“Even now, many easterners believe that carrying the symbol of the black beast wards off misfortune. How about buying one as a keepsake, milady?”
Upon the crimson fabric was embroidered the three-headed monster.
The pattern seemed oddly familiar.
Narrowing her eyes, Talia soon remembered where she had seen it.
It had appeared in the history books she studied while learning about the Age of the Warring Kingdoms.
Before its incorporation into the Roem Empire, it had been the symbol used by House Siorcan.
As though drawn by something, she picked it up.
It was an object utterly unlike her tastes, but it felt unpleasant to ignore the merchant's enthusiasm.
Glancing over her shoulder, she spoke.
“What are you waiting for? Pay for it.”
At that moment, a slender hand with prominent knuckles reached out from beside her.
“Will this suffice?”
Several gleaming gold coins landed atop the counter along with a cool voice.
Startled, Talia turned around.
Varkas, draped in a dark navy cloak, was looking down at her with an indifferent expression.
Standing close enough that his body brushed her back, he spoke softly beside her temple in his low, beautiful voice.
“Is there anything else you would like?”
Talia stared blankly up at him before slowly shaking her head.
Varkas, who had been gazing intently at her face, shifted his eyes toward the merchant.
“Is this enough?”
“Y-yes! More than enough!”
As the merchant hurriedly gathered the gold coins, Varkas turned without hesitation.
Led by his hand through the narrow passageway, Talia found herself looking upon a quieter section of the auction hall.
Entering a corridor in the center of the building, Varkas spoke quietly.
“The jewel shops are over there. I hear merchants from the southern continent have opened businesses here as well. You may find something to Your Highness's liking.”
Talia simply stared blankly up at him.
At that moment, the man who had silently followed them all this time thoughtlessly interrupted.
“Your Grace, Her Highness has said she only wears dwarf-made jewelry. Would the wares of heathens truly satisfy the Imperial Princess?”
Talia glared at the man from beneath her robe.
She could not let an idiot like him ruin her chance to receive a gift from Varkas.
Rather hurriedly, she blurted out,
“Come to think of it, I suppose having one or two unusual pieces might not be so bad.”
Varkas looked down at her over his shoulder for a brief moment before facing forward again.
After passing dozens of stalls, they arrived at the side gallery of the building.
Soon, the entrance to a precious metals exchange guarded by fierce-looking men came into view.
Varkas led her inside.
“Welcome.”
Without even lifting his head, the merchant standing before the display case offered a clumsy greeting.
Despite the rude attitude, Varkas showed no reaction and simply brought Talia before the counter.
“If anything catches your eye, please say so.”
Talia slowly looked over the display lined with red velvet.
Large and small gemstones of considerable quality had been arranged in neat rows.
Among them were several items that seemed extraordinary even to someone like her, who had spent her life surrounded by rare treasures.
She unconsciously picked one up.
Immediately, the merchant, who had been inspecting another gem through a magnifying lens, barked sharply.
“Miss! You cannot touch things so carelessly—!”
Recognizing Varkas a moment later, the merchant sucked in a breath and jumped to his feet.
Varkas said in a flat voice,
“Everything Her Highness touches shall be purchased.”
“N-no, Your Grace! Please don't concern yourself. Feel free to examine anything you wish. I failed to recognize you and committed a grave discourtesy...”
Ignoring the merchant's babbling, Talia turned her gaze elsewhere.
Then she suddenly stopped.
A softly glowing blue mineral had caught her eye.
Picking it up and holding it beneath the light, she watched mysterious silver hues flow across its smooth surface.
It was a beautiful moonstone that reminded her of Varkas's eyes.
“Do you like it?”
She had been staring at the gem as though entranced when Varkas spoke.
Startled, Talia hurriedly set it down.
His eyes seemed capable of seeing straight through her heart, and the back of her neck grew hot.
“N-not really.”
Quickly, Talia snatched up the red ruby beside it.
“I'll take this one.”