"It's a good thing we have you with us today. We have a woman's perspective of what the queen might like." Methleon says.

"Oh, I'm new. I don't know the queen that well yet." Nuviette claims.

"Yeah, but you have more ideas on what a woman might want."

"That's true but you guys know what looks best on a woman or what perfume attracts a man to a woman," Nuviette replies

"Come to think of it, yeah, that is also true. Good point." Methleon remarks.

Soon, they were in front of the gift shop. Methleon went ahead so that he could open the door for her. Nuviette halted for a moment after entering the door. Being in that beautiful but quaint gift shop was another new experience. Her eyes examined the boxes of chocolates, bouquets of flowers, closets filled with clothing, and then last but not least, the jewelry section next to the store counters.

The store attendant robot was at the counter and began to speak upon seeing them. "Good day, Sir Methleon. How can I help you?"

"Hello, Raganen. I need a bottle of perfume for a lady." Methleon says. "Any recommendations?"

"Ah yes, here are the latest fragrances." Raganen brought out ornate bottles oozing with delightful aromas.

Methleon looks at Nuviette. "Please" he points to the bottles.

"Okay." Nuviette opens the bottle samples one by one to smell the scents

"This is very soft and relaxing." She hands the sample to Methleon. "It's sugar mint."

"It is really something but it also reminds me of dessert," Methleon claims. "The queen might crave sweets."

Nuviette laughs. "All right, point taken. Maybe this one. This is lavender mixed with chendri oil. It's a feminine scent and a relaxing one too."

"Lavender is fragrant but I don't know. It feels like a room spray to me but this is just me. Maybe you like it or women like it." Methleon claims.

"Oh no. We don't like it if you don't like it. Most women put on perfume to attract men."

"They do?" Methleon was surprised.

"It's not always the case but most women do. So, if you think of a room with this scent, then this is out of the perfume race." She slightly pushed the bottle away in emphasis. Methleon giggles at her quirkiness.

"You seem to know much about fragrances." Methleon retorts.

"Well, one of our caretakers in the orphanage is an herbalist so we learn medicinal plants as well as a brief introduction to fragrances."

"Oh really? You see. That's why we are lucky to have you with us. You have an idea of how to choose."

"Maybe but I really am not that familiar with the queen yet. Here, I think this one." She hands over another sample to the valet. It was a bottle of vanilla scent mixed with recan scarlet. "How about this."

Methleon sniffed a sample. "Hmmm, it's so... I don't know. I can't remember the word."

"Sensual?" Nuviette responds.

"I was supposed to say captivating but sensual is more direct." Methleon laughs.

"We'll take this one please," Nuviette says while giving the bottle to the store attendant. Methleon hands the shopping card to Raganen.

"Excellent choice, Ma'am," Raganen says. "Is there anything more?"

"No, it's okay," Nuviette says.

"Why don't you go look around for a moment? You might like something." Methleon says.

"Okay." Nuviette walks around for a moment while Methleon watched Raganen wrap the perfume just after handing him back the swiped card. Just when the attendant was about to finish his wrapping, Methleon sought Nuviette. She saw her looking at some statues of crystal carvings.

Nuviette noticed he was right behind her. "These are lovely."

Is that the one you're getting?" Methleon asks

"No, I'm just saying they're lovely. I won't be getting anything." The handmaiden shyly says.

"Come on. It's your first time in the capital. Get yourself a souvenir to remind you of this experience."

"But everything is too expensive." Nuviette felt she was undeserving of such expensive items.

"Prince Zyric told us we could get something so you are free to choose." Methleon stretches his arms wide while looking to his sides.

"What will you be getting?" Nuviette asks her companion.

"I've been here before so I'm good. You choose something." Methleon replies.

"I don't know. In fact, I am overwhelmed here. There are so many luxurious items." Nuviette scans the whole place.

"So maybe we can get this statue?" Methleon hands the ornament to his companion.

"No, I don't have a use for it." Nuviette continues to stare at it though still thinking about how the ornament can be beneficial to her. Methleon returns the statue and then walks forward.

"Hmmm. How about some of those lady's accessories there." Methleon points to the jewelry collections near the counter. "Those simple earrings or hair clips there. They are not as expensive but they sure look nice."

"Yeah." Nuviette says as they both walk towards the counter. She takes a look at the items Methleon suggested. She takes time in examining a small crystal heart-shaped hair clip.

"That looks nice. May I?" Methleon asks and she nods in agreement. The valet places the hairclip at the side of her head.

"There." He secures the clip in place. "It's really something."

Nuviette couldn't explain how she felt when he placed the ornament in her hair. It was as if she was electrocuted. She faced the valet and saw that he has a bewildered look. He too must have felt it.

"Static?" Methleon says.

"Probably". Nuviette replies.

