Chapitre 21: Chapter 21
After our breakfast, Julia ordered some servants to get a carriage ready along with a few guards which seemed unnecessary at first since she had me and Erza, but apparently, she had to keep up appearances and we'd been inside the carriage while they would outside, not to mention the guards Julia's mother had hired were elite. They were clad in full plate armor that was definitely enchanted with some form of magic and engraved with the symbol of the Viscott family, a silver and blue rose. For weaponry, they each held a spear and shield in hand while a large broadsword was belted to their waist. Each guard moved with practice ease and precision.
"They seem like they would be a good challenge," Erza commented as we entered the carriage. Unlike last time we had an extra person in the form of a personal aid and servant Julia had hired herself, which made sense if she didn't want everything that happened being sent back and told to her mothers, though Cate would be riding up front with the carriage rider as Julia wanted us to have privacy.
"So where should we head off to first?" Julia asked. "I heard that Mordaim has a lovely upper market."
"Mordaim?"
"That what the capital is called," Erza explained. "I asked a few questions to some of the servants."
"Most people do just simply call it the capital though," Julia said. "So, the upper market first?"
I thought about it for a second then shrugged. "Sure, I'm not really into shopping, but I don't really mind it as long as you don't make me carry things."
Julia scoffed. "Of course not, we have Cate and a few servants following along behind us in another carriage."
"We do?" I asked.
"Of course." Julia smiled. "This carriage has no compartments for storing items. As for shopping, well the upper market has more than just clothing stores. We can have a look around and browse any interesting shops we come across and then have some lunch before we head over to the arena district. That's where the guild clash and competitions are being prepared."
"That sounds agreeable," I replied.
Julia smiled then opened a window to the front of the carriage I hadn't noticed. She told the rider our destination then closed it and just like that we were off. At first, I was a bit disappointed we wouldn't be able to see the city from inside the carriage but apparently, there was an enchantment for that too. The sides of the carriage became transparent, and for a second I thought we had become visible to the outside world but Julia explained that it was only one way. We could see out, but nobody could see in.
The city was bustling with activity, and I spotted many finely dressed nobles and other rich-looking people as we exited the area where many of the nobles kept estates and manors. I did notice quite a lot of looks and gazes were thrown our way, and when people noticed the Viscott crest they quickly moved out of the way or began talking to those with them.
"There's going to be a lot of gossip going around." Julia sighed. "Thank god we have the guards or else we would be approached everywhere we were recognized."
"Your family's that well known?" I asked curiously.
"They are," Julia replied. "My family are very old and have business and ventures all over the continent, not to mention we have a standing army larger than that of our king and queen."
"And they allow that?" Erza asked.
"No, but they can't do much about it," Julia explained. "They are well aware that without us their kingdom would crumble and that a civil war would not end well for them. My father and mother have made us one of the pillars of Helforn, and the largest at that. If we fall then chances are the kingdom won't be far behind."
"Smart." I nodded.
"Indeed, but please no more talk about my family." Julia shook her head. "I wish to have some time to ourselves before they arrive."
It took us around fifteen minutes to reach the upper market since the area the manor was located was connected to the other areas of the noble quarter so the nobility wouldn't have to travel through the common and middle-class areas, which was a shame since I wanted to see them.
The upper market was a large place full of all sorts of stores and businesses some more unique than others.
"Is that a brothel?" I asked as I pointed to a store with the image of a scantily clad woman on its sign next to the name, the lavish and ravish.
"Oh no," Julia explained. "That's just a clothing shop for more those with more sensual taste among other things."
"Like bondage gear?"
"Bondage?" Julia tilted her head. "I guess that it an apt word, though that's only one of the many things it sells. I might have to check it out."
"I think I'll stay outside when you do," I said which caused Julia to giggle.
"It's not just for women," Julia noted.
"Oh, I'm sure it's not," I replied. "But I don't know if I'm into that."
"You won't ever know until you try," Julia said. "But let's leave that for later. This here looks like a good place to start."
The carriage stopped in front of a far more normal-looking store, though very expensive-looking as well. Many other carriages were parked nearby and the sign at the front read, the golden star.
"It seems to be popular," Julia noted as the driver parked, and we got out one by one.
Four of the guards immediately surrounded us as did four of the servants from the other carriage, but not in a claustrophobic way. There was still plenty of space between us and I could see our surroundings just fine.
The door opened before we even got to it and we were greeted by a finely dressed older-looking man with a monocle.
"Welcome to the golden star," he began and momentarily stopped when he spotted the crest on the guards. His eyes widened and he bowed low. "It is an honor to have a member of the Viscott family visit our store, please come in, I shall call the storekeeper right away."
I guess Julia's family really was well known.
Another person, a woman t dressed similarly to the man, led us into the store as the man bustled off to get the owner.
"Is there anything in particular you'd like to view?" The young woman asked nervously.
"Yes, take me to…"
I drowned her words out as I looked over the clothing. We were in an area full of displays, and unlike stores on earth, they were no clothing racks. Maybe the was a place where you had custom clothes made or asked for clothes to be brought out?
My guess was confirmed as the young woman ordered a few other store helpers to get some clothes Julia had asked for.
By this time we had been noticed by the rest of the people in the store which was quite a few and they murmured and whispered among themselves as they snuck glances at us. Erza and I received just as many as Julia and it felt so strange to be looked at in such a way by beautiful looking noblewomen. I'd been less than average a day ago and now well I looked like a super-soldier. I guess the clothing also helped.
"Is that one of the Viscott's?'
"I think so."
"Whose the redhead? She looks quite attractive."
"Who cares about her, who's the man?"
"Is he her finance?"
"They have no rings so I don't think so."
It was quite amusing to listen to all the comments, but for the most part, I ignored them as the owner came out and greeted Julia. I phased out for most of what happened next. Julia and Erza used changing rooms to try on a few dresses after which they asked for my opinion which was always a ten out of ten or amazing. Honestly, anything those two wore would look good.
"And how about you?" The owner, an older-looking woman asked. Her name was Adela and she had a stern look constantly on her face and a voice that remind more of a headmistress of a school rather than a shopkeeper.
"Who me? I think I'm fine."
She scoffed. "Nonsense. Whoever dressed you did a marvelous job, but there are many combinations I think would also work well on you."
"I don't know," I replied.
"Oh come on, David," Julia pleaded. "For me?'
I looked over to her pleading expression then sighed. "Fine, but no poking or prodding."
"Yes." Julia clapped her hands in glee. "I think a pearl white and light green might work, what do you think Adela?"
When we left the store an hour later, it was with several bags of clothing. In the end, it hadn't been as bad as I'd expected and I had to admit a lot of the outfits looked amazing on me, although I hadn't expected Julia to buy them all.
"Where to next?" Julia asked as the servant packed the bags of clothing away.
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