“It’s getting worse, isn’t it? Every year, those pirates take more.” The old man shakes his head.
“I’m sure His Highness will sort things out,” Brevan says.
“Yes, he is his father’s son, after all.” The old man gestures toward the couches. “Please sit. I’ll return in a moment with the items.” He shuffles away, and the large man, who I can only guess is security, stands near the door staring at us.
“What is going on?” I whisper to Brevan.
“Have a seat, Your Highness.”
“No.”
“Please, sit,” he says.
“You sit.”
“I am not the client, you are,” he says.
“The client for what?” My words come out loud enough this time that the guard glances over at me. He lifts an annoyed brow.
“It took me a while to find something that met the prince’s specifications, but I think you’ll be pleased with what I procured,” the old man says as he walks back into the room. He’s holding a long flat box and stops when he sees us both standing there. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, of course not,” Brevan answers for me.
“I was insisting that the enforcer have a seat first,” I say.
“Is that customary in Iskvaland?” the old man asks.
“Well, women don’t often share a space with so many men, but it seems that since I’ve arrived, that’s all I do.” I cross my arms.
The guard coughs, and the old man’s eyes widen.
“She means that she is not used to being escorted by a man. They keep the women very isolated in her empire. But the princewanted discretion for this visit. I’m sure you understand why he didn’t want her ladies to know what she was doing.”
“That is customary until the new ladies prove their loyalty. I still remember the scandal over that stolen crown a few years ago. That was some of my best work. It’s a shame we never recovered it.” The old man sets the box on the table, then removes the lid. “These are by far the most elaborate pieces I’ve ever procured. And on such short notice, too. They will be expensive, but the prince did say nothing is too good for his future empress.”
My jaw opens, and I can’t help but stare at the glittering diamonds and jewels laid out in the box. The loose gems are lined up in order of size and color. The others are arranged into necklaces or bracelets or set as earrings or rings.
I’ve never seen anything like it. I didn’t even know gemstones could be so large or so dazzling.
“Will you sit now?” Brevan asks.
“Please, Your Highness.” The old man settles on a couch, then gestures to the one next to him.
I walk over to it and take a seat, still stunned by the wealth and beauty of the display. Guilt creeps in as I find myself drawn to the jewels, imagining what it might feel like to touch them. To wear them. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.
“His Highness sent me a message last night explaining how it’s customary in your empire for a man to gift his wife-to-be jewelry once the betrothal is finalized,” the old man says. “He sends his apologies that this wasn’t done before and expressed that he wishes you to choose anything you’d like as his gift to you.”
“You must have really impressed him last night,” Brevan says.
I ignore him and turn my attention to the shopkeeper. “Can you do something simple? Does it have to be so large?”
“You can choose something from this selection, or I can create a piece based on your specifications. Anything you can imagine,” he says.
I point to a blue stone the size of my thumbnail. It’s not the smallest stone, but it’s large enough that it would make a statement. “I like this one. Can you do something with it for me?”
“Just that stone, Your Highness?” he asks.
“Yes.”
