They traveled the alleyways within the shopping district with the ease of years of practice. While they took turns following their parents on trips to get their goods and come back, two of them (usually Alani and someone else) always ended up in the city to watch out for the house and the stall, especially after they got old enough to get by. The one who made the best use of both ways was, perhaps, Samir. By now, they knew virtually everyone from the district, and either made direct or… indirect transactions with them all. Gabe remembered the day she confronted them about their escapades to be one of the few in which she was genuinely furious with her sister and maybe that was why Samir very quickly and concisely explained that she was not doing anything truly illegal, just exploring a loophole in the law. It seemed like the prices for people buying shipping goods for individual vs commercial purposes were different, and technically, she was buying it for herself since she had no establishment tied to her name (As either the owner or in the line to inherit). The law enforces didn’t need or even want to know she intended to sell to other shops for slightly less than their commercial prices, so they continued to do so until they had connections with a multitude of people. Hence, their trip would have some stops before heading to the healing street to get some… Special medicine.

They soon took turns enough to reach the back of another store, on the edge of the noble district. Most of the shop owners there had some contact with nobles, but few interacted with the Royals themselves. Lucky for them, Samir had ties with a couple of those.

Samir gave Gabe one last look to check if she was ready before hitting the door 3, 1 and 2 times.

“Samir! My girl!” A young man covered in a heavy apron greeted them warmly, “You came earlier than expected, did you get the jewels already? Fast as usual.”

Samir cringed at the greeting but held the offered hand in greeting.

“Not yet, Marcus, but it will be here when I told you it would. Came in for something different this time.”

They made way to show Gabe behind and the future owner of the jewelry shop raised their brows when he saw her.

“Your sister, isn’t she? I don’t believe we’ve been introduced yet.” Most of Samir’s private clients knew of their family, although they kept their distance from them by their request.

“I’m Gabe,” she raised her hand for another shake, “You must be Mr Fontelle.”

“Please, just Marcus. mr Fontelle makes me feel old,” he smiled, “Well, why don’t you come in?”

The Fontelle family was well established enough to have their residence somewhere else, so when they came in, they only saw the bits and pieces of a mix of metallurgy and ornaments manufacturing. Because the Fontelle senior was still the face of their shop, he stayed at the front to greet clients, and the younger one spent most of his time at the back, making the pieces.

“So, how can I help you?” He indicated the chair at the corner for them to sit, but they politely refused. If everything went right, they would be quick, “you know, if your intention was to buy a present for your kin, going in through the front door would be more efficient,” he teased.

“Not a transaction today, Marcus. Or rather, not a physical one,” Samir went straight to the point, “We would like to get some information. For a price, of course.”

Marcus seemed to think, sweeping his blue eyes from Samir to Gabe then Gabe to Samir.

“… And what is this information you request?”

“It appears we will soon have an opportunity to enter the Palace,” the surprise on his face was palpable, “to visit, of course. But who knows what this encounter might bring? I know you and your old man have dealt with the Royals before, so we would like to know anything that might be useful about the people and the place.”

“…And what would I receive in exchange?”

“Ten percent less next time you buy from me.”

“Fifty.”

“You’re joking now, Marcus,” Samir was the face of disbelief, “You’re asking me to buy your jewels for you!”

“Well, knowledge about the Royals is no small thing.”

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“Fifteen”

“Fifty, Samir. No less.”

Samir banged their hand on a nearby table, shaking the metal bits on top.

“Well, if you're so keen on being this way then kiss goodbye to this deal and all the others from now on! I might as well go to the neighboring store to see if they will respect me as they should,” they turned around and grabbed Gabe by the hand, bringing her with them, “Let’s go Gabe. We can ask the Johnsons, I heard they supply soap for a couple of Dukes.”

“Wait! Don’t be like this, yes? There’s no reason to get worked up like that. Let’s talk about it, ten? What about twenty?”

Samir stopped. When Gabe looked at them, she suppressed her wish to shake her head as her sister, for a moment, couldn’t resist the smile of victory. She told Gabe once that Samir had worked them like bread to make them think they were buying for a significant difference in price, an opportunity they could not lose. Would they risk it all for all but a couple of gossips about something they had spoken freely before? No, but at the same time, they would be too suspicious if Samir got there without an offer, they weren’t friends after all. The trick of faking outrage and threatening to cut ties wouldn’t work more than once or twice, but Samir told her that this whole marrying-the-prince event was important enough for them to use it. Their precious Gabe was worth it, they said.

They both felt the taste of success but they suppressed their emotions soon enough.

“Twenty then, Marcus. But I’m only coming around because I value you and your old man as my partners alright? We have to count on each other, friend!”

Marcus shook his head, sighing, but started speaking.

He had happened to sell for one certain female knight when she had gone undercover three years ago to investigate some illegal activity happening in the city, and she later invited them to go to the Castle to show some of their pieces to the Queen. After a throughout explanation of the layout and beauty of the places he visited while there and a lengthy admiration of the Queen’s virtues, Gabe intervened as if out of idle curiosity:

“What about the Prince? Did you get to see him?”

“Ah, the girls. They always have ask that, don’t they?” he chuckled, “He stopped by briefly to talk to the Queen Mother, yes.”

“And what was he like?” She spoke with genuine curiosity this time.

“Her Majesty's blood runs strong in that one,” he seemed to try to remember something as if the image in his memories were blurred somehow, “He seemed respectful to his elders and polite, but a little… distant perhaps. As if he was more on the other side of the veil, but it must be the fae’s blood coming through. Well, that’s not what you want to know though, right? Don’t be upset girlie, but he’s not as handsome as they say. A very ordinary appearance if I must say so.”

That last part was what Gabe wanted to know the least, but she forced herself to make a disappointed face.

“Well, a girl can dream” she sighed, “is he a nice person at least? Did he treat you well?”

“Adequately. He greeted us as it was fit, and mostly talked to his mother before eating some cake and leaving. Ah, he seemed to have a sweet tooth if I remember correctly! Perhaps you can bring some biscuits with you in case you run into him, yes?” He laughed at his own teasing. As if a commoner girl would have the chance to feed the Prince, he must have thought.

“…Perhaps I will,” she said, smiling as well.

They left the story soon after gratefully thanking Marcus for all of his goodwill and good deal.

“What do you think?” Samir asked, once again serious as they wasted no time going to the Johnsons next.

“It’s a picture at last. But we have to cross all the intel to make sure of what’s truth and what is the grandiose of the Royals and whatnot making an impression on him,” there was even a chance of the foul play of the charms and spells messing with his understanding of the events, but Gabe was avoiding thinking about it too much. If that was the case, nothing they could gather could be trusted and she needed to feel she had something to grasp right now.

“… but let’s get some biscuits on the way home,” she completed shortly after. Better safe than sorry.