"Welcome!" An enthusiastic greeting showered us the moment we entered the apparel store. The interior had this antique air from the colors and vibe, which was further complimented by the vintage-looking furniture around the store.

All in all, the visual was almost perfect.

"What a blessing it is to have the chance to meet both the Thousand Sage and the Fourth Prince in the same place." Continue the man in the dark brown suit with a tail similar to a butler's.

Towering over two meters or so, the warm hue from the chandelier was closely reflected on his smooth scalp. With one monocle hanging on his right eye and the neatly styled goatee, he gave off the image of a formidable yet refined and deep character.

"Forgive me for being presumptuous, but is this personage the young master of Dawson?" He turned to me.

"Hello, Sir. It's nice to meet you. My name is Alexander Von Dawson. Might I ask your name?" I opened with manner.

"It is an honor of mine, young master. Gilbert Helington, at your service...And is the fine gentleman here his Grace, the Duke, youngest son?" Asked him again, lowering himself to better catch the boy's eyes.

"He is my little brother. Adam, be a good boy and introduce yourself to Sir Helington." I urged the little rascal whose eyes had been swimming around the store since we arrived.

"Yeah-...Yes, brother. I'm...My name is...Adam Von...Dawson...It is nice to...meet you...Sir Helington?" His speech was a little broken due to his scarce experience in using a polite tongue, but all in all, it was good.

I ruffled the boy's head tenderly and couldn't help but slip a pinch on his cheek once after seeing how cute he was.

"It seems we got ourselves a refined gentleman over here. It is nice to meet you too, young master Adam." Replied the man in tandem, sporting a soft smile.

"Sir Helington here owns the Helington Apparel, Alex. The best of the best when it came to men's clothing! His designs and taste not only grasp the deep context that comes from the traditional style, but they also have that allure from which creativity and innovation can offer." Explained Howard, beaming.

"As always, the fourth Prince's words never fail to brighten this old man's day. It's only due to your mercy and loyal patronage that I can get to be so lucky. Don't you agree so, Master Lodrick? Hohoho~." Laughed the man merrily. His thick baritone voice rang soothingly as he exchanged a round of pleasantries with Howard.

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"I believe Prince Howard is not giving you an empty merit in this occasion, Gilbert." Answered Sir Lodrick.

It was the first time I've ever seen Sir Lodrick being that casual with someone else. It did surprise me a bit; not gonna lie.

"He must've left you in the dark about this, young master. Sir Lodrick here is a benefactor of mine." Explained Sir Helington, catching the fleeting confusion in my countenance.

'Ah, I see...' My eyebrows lifted knowingly.

"Can I ask why you decided to open your store here in the city of Germund, Sir Helington? Isn't it better for you financially to have your store in the royal capital?" I asked, making a small talk while he guided us to a room.

"I did have a store in the royal capital, young master. This store is but a branch of it." Remarked the man, gesturing to his employees to hand us the catalogs. And, by us, I meant to Sir Lodrick and Howard.

Adam was sitting on my lap, busying himself with his small, colorful cube toy, which I asked someone to make some time ago while I talked with Sir Helington.

Anyway...

"I've always felt the burden of constraints to be especially heavier in the royal capital. And since both the fourth Prince and Master Lodrick were here, I decided to open up another branch here and pack up my suitcase; hence, here I am. However, working on the license and all the required paperwork with the House of Dawson by no means was easy, hohoho~." Expressed the man.

"Burden of constraints?" My neck swerved a little to the side curiously.

"He meant everyone in the royal capital always orders the same thing and despises changes, Alex...What do you think about this model, but with a different color, Sir Lodrick?" Interjected

Howard briefly before he delved back into another deep discussion with Sir Lodrick.

The man carefully and skillfully took it upon himself to put the tea for Adam and me while engaging in the conversation at the same time. "Patrons like the fourth Prince, who tends to his own clothing, are far and between. Most of the noble lords usually leave the matters of their clothing to their butlers. If they see something they like somewhere, they might try to find out about it, but for most cases, they rarely come and choose for themselves."

'Well...I guess I'm one of them.' For better or for worse, I was someone who always wore whatever was given to me because I didn't trust my fashion sense that much.

"Hence, this store serves as a way for me to relive my passion and squeeze out that last ounce of creativity while I still can." Grinned Sir Helington enigmatically.

"Yes. Alex, you're done, right? Now, scooch and play with Adam. We, men, have things to talk about." Remarked Howard with a frown, shooshing me away.

'You're shooshing me? This punk...Can I smack his head once?'