Chapter 19
Stimulating the Economy
Carol had spent the morning after breakfast exploring more of the estate with Bea, discussing color schemes and fabric choices for the ongoing decorating project. By lunch, she'd made decisions on approximately seventeen different items and was feeling quite productive.
She was also feeling restless.
"I'd like to see the town," Carol announced over lunch, looking at Caspian. "The market, specifically. Are you free this afternoon to show us around?"
Caspian paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. "You want to visit Frostmarch town?"
"Yes. I've been at the estate for over three months and haven't seen anything beyond the walls." Carol smiled hopefully. "I'd like to see your domain. And I heard there are excellent shops."
"And food stalls," Bea added, clearly interested. "I've been told the northern honey cakes are exceptional."
"They are," Jasper confirmed. "I had some last time I passed through the region. Very good."
Caspian set down his fork, considering. "The market is quite active in the afternoons. It would be crowded."
"I don't mind crowds," Carol said. "Please? I promise not to spend too much." She paused. "Actually, that's a lie. I'll probably spend quite a bit. But I'd really like to see the town."
Something shifted in Caspian's expression—that almost-smile that Carol was learning to recognize.
"Very well," he said. "After lunch, I'll arrange an escort."
"An escort?" Carol asked.
"Standard procedure when the Duke and Duchess visit the town," Caspian explained. "A small guard detail for security."
"Can Mochi and Shadow come?" Carol asked hopefully.
"You want to bring the apex predators to the market," Caspian said, though it wasn't quite a question.
"They need socialization," Carol said. "And fresh air. And I don't want to leave them alone."
"They'll terrify the merchants," Jasper pointed out.
"They're adorable," Carol countered. "Look at them."
Both creatures were indeed being exceptionally cute at the moment—Mochi was dozing in a sunbeam, and Shadow was attempting to chase his own tail.
"Fine," Caspian said. "The creatures can come. But you're responsible for them."
"Deal!"
◆◆◆
Two hours later, Carol found herself walking through the gates of Frostmarch town with quite the entourage.
Caspian walked beside her, dressed in formal but practical attire—a dark coat over a white shirt, his silver hair tied back.
Jasper and Bea followed just behind, looking around with interest. Mochi trotted at Carol's feet, his twin tails swishing, while Shadow padded along on a leash that Carol held (though she suspected the puppy could break it easily if he wanted to).
Four guards accompanied them at a respectful distance, led by a stern-looking officer named Captain Thorne who'd been left in command of the estate guard during Caspian’s campaign.
The town of Frostmarch was larger than Carol had expected. Stone buildings lined cobblestone streets, with shops displaying their wares in windows and on outdoor tables. The market square bustled with activity—merchants calling out prices, customers haggling, children running between stalls.
And every single person stopped what they were doing when they noticed the Duke's party approaching.
The silence spread like a wave through the market.
Carol felt suddenly very visible.
"They're staring," she whispered to Caspian.
"You're the Duchess," Caspian said quietly. "And this is your first public appearance. Of course they're staring."
"Right. No pressure."
People began bowing as they passed. Carol tried to smile and nod politely at everyone, though she could hear whispers starting up behind them.
"That's her?"
"The Duchess?"
"I heard she was terrible—"
"—but my cousin works at the estate and says she's changed—"
"Look at those creatures!"
"Is that a Dreamweaver cub?"
"And a shadow wolf! How does she—"
"—must be a witch—"
"—charmed them with dark magic—"
Carol's eyes widened. "Did someone just call me a witch?"
"Ignore it," Bea murmured. "Let your actions speak for themselves."
They reached the first row of shops, and Carol's attention was immediately caught by a display of beautifully carved wooden items—boxes, figurines, decorative pieces.
"Oh, these are lovely," Carol said, stopping to examine a small carved bird.
The merchant—a middle-aged woman with clever hands and wary eyes—curtsied quickly. "Your Grace. I... that is, thank you, Your Grace."
"Did you make these yourself?" Carol asked.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"They're beautiful. The detail is extraordinary." Carol picked up a small carved wolf. "Shadow, look. It's you."
The shadow wolf puppy sniffed the carving with interest.
The merchant's wariness began to soften slightly. "Would... would Your Grace like to purchase it?"
"Yes, please. And this bird. And—" Carol spotted a carved dragon. "Oh, definitely this one."