For a split second, they both were lost in each other's gaze until Raganen approached them with a folding holographic mirror. Nuviette takes a look at herself to inspect the hair clip.

"It's pretty," Nuviette says.

"All right, we'll take that as well," Methleon informs Raganen and hands him a shopping card. Nuviette looked at the shopping card. The color seemed to have changed.

"What?" Methleon questions her expression.

"It's nothing. I just thought the card changed color." Nuviette bluntly replies.

"Hmm. I don't know. Maybe it does." Methleon stares at the card.

"Will you be wearing it Ma'am or should I wrap it up for you?" Raganen asks.

"It's okay. I'll just wear it." Nuviette claims as she continued adoring the clip on her side. She was unknowingly swaying with joy. Methleon was trying to hide his amusement at her reaction.

"Alright Ma'am and Sir. Is there anything more that you may need?" Raganen asks.

"We're good. Thank you Raganen." Methleon says.

"Thank you, dear patrons," Raganen says. "Have a nice day."

"Come Nuviette. We have to get back. The prince might be finished by now."

"Yes, let's go."

The two servants walk briskly back to their gazebo where Zyric had just finished responding to his messages.

"So, what did you get?" The prince asks.

"We got a bottle of perfume for the queen. Nuviette selected it. Apparently, she has some knowledge regarding herbs and scents."

"That's great. No wonder you are highly recommended." Zyric says. "So, what did you get?"

"I got a clip. Methleon helped me choose." Nuviette shyly says.

Zyric examined the side of her head where Methleon attached the clip earlier on.

"Yeah, it's very nice. You see. Methleon is not only a great tour guide, but he is also a stylist too." They all laugh at his joke.

"Thank you, my prince. I've never had anything expensive before." Nuviette humbly says.

"Think nothing of it. Just do your job well and always be loyal to my wife." Zyric claims.

"Yes, Your Highness," Nuviette says.

"Alright, let's go." Zyric commands and his attendants followed him.

Right down the hall, the guest with a glass of champagne did not see Nuviette and bumped into the servant with wine spilling on her dress.

"Oh no, I'm sorry." The guest apologized but she looked arrogantly at Nuviette for the latter looked like a mere servant and she seemed to be a high-born lady. Her gaze softened when she noticed Zyric of Craiine not too far away. She then bows down.

"You're Highness." She says while Zyric nods acknowledging her reverence. Quickly, she walks away without looking at Nuviette.

"Are you okay?" Zyric asks

"Yes, Sir. May I go to the powder room to dry up a bit?" She asks

Demren then interferes.

"Apologies, Ma'am. I have one of the waitresses to help you dry up. Please step aside right over here."

Nuviette follows the robot waitress who brought out a dryer blowing on the wet part of her dress.

Not too far away, Zyric was checking the small screen at the back of his shopping card reviewing the purchases that had been credited to it.

"So, you are a big spender. I tend to spend a lot as well for my beloved." The prince nods as he continues to review his card.

"What do you mean, my prince?" Methleon asks.

"The perfume was credited here but I don't see the clip being registered. I do recall giving you your own shopping card before. I guess that is where you charged the hair clip."

Methleon looked guilty and slowly admitted what he did. "Yes, I charged it to mine because she's so endearing. I just wanted to make this trip memorable for her. Besides, I don't use the shopping card except for the time I sent a gift for my mother to Craiine."

"This is how romance begins." Zyric jests.

"Oh no, Sir. She is just a breath of fresh air. I just want to do something nice. Trying to pay it forward just as you always do for us." The valet says.

"Okay, I'll take your word for it." Zyric's tone sounds unconvinced. "I'm just saying I did pay it forward when I was younger by giving this girl a decorative pin."

"Oh really, Sir?" Methleon was surprised.

"Yes, and she became my wife." Zyric laughs.

"I don't think it will ever come to that." Methleon laughs at his master's jokes as well.

"Only time will tell," Zyric smiles. Not for long, Nuviette returns from the powder room.

Soon Demren and Nuviette came back.

"There, she is alright now." The maître de says.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sir." She apologizes.

"No worries. Gives me more break time. I need to get back to the palace now, my wife is almost done with her meetings. She wants to have tea when she's finished with her work. Are you ready to head back?"

"Yes, your highness. This is more than enough sightseeing already. Thank you."

They got back into their transporter. Zyric opens his communicator and receives a new set of messages. His companions toned down or almost kept quiet so he may converse well. Nuviette preferred to watch the scenery while Methleon occasionally whispered something about the important buildings and structures that they passed.

In her room, Nuviette was still holding onto the clip in her hands. She was thankful for the lovely souvenir and the wonderful experience. Though it was the prince consort who technically gave her the clip, it was Methleon and how he attached the clip to her hair that she can't stop thinking about.