Nathaniel stepped into the training room with Bella at his side. Hope lay on the floor panting while Ralia looked down on her with a smile. He carried a three-foot long case at his side. A table materialized in front of him, and he set the case onto it.

“It’s completed,” Nathaniel said pulling out the latest version of the arcane rifle. He pressed the rune on the side and the barrel extended. “Damn, I love these runes,” Nathaniel laughed giddily, “Who wants to try it first?” The women looked at each other.

“It looks interesting… but I’ll pass,” Ralia said, rubbing her spear, “It wouldn’t benefit me much with my talents.”

Hope gave a nervous smile, “I…want to get better with melee weapons first before I start with range weapons,”

“I’ll try it,” Bella said taking the gun.

“Seneschal, prepare a target,” a maintenance bot came in and built a target wall for them. Nathaniel guided Bella into the appropriate stance to hold the weapon, “Your off hand needs to be on the stock for balance, and you want the butt of the stock to rest against your shoulder,” Ralia growled at how close the two of them were which brought a small smile to Bella’s face, “Line up the sight at the end of the barrel with the two on the stock, and keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire.”

“Ready,” Bella nodded.

Nathaniel gently moved her right thumb to the safety switch, “This is the safety. When it’s up like this then the gun won’t fire. Pull it down with your thumb,” he heard the switch click, “Now gently squeezed the trigger.” He stepped away.

Bella took a few breaths, then pulled the trigger. A blast of arcane energy shot from the muzzle and blasted a hole in the target but dispersed before hitting the wall. Bella flipped the safety on and handed it back to Nathaniel with a large smile.

“That was exhilarating,” Bella laughed, “Would it be alright if I continued training with it?”

“Of course,” Nathaniel said putting the rifle back into the case and handed it to her, “You can have this one.”

Bella curtsied low, “Thank you master,” she smiled hugging the case, “I’ll cherish this.”

“Master, what about me!” Hope whined as she jumped all over him.

“I offered you a chance to use it, remember,” Nathaniel sighed gently shoving her away, “You have only yourself to blame.” Hope stared up at him with watery eyes, “How about I get you a present when we go to Rumand tomorrow.”

Hope cheered hugging Nathaniel tightly, “Thank you.”

“You’re spoiling her rotten,” Ralia scoffed.

“Don’t complain,” Nathaniel kissed her forehead, “I spoil you too.” Ralia gave him a small smile as he walked away, “Can I trust you to get them ready for tomorrow, Bella?”

“Of course,” Bella ushered the two girls out, “You can trust me.”

Nathaniel made his way back to the central chamber. Several maintenance bots were moving the crates full of his wares outside and loading them onto the cart. He watched them from the display when a small blur of movement caught his attention.

“Seneschal, magnify on the brush,”

The image zoomed in on the bushes. Barrett sat crouched in the brush staring intently at the dungeon entrance.

“He’s been there for a while,” Seneschal said, “Should I chase him away?”

“No, but keep an eye on him,” Nathaniel pulled up the project list, “How are we looking with Project Paladin?”

“We’re still running short on materials,” Seneschal said, pulling up the list, “We’re short two bars of orichalcum ore and six mithril. Hopefully this newest batch of weapons can get us the materials needed.”

“If we can’t, can we substitute with another material?” Nathaniel scratched his chin, “I’m concerned about the monsters attacking sooner than expected.”

Three dots cycled on the screen. Then newer images popped up.

“We can supplement the missing mithril with steel,” Seneschal showed the alloy’s properties, “However, the heavier steel may place more of a strain on the armor’s power core.”

“What if we increase the power core to a level three core?”

“That should work. A level three power core will still be of an appropriate size to fit onto the under-armor.”

“Then let’s prepare some steel then,” Nathaniel said, “If I can’t get the rest of the mithril, then we’ll go with the steel-mithril alloy.”

This was the first time Nathaniel felt claustrophobic. Bella and Ralia sat with him on the bench of the wagon, pressed tightly against him, and Hope sat on his lap humming. The guards chuckled as they waved him into the city.

The main street was decorated with a multitude of flowers and ribbons. Most of the stalls weren’t selling their usual wares, instead they were loudly hawking corsages of many colors. Nathaniel noticed that men and women walking alone wearing white corsages, couples wearing matching red ones, and families where the parents wore purple and the children green or yellow.

“Sir, sir!” a seller waved him down, “Would you care to buy a corsage for you and your…lovely companions?” His smile faltered when he noticed the nonhuman features, “It is Teserra’s wedding after all.”

“Sure,” Nathaniel said fishing out a few coins.

“Excellent. What… colors?”

“The green one,” Hope smiled, “It’s really pretty.”

Bella took another look around, “Red, please,”

“I’ll take a red one too,” Ralia smiled viciously.

“I changed my mind!” Hope yelled, “I want a red one.”

