"Bounty hunting huh…?"
Priscilla muttered under her breath as she carried Rionara on her left arm. It was already mid day and she wanted to find better clothes for the otherwise poorly dressed young woman.
Rionara on the other hand wasn't even paying any mind to her clothes—instead, she was less than thrilled to hear those words come out from the knight's mouth.
"Pris, are you really going to do it?"
The young woman asked with concern, clear in her tone.
"Hm?" The knight glanced briefly at her before smiling quietly. "It's not a matter of if, but more of how. I have been tasked to eliminate individuals before but that was from a direct order of my commander. Bounty hunting seems less… chivalrous."
"And dangerous besides…!" She stared down at her own hands before closing them lightly. "I… I want to help you so you don't have to risk yourself like that."
Priscilla's footsteps slowed down a bit as she looked at her with surprise.
"You're surprisingly assertive today." She smirked and ruffled her hair for a bit before picking up the pace again. "No, Rio. This is something I must do alone. These hands of mine aren't unfamiliar with bloodshed but at the same time I don't want you to witness me killing another person."
"But… Pris…"
The knight had a faint bittersweet expression as she kept quietly walking forward. Arcadia's civil war was nothing compared to anything she had ever experienced before. All the training and nurturing she received while under the Queen's direct command felt like a burden.
It was true, she became one of the strongest knights in Arcadia but at the same time this power was like a curse.
'I can't help those who need it in time… then what good is this strength of mine for…?' Despite those burdens, she carries on because she still believes in her Queen's words. 'To protect those who cannot protect themselves…'
After a long walk, they both made their way to the clothes shop. In the middle of the central street.
Unlike the day before, the town crier was nowhere to be found nor his wooden stand. People walked around carrying food or other necessities and didn't seem to pay much mind to Priscilla carrying a rag-wearing child in her arms.
"Here we are." Priscilla looked at the wooden board with the written sign named. "Jean's boutique, huh? I think I read about this man before."
"About Jean?"
Rionara inquired.
"Yes, he was the one who created a textile called jeans. Very popular amongst miners and workers alike for its durability. My jacket is made out of the same material except it's magically enchanted to add further protection."
"And yet you let me use it for the night?!"
"Well… the enchantments do help with maintaining a comfortable temperature around the body." She chuckled shortly. "Besides, it's a waste to not use it. The Queen had it made specially for me."
Rionara gently held on the edge of the jacket's collar and rubbed it against her finger to get a feel for the texture. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement.
"Wow…"
Priscilla felt joy deep in her heart upon seeing her happy. But that moment didn't last long as she felt a creeping sensation surge from her stomach, as she turned around she noticed a slim man with lanky limbs flourish his arms out towards her while also kneeling in the middle of the street. He wore a black suit and a deep red bowtie. His black hair was slicked sideways in a pompadour-esque style while his thin yet sharp chin held a wide smile.
"Ah mademoiselle. Your beauty shines upon myself like the brilliance of a hundred—nay, a thousand suns."
She flinched upon seeing his strange behavior as she took one step away from him.
"Huh… thank you…? I guess…?"
"Pardon me." He quickly stood up and elegantly placed his right hand across his chest while lifting the left far and wide. "But what are you looking for in this humble shop?"
"I'd like to tell you, but…" Her eyes glanced at the passerbys and she noticed they were all staring at them. "I don't think you'll be able to help me."
She was about to take another step back and turn around to quickly dash in the store before the man glanced up with furrowed brows.
"Moi? I am the proud owner of this establishment! Any piece of cloth bows before my magnificence in weaving any matter of outfit your heart may desire!"
"Okay, okay!" Priscilla felt overwhelmed as she raised her right hand in defeat—her face burning red. "Can we head inside first? I'd like to buy an–"
"It would be my pleasure!" Despite his thin limbs, he moved surprisingly fast and in less than three large steps he was already beside the entrance of his shop. "This way, beloved customer."
Priscilla's left eye twitched slightly as she was still put off by his demeanor but if what Lucina said was true, he was probably the only one in the city even willing to put an outfit on Rionara.
Upon entering the shop she knew from her gut that she was in the right place. The man before her was not simply all talk, he was the person for it. Rolls of textiles were stacked up to the ceiling with a variety of color, types and sizes. Mannequins were outfitted with all sorts of different pieces ranging from durable mining overalls to dresses of the quality one would find in Londria's capital.
"Woah…"
Both Priscilla and Rionara said simultaneously as they looked in awe at the sheer amount of pieces on display. He was truly the real deal.
"Madams, feel free to browse to your hearts content. I shall patiently wait for your inquiry behind the counter." He slowly bowed. "Adieu."
He took his leave and left both of them free to look around the shop. It wasn't particularly big since it was about half the size of the guild's hall but the amount of mannequins on display made the place feel a bit more crowded than it should have.
