Chapter 103 Shopping In Baroks

Throughout the entire lunch, they talk to one another. Audrey naturally participates and gives her opinion as well. Without her being aware of it, Gerald and Samuel respected her for her knowledge about and viewpoint on current Jozia. It's hard to find a woman who closely follows the current news.

Later in the afternoon, Audrey takes this chance to explore the Baroks to pass the free time she has since the military exercise will be held tomorrow.

She invites Gerald to go with her but the latter is tired because of the long and arduous journey. He wants nothing more than to take a nap. He is truly curious about how Audrey has the energy to spare.

Audrey walks on the street in her two layers of clothing. The weather in Baroks is slightly colder than in the capital. But it wasn't so chilly that she started to shiver. Following her from behind is her attendants. They are mainly there for her safety.

As they walked down, Audrey had to admit that Baroks has the most beautiful scenery she has ever seen. The lush green mountainous background gives her a feeling of being in a fantasy world.

She was so caught up in admiring the splendour of nature that she was unaware of how busy the streets were getting. Not until the attendant's voice entered her ears.

"Miss, we've arrived."

"Oh...Okay." She replies. Audrey looks at the street in front of her. It is filled with people. For a city near the border, the atmosphere here is surprisingly lively. She sees no anxiousness or worries in people's eyes.

Walking down the street with her eyes darting left and right, Audrey exudes excitement. She desires to see the products Baroks has to offer, just like every other woman would. If it caught her interest, she would buy it.

"Not bad... Safe to say it's on par with the shopping area in Bideford." She commented.

The building and shops there are two or three storeys high on average. Only a handful of shops have built up to four storeys high. Almost all of these shops are made from stones. She can, however, see several vacant plots here and there. Locals claim that the stores were destroyed and then rebuilt with cement and steel.

The beauty and majestic government complex buildings have shaken the heart of every rich people in the nation. They have the same enthusiasm for that style of building. Needless to say, neoclassical architecture has spread to every corner of the kingdom. People involved in the government plaza complex are in hot pursuit for their experience.

At the busy intersection of the area, a jewellery store catches her attention.

"It must cost a fortune to own a shop at this strategic location or maybe this shop has been here for generations. Not to mention the cost of security to keep the place safe. Either way, this must be the top jewellery store here."

Without wasting any time, she steps into the store to see the jewellery they offered.

The inside of the shop is as she initially imagined which can be described in one word. Luxurious. From carpets on the floor to the shelves that used to display jewellery. Everything is top-notch and high-class.

Audrey was drooling as she found herself surrounded by expensive rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. She almost drifted to her dreamland.

"Welcome to the Dragon's Nest, miss. How can I help you?" The old man in his sixties asked. Audrey immediately recovered from her imagination of swimming in a sea of jewellery. She quickly wiped the saliva from the corner of her mouth.

"Ugh...I'll look around first and call you when I need help." She replies to the old man who she assumed is the owner of the store.

"Alright. I will leave the lid open for you to see." The old man replies.

Because of the unavailability of clear and durable glass like the one in the modern era, jewellery is usually put in a small wooden box and attached to it. The box then was attached to the counter or shelf. If someone attempts to grab those boxes or the jewellery, they can't. The rectangular glass lid was installed above the counter. The top part of the rectangular glass was called a lid which can be slid open for customers to see the jewellery in there.

Audrey walks aimlessly around the store while she looks at the jewellery.

"The Blinding Brooch Light"

"Red Tear of the Dragon Earrings"

"Necklace of Pristine Wish"

"The Ring of Loyal Oath"

"Harmonious Leaf Brooch"

"The Midnight Necklace"

"Azure Spiral Bracelet"

"Pendant of Lunar"

She read the jewellery name one by one while looking at the design and most importantly, the price.

Under Trade Description Act, the king passed the law that every item to be sold must be labelled with the name of the item and the price to avoid price manipulation, confusion and deception. Some are complaining about this law but the majority of people accept it with open arms.

"Everything looks great except my money," Audrey mumbles to herself. Inwardly, she's making mental calculations to find out the amount she can spend. She only bought 2,000 Ryn with her.

She has 12,416 Ros or 3,104 Ryn from her job of sending the king's letter to Rogvor. Then, she works at a bakery shop in the capital from May to August. A total of 400 Ryn but half of it goes to rent and expenses. So, she was left with 200 Ryn.

Since she got called to go to Inver all of a sudden, she has requested days off from her boss. Instead of getting permission, she was fired.

Audrey couldn't stop herself from ranting whenever she was reminded of her boss.

"That old hag, she dared to fire me after all the hard work I've done. I work as a baker, cashier and part-time waitress at the same time in her damn bakery. Good luck finding a worker who's willing to work a two-and-a-half job for a monthly wage of 100 Ryn."

She was promised 5,000 Ryn for her current job but the payment came after she returned to Bideford.

"Buy or not...." After five minutes of serious consideration, Audrey made her decision. "F*ck it! I'll buy it. It's not like I have to worry about food during this trip."

She then called the old man.

"Yes, miss. How can I help you?"

"I would like to buy this one." Her finger pointed at the Pendant of Lunar, a crest moon shape pendant made from gold. The pendant shines beautifully like a moon.

"Excellent choice, miss. That would be 1,100 Ryn."

Audrey makes a payment with a heavy heart. Price-wise, jewellery here is cheaper than in the capital.

"Thank you for your purchase, miss. I hope you choose our store for your next purchase."

"I will if I visit Baroks in the future...and if I have money. By the way, why is jewellery in your store cheaper than in the capital?"

"The precious metal was imported from the neighbouring Inver. The cost to procure the material is lower due to the low transportation cost."

"I see..."

Finishing her purchase in the jewellery store, Audrey moved to the shop across the street called Nobles' Tailor, a clothing store. Since she's decided to splurge the remaining money, why not find clothes that match the pendant.

Audrey bought a white chemise made of linen and a 12th-century dark purple bliaut made out of silk.

'Silk is outrageously expensive but I never had one before. I see no problem in buying it when I can afford it.'

Safe to say, Audrey wisely spent nearly all the money she brought with her. Now, she is officially a pauper with a meagre exchange on hand.