Styxx rubbed at the small cuts she'd left behind on his flesh. He definitely didn't feel like getting her a present now. But if he didn't, his father would be furious.
It was expected, after all.
I better be quick. Ryssa would run to tell on him. He had no doubt. She always did. His heart pounding in fear of being caught in public without his manservant, he went into the next store, where he often bought gifts for his father.
He was rather surprised to find Master Praxis inside. But since this was usually Styxx's allotted study time with him, it made sense that Master Praxis would also be running errands.
His tutor inclined his head to him. "Prince Styxx ... How has your pursuit of a gift gone?"
"Futile so far, sir. But I'm hoping to find something here."
"Perhaps I could be of service?"
Styxx smiled at him. "I hope so, Master Praxis. Otherwise I won't have time before her banquet."
His tutor returned his smile. "Then let us count this as a lesson in economics."
Styxx was more than grateful for the help.
The owner came out from the back with a ring for Master Praxis. "Greetings, young prince."
"Greetings, Master Claudius." Styxx wandered about to look at the necklaces while his tutor finished his purchase.
"I take it you're not shopping for His Majesty," the owner asked as soon as he came over to assist Styxx.
"No, sir. My sister."
"Ah ... Her Highness was in here earlier." He pulled out a pair of pearl hair combs. Intricately engraved, they were very pretty. "One of a kind. She was quite taken with them, but said she'd have to ask your father for the price."
Styxx bit his lip. "How much?"
"For you, Highness, a tetradrachm."
"That's a bit steep, is it not?" Master Praxis asked the owner.
"These are the finest quality pearls available, as is the silver and gold. And the workmanship is in a class of its own."
Styxx sighed as his face warmed from even more embarrassment. "I'm afraid I don't have that much."
"How much do you have to spend?" the owner asked.
"Half of that." He'd brought all his savings, including the money he'd set aside for a set of dice he'd wanted to buy himself for his birthday next week.
"Would you be interested in a trade?"
Styxx hesitated then nodded.
"What you have, plus ... your fibula."
His heart clenched at the price. The king had given the brooch to him last year and it was one of his most prized possessions. He bit his lip in indecision.
Master Praxis frowned. "That's a dear cost, Highness. Perhaps she'd like a bracelet?"
She had drawers full of those....
"Did she really like it?" he asked the owner.
"She did, indeed."