Still in a daze from what fun she’d had the night before, Francine lay in bed, sleepily thinking about life getting back to some semblance of normalcy. Letting out a contented sigh,

Sitting up in bed, Francine realized she was alone in the room; Priscilla and Isabella were already downstairs, presumably eating breakfast. Even after the disturbing end of the parade, the party at the Hansinas’ home went all night. The curfew may bring all citizens to their homes by midnight, but the lights certainly didn’t go out; there was music, laughter, dancing, and drinking across the Empire until well into the morning.

Azure had consumed more alcohol than any two of the Hansinas’ most hardy men, and Fury drank twice as much as she did. Francine had never seen anything like it. The count’s best Cigars were brought out for the occasion. Azure and, by extension, the entire family had much to celebrate. Francine may have gained a new shot at life through her connection to Azure, but Azure wasn’t going to miss one single chance at strengthening a connection through Francine. The Hansinas made a powerful ally and quickly saw the value she brought to the relationship.

Isabella just raised an eyebrow, prompting Francine to feign hurt at her sister’s comment, but she knew it was only a joke; they would never just leave her behind, especially not from a shopping trip.

Breakfast was a sumptuous feast, like the spreads Frannie had been used to at home before the start of the Unpleasantness. The table was overflowing with fresh and cooked fruits, several kinds of meat, potatoes, fresh pastry sweet and savory, cheese and bread, tea, coffee, cocoa, and rich broth. Flasks were still streaming into cups of coffee. The whole house was filled with squeals of laughter, the rapid firing of orders, and the delicious aroma of cooking food.

That day was a cavalcade of appointments for Azure, with almost every faction and family in Old Sanctville demanding a bit of her attention. Neisha and Cleo went along, making connections and taking on personal assignments, but Cinnamon and Fury decided it wasn’t their scene. As they weren’t prodded into attending off, they went for a day of making connections and enjoying accolades in their off-beat fashion.

Francine was worried they would try to join the rest of the group, but she was relieved they did not. She was barely able to remain civil with Cinnamon these days. She hadn’t moved out yet but had already signed the paperwork for her old house in Shadowmirre, and the thought made her stomach churn every time it crossed her mind.

With a nod, Azure and her group were off for the day. The young Baron Harlane Prenticit was finally revealed as Ginny’s so-called gallant in distress. His father was lost at the top of the year when his ship pulled into the little piers at Paviel. Having briefly taken Paviel, the False Heroes attempted to secure the harbor and cement their foothold when Baron Prenticit was lost in the unexpected violence. These tragic events left Harlane, the new Baron, in charge of his family’s affairs at the tender age of half past Nine(nineteen in Earth years).

She was shocked when Frannie realized this was who Ginny had been referring to as her “Gallant.” There were rumors amongst the young noblewomen that he frequented some of the less savory bars and taverns and kept a peasant girl on the side. Plus, two years wasn’t a huge age gap, but it seemed like a gulf to many men when they were currently in the market for a wife, and Ginny had school ahead of her, not to mention a high-profile career planned.

Ginny recited his family’s Peerage entry word for word, including additional information like the facts of his father’s passing, minus the more confidential details. His public reputation amongst his friends and the other Noble families in this district his family was subject to, but no real information about his personality or character.

Ginny was shocked and frustrated at how bluntly Francine spoke on this subject. She liked Harlane, but she could see the place Frannie was coming from wasn’t jealousy or maliciousness; it was only of concern. And if Both Neisha, a genius, and Francine, who might know him or some of his friends, were making the same points, then maybe it was time to look closer.

A relatively large group finally decided to go shopping: Frannie and Pricilla, Isabella, Ginny, and Gramma Arsenault, along with a number of the young ladies from the Hansina Estate. As it was expected to be a hectic day on the streets, five of the Hansina guards were sent with them — along with Argento, of course. But even Argento realized it would take more than a week’s worth of training with Azure to bring him anywhere close to the level of these young men his age. They had been training in the streets of Old Sanctville their entire lives.