Nathaniel sighed with an amused smile, “Red as well,”

The vendor’s eyes took all of them, his smile completely broken, “You are… quite the lucky man,” he said.

“I guess I am,” Nathaniel smiled as he snapped the reins.

“This Teserra must be important if everyone is celebrating her wedding,” Bella said pinning on Nathaniel’s corsage, “Will we be able to get through the city?”

“This is a holiday in remembrance of her wedding,” Nathaniel shifted Hope on his lap, “This is a day to celebrate love, most prominently lovers.”

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Ralia started laughing, “Now I know why he made that face,” she said leaning against him, “He must have been jealous.”

“Let’s go with that,” Nathaniel chuckled.

They continued down the road, slowly due to the number of people, until they came to Quarmane’s trading house. Like the street vendors, they were also selling corsages along with expensive jewelry. The staff waved to him as they unloaded his cart.

“Welcome back, and the blessings of Teserra on you,” the worker said, “Master Quarmane will be pleased to see you.”

“Porman’s here?”

The trading house workers gawked at Hope as she ran down the halls. They gestured at her mithril limbs, and several of the agents stared at Hope hungrily. They were led to the office. Porman sat behind the desk going over a series of documents. He peeked over his glasses and smiled when Nathaniel approached.

“Good to see you again,” Porman shook his hand. His gaze turned to the women, “I see my son’s been taking care of you.”

“You could say that,” Nathaniel said sitting across from him, “But I wasn’t expecting to see you again until this winter.”

“I wanted to check in on Cymella,” Porman smiled looking at Ralia, “She wants you to know she has a few more months left.” Ralia scoffed while rolling her eyes.

“How is her pregnancy going?” Nathaniel said.

“Very well, but she’s at that phase where she has weird cravings,” Porman laughed, “The chef was in tears when I was visiting,” his laugh quickly ended as he pulled out a notebook, “Truthfully, I was waiting for you.”

“Did you need me for something?" Nathaniel leaned forward.

“I received a… special request,” Porman glared at him, “From the Saint.”

“Maria?”

“Yes,” he opened the notebook, “She wants you to make her a ‘years’ worth of lingerie,’” he gave Nathaniel a hard stare, “Have you been holding out on me?”

Nathaniel stared dumbfounded, “Did you tell her I’m alive?”

“Anyone with an average intelligence could tell you’re still alive,” Porman scoffed, “Now, tell me what this lingerie is.”

Nathaniel sighed, “It’s women’s undergarments… from my world,” Porman looked at him confused.

“Master,” Bella stepped up to them blushing, “We… can show him ours?”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course,” Ralia said stripping. She seemed to enjoy the attention.

Hope and Bella followed her lead and removed their clothes. Porman rose from his seat and inspected them closely. He nodded and smiled as he took in the details.

“How interesting,” Porman said, “So they can be adorable to…sensual,” he turned to Nathaniel and grabbed him by the shirt, “Why have you not mentioned this to me. We could have made a fortune!”

“I didn’t think about it,” Nathaniel tried pulling away, “It’s not like you have department stores here to sell them in!”

“Department store? What’s a department store?” Nathaniel gave him a basic description, “You’re… telling me… that you had stores that sold clothes separately? What about tailors and seamsters?”

“We still had them, but tailored clothes were a luxury,”

Porman stroked his chin with a crooked smile, “This is… quite interesting,” he said, “What do you think I need to open my own ‘department store?’”

“Well, first you’ll need to differentiate between sizes,” Nathaniel said finally breaking free, “For example, back home, some clothes were categorized by small, medium, and large while others were averaged numerical sizes. Then, you’ll need to find a way to make a large quantity of clothes.”

“Then it’s a good thing you’re here,” Porman chuckled.

Nathaniel smirked, “Then I expect a decent cut of the profits,”

Porman gave a hearty laugh, “Looks like I’m rubbing off on you son,”

Nathaniel sat at his desk scribbling on a piece of parchment. One of the Quaremane’s maids was led out of the common room by Bella. The maid gave him a sly smile before the door closed. Nathaniel sighed heavily as he ran his hands through his hair.

“I don’t think this is worth it,” Nathaniel groaned.

“You’re not enjoying seeing these women in their undergarment?” Bella chuckled.

Ralia came up behind him, “I agree with you master,” she said massaging his shoulders, “Someone else should be responsible for making this size scale for the merchant.”

“That’s why you’re my favorite Ralia,” Nathaniel smiled when Bella pouted, “Besides, I don’t need them to take their clothes off. My [Intuition] can give me their measurements just by looking at them.”

“They just want to earn your favor,” Bella said with a smirk, “And there’s no better way than showing a little skin.”

“It’s not as effective since I have a slave that likes to run around naked,” Nathaniel smirked as Ralia dug her nails into his flesh.

“I’m making myself ready for you,” Ralia growled digging further into his shoulders, “It’s a male’s responsibility to spread his seed, and a female should be ready to accept it.”

