I'm alone. In the royal city. The air doesn't smell as clean.

 

The city is always a sight to behold. It's like a never-ending festival. My parents fondly refer to it as "The Place of Ultimate Temptation." It took me seven trips to the market in order for me to finally not return with a random purchase. Occasional splurges of fabrics happened when I couldn't control myself. I like to think that I'm immune to the gift of words that many market tradesmen are masters in, but there are days when intricate, well-stitched carpets and their sellers get the better of me. My parents were not so eager to let me go, of course. Even despite the fact that it was their idea to send me off.

                                                                                       ~*~

         My mother frantically re-arranged the strands of musty brown hair on my forehead in hopes of making me appear more presentable. The gates rose high above my head as millions of people swarmed in and out. Giving up on my hair, my mother moved on to adjusting my green tunic so that it'd fit better over my shoulders.

         "Your shoulders are so much broader than the other girls, but I suppose that can't be helped. Always make sure to ask people if you're lost. And don't buy too many fabrics! You know we can't sell those dresses back where we're from. It's not a very popular item." Advice, criticism, and worry spewed out of her mouth; in one ear and out the other. But my heart clenched when I saw my father wiping little tears from the corners of his eyes.

         "You're making me worried with those tears of yours. Just don't expect anything amazing, alright? The first time is always a time for mistakes. You're the one who told me that," I reminded him. I found myself speaking slowly, conscious of every word and sound that came out of my mouth. To them, I must have seemed perfectly fine. But on the inside, I felt frozen with fear.

         "Another dose of my daily lessons: Don't get your nose into anything suspicious. You know how the nobles are here. Too many secrets and no one wants you to know," my father warned. He tapped the stupid pig necklace and winked. "Use what you have, and everything will be fine."

         "I'm not going to cheat if that's what you mean. Don't merchant regulations require abstinence of any magic while in the process of selling goods?" I frowned.

         "Of course, dear. But you never know what could happen. We'll see you in a month or two. Or more. We're not worried!" My father grabbed my mother's arm and waved wildly as they were soon engulfed into the crowd, disappearing along with any of the comfort I had left. Taking a deep breath, I made my way into the main market.

       

         Silver, blue beads and jewels draped over carts as the shadows of weaved carpets made the market seem like a mystical forest. There were so many clothes, trinkets and spices. Carefully looking over each necklace and perfume phial, I tried to assess prices and profit margins for each merchant in comparison to my family's goods. The merchants definitely improved since my last trip. One merchant caught me staring at a beautifully shaped perfume bottle. It was a light aquamarine color, but it had an array of tiny crystals that intricately adorned the bottom. With my eyes fixed on the item, I braced myself for what was coming.

         "How about trying a new aroma? Smelling like fish ain't the best for a young maiden like yourself. Especially if you want them to come calling with pretty little flowers," he said, pointing to a bunch of young men in the crowd. He gave me his best wink, but it unfortunately looked more like a twitch.

         "This here, this lilac one smells like a fresh, crisp spring morning. It'll bring all the pretty boys at your feet. Just for a mere price of thirty gold coins." This time he smiled, with one of his front teeth missing. I cringed.

         "Sir, thirty gold coins is not worth a small vial of perfume for anyone. I'd rather just roll around in a field of lilacs instead." The tradesman sputtered. Before he could fully respond, I swiftly moved past him and made my way towards the royal gates. But before I could make my exit, a young lady quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me towards her tiny cart. It was filled with an array of pastel circles.

         "What a tall woman for such a young age! This sea ocean soap will make your skin as smooth as a baby's bottom. Those eyelashes of yours also might grow longer." Her husky voice grated against my ears. Holding back a smirk, I batted my eyelashes in false enthusiasm.

         "I'd love to, but it's too bad, I've bathed myself in ocean water for too long that my eyelashes just won't grow. At least being tall has its uses." Stretching my arm high above her head, I pretended to see someone in the crowd. "Looks like someone is looking for me." Before she could convince me of any other bodily imperfections, I gently pushed her aside and swam through the crowd. There was no doubt that it had been years since my last trip, but the city traders were noticeably more rude. My fake, polite expression slowly changed to one of determination. If there was one thing I had learned from going to markets often, it was that everyone had something ugly to point out.

         After selling a good number of my parents' luck charms at the main royal gates, I was hungry. I walked towards the farmer's square, and a row of familiar signs hanging on the walls caught my eye. It was the same ones that were plastered on all of the King's ships. From afar, a couple of guards manned the side gate. Carefully, I approached the short, stocky one in the corner.

         "It's not really a curse is it? She could be going insane because of those magic potions they give her to maintain her golden hair," I said. Without even throwing me a glance, the guard continued to survey the packed crowd. So I tried again.

         "Rumors say that she's not a natural beauty. Princesses back then had much more beauty, and it was all by blood. But nowadays, you can't last that long without having to fix something. That's how all the merchants make their money." I laughed at the thought of merchants selling their soaps to the princess. Still refusing to look my way, the guard finally spoke. His voice was cold and harsh.

         "What you need is less talking, little lady. It's not your place to find out how the princess is doing. Women are not allowed to partake in the test." With a single swoop, he shoved me away and resumed his position. A sharp, swelling heat burned my cheeks. I almost considered punching him, until I felt someone staring in our direction.

          As I looked into the crowd, my eyes met with those of a tall, stiff-looking young man. He had wispy blonde hair and cold green eyes that made me feel immediately uncomfortable. Part of me wished for him to show up and rightly defend my honor, as most men are taught to do.

         He didn't. He just stared. I chastised myself for stupidly expecting the easy way out. So I used my sharp tongue instead.

         "It's a pity the royal guards aren't more polite. All they do is shove people. That's why education is so important. It teaches those serving the ruling government to also be mindful servants of the nation and not some oafish brutes," I snapped. "Now if you'll excuse me, this 'little lady' has some very important things to do. Like growing my profit in this marketplace." Out of fake courtesy, I grandly pulled out my muddy skirt in a curtsy, causing a bit of mud to flick at his feet. He grumbled as I walked away.

                                                                                       ~*~

Somehow I made it to a shady inn known for housing drunk thieves. Much of what I have is sold, though there are a couple spices left for negotiating. I'd consider it a success, though it didn't make up for what I had to deal with afterwards. People don't really have much manners these days. I don't regret holding back my temper. At least physically. But at least I poured some sleeping perfume on the guard's feet as I left. I hope he's found sleeping on the job. That'll teach him not to ignore "a little lady."