"I am sorry." Aldric bowed as the stall owner continued to throw insults at him.
"But you don't have what I want." Aldric said tentatively.
"So what?!" The stall owner raged.
"This place isn't for viewing!" The stall owner yelled and Aldric shrunk even more.
Not being able to watch anymore, Princess Marina walked past Aldric and stood before him.
"He is terribly sorry for any inconvenience. Would this suffice?" Princess Marina asked as she dropped the same amount of coins she gave the previous stall owner.
Grabbing Aldric before he could object to her helping him, Princess Marina dragged him to a secluded corner. When Princess Marina let him go, Aldric bowed suddenly.
"I am sorry that you had to step in for me." Aldric said with a bowed head.
"If you tell me your family name, I promise to repay you." Aldric said before looking up and coming face to face with Princess Marina.
"My family name huh?" Princess Marina asked and Aldric blanched.
"Greetings to the third star of the empire." Aldric said, bowing again.
"Blessed by the spirit of the wind, I, Aldric Morando have committed a grave sin and I deserve to die." Aldric said and Lorraine tried hard to muffle her chuckles.
"What grave sin did you commit?" Princess Marina asked with a smile.
"Not recognizing you?" Aldric asked slowly and Princess Marina laughed.
"I didn't give you a chance to see my face so I don't think you committed a grave sin that deserves death." Princess Marina said teasingly and Aldric turned red in embarrassment.
Deciding to let the poor boy save some face Princess Marina changed the topic.
"I didn't expect to see you in the Grand square." Princess Marina said, trying to make conversation.
"I uhm," Aldric said as he looked around nervously.
"I uhm," Aldric said again and Princess Marina stared at him patiently.
"My mom isn't feeling too well." Aldric said as he twiddled his thumbs.
"Then why doesn't the earl-" Princess Marina said before stopping abruptly at the uncomfortable look on Aldric's face.
"Oh!" Princess Marina thought as she stopped talking.
"The Earl doesn't care." Princess Marina thought as she stared at Aldric's uncomfortable face.
Clearing her throat to try and dispel the awkwardness in the air, Princess Marina asked "So what kind of medicine did you want to buy?" and Aldric's eyes lit up.
"There is a magic potion from Aaeloria that contains Aerulim Reed, Dewspire mint and Brindlewort and it said to cure even the most dire of illnesses." Aldric said with bright eyes and Princess Marina looked over her shoulder to Lorraine who confirmed what he said with a nod.
Turning back to face Aldric, Princess Marina asked "Do you know what it looks like?"
"No, but I am sure the stall owners will tell me if they have it." Aldric said with optimism and Princess Marina smiled and said "How about I accompany you?"
"No" Aldric said putting his hands as if it ward her off and shaking his head.
"I have taken up far too much of your time." Aldric said with a polite smile.
"I insist!" exclaimed Princess Marina.
"Besides," Princess Marina said when Aldric began to get uncomfortable.
"I am also looking for an ore for a new device I want to make, so accompanying you isn't a bother." Princess Marina said calmly and Aldric smiled.
"I am surprised that Aleron didn't accompany you." Princess Marina said, as they walked back to the stalls.
"He wanted to but-" Aldric said before stopping.
"One of us has to look after mom." Aldric said before rushing to a stall owner to ask about the Aerulium Reed potion.
Stepping forward, Lorraine took the spot previously held by Aldric.
"The Earl is as distasteful as always." Lorraine said with disgust.
"You would think that he would take better care of the women he forced to bear his children!" Lorraine said with restrained anger.
"I can't believe he is so bright despite that." Princess Marina said as she watched Aldric converse and laugh with a stall owner.
"Stop that!" Lorraine chided Princess Marina.
"Everyone reacts to pain differently." Lorraine said firmly and Princess Marina nodded.
Princess Marina watched as a particular shop owner approached Aldric and took him to a stall at the far end. Keeping her eyes on Aldric, Princess Marina watched as he handed him what looked like a potion. Seeing Aldric's smile, Marina guessed that it was the Aerulium Reed potion but what she didn't expect was for vines to suddenly spring from the ground and trap him and for a ball of wind to wrap around the vines and whisk him away.