She glanced at Caspian, who was watching her with an unreadable expression.
"Is this acceptable?" Carol asked. "I'm not spending too much?"
"You've spent approximately three silver crowns," Caspian said. "I think the ducal treasury can manage."
The merchant's eyes had gone wide. "You're... you're buying three pieces, Your Grace?"
"They're beautiful," Carol said simply. "Why wouldn't I?"
After paying and having one of the guards carefully wrap the carvings, they continued through the market.
Carol stopped at nearly every stall that caught her interest.
A fabric merchant with gorgeous silks. A spice vendor with exotic blends. A jeweler displaying delicate silver pieces. A leatherworker with bags and belts.
Each time, Carol engaged the merchants in genuine conversation, complimented their work, and made purchases without haggling.
And each time, she glanced at Caspian to gauge his reaction.
He never said a word. Just stood beside her, occasionally nodding at merchants, letting her buy whatever she wanted.
"You're not going to comment on my spending?" Carol asked as they left the fifth shop.
"Should I?" Caspian replied.
"Most husbands would."
"The ducal treasury has more than enough to cover a few purchases," Caspian said. "Buy what you like. You're the Duchess. It's expected."
Carol felt a warm glow in her chest. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
They reached a stall selling items for pets—collars, bowls, cushions in various sizes.
"Oh, perfect!" Carol said. "We need supplies for when Mochi and Shadow get bigger."
"Much bigger," the merchant said nervously, eyeing the creatures. "Are those... are those really a Dreamweaver and a shadow wolf, Your Grace?"
"They are," Carol confirmed. "Do you have cushions that would work for creatures that will eventually be horse-sized?"
"I... I could make some, Your Grace. Custom-sized."
"Wonderful! I'll need two. Very comfortable ones. With extra padding." Carol thought for a moment. "Actually, make it four. They might want options."
"Four custom giant cushions," the merchant repeated faintly. "Yes, Your Grace."
Carol also purchased several bowls in graduated sizes, a collection of toys (even though Mochi and Shadow would probably destroy them quickly), and a set of grooming brushes.
"Your pets are very well-equipped," Jasper observed.
"They deserve the best," Carol said firmly.
As they continued through the market, Carol noticed the whispers were changing.
"She's buying from everyone—"
"—very polite—"
"—actually smiling at people—"
"—maybe the rumors were wrong—"
At a jewelry stall, Carol found a beautiful silver bracelet with intricate knotwork. "This is lovely. Bea, what do you think?"
"It's gorgeous," Bea said.
"Good. I'm getting it for you." Carol turned to the jeweler. "I'll take this one. And—" She spotted a set of cufflinks with subtle engraving. "These as well."
"For Jasper?" Bea guessed.
"Yes." Carol smiled. "And I should get something for Caspian too."
"I don't need anything," Caspian said.
"You brought me a puppy," Carol said. "I'm getting you something."
She browsed the display until she found a silver pin with a wolf design. Simple, elegant, masculine.
"This one," Carol decided. "It suits you."
The jeweler wrapped the other items, but Carol kept the pin in her hand.
"May I?" she asked Caspian, stepping closer.
He looked slightly surprised but nodded.
Carol reached up—he was tall, she had to rise on her toes slightly—and carefully pinned the silver wolf to his coat. Her fingers brushed against the fabric of his shirt, and she was very aware of how close they were standing.
"There," she said softly, adjusting it so it sat properly. "Perfect."
Caspian looked down at the pin, then at Carol, and something warm flickered in his green eyes. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She stepped back, but could still feel the warmth where her hands had touched his coat.
Jasper cleared his throat behind them. "Are we interrupting something?"
"No," Carol said quickly, her cheeks warming.
But when she glanced at Caspian, he was still touching the pin lightly with his fingers, as if testing its weight.
And he was almost smiling.
The guards following them were now carrying multiple packages, but Carol wasn't done yet.
"Is that a food stall?" Carol asked, spotting steam rising from a vendor's cart.
"Meat pies," Caspian confirmed.
"I want one."
"You just had lunch two hours ago."
"I'm eating for two," Carol said, already heading toward the stall. "The baby needs nutrition."
She heard Jasper choke on a laugh behind her.
The pie vendor looked terrified when he saw them approaching. "Y-Your Grace! Your Grace, I—"
"Are the pies fresh?" Carol asked.
"Yes, Your Grace! Made this morning!"
