Part-25

With a reserved smile, Jade gave a graceful nod in acknowledgment. Though Ben felt thoroughly confused over whatever inside knowledge or social scandal might link his fiery student to the gentle Miranda, he cleared his throat awkwardly. "While you two lovely ladies chat, let me fetch your custom box to see if the design suits your tastes, Madame Miranda."

Ducking behind the curtain dividing his workshop from the storefront, Ben retrieved the near-finished engraved oak box with silver filigree accents. He had labored for hours polishing and decorating the trinket chest to perfection. Emerging to present Miranda with his handiwork, he watched anxiously for her reaction. "It still needs a few final touches, some interior fabric lining and such. But please tell me if you wish to change anything design-wise before I call it complete."

"Oh do not alter a single detail - it is positively splendid just as is!" Miranda assured him sincerely, running a manicured fingertip along the intricate leafy patterns carved along the sides. "You possess such immense talent for bringing out wood's hidden beauty. I shall treasure this creation always." Little Lily, peeking curiously around her mother's flowing skirts, seemed equally enthralled by the ornate box with its whorls of vines and flowers. Her bright blue gaze kept trying to follow each engraved stem deeper across the dark oak grain.

Seeing both lovely females so enthralled with his workmanship made warm pride bloom through Ben's chest. "Well then, since it already passes your discerning eye for aesthetics Madame Miranda, I shall only need an hour or so extra to give it a few final embellishing touches." He smiled playfully down at young Lily who continued scrutinizing the box closely against her mother's hip. "And perhaps add a surprise element inside especially for you, little miss!"

Her round cheeks dimpling adorably, Lily hid her face against Miranda's side as the woman chimed a melodic laugh. "You spoil us indeed, kind Ben! Name your price then for this exquisite chest and I shall compensate you well for such dedicated artistry and rush work."

Mentally calculating the costs of rare imported silver filigree supplies, sandpaper sheaves, and hours of difficult chisel work, Ben offered a fair quote. "Let us say two and a half silver for the full commission. I also used some expensive ornamental metals which I had only enough coins leftover to purchase a single small sheet of."

Nodding agreeably, Miranda opened an elegantly embroidered silk coin purse and passed Ben five full silver coins without hesitation. "For going so far beyond expectation, please enjoy the extra as a bonus!" Flashing her dimples winsomely, Miranda then took Lily's little hand and prepared to depart. "We shall return tomorrow to retrieve my gorgeous new jewelry box. Come along, darling!"

Before Ben could fully process Miranda's excessive generosity or formulate any reply, she and Lily had already glided back down the village lane gracefully. Blinking down at the heavy silver coins resting on his calloused palm, a slow smile crept over the craftsman's face. Never before had he felt so appreciated for simple wood carvings - or so smitten by a customer. Glancing up, he noticed Jade watching him with a strange, almost smugly knowing look in her stormcloud eyes.

"Don't get distracted now, Master," she teased. "You have a gift to finish!" Mouth quirking slyly, Jade added, "Perhaps also consider lacing a love note within paper lining? I sense Madame Miranda would not be...opposed." Laughing aloud as Ben flushed bright scarlet at her audacity, Jade ducked back inside the shop. Perhaps having a sharp-eyed female apprentice around would prove more troublesome than anticipated, Ben realized. Especially one so eager to play (illegal) matchmaker! Shaking his head wryly, the flustered artisan followed Jade inside, mind already planning possible hidden elements inside Miranda's gift to surprise and delight her further...along with a subtly encrypted declaration for her alone.

As Ben immersed himself once more in his workshop, the rhythmic tap-tap of his chisel echoed against the sturdy wooden walls. Jade, ever the observant apprentice, couldn't help but linger on the edge of the curtain, casting an occasional glance at Ben's animated expressions as he crafted the final embellishments for Miranda's jewelry box.

With every stroke, Ben couldn't shake the image of Miranda's graceful fingers tracing the delicate patterns on the oak surface. He pondered over Jade's mischievous suggestion of including a love note. The idea intrigued him, and as he worked, he mulled over the perfect words to convey the feelings that had taken root within him.

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As the afternoon sun began its descent, casting a warm glow through the workshop, Ben meticulously cut a small slit into the fabric lining of the box. He carefully slid in a folded piece of parchment, its contents expressing the admiration and gratitude he felt but dared not utter aloud. With a gentle smile, he sealed the slit, ensuring the note remained discreetly nestled within the layers of velvet.