“I see, thank you for educating me,” Bella smirk starting to undo her dress. Her face was deep purple.

“Stop!”

Bella’s smile grew, “Didn’t you say a woman should be ready for a man to breed her?”

“Enough you two,” Nathaniel sighed, “I need to finish this chart.”

“Sorry master,” They both said.

Hope burst into the room, “Master, let’s go outside!”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Bella smiled, “It’d be a waste not to enjoy the festivities.”

“You’re right,” Nathaniel laughed raising to his feet, “Let’s go ladies.”

They wandered around the decorated streets. Hope ran in front, pointing out everything that drew her attention, while Ralia and Bella clung to his side. Nathaniel had to turn off his [Intuition] because it kept pointing out the nasty looks. Bella tightened her hold on his left arm when they passed a group of men with white flowers. Their eyes lingered on Bella and Ralia.

“Look!”

Hope drew everyone’s attention to a large open pavilion. Crowds gathered around the center as a couple stood with a priest. After a few words, the couple kissed and exchanged their red flowers for purple ones, and the crowd cheered as they walked off holding hands. A few minutes later, another couple approached the platform.

“Maybe I should have gotten the purple corsage,” Bella laughed when Nathaniel looked at her, “I’m your wife, remember.”

“When did this happen!” Ralia growled tugging on his arm.

“It was her cover when I brought her a few months ago,”

Bella dragged him towards the crowd, “Not if we actually get married,” she smirked at Ralia.

Hope grabbed onto him, “No, I want you to dance with me,” she pointed to another part of the square where people were dancing.

“Alright Hope,” Nathaniel pulled free from the women, “Let’s go dance.”

Hope laughed as they joined the dancing. To call it dancing was a bit of a stretch since the two spun around in a circle. After a few minutes, Ralia took Hope’s place with her tail wrapped around his waist. Dancing with Ralia was just as simple as with Hope, but she pressed herself close making it more sensual. When the song ended, Bella stole Nathaniel away. Of course, the prim and proper elf knew how to dance, and it was beyond his skill. She threw in twirls, dips, and chasses. By the end of the song, Nathaniel was panting, but he couldn’t stop the smile coming to his lips. Bella released a charming laugh as she took his arm and led him back to the other girls, who stared jealously at them.

Hope took Nathaniel’s hand and dragged him down the street. They bounced between stalls eating food, playing games, and buying souvenirs that could only be bought during the festival. Nathaniel watched as the women enjoyed a cup of sliced fruit with cream, their delighted faces brought a smile to his face. For a moment, the ghosts from his past surrounded the girls.

His parents were laughing as his mother wiped clean Hope’s face. Gordon, Ramses, and Moses stood next to Ralia, each offering her a piece of equipment they made. Lydia smiled next to Bella and gave him an approving nod. Nathaniel wiped his eyes, hoping to clear the tears before they fell.

“Master!” Hope ran up to him holding out a cup for him, “I brought you some.”

“Thanks sweetie,” Nathaniel leaned down and took the cup. He hummed in delight when he took a bite.

Hope leaned up to him and kissed his cheek, “I love you master,” She gave him a large smile.

“I love you too, sweetie,” Nathaniel pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.

“She’s not the only one!” Ralia stood over them with her tail swaying wildly.

Bella smiled down at them, “I’m grateful you have accepted me as family,”

“Why don’t we stay for the entire week,” Nathaniel laughed, “That way we can enjoy Teserra’s Wedding to the very end.” The women nodded and dragged him down the road.

Nathaniel knocked onto the door to Porman’s office, “Come in,” Nathaniel stepped inside and Porman smiled at him, “How’s the project coming?”

“I have a rough chart for now, but it should be enough to start making the lingerie in bulk,” Nathaniel said handing over the parchment, “A skilled tailor should be able to make any adjustments.”

“Excellent,” Porman laughed, “I’ll have my clerks get familiar with this chart while you make product.” He slipped the paper into his desk, “I was able to acquire the orichalcum you wanted. However, I couldn’t secure the mithril. The dwarven kingdom of Nevran heavily regulates the amount of mithril and adamantium bars.”

“That makes sense, considering how valuable they are,” Nathaniel sighed, “But what about orichalcum?”

“Orichalcum has less uses,” Porman said, “It makes terrible weapons and armor because it’s so soft, and there isn’t a market for enchanted jewelry since not enough jewelers are skilled enough to work with it. The only ones who work with it a lot are the arcanists who use it for wands, staves, and the mana chambers.”

“Then that benefits me in the long run,” Nathaniel chuckled, “I’d appreciate it if you could gather as much orichalcum as you can.”

“Big plans then,” Porman gave him a devilish smile.

“Yes, and in exchange, I’ll even invent maternity clothes for your new store,”

Porman’s eyes gleamed brightly, “I’m looking forward to that,” he chuckled, “And I’d like to get lingerie for my wives.”