'Where... do I even begin with this?' He stood there awkwardly, staring at the stall, unsure of where to begin his search of a gift for Kaari.
"Searching for a gift for the missus, Sir?" The middle-aged vendor cooed from across her stall, eager to catch the attention of a seemingly wealthy customer interested in her little trinkets.
Lex casually brushed off the vendor's advances, focusing instead on the neatly arranged merchandise in front of him.
Lex didn't know what exactly compelled him to spontaneously get a gift for Kaari.
A part of him figured it would be a kind gesture, and watching Kaari light up over the smallest things wasn't something Lex particularly minded.
And yet, he couldn't shake the thought of why he even cared at all, considering he was never one to care about anyone's well-being other than his own.
He began to have second thoughts when nothing seemed to appear as the perfect gift; everything just looked cheap and tacky, just like most things you'd expect to find in places like this.
'Would something as simple as this even suit her tastes?' He wondered, assuming that as a princess, Kaari would possess far more exotic ornaments than the those you would find being sold locally.
"You know..." The vendor's voice broke through, snapping Lex out of his endless stream of thoughts. "If you could tell me a bit about this special person, I might be able to help you pick a suitable gift for them."
"Is that part of your business services too?" Lex asked sarcastically, annoyed by the fact that he can't be left alone with his thoughts for just a second. "Annoying the customer, I mean."
"With all due respect Sir, this business has been a part of my family for centuries." The vendor announced proudly with a polite smile. "I might just be a humble vendor in your eyes, but I believe I have some expertise to offer, especially considering how much you've been struggling."
"... Fair enough. I can only respect those who stand firm for what they've worked so hard to accomplish." He acknowledged, crossing his arms over his chest as he sank deeper into contemplation.
"I am merely looking for something to give... an acquaintance." He explained after some slight hesitation. "It doesn't need to be extravagant since I'm fairly certain she'll refuse to accept it, but it should still match her level of elegance."
"... Forgive me for my assumptions, but a gift for an... acquaintance?" The vendor appeared visibly surprised. "Unless you are planning to confess your love to her, it would leave her quite unsure of your intentions."
"This acquaintance of yours must mean a lot to you."
'Does she?' He wondered, unsure of how to answer the vendor's statement.
Gift-giving amongst Roseabelles were considered a custom reserved strictly for lovers, so it was no surprise that the vendor reacted the way that she did.
To her, Lex's statement was equivalent to a human kneeling in front of his said acquaintance with a ring in hand, just to ask her if she'd liked to be his friend.
Logically, it didn't make sense, but Lex was never one to care about what society thought was right and wrong.
"Do not worry yourself with such baseless concerns." He replied casually, unfazed by the vendor's concerns. "Our relationship is purely business, nothing more. Such traditions hold no such importance between us."
"... Very well." The vendor reluctantly agreed, letting out a resigned sigh. "Well then, are there any specific gems or stones you have in mind?"
"... Preferably something that will suit silver eyes and pale skin." He finally answered, the corners of his mouth curving into a small smile. "As for the weld, I don't mind silver or platinum."
"Ah, you are quite educated on jewelry, sir." The vendor hummed in approval. "It's not often you see male Roseabelles so confident about what suits their partners—uh, I mean acquaintances."
Before Lex could say anything, she quickly turned around and began rummaging through hidden compartments placed all throughout the small stall, hoping to find something that would satisfy the hard-to-please customer, who also happened to be the emperor of Stygia.
"You seem to be quite in luck, dear customer." The vendor suddenly remarked, followed with a suspicious chuckle, leaving Lex feeling slightly puzzled. "Because it just so happens that I have exactly what you're looking for... behold, one of the rarest stones in the world— pink Toyahan jadeite."
Lex had a reputation for having impeccable taste in jewelry and fashion, which earned him high recognition as one of the most well-dressed High Roses amongst the nation's noblewomen, even if the attention was often unwanted.
However, even as a Roseabelle accustomed to seeing many rare and exotic treasures, Lex found himself visibly impressed by the exquisite craftsmanship of the jewelry, especially since it was being sold out on the streets of Stygia.
The jewelry set featured an intricately made necklace paired with matching earrings, both designs being inspired by the delicate spring peonies native to Stygian soil.
The jadeite's hue on the middle of the necklace was both gentle and vivid, glowing softly under the dim city lights, a testament to the stone's exceptional quality.
The earrings were equally as impressive, their pastel pink radiance framed in silver, seemingly crafted just for Kaari.
He doubted it was legal for a vendor to be selling such precious stones in a shabby stall like this without a permit, but at the moment, he was not the emperor of the Stygia, but a mere merchant making a purchase for a special someone.
'This would look perfect on her.' He imagined her expression when he would show it to her, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Not bad." The emperor admitted honestly, having made the decision to purchase it without a second thought. "Quickly, name your price."
"This, will cost you 500 gold coins." The vendor stated with a sly smile.
'Hm, cheaper than I expected.' He thought, having assumed the vendor would mark it up more than this.
"Keep the change." Lex said casually, dropping a hefty sack of gold coins into the vendor's hand without batting an eye. "And make sure it's wrapped up nicely."