most expensive gowns, he would purchase them. If she wanted the rarest diamond, he would mine for it. Anything for her. Her happiness was key.
Ophelia quickly realizes that she’s not going to win this. After another minute of protest, she accepts the pouch of coins, knowing that there’s no way she’s going to be able to make him take it back. What he’s doing is sweet, she won’t say otherwise, but she’s not sure what to do with this money.
His insistence is a little overwhelming, but in a way that she finds both sweet and frustrating. She understands his intentions, and she knows that denying him this gesture simply won’t work.
With a soft exhale, she nods, officially accepting her fate. She closes her fingers around the pouch of gold coins, knowing that she needs to hang onto this. "Alright, Kaillas," she whispers, her voice betraying her reluctant acceptable. "I will honor your request and spend this gold on myself." She doesn’t know how she’s going to spend this much but she’ll at least try.
It’s not as though she doesn’t enjoy owning nice things. She just has a hard time shopping for herself. She can’t pinpoint an exact reason for it. That’s just how she is. It seems like this time she’s just going to have to suck it up.
Kaillas placed a hand on the back of her neck and pulled in her to kiss her forehead. He could see her reluctance. It was clear as day. But she was a queen now, his queen, which meant she was a rich woman. It sounded like she had never truly taken the time to buy something for herself just because she could. He wanted to feel comfortable spending their money. It wasn't something to feel ashamed about.
He tilted her chin up to look at her. "All I ask is that you try." He felt a stabbing of guilt in his chest. He didn't want to upset her over something as little as gold. "Spend what you can and at the end, whatever is left, you can donate it to the orphanage or the theater." Neither of them was very big. But almost every city and village had an orphanage, no matter how small. The theater production was small as well, consisting mostly of schoolchildren. But they would be more than grateful for a donation they could put towards costuming or sets.
He dropped his hand from her face and offered her his arm. "Now, is there anything that would like, wife, or shall we move on to the next shop." Already knowing her answer, a guard behind them was subtly handing over a few coins to the shopkeeper for the inconvenience.
Ophelia looks up at him when he cups her chin. She is much more receptive to this idea when told that she can donate whatever is left. She likely won’t spend a large sum of the money which means a good amount of gold will be donated. She’ll likely give most of it to the orphanage and then the rest to the children’s theatre. “Thank would be wonderful,” She agrees with a light smile. “The children will be so happy.”
It’s not exactly unknown that she has a fondness for children so this is truly the perfect solution. Though she’s still not sure what she’s going to have to buy for herself, she’s glad that the rest of the money will be put to good use.
She takes his arm, glad that they’ve got this settled. “Everything is beautiful here but I’d like to look around a little more.” She wants to ensure that everyone gets a perfect gift so she doesn’t want to purchase the first thing they see. Granted, the silks at this shop truly are delightful. She turns her head and noticed the guard giving some coins to the shop owner. Good. That makes her feel better about them unintentionally driving away his other costumers.
Kaillas felt his heart settle as she gave him that beautiful smile. He was happy that he had been able to come up with a compromise for her. He would still encourage her to spend the money he had provided for her. He hoped for at least half of it to be gone before the day ended. It wasn't as if he would have left without donating anything. He always did every trip he made anywhere. But it made her happy to be the one to do it so he would let her.
He nodded his head at her request and led her out of the shop. The next one over was a clothing shop. Gowns and corsets and trousers and overcoats. Anything a man or woman could desire. Everything here would likely have to be sized but Kaillas trusted the royal seamstress. Anything already made would be sent right back to her to begin alterations. The remarkable woman had the entire royal family's measurements memorized, including the queen's as well.
"Perhaps you would like a new gown? Or we can purchase Katya's trousers here." There was a cobbler a few stores down they could stop to look at shoes. Perhaps he could convince Ophelia to at least purchase a pair of new riding boots for herself.
Ophelia follows Kaillas out of the shop, her mind still reflecting on their conversation. While she appreciates his compromise and understanding, she’s still going to be struggling with spending the money on just herself. She has everything she needs. Nevertheless, she wants to honor their agreement and give it a try.
As they approach the clothing shop, her eyes widen at the display of beautifully crafted garments. She admires people who have the ability to create such beautiful and extravagant outfits. She finds herself drawn to the vibrant gowns that adorn the racks.
