And there was one particular place that served as the quarter’s most accurate barometer.
“Have you ever been out this way, Melody?”
“I can’t say I have. I’m unfamiliar with the markets in this part of the city.”
Anna had guided Melody to one of the inner quarter’s many marketplaces. Nowhere would one find a more exact indicator of everyday life than here. Not that Anna was in any need of that. She wasn’t the prince, and she was only following the pre-established route.
“I’m surprised,” Anna said. “I thought you would have had your eye on every grocer in the city.” Anna expected a girl with Melody’s passion for all things domestic to have at least a cursory understanding of the places and prices throughout the city.
Melody smiled awkwardly. “Oh, no. I hadn’t considered the inner quarter as an option at all.”
“Oh. Right. I suppose that makes sense.”
Anna’s thinking had been that of a modern Japanese girl and was not, in fact, common sense for a society such as this. Most noble houses did not send their servants out to grocery shop but maintained private relationships with dedicated traders who would procure goods upon request. The Rudlebergs, however, were new to the capital and had yet to enter into any such partnerships, and so Melody’s errand-running was more the exception than the rule. Even then, the inner quarter businesses dealt in items of a quality that hardly befit nobility. Even the Ignobles had certain standards to uphold.
Melody had considered all of this, and thus conducted her Lower District shopping primarily in the high quarter, a costly option that had pushed her to foraging in the Great Vanargand Wood.
“It’s a bit of a walk as well,” she explained.
“Right, you’re your estate’s only maid. That would complicate things.”
In Melody’s case, not actually. A few clones would solve the issue handily, but the fact remained that shopping this far out was an inefficient use of time. There were always better things to do.
“Is your house not looking to hire more help?” Anna asked.
“His Lordship has put out a hiring notice, but we haven’t had much luck finding applicants.”
Even Anna knew of the Rudlebergs’ reputation. She wasn’t surprised they were having difficulties attracting new staff. “If you’d like, I could speak with Lady Anna-Marie and have her refer somebody to you.”
House Victillium did not lack connections. It would be a simple matter. Anna-Marie considered Luciana a friend, and doubtless Anna-Marie’s father would not object to her getting into the Hero-slash-Fae Princess’s good graces.
Another awkward smile graced Melody’s face. “That’s very kind of you, Anna, but you needn’t go to the trouble.”
“Oh? It’s no trouble at all.”
“Well, it’s…” Melody chewed on her next words for a long while. Anna could only wait in suspense. The maid let out a breath. “I really do appreciate the offer, but it’s a matter of finances, I’m afraid.”
“Finances? Oh.”
Any servant who earned a marquess’s approval had to be qualified indeed. Yet with qualifications came the one thing the Rudlebergs could not afford: a higher salary.
“It simply isn’t feasible for my mistress’s house to bear an expense fit for a marquess. Someone of that caliber would be most welcome, make no mistake, it’s just a matter of, well, as I said—finances.”
“I understand. I do. It’s a difficult problem with no easy solution.”
Luciana’s family earned a generous reward for her bravery in saving the prince’s life, but not even that was enough to line the Rudlebergs’ perpetually empty pockets. Anyone looking for work with a noble house likely knew that, hence the shortage of applicants.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help,” Anna said. “I should have considered your position before running my mouth.” Her shoulders fell and her head drooped. For all her knowledge from her past life, and for all the prestige her family’s name afforded her, she was powerless to aid her friend.
Melody regarded her tenderly. “Now, Anna, I’m not accompanying you out of expectation. The thought is more than enough. Thank you. Genuinely.”
“Melody…”
Life as a noble meant displays like this were a rare thing indeed. Sincerity. Authenticity. Candidness. This smile was a treasure.
Oh gosh, she has such a pretty smile, Anna swooned. Forget substitute, she could be the real heroine and I wouldn’t question it.
What a coincidence.
“Won’t you explore the market with me?” Melody said.
“O-of course!”
Hand in hand, they entered the bustling marketplace. Thanks to its position in the high quarter, the street they’d passed along earlier had been busy. The businesses there attracted affluent clientele, so that even at its most boisterous a certain reverence hung in the air. As for the men who’d accosted Melody and the contradiction they represented, well, what have we learned about exceptions? The capital was a rich tapestry of peoples.
In contrast, this place was boisterous in the truest sense. Frequented almost exclusively by average commoners, it prized function over form and didn’t bother to sand down its rough edges.
“Vegetables! Fresh vegetables! Get ’em cheap!” a vendor hawked.
“You there, Miss, you look like you could use some fresh fruit.”
“Your husband’s a lucky man! Tell you what. Here’s a little extra on the house. Just for you.”
Voices flew about the street, shopkeepers peddling their wares to every passerby who so much as glanced their way. Once upon a time, one may have witnessed a very similar sight in premodern Japan, a different age captured here in the noise and chaos. Tall piles of vegetables and fruits vied for shoppers’ attention, and butchers displayed freshly cut meat. Some of it was recognizable while others defied categorization. Unfortunately, the market lacked fishmongers. That might have been more familiar to the Japanese visitors.
Suddenly, Melody stumbled with a yelp.
Anna put her arm around her shoulder. Someone had bumped into her. “You okay?”
“Yes. It’s awfully crowded.”
“This is a fairly popular hub, even by inner quarter standards.”
It was odd, though. She remembered the market being bustling in the game, but the heroine never had an accident like this. And that didn’t sound right, given it was such a classic trope of the genre.
“If it’s not a bother, might I hold your hand?” Melody asked timidly. “I wouldn’t want to get separated.”
“Absolutely.”
No way I’d forget if something like this happened! Anna’s heart leapt for joy. Something to do with her being a substitute heroine maybe?
This was the heroine. Not a substitute. The actual heroine. It could not be stressed enough.
Incidentally, the whole thing had less to do with Melody and more to do with Anna-Marie and Christopher’s meddling. Ever since they’d enacted their staging service, the capital’s population had grown steadily. Plus, thanks to their economic policies, the average citizen had more wealth. With greater spending power came more purchases came more tax revenue. The result: thriving marketplaces beyond anything Anna had seen before.
She had yet to put that together herself. She was busy holding a pretty girl’s hand.
They took the grand tour, stopping at whatever shops happened to catch their eye, then took a break for lunch. Stalls selling food offered places to sit and eat, similar to a food court. They availed themselves of both.
Farther into the market, the businesses became quainter. The girls found themselves surrounded by sundries, antiques, and other miscellaneous crafts.
“Seems the crowds are thinner here,” Melody said.
“Thank goodness for that. We can actually take our time.”
This part of the market was practically deserted compared to the food area, which spelled the end of the hand-holding part of the date, much to Anna’s dismay.
“Why not buy a souvenir to remember the day by?” Anna said.
“Oh, yes! But I wonder what my lady would like.”
“I meant for you, Melody.” Anna shook her head. Leave it to the maid maniac to jump to Luciana at the mere mention of gifts. “Oh, well. If that’s what you want. I’m sure we’ll find something once we start looking.”
“Right. Let’s do that.”