Internal: Viperpath (volume 1)

(13) Hidden Gems

Out in town, at Princess Azalea's approach, quite a few heads turned, regarding her with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. Her lady mother's notoriety was known and dreaded, and many in the crowds had also caught wind of how this 'pampered little brat' (related in whispers, of course) would likewise not want to heed rules not in line with her own sick tastes.

Walking with her, it was often said too, would almost feel like carrying along a powder keg whose trailing powder had been lit. Therefore, although some took note on how markedly different the princess dressed herself that day, most sagely chose to turn away and stay clear from her path.

In this manner, Zal directed herself to a 'garb shop'; in her haste she had not paused to read the shop's name on its overhanging wooden sign.

She did, however, recognize the lone shop assistant who was there when she came in.

"Welcome!" came the latter's cheery greeting, accompanied by a slight dip of the head and a smile... which seemed to freeze in place the moment she took note of the newcomer. "Oh my... it's The Princess."

The Little Viper smirked, putting one hand on her own hip. "Me again, me always. Why the frostiness, Mina? Ya don't like me comin'?"

Mina bowed once more, slightly deeper this time. "Please do forgive me! The owner is unavailable as of today to greet Your Excellency in person, but I shall do my best! That is, if anything in our humble stall is of particular interest to your refined tastes..."

"Else I wouldn't be here, moron," Zal blurted. Unceremoniously she took her muddy boots off; left them by the shop's threshold; and stepped forth, barefeet, to look around. "Let's see... perhaps a new dress today. Best you've got, n' be quick 'bout it!"

There followed a flurry of offers often accompanied by cajolery and quick tips about each of the garments' material and price. Yet that day, as in so many other days, this princess did not seem to favor any of these choices; in fact she tore up one dress outright from sheer frustration.

At the end of an hour, Mina was still making an effort to sell.

"How about this one, my lady? Finest Estrean velvet around!"

"How many times must you be told, peckhead?! That dress just now got fewer flower patterns than would be appropriate for my personal use in palace balls! ...No, no, this one's slash of colors is totally on the wrong side, I tell ya... Ah, darn it, this one's just not attractive enough! Won't bring out the charm, and that's about all that would matter in dances! Got me?!"

Mina lowered the dress she was displaying with a huff; the mildest gesture available to her without openly appearing to do disservice to a member of the royal line.

Be what will be, the now-miserable single attendant groaned inwardly, regretting her earlier persistence in not having taken a day off when such an offer had come. Then at least she would not have had to deal with this... royal nuisance, for lack of gentler terms.

"Princess Azalea, with all due respect, how many more garments would you have liked to try out? That dress you've so gracefully torn up, we were this close to provide a decent cut in price for the next fortunate customer..."

That remark provoked a sudden slide of curtains from the rectangular cubicle that the princess had been in. The latter was already back in the sleeveless doublet in which she had first entered the premise.

"Now let's be clear on just one thing, lass," the princess asserted, flicking her red shoulder-length hair back and glaring at the now-horrified attendant. "Customers everywhere deserve to be treated like kings; that not your lot's creed? With yer own tongue ya declared yours truly to be a princess just moments ago, which is but a step away from the real thing. Not one of the dresses you offered, catered to my tastes... and you still dare to question if I'd actually purchase any of these ragtag clothes? Have I mislaid my sense of hearing, or are you a complete buffoon? Huh? Which is it?"