Argento’s father had been needling him all trip, but their bickering came to a head as he was getting ready to go, putting his holster on. Again, Rolo voiced his deep and abiding disapproval of Argento, as was his custom. The conversation turned into a fist-pounding room-vacating affair in a matter of moments.

Rolo gestured towards Gramma Arsenault, who was talking conspiratorily with Francine. Fortunately, Azure was already gone for the day and missed this conversation; the Arch-Baron’s assertions about firearms would not have amused her.

Argento was used to this treatment; he tried to take it in stride, but it wore on him. His father hadn’t even seen him in almost a year, and this was their reunion. Would he ever just accept Argento for who he was?

Old Sanctville wasn’t as bad off as Francine expected, but it wasn’t perfectly preserved either. When they got to the shops district, she saw several businesses boarded up or in the process of cleaning and restocking.

Priscilla was the first to spot it; one building had the entire front smashed in. Francine couldn’t help but notice it looked suspiciously like someone exactly Fury’s size and shape had crashed through the front, and looking through as they passed, there were balls of debris, wood, paper, metal, and other unidentifiable wet bits all compressed and left in the middle of the floor. An exit hole the same size as the front allowed light in through the back. The boards across the gaping holes didn’t hide anything, and people were gawking at the destruction.

Ginny Answered the question going around in a way that seemed to quiet all further conversation on the subject. Francine nodded in agreement as usual when something made sense to her until she realized that if it were indeed Fury who made those crashing holes, Ginny must have been nearby. Also, she had never heard Ginny give such a short, superficial explanation of anything. Frannie shuddered silently as Ginny’s icy stare cut through her like a knife.

As they left the carriages, the warm sunshine was renewing, just what Francine had been craving: friendship, fun, life! They got out, and there was a rush of activity. Everyone started talking at once; Isabella and one of the other new Hansina mothers wanted to look at baby clothes and maybe get a few things for themselves. Argento was looking for a duelist jacket in the same style Azure wears. To no one’s surprise, Ginny wanted some special gold cloth made with actual gold to make more golden dresses. Gramma Arsenault needed to go to the Arsenault’s Arsenal here in Old Sanctville, and the rest of the Hansina girls wanted new hats.

Francine wanted to go to all those shops, but she was supposed to be getting new training clothes. Once school started, she would need more than one hand-me-down hand-me-down outfit. So Azure gave her money and told her to get some shirts and breeches she was comfortable with but wouldn’t restrict her movement. That wasn’t exactly exciting for her, though. She would much rather shop for dresses, hats, or even baby clothes.

Once at the shopping district, several groups formed; Frannie, Ginny, and Argento decided to get the boring shopping out of the way first so they could relax the rest of the time, with Isabella and some of the Hansinas heading off to look at baby clothes. Gramma Arsenault headed straight for her shop, escorted by one of the young guards despite her protests that she was perfectly capable of comporting herself. Two boys went with each of the other groups — all planning to meet back at the cafe they were standing in front of in around an hour.

Francine couldn’t put her finger on what Tony was trying to get at before the group arrived in front of a small but neatly kept shop, “Ten Paces and Dress!” The words were carved into a wooden sign shaped like a cloud, with a metal holder designed to appear as if the sign had been fired from the trumpet-shaped barrel of a gun. Seeing the mercer’s shop down the way, Ginny teleported off, disturbing and upsetting Tony and Gerald, sending them into swearing fits; Argento just laughed at their antics.

Tony took a comb out of his inside jacket pocket and slicked his thick black hair back.

Argento had to feel for him there, so he just let the matter drop, going inside.

A silver velvet coat was arrayed on a mannequin atop one of the racks of silk shirts. It had a stiff standing collar, wide open cuffs, a broad double front placket, deep turquoise trim, and sterling silver buttons. A matching silver vest made of polka dot-patterned silk and a turquoise cravat. It was perfect. It was a little pricey, taking nearly everything he had in his purse. It felt worth it, though, as he needed to look the part as a member of Azure’s household.

