Ardus ate with class, he had to admit that the food was pretty good. The yolk of the egg ran through his mouth as the spicy flavour exploded in his mouth, the sausages flowed as the taste slowly burst out.
The bread was fresh and the beans were baked to perfection. Maia also seemed to be enjoying her meal as she happily and ravenously wolfed it down.
Maia nervously stole a glance at Ardus which he noticed, but feigned ignorance. She hesitated and kept sending him glances as she looked at her dress.
Does she want new clothes? Well it isn't that surprising, since what she's wearing is mine and they aren't made to fit a woman. Oh fuck, ball itch.
Ardus cursed his dick as he tried to sneakily scratch it without alerting Maia, after a while he naturally succeeded in his task due to being a genius.
"Let's go shopping after a few hours, we'll get you some clothes, while I'll get myself a better suit."
Ardus whispered as he tightened his tie, in his previous life he was addicted to suits. Even though he was paralysed, he loved wearing them, it might've been because of Harvey Specter, Barney Stinson or Raymond Reddington.
Watching those characters wear suits and have fun inspired him, he wanted to become them and so his addiction to suits started.
Ardus quickly wiped his mouth with a brown serviette, as he placed his plate in the kitchen. He entered the living room and sat there leisurely with a newspaper in his hand. Maia sat there for a few moments before she finished her breakfast and placed her plate in the kitchen.
She hesitated for a few moments as she was confused on what to do, in the past she never had any free time. Most of the time she was alone, healing up from the bruises in the basement, or she was being used
This was a new experience for her, Maybe this time my life would work out for the best. Maia thought with a bitter smile.
She stood still contemplating on what to do, after a while she sat next to Ardus on the couch. He gave her a quick glance before he continued reading the paper.
So Loen is thinking of abolishing the Grain Act, huh? If this Act passes, then grain exporting countries like Feysac and Feynapotter would be able to flood the market with cheap grains essentially controlling the grain trade.
But why would the Loen's Nobles willingly abolish this act? If this Act passes, which it will. Ardus thought back to the original novel in which the prices of grains started decreasing abnormally.
It would bankrupt farmers across the kingdom, causing economic instability while boosting Feysac's own agricultural sector and also would allow them to manipulate the market if they want.
Ardus thought with suspicion, his brain raced to find answers but in the end he couldn't conclude anything. He was missing a few important clues, Something bigger is at play here.
"...."
Ardus opened his pocket watch and saw the time was nearing 11:30, he turned towards the lavender haired girl next to him, whose head was resting on his shoulder as he gave her a slight tap.
She jolted awake and rubbed her eyes, "Come on, we gotta go shopping."
Ardus told her with a hint of giddiness, Maia nodded weakly as she went into his room to change, after a few moments she walked out wearing a beige shoulder length shirt, a loose toe clung to her chest and she also wore a navy blue shirt.
Ardus put on his black vest and his halved top hat. He took his wallet which was sitting up on a chest of drawers and took a wooden walking cane, it had black shaft and a golden palm rest. It wasn't light but it wasn't heavy either.
Ardus had taken his cane as it doubled as a weapon which could be used, due it being heavy it was a perfect blunt weapon which could be used in times of need.
He pressed down on his hat with his left hand as he pulled open the door before leaving with Maia. Their walk to the department store a few blocks away, it contained everything from packaged goods to restaurants to clothing stores.
Their walk was short and brisk with it taking less than twenty minutes, the walk was slightly awkward as they just remained silent. No matter how many times Ardus tried to initiate a conversation, she just remained impassive.
He understood that she was hesitant in talking to him, but he hoped she would become comfortable faster because it was slightly ticking him off.
They soon arrived in front of a massive multi-leveled building, it had a cube like shape which extended upwards. The lights were bright as it single handedly illuminated the entire street, countless echoes of laughter resounded from the building.
Ardus entered together with Maia as he glanced at the store, it was huge, tremendously so. He spotted a worker in the distance who sported a black shirt with a red pin attached to it which read "Colin's Department Store"
Ardus closed the distance between them as he asked for directions, the worker thought for a few minutes before answering his questions.
"The clothing store is on the second floor, and as for suits the store has a few which are on the side, if you're looking for something more detailed. I'm afraid we don't have them."
Ardus thanked the worker as he walked together with Maia, they attracted a bit of attention as a few people glanced over to them. They were really attractive after all, Ardus had that rugged charm while Maia had that innocent beauty.
Ardus pulled Maia forward as he skipped over a few steps, Maia seemed a bit off-put by the movement but she seemed to enjoy that bit of speed as her lips had slightly curved into a smile.
Their steps were quick and measured as they paced paced towards the clothing store. As soon as they entered, a helper with the same black shirt and red pin as before greeted them.
"Welcome esteemed guests, My name is Lara to what do I owe the pleasure to?"
The woman said as she slightly bowed, her lips offered an empty smile as she spoke with crystal words, she had black hair which was tied up in a bun and black eyes.
"Hmm, three pairs of outdoor clothes and four pairs of nightwear for the lady while I want to browse through your finest suits."
Ardus told her to first show Maia's clothes to which Lara promptly agreed to, they went past a few racks of lingerie and swimsuits before arriving next to the outwear.
"Well then Maia go on, try them out."
Ardus gestured, she seemed unfamiliar to this sentiment as a few tears dripped down from eyes which she quickly rubbed away, without attracting Ardus's attention.
She entered the dressing room as Lara brought her a short blue romper, a piece of garment that combined both a shirt and shorts.
While Maia was changing Ardus saw one of the workers serving alcohol as he quickly asked for a serving of Bourbon, neat.
Although Ardus was only 16, Feysac allowed men to start drinking from 15 so it wasn't much of a big deal. He savoured his drink as Maia stepped out, the romper came down to her thighs and exposed a slight amount of her shoulders.
It had a ruffled design with a layered and fully fabric on the sleeves and shorts, a white belt was tied at her waist as she wore white sandals. A golden bracelet clung to her wrist.
Ardus looked at the dress, while it didn't accentuate her features, it also didn't look good on her. Ardus sipped some of his bourbon which left a sweet taste in his mouth as he waved his hands, gesturing that it wasn't that good.
Lara soon brought out a white short-sleeved blouse and a high wasted skirt and passed them to Maia. Ardus hummed as he took a few sips in between.
After a few short moments Maia came back wearing a short sleeved white blouse with rounded edges, and a blue ribbon tie. She wore a high waisted A line skirt which was light mint in colour and light brown stockings up to her knees.
Ardus had to admit that she looked stunning m, he gave her a thumbs up as Lara brought a few more clothes.
This continued for a while until they picked out three outwears with three matching heels. Ardus also picked up four pairs of nightwear for her, he had browsed their array of suits, and yet none were too his liking.
It seemed that he had to go and meet a tailor for it, the check came out to 20 gold hoorn or about 4 pounds.
Ardus checked the time, realising it was half past two he turned to Maia, "Well it's almost three, do you want to eat here?."
Maia nodded her head and they went out to get a quick bite.
_____
A/N - I have to admit, this chapter is really sloppy. But let me tell you the reason, my sister just left for college, I used to think that I wouldn't miss her that much. But I'm feeling very lonely now, like I'm remembering her every single time I sit and eat.
I look at her seat and she isn't there, it feels so sad gng. Not even a day has passed but I miss her so damn much, I don't even want to get out of bed. I forced myself to write this chapter. Can someone tell me a fix for this.
P.S There won't be new chapters for like 3-4 days, I gotta deal with this loneliness.