"Excellent. I'll take one. Actually—" Carol glanced back at her siblings, her pets and the four guards following at a respectful distance. "Make that ten. One for each of us."
"T-ten pies, yes, Your Grace!"
Carol bit into her pie and made a small sound of pleasure. It was delicious—flaky crust, savory filling, perfectly seasoned.
"Good?" Caspian asked.
"Very good," Carol confirmed. "Try yours."
"I'm not hungry."
"You're eating for me then," Carol said. "Come on. Just try it."
Caspian accepted the pie with what might have been the faintest hint of amusement and took a bite.
"Well?" Carol prompted.
"It's adequate."
"That means he likes it," Bea translated.
They continued through the market, Carol stopping to pet a merchant's cat, compliment a baker's bread display, and purchase honey cakes that were indeed exceptional.
By the time they'd made a full circuit of the market square, Carol had purchased:
● Three wooden carvings
● A bolt of silk fabric
● Exotic spices
● Silver jewelry for her siblings and Caspian
● Four custom-sized cushions for future giant pets
● Various pet supplies
● Multiple food items
● A beautiful set of hair combs
● A carved chess set
● Decorative candles
● A leather-bound journal
● And approximately fifteen other items that had caught her fancy
The guards were laden with packages.
"I think we should head back," Caspian said. "Before the guards collapse under the weight."
"Just one more stop," Carol said, spotting a flower seller. "I want fresh flowers for the estate."
She purchased an enormous bouquet—enough to fill several vases—and then finally declared herself satisfied.
As they walked back toward the estate gates, Carol noticed the whispers had changed completely.
"She bought from nearly every merchant—"
"—very generous—"
"—actually kind—"
"—not what we expected—"
"—maybe she really has changed—"
Carol walked beside Caspian, Mochi and Shadow keeping pace, her siblings chatting behind her, and felt satisfied.
"Thank you for bringing me today," she said to Caspian.
"You're welcome."
"I didn't spend too much, did I?"
"You spent approximately four hundred gold crowns."
Carol winced. "Is that too much?"
"The ducal coffers are well-maintained," Caspian said. "Four hundred crowns is negligible."
"Still. That's a lot for one afternoon."
"You purchased gifts for your siblings and me. Supplies for your pets. Items for the estate. And you supported nearly every merchant in the square." Caspian's lips twitched slightly. "I'd say that's money well spent."
Carol smiled. "I'm being a generous patron. You're welcome."
"Indeed."
They reached the estate gates, and Carol looked back at the town one more time. She could see merchants already closing up their stalls, counting their earnings from the afternoon.
"They were expecting me to be terrible," Carol said quietly.
"They'd heard rumors," Caspian confirmed. "Your previous behavior reached the town."
"But I was nice today."
"You were very nice today," Caspian agreed. "You complimented everyone's work. Made genuine conversation. Purchased generously. Treated everyone with courtesy."
"Good," Carol said. "I want them to know I'm not the person from the rumors."
"They will," Caspian said. "Word spreads quickly in Frostmarch. By tomorrow, everyone will know the Duchess is kind and generous."
"And possibly a witch who charms monsters," Carol added.
"That rumor might persist," Caspian admitted. "You do have an unusual affinity for dangerous creatures."
Carol looked down at Mochi and Shadow, both trotting happily alongside her.
"Worth it," she decided.
◆◆◆
That evening, Carol arranged her purchases in her chambers—gifts wrapped for her siblings, and Caspian's gift (purchased when he wasn't looking), new supplies organized for the pets, the wooden carvings displayed on her shelf.
"You had a good day," Lumi observed.
"I had a great day," Carol confirmed. "I explored the town, bought things I wanted, met some of Caspian's people, and Caspian didn't object to any of my spending."
"He seemed pleased that you wanted to see the town," Lumi said.
"He did, didn't he?" Carol smiled. "And he let me give him a gift. I pinned it to his coat myself."
"Very forward of you," Missy said with a grin. "Getting all close, touching his chest..."
"I was pinning a brooch!" Carol protested, though her cheeks warmed at the memory.
Four hundred gold crowns spent.
Multiple merchants made happy.
Townsfolk's opinions starting to shift.
Another successful day in her campaign to not die.
"I'm getting good at this," Carol said.
And judging by the way Caspian had looked at her when she'd insisted on buying him a gift, she thought he might agree.