"Hmm…" Priscilla looked around but didn't see any clothes designed for children which made her kneel to put Rionara on the floor. "I'll go talk with him for a bit. Look around and see if you find something you'd like."
Rionara smiled faintly and nodded.
"Sure, thanks a bunch, Pris."
The knight made her way to the counter where she could see him working on sewing a piece of dark cloth.
"Um… sir, what is there–"
"Ah, sorry." He glanced up. "I have forgotten to introduce myself, you can call me Jean and as for your…" He leaned to the side and took one glance at Rionara before returning to her. "...child, I can make anything that comes to your mind. Just tell me what kind of clothing you need for her."
"Oh, I see. I thought you didn't make clothes for children."
He stopped sewing and looked up at her, blinking a few times as if he heard something incredulous.
"No, no, good madam, everyone must wear something of dignity. Even children." He put the sewing on the side and leaned forward while narrowing his eyes at Priscilla's jacket. "Is that… denim?"
"Huh? Yeah, it is."
"May I ask where you acquired this piece from?"
"I wasn't the one who bought it, but I heard it was made in Londria."
"Tsk." Jean clicked his tongue as he turned to the side, muttering. "Father is still the best at what he does, I see."
"Sorry?"
"Ah, pardon me, dear customer. Do not mind my ramblings." He leaned back on his chair and picked up the sewing material once again. "As to your request, I may have something already made in the back, if you wish I can bring those for your child to peruse."
"That would be great."
"Then, if you excuse me."
He took with him the sewing materials and quickly vanished amongst the stacks of textiles. In the meantime, Rionara approached Priscilla while looking confused. The knight then asked.
"Did you find anything you'd like?"
She shook her head with her brows slightly furrowed.
"No… dresses are too frilly and fragile while the workers' clothes seem a bit too heavy for me…" The clear disappointment in her eyes didn't seem all too bad for Priscilla as she started to chuckle. "Huh?"
"Sorry, I'm not laughing at you." She patted her head lightly. "I'm just thankful that you can also show that side of you."
"Hey, what do you mean…?"
"Nothing, I'm just glad."
It didn't take long until they heard a noise come from the back of the store. Priscilla instinctively reached for the handle of her rapier but in the next second, Jean hurriedly came back and was carrying five different outfits in his arms.
"My apologies dear customers." He smiled as if trying to keep his calm demeanor. "I had a minor accident while gathering the goods, but–" He then placed each outfit on the counter. "Here they are made with comfort in mind and are great for growing children that prefer to play a lot."
Unlike the other clothes on display, they all had vibrant colors that were sure to be appealing for children, red, blue, yellow, purple and even a shade of pink. But Rionara herself didn't seem very enthusiastic about the eye-catching colors.
"Um…" She timidly raised her hand while looking away. "Is there… maybe a less colorful outfit?"
Jean raised an eyebrow then glanced at Priscilla, who in turn nodded. He cleared his throat and straightened his back before looking at Rionara.
"I believe I do have something for you, young lady."
He quickly disappeared again amidst the textiles and mannequins. During the time, Rionara nervously massaged her own wrist as she fidgeted in place. Priscilla noticed her restlessness and asked with a faint smile on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh? Oh… I… I'm probably inconveniencing him, aren't I?"
"Not at all." The knight chuckled lightly. "I think he appreciates customers that are truthful to themselves."
Her fidgeting stopped for a brief moment as she turned to her with a concerned, yet softened expression on her face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yup." She nodded with conviction. "People like him—passionate for their craft, will only be satisfied when their customers are also happy. Besides, the best kind of happiness is one not built on lies, but honesty instead."
"You are correct, good madam." Jean's voice prompted the knight to take half a step back while turning at him. "My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt. Here, this was a smaller model I've made for an adventurer outfit, but it never became more than just a project."
He put it down on top of the other outfits. From beneath the counter, Rionara could only see the brown trousers sticking out. She looked up at Priscilla with both hands clenched tightly before nervously asking.
"Um… could you… lift me up?" The knight smiled and nodded without saying a word. After kneeling and picking her up, Rionara could finally take a proper look at the outfit Jean brought. "This is…"
The outfit itself was rather simple. A faded green linen shirt covered with a small white denim poncho and brown pair of linen trousers with a simple leather belt. Both Priscilla and Jean remained in silence as they looked at an awe struck Rionara as she uttered a few words without taking her eyes off the outfit.
"This is perfect…"
The knight smiled quietly as she glanced at the shopkeeper as she reached for her coin purse.
"How much is it?"
"Nothing. This set of clothes weren't made to be sold, but if your child is happy with them, I'll be more than glad to part with them for her happiness."
"No, no, I couldn't possibly…" Priscilla was put in a spot and her mind was racing. She didn't want to take things for free, especially when it meant so much to Rio. "Wait, you have children's footwear as well, right? I'll pay for those instead."
Jean flinched, surprised by the knight's insistence, but it only took a second for him to recompose himself and give a dignified bow.
"A moment, if you please."