Especially if he had aspirations to join the Eidrian Enforcers one day, he hadn’t shared his goals with anyone, but after today, Argento was more determined than ever to become his own man and serve the empire to the best of his ability, not the way his father thought best. As Argento stood having his measurements taken, he felt as if he was having his measurements taken for the uniform of his new life. Just like Francine had gotten a chance at a new future, Argento realized so had he.

Francine found their ladies’ assistant and was taken into the back for measurements. She ordered three pairs of breeches in different styles and lengths, all in the same dark green. Then she looked at the wall of shirt designs, of which she selected five. There were different styles of ruffles; some had puffy sleeves, she picked customizable buttons, and one she got without buttons. Again, the store attendant brought out a whole palette of green shades. From a seafoam to a deep emerald, She even ordered her new moniker embroidered into them, a training wardrobe befitting the Emerald Idyll.

Francine showed Argento the receipts and samples.

Just then, Ginny snapped back onto the street in front of Ten Paces and Dress! causing a woman outside to let out a shriek and faint dead in her tracks. Ginny came in just as Francine was squaring up and giving the delivery address. Ginny had nothing in tow, however, puzzling everyone.

Argento finished up and told himself he would be paid again soon enough, and until then, that coat would keep him warmer than money. Francine only used up about three-quarters of her money, mainly because Gramma Arsenault pressed an extra fifty gold into her hands before she ran off to the shop. Frannie happily thought about what else she might get from another one of the shops before they all went to the Prenticit’s for lunch. The stroll back to the square was a quick trip, only interrupted by Tony handing Ginny a small rectangular box; inside was a fountain pen — an expensive gift, to be sure.

Ginny thought momentarily about how to respond — and looked at the beautiful pen set she would definitely use.

Tony stammered, flustered to be so blatantly called out.

Francine recalled Countess Hansina the day before at the parade and snickered at Tony’s apparent failure. Francine, finally the one in the know, spent the next ten minutes or so regaling Ginny with a list of Tony’s dirty laundry. Incessant giggling, loud whispers, and bursts of riotous laughter from their table triggered another stream of swearing from Tony and Gerald.

Finally, after waiting half an hour, with Ginny on the verge of gathering them up herself, the rest straggled in laughing. Some were carrying parcels Francine thought must have been hats, and Gramma Arsenault and her escort were eating gelato and chatting about the parade.

There was only one hour left before they had to head across town to meet for lunch, so they decided to go to the Fine Frippery and Linens. It was like an upscale version of a trade goods shop. Dresses were being sold right off of racks, with sewists available to alter them. Hats and scarves were on sale, next to shoes, stockings, ribbons, and gloves. There was a department for cosmetics and perfume. You could find almost anything there.

Frannie went straight for the hats. Ginny was in the next section, looking at gloves. Some gold mimic-skin gloves caught her eye. Argento had no money to spend, and Priscilla had been away for a few weeks, so he followed her around the perfume department, sniff-testing perfumes. Francine could feel someone watching her as she tried on hats, but any time she looked, no one seemed to be around her.

Before she knew it, time was up; Francine settled on a fascinator that reminded her of a gentleman’s derby cap, only smaller; a novel idea and an eye-catching style. She thought it would look incredibly dapper with a feather plume or a bit of netting to come down over the eyes. Francine had thought everyone was going with them to lunch, but apparently, some had decided to go back, tired out by shopping. In the end, all but one of the Hansina ladies and Priscilla returned to the Estate, along with three guards. Tony and Gerald were along for the duration.

CH 15~ Shopping Trip

Second Chances Can't be Ignored

Still in a daze from what fun she’d had the night before, Francine lay in bed, sleepily thinking about life getting back to some semblance of normalcy. Letting out a contented sigh,



CH 15~ Shopping Trip

Second Chances Can't be Ignored

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CH 15~ Shopping Trip

Second Chances Can't be Ignored

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of .css-13w9qce-Text{display:inline-block;color:var(--text-accent);}K.B. Silver

About the Creator

K.B. Silver

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Lefayan Cabbage and Rattle Apples

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of K.B. Silver