"I must admit, the thought of a new gown is tempting," She admits with a gentle smile, her gaze lingering on the intricately embroidered fabrics. "But perhaps we could start with something more practical like some trousers for Katya."
She steps inside the shop, feeling the soft texture of the fabrics as she runs her fingers over them. She takes her time examining the array of options, considering both style and functionality. As she selects a few trousers that seemed suitable for Katya, she glances over to Kaillas. “What do you think?” She asks, wanting his opinion on these.
Kaillas turned his gaze toward Ophelia. "And perhaps we could get both. Trousers for Katya and a gown for you." He released her as she stepped into the shop, following right behind her.
It was natural for him to take up a rest position. Hands clasped behind his back and feet shoulder-width apart. He approached her as she pulled out a few pairs of trousers for him to look at. Other than them being a different shade of brown, he didn't notice a difference. He shrugged his shoulders. "They all look fine to me. Get whatever you think is best."
Weapons he could handle. He talk for days about the different handles and how important balance was and the different designs of blades. He was a master at weapons. Clothing, not so much. It may be cliche but he didn't particularly care.
Kaillas almost took a breath of relief as the shopkeeper approached. Her name was Delilah. His sisters had dragged him to this shop more than once on their trips here. "I couldn't help but here you're shopping for the Princess Katya. Can I be of any help, Your Majesty?"
Ophelia glances at Kaillas with a faint smile, amused by his lack of interest about the clothing choices. She understands that this isn’t his area of expertise after all. Turning her attention back to the trousers, she considers the options before her. After a moment of contemplation, she selects a couple of pairs that seem suitable and hands them to Kaillas.
“I think that these will do nicely,” She comments, hoping that these will work.
As Delilah, the shopkeeper, approaches and addresses them, she feels instant relief. Having never needed to shop for trousers before, she knows that she’s a little in over her head. Having some help would be wonderful.
"Thank you," she replies graciously. "Yes, we are indeed shopping for Princess Katya. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for some trousers. Something comfortable to make gardening easier for her." She hopes that her explanation will help at least a little. She glances at Kaillas, silently inviting him to add any additional details or preferences he might have.
Delilah knew that the king would be no help. She remembered the times the royal siblings had stepped into her shop, the excitement on the girl's faces an the dread on the king's. It was almost amusing if it hadn't been the king in her shop. She had been a little overwhelmed and nervous the firs few times they had visited. Now she was used to it.
"Ah yes, I remember the princess mentioning her gardening the last time she was here." Katya had been almost thirteen the last time she had stepped foot in this shop. She stepped forward, rummaging through a few pairs of trousers before she pulled two. They were both dark brown trousers. They were a little looser at the waist so they could be taken in. She wasn't sure how much the princess had grown since she had last stepped into her shop.
She handed these to the queen, taking back the other two pairs of trousers that Ophelia had in her hands. She put back the other trousers. "Is there anything else I can get for you, Your Majesty? We have plenty of gowns to select from." It would be an honor to have one of her gowns dressed on the queen. The princesses were one thing but the queen was entirely different. Not only would it do well for her business but it would be a dream to dress the queen.
Kaillas was standing beside Ophelia, nudging her towards the gowns. He wanted to encourage her to at least take a look. He knew Delilah personally. He knew her clothing was good quality and fit for royalty.
Ophelia graciously accepts the two pairs of trousers from Delilah, noting their loose waist to accommodate any necessary alterations. She appreciates the attention to detail. It seems like the woman is pretty familiar with the royal family so she trusts whatever she picks put.
"Thank you," She replies with a sincere smile. "These look perfect. We'll take them." She hopes that Katya will enjoy them. They’ll help her be much more comfortable while gardening.
As Kaillas nudges her toward the gowns, she finds herself swayed by his encouragement. After all, she did promise him that she would at least try to spend some of the coins. She turns her gaze towards the racks of gowns and steps closer to examine them. Delilah's mention of having a variety of gowns catches her attention, and she feels a flicker of curiosity ignite within her. While not really sure what to pick out, she’s happy to at least take a look.
“I would enjoy taking a look at your gowns," She says lightly, both wanting to be polite to the shop owner and wanting to fullfill her promise. "It would be a pleasure to see your collection and find something suitable for formal occasions. Please show me what you have."