The hours passed swiftly, and when the final details were complete, Ben stepped back to admire his creation. The box now featured an intricate lock with a silver key, crafted to complement the overall design. He could hardly wait for Miranda to unlock the secrets held within.

Jade, sensing Ben's satisfaction with the finished work, couldn't resist another teasing remark. "Master, your craftsmanship is unparalleled, but remember, subtlety can be just as captivating as artistry. A hidden message, like a well-guarded treasure, might leave a lasting impression."

Ben told her, "Don't be mischievous. I can't do that."

In his thoughts, he reminded himself that Miranda was a married woman, emphasizing the importance of maintaining such fantasies within the realm of imagination. He believed that taboos like these should remain confined to the world of fantasy and not be brought into reality.

Part-26

As the village streets grew quiet with lengthening afternoon shadows, Jade stretched her arms and back from standing all day assisting customers. "I suppose I should head out to return to my inn for the night now that business has slowed, Master Ben," the raven-haired apprentice remarked.

Ben paused in sweeping wood shavings from the workshop floor. "You are staying at an inn currently, rather than with family?" Though runaway backstories were common enough in this mystical realm he had come to, the protective side of Ben still hesitated letting his young student wander alone at night.

With a nonchalant wave of her hand, Jade brushed off his mild concern. "Oh, I am quite alright living independently at present. Not ready to face my parents again after leaving so...dramatically." Her expressive features clouded momentarily with conflicting emotions. "Especially Father - he takes business and reputation very seriously. I shall have to grovel rather tremendously for worrying him by disappearing from that ball months ago, making a spectacle, and sullying our fine family name!"

She sniffed disdainfully, reminding Ben instantly of the arrogant noble daughters back in his era who cared only for status and gossip. Perhaps Jade's defiant independence made more sense given such a rigid upbringing. But recalling his own lack of parents now, Ben felt inclined to gently advise, "Do not reject or hurt them too long for fear of pride. The love of family can disappear quicker than you anticipate once gone."

Rolling her eyes good-naturedly, Jade nodded. "Yes, you speak truly Master. I give it only another week or so more before Father sends out a search party to drag me back forcibly! His temper may be volcanic but the old man loves his only heir too much to disown me over some youthful rebellion." A teasing glint entered her silvery gaze. "When he comes groveling for my return, I shall put him through plenty penance first!"

With that cheeky proclamation, his defiant apprentice sauntered out the door to leave Ben shaking his head and chuckling. Glancing at his status screen again now that he was finally alone, the craftsman's eyes widened in pleased surprise - only 10 more proficiency points remained to unlock his next Artisan skill tier! After the busy day's toy sales and custom box project, Ben nearly had enough woodworking experience to automatically upgrade his abilities.

Mentally reviewing the numbers again, Ben realized two particularly exceptional sales had pushed his skill exp gain over the threshold this time. First was lovely Madame Miranda's generous commission. Though 5 silver coins typically translated to 500 points normally, Ben had used over 100 points worth of imported metals, fabrics and sandpapers for her project. Still, that single custom order gave a tremendous boost towards his next milestone!

Even more impactful, however, was adding an outgoing female presence upfront attracting curious new customers. Having pretty Jade interfacing increased toy turnover immensely, bringing in far more child and fatherly buyers. Yes, Ben would need to establish regular apprentice sales percentages if this trend kept up! Perhaps also invest some profits into shop decor visuals catering to masculine sensibilities? The possibilities his fiery student opened up were endless.

Lost in planning potential store renovations, Ben nearly missed the timid knock at his workshop door as sunset bathed the sky in gold. Opening it revealed one of the scruffy village boys who often ran little street errands for spare coins. Wordlessly the child held up ten bronze pieces in his grubby palm, pointing towards one of Ben's simpler soldier figurines left unsold earlier. Hardly daring to breathe, Ben completed the transaction and waved the boy off with immense gratitude. As soon as the last bronze coin changed hands, a brilliant banner unfurled across Ben's sight:

[CONGRATULATIONS! You have unlocked your Shopkeeper System!]

[Reward Unlocked: Divine Skill - The Author's Touch]

As Ben grasped his trembling hands, tears of profound joy rising unbidden as all his lonely weeks of dedication finally bore Ultimate fruit, a subtle instinct warned this was only the beginning...for both his artisanal fate and intertwining community now dependent on his humble gifts. And for the first time since returning mystically to this realm, Ben felt assured he had found his True Place.