I spend the next little while glaring, well at least a little, and blushing hard. In the end I don't really mind though. I set myself up for that little trap anyway. And a little teasing is fun anyway.

Besides I have preparations to make. I want to be ready when Urszula's father Krysztof drops by with my new dancing shoes. Yes, I want to get started on the enchantment right away, so I'll be done well before nightfall.

Working late isn't really a problem, as far as I'm concerned. I have done so quite often as of late to be honest. I'm not on my own right now though and I don't want to keep Elzbieta from getting the sleep she needs.

Humming along quietly, as Elzbieta sings while working the mana mill, I spread out everything I'll need on the workbench next to the enchanting table. My notebook with the prepared enchantments. The best chalks I have available right now. The design board with the necessary calculations.

I check everything and when I'm done I do so again. I even take a moment to thoroughly clean the enchanting table before drawing the circles and other supporting lines for the first enchantment with coal. I'm really just about ready to get started. Yet, I have to wait.

Elzbieta stops singing to laugh out loud instead, as she notices me pacing from the workbench in the backroom to the counter in the shop out front and then back. She winks at me and blows me a little kiss.

“Want me to take your mind off it?”

She doesn't say it out loud, but the suggestion is there and impossible to miss, for me at least. My blush deepens in response.

A chuckle and a knock from the direction of the door interrupt me, before I can form a response. It is, of course, Urszula's father. He holds up the sandals in question as he addresses me.

“I'm sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but I have the shoes you ordered.”

They may only be sandals, but they are anything but ordinary. Even just at a glance they look comfortable. They look well made and expensive too. Truly, they are one of a kind even without any enchantments.

Elzbieta seems to share my sentiment, as she lets out a whistle. She follows up with a chuckle of her own.

“Damn Valeria, just seeing those I wish I could go to the dance with you.”

The old man replies with a laugh.

“Don't worry. I dare to guarantee that these won't go bad or break anytime soon. I'm sure our young alchemist and enchanter will be able to take you to a dance soon enough. For midwinter maybe? Or possibly for the harvest fair?”

My blush doesn't get any better, as the two talk about these things without a care. In the end I can't help but smile though. I really don't dislike the idea after all. No, to be honest, the opposite is true.

“Should I try them on?”

The old man nods and gestures towards one of my stools.

“Yes. I have little doubt that they'll fit, but lets make sure anyway. Why don't you sit down and I'll help you. Pay attention and look closely. The long straps can be a little tricky at first.”

I do as he says and sit down on one the indicated stool, after moving it in position to make sure he has enough room. As I sit down I slip out of my old sandals too.

I certainly can see why some people might have trouble with the long straps. At a cursory glance they could be mistaken for a tangle of leather strings that makes no sense.

Nothing could be further from the truth though. Krysztof quickly demonstrates how to put on the sandals and more importantly how to tie the straps so they don't actually become a tangled mess. When he is finished they reach almost all the way up to my knees and I have to say, the sandals not only feel marvelous, they look marvelous too!

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

The old man smiles as he gets back up, satisfaction clearly visible on his face.

“Why don't you give them a twirl?”

He pauses and looks around the rather cramped workshop, before he continues.

“Out back maybe?”

I in turn am keenly aware not only of the comfortable leather, but also of the lack of the enchantment which I put on my old sandals. I agree with the old man anyway and get up as well. I don't head out to the backyard right away though. Instead I head over to Elzbieta. I extend a hand to help her up.

“How about it? Want to give my new shoes a little twirl?”

Now it is Elzbieta's turn to blush. Of course her blush never reaches the level of my own. It looks cute anyway. And without much hesitation she puts away the mana mill to accept my hand instead, so I can help her up.

Together we head out into the garden behind the house, where Urszula's father is already waiting for us. I don't waste any time and quickly change my pace to slip into one of the dances I have learned without missing a step.

It's nothing fancy. Elzbieta is in no shape to participate in some of the more exciting and acrobatic dances I have practiced with the trio of Rafal, Feliks and Lotar after all. She greatly enjoys the moment anyway and so do I.

And these new shoes really are a joy to wear. My old ones were well worn in, but these ones fit just as well right from the start. It seems like a little miracle to me.

The old man certainly seems pleased as well, as he watches us move, from his spot on the bench next to the door.

As neither he nor Elzbieta stops me I carry on for a little longer until I eventually end up with my arms wrapped around her, well mostly at least, from the back. I lean in close to whisper in her ear.

“I like the new shoes. How do you feel about them?”

A shiver runs through her body as my breath brushes past her ears.

“I'm not sure if it's the shoes, but maybe we can do this again some time? We probably should get back to work though, right?”

Both I and the old man laugh out loud and I let the pregnant adventurer go, although I'm reluctant to do so. She is right though. We need to get back to work. There is another little matter I need to take care off too.

“I'll be right back.”

I don't wait for a reply and head inside to make my way directly to the strong chest below the counter. Humming a happy little tune I get the coin I'll need. Then, after locking the chest again I head back outside, where Elzbieta has joined Urszula's father on the bench.

I drop the coins in the old man's hand without any further delay. He in turn lets them disappear in his purse with a nod. Then we shake hands one more time to finalize our business.

“Thank you for your patronage, Valeria, dear. Just drop by our place should you need anything else.”

“I'll keep it in mind. Thank you for making those on such short notice.”

He flashes me one last smile as he gets up again.

“Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back home. Have a nice day, you two.”

As I answer I do so in unison with Elzbieta.

“Have a nice day.”

I sit down next to the pregnant woman instead, while Urszula's father disappears around the corner to head back home.

“Want to get some new shoes for yourself too?”

She tilts her head and thinks about it for a little.

“Maybe? Some fancy new thigh high boots? Not right now though. Perhaps once I'm back in shape?”

We both chuckle for a moment. Then I help her up. We still have work to do after all. The mana mill awaits and so does the enchanting table.