Serene’s POV

Ibliza Market was the biggest and most popular market in our Realm. It contained shops, stalls, restaurants, salons, and almost everything one would need. The market was brimming with eager shoppers, vendors, shop owners and sellers.

Spices, clothes, shoes, weapons, jewellery, eatables, perfumes, gemstones, furniture, and much more were displayed in shops and stalls for eager eyes to see and acquire. The aroma of charcoal meat being barbecued met my nostrils and made my mouth water as we waded through a sea of people.

Occasionally someone would recognise me and yell out "Princess Serene," and people would try to gather together in hoards around me. Shaking hands, smiled at me, and offered me food and gifts, their love evident from their actions. Kilamin made sure to not let anyone get too close.

I made sure to greet everyone with a smile and politely refused the gifts. I did accept all the flowers though and placed them in my hair one by one.

I had decided to get a Diamond pendant for Zeph’s mother so we made our way to our regular goldsmith first. The shop was owned by a middle-aged fae with an amiable face. He smiled at us and offered us seats. His shop was filled with glass cases displaying all kinds of beautiful jewellery made up of Diamonds, Platinum, Arunatiam (sky blue metal used for jewellery, considered very rare) and other jewels. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Princess Serene, it’s an honour to have you here. How may I be of service today?" He asked politely with a smile.

"Thank you, Mr Brise. I would like to look at some pendants, please."

"Coming right up," and he began to open glass cases to show us the finest pendants in his collection. His jewellery was exquisitely made and delivered most of our jewellery. He had a vast range of pendant collections consisting of different sizes, shapes and colours. But the one that attracted my eyes was a Royal blue pendant shaped like a half moon. The chain was finely made from Arunatiam. I showed it to Zian and he loved it too.

"This one Mr Brise," I handed it to him. "A fine choice Princess Serene," and he began to pack it in a blue velvet box. I got a green pendant for Ayrden too. The total bill tallied 30 gold coins. I paid Mr Brise, thanked him for his services and handed the boxes to Kilamin. They took them quietly and placed them in his satchel bag.

Our next stop was a gents apparel shop. I wanted to get Zeph and Ralph matching leather jackets. I had never shopped for a gents jacket before so Zian helped me choose. "Kilamin, can you wear these for me." I pointed to the ten jackets I had chosen, he looked at me in disbelief. "The boys match your size, Zian is too short."

"Of course," he stepped forward and began to wear them one by one. I liked a simple black one with two side pockets and a tiny silver sword attached to its upper side. "I will have two of these, please," I told the shopkeeper, who gladly wrapped them up for me in special boxes. I paid 4 gold coins for them and thanked the shopkeeper before moving on.

Now the tricky part was what to get the younger boys. Zeph’s brother was 15, and Ralph’s brothers were 14 and 12 respectively. Folkel Realm was known for their weapons so they will have better weapons than what I could get them.

We thought for a while and decided to get the famous board games from our realm, hand-sized telescopes, and some interesting books appropriate for their age. And, I hoped against hope they would like them.

Then we bought a few boxes of chocolates and some other delicacies like ’Alawa’ made from special grains and nuts and native to our realm.

Finally, I wanted a personalised gift for Zeph. I told Zian what I wanted and we searched for a shop which made what I was looking for. The old lady who ran the shop was more than delighted to fulfil my wishes and wrap it up for me. I thanked her for the remarkable job she had done.

We were exhausted and my stomach was growling. I wanted to eat ’Seekh Kebab’ (it’s basically meat on a skewer cooked on charcoal). We found a stall and ordered some and waited. A young boy around 5 years of age was peeking behind his mother, clutching her dress. He was dressed in old clothes which were torn from his shoulder and tiny legs. His mother was selling some hand-knitted scarves from a raggedy-looking basket. Her face seemed to have accumulated all the worries in the world. My heart sank at the sight.

I approached them calmly and sat down in front of the boy extending my hand to him. The little boy got scared and hid behind his mother, while she recognised me and stood up instantly. "Princess Serene," she bowed and offered me a half smile.

"What is your name?" I asked her softly. "Arolia and this is my son; Semoine," she ushered him forward. "Heya! Semione, it’s nice to meet you." I offered him my hand and he shook it shyly and hid again. I turned to Zian and whispered in his ear, and he nodded.

"What are you selling, Arolia?" I wanted to help them but didn’t want to hurt their ego. "Hand-knitted scarves and shawls, Princess Serene. I have made them myself." There was a twinkle in her eyes as she told me this. I smiled at her and began inspecting the shawls and scarves.

They had been knitted using woollen thread and came in a variety of colours. "These are very beautiful and I was looking for some shawls and scarves as the cold season is fast approaching. I would like to buy them all." Her face lit up at my words and she bowed again. I handed her the whole satchel of gold and silver coins. "No, no Princess I can’t accept so much. I will only take what they are worth. " I think they are worth more than what I am giving, beautiful handy work is priceless. Kindly, accept this." Tears brimmed in her eyes as she thanked me again and again, showing her gratitude.

Meanwhile, our food was ready. I had asked Zian to buy some for the boy and his mother. We gave them their share and then bid them goodbye, little Semione gave me a small smile as began to eat making my heart flutter with joy.

We had decided to go to Crimzon’s shop to eat. Zian led the way. Crimzon was overjoyed to see us as we entered and rushed forward to hug me. "I can’t believe you are finally here, Serene." Her face adorning a beautiful smile. "Yes, it was time I fulfilled my promise." I smiled back at her.

We placed all our shopping in a corner and Crimzon showed us a sink where we could wash as she set up a small table with the food we had brought. We then sat down to eat while Kilamin was still standing like a sentry over me.

"Join us, Kilamin," I ordered him. He refused. I got up, took his arm and dragged him to the table. "Sit and eat with us," I said angrily and he finally complied making others giggle.

The food was savoury and well cooked. I loved every morsel I took. We chatted and made jokes while eating. After lunch was over, Zian gave Crimzon a necklace he had bought for her while I gave her one of the hand-knitted shawls I had proclaimed. She was over joyed to receive these gifts and hugged us both. We discussed tomorrow’s departure and I asked her to make a special bouquet for Zeph’s mother. Once all the planning was complete we decided to head back to the castle. Kilamin instructed us to leave the shopping in Crimzon’s shop and guards will come to pick it up later. I didn’t complain because I was dead tired and wanted to go home and sleep, before our adventure tomorrow.