Haru pulled up on the bar, breathing heavily as he was lifting himself up. He goes up, then back down, up, then back down. He did these with perfect rhythm, before finally tiring and jumping off the training bars, much to the applause of his subjects. Haru grabbed the nearest cloak and wiped the sweat off his shirtless body, before making a gesture for a servant to hand him a pitcher of water. A servant comes in with a pitcher and cup, but Haru simply takes the pitcher and gulps down the water before dumping it on his face. He is then approached by a servant who then said,
"Sire, Madam Claudia and Madam Alicia are in the training grounds with the commanders, they are currently making good progress in training new professional soldiers."
"Good, tell the commanders that I will be heading there as well."
"Excuse me sire?"
"You heard me, I will be joining them for today. The construction of the church is going as planned, the roads have been built safely and other constructions are still on hold. I'd stay my wife, but she is busy with her Greek literature in the gardens, so I wish to pass the time."
"Where is your apprentice Ruby?"
"I gave her the day off together with Millicas, Penelope and Sumire. Those youngsters need some of their fun after all."
Ruby walked down the busy market aisles and sighed as she looked at her list. It was difficult to procure all the items that Lady Rias asked for. It would have been better if she was informed of the Duke's birthday at least a few days before the birthday banquet. Rias had instructed the princesses and the staff to keep Haru occupied until they had everything ready the next day. Claudia and Alicia were to keep the duke in the training grounds, the nobles would keep him in the pub, and if worst comes to worst, Rias would be the one to personally keep him occupied.
The problem was that Rias was the one doing all the planning and organizing, if it came down to her distracting Haru, the servants and preparers of the banquet would have to improvise, so it was important that Claudia and Alicia keep the good duke occupied for as long as possible.
Penny, Sumire, and Ruby had split up to cover their share of the list and lighten the burden. It was Ruby's job to gather the special local spices and ingredients to make special concoctions for the Duke's good health. She would also have to buy something for the Duke herself. It was surprisingly kind of him to accept her request to be his apprentice, so she would love to show him the same amount of kindness as well. She just couldn't think of what to give. But maybe it would be easier to think if she wasn't carrying such a heavy basket.
Ruby was practically hauling it with all her might, though being a seventeen year old girl meant that her strength would be slightly inadequate. But Ruby had an idea as she then took out her wand and waved it at the basket.
"Levitate!"
The basket began to float, but just barely above the ground. Ruby frowned at the lack of potency of her spell.
"How do those Catholic priests do it?" Ruby wondered as she decided to go on her way.
But sadly, Ruby uses up her mana and the basket drops to the ground, but Ruby cannot move as well, as her stamina has been drained by the mana depletion. She drops to the ground, as she cursed herself for using her magic recklessly. The crowd was so busy, so thick, that no one bothered to stop for her. It was getting a bit stuffy, and Ruby was panicking, what's going to happen to her? Will she be okay? Ruby's vision began to blur before seeing a metal hand reach out to her. She summons her remaining strength to sharpen her view, as she sees Millicas right in front of her, holding a hand out.
"Are you okay, Lady Ruby?"
"Er, I seemed to have overexerted myself." Ruby replied with embarrassment. "I'm currently immobile until I recover my mana is restored."
"Mana?" Millicas asked.
"It's really complicated but basically, it's the energy us mages draw our magical attacks from." Ruby explained. "It's directly linked to stamina, so that's why I'm kind of exhausted right now."
"Oh, that seems reasonable." Millicas said while walking to the heavy basket. "You were trying to carry this?"
"Yes, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to—"
Millicas promptly lifted up the basket, much to Ruby's surprise. But Millicas breathed out as he dropped the basket right after he lifted it.
"Goodness, this really is heavy! What's inside?"
"Books and ingredients for the Duke's banquet." Denis replied.
"Ah yes, uncle's birthday banquet is going to be held tomorrow after all." Millicas commented before rubbing his hands together and lifting it once again. "So where do you want this to be taken?"
"Into the castle please, have the maidservants bring it to my room." Ruby replied.
"Okay, good." Millicas replied in satisfaction, before he approached Ruby, turned around and crouched. "Come on then."
"Huh?" Ruby questioned, wondering why Millicas was crouching.
"Climb on, I'll carry you back to the castle." Millicas said calmly.
"B-But won't that be too heavy?"
"The castle is only a minute's walk from here." Millicas said while turning his head.
"W-Won't it be embarrassing for you to carry me?"
"I'm here to help. Just trust me."
Ruby saw no escape from this as she summoned the strength to reach out, and wrap her arms around Mark. Millicas put the basket on his shoulder and supported Ruby's legs with his arms. It was a built uncomfortable for Ruby to be in this position but she overcame it as Millicas began to walk to the castle. Ruby tried her best to ignore the stares of passersby who looked curiously at the red-haired mage being piggybacked by a lad in metal armor.
Along the way, Millicas decided to ask Ruby something.
"So what did you get for the duke?" Millicas asked, turning his head to Ruby.
Ruby averted her gaze in embarrassment as she had not thought of a gift for the Duke. It was hard. These past few days of watching him work on the welfare of the kingdom had yielded not even an inkling of what the Duke liked and disliked.
"I… don't know what to get your uncle." Ruby admitted shyly.
"Figures." Millicas snorted. "Don't worry, everyone has that problem when it comes to the Duke, they usually just hand him the token rare gifts or great wealth items. But obviously, you don't have the money for those, right?"
Ruby dumbly nodded, listening intently on whatever advice Millicas had to give.
"Listen, the Duke gives absolutely no damns about wealth. Most of the wealth he receives often goes to public welfare. Instead, give him something that always cheers him up."
"What would that be?" Ruby asked.
"Eh, I'm no sorcerer." Millicas quipped, much to Ruby's amusement. "But it should be easy for you, since you remind him so much of his sister."
"I did hear him mention her a few times."
"Your shy and timid disposition and desire to help are probably what triggered his memories." Millicas added. "Besides, I can see a bit of my mother in you anyway, so you should be somewhat capable of making him smile."
"What was your Duke's sister like as your mother?"
"Never got the chance to meet her." Millicas replied curtly. "She died giving birth to me."
"Oh… sorry."
"It's all good. I always thought of my mother was dainty and delicate, like a dandelion in the summer."
"That's a very poetic way of putting it."
"That's how I envision women sometimes." Millicas added before looking at Ruby. "Looking at you, you'd probably be a dahlia. Someone who is still graceful under pressure, and drawing upon inner strength to succeed."
"That's actually… really nice." Ruby commented, her cheeks turning pink. "Thank you."
"It's just a poetic compliment." Millicas said before stopping. "Anyway, just remember, get something that can make the Duke smile, nothing too expensive but something worthwhile for him."
"Of course! Thanks for the advice!" Ruby replied with confidence.
There was a long awkward pause between the two as Millicas then said,
"Erm… Ruby, you can get off now."
"Oops!" Ruby audibly said as she frantically got off Millicas and grabbed her basket. "Sorry! And thanks for the lift!"
"No problem." Millicas calmly saluted. "Good luck with my uncle's gift!"
"Same for you Millicas!" Ruby exclaimed while bowing before running inside, with the servants carrying her basket inside.
Ruby then entered her room with the basket inside. She slammed the door and got to the table. She was inspired now with Millicas' help. With her heart set in the right place, she would make the Duke something that he would truly appreciate.