Shopping


 * Rei, Claire, Misha, and Lene are sent to gather materials for the Order of the Academy at the Royal Capital market.
 * Claire feels this is degrading while Rei explains that they are serving the Order.
 * Because of the activity and number of people, Rei pragmatically offers her hand to Claire to which she aggressively denies.
 * Despite being the newest members, the Princes were not expected to shop.
 * Claire originally wasn't going to join Rei and Misha but was later convinced.
 * Because Claire was not going to carry any of the purchases, Lene was brought along.
 * Order of the Academy Shopping List:
 * Ten parchments
 * Twenty papyruses
 * Two vials of ink
 * One set of paints
 * One bundle of leather straps
 * One set of nails
 * Tea leaves
 * Tea confectioneries
 * The Order of the Academy often deals with ordinary requests.
 * Office work that maintains operations of the academy is the most common.
 * This also includes data input of various institutional activities.
 * Claire suggests that the party enjoy their time while shopping for confectioneries.
 * She suggest that they enjoy Blume's confectionery.
 * Misha objects due to the costs involved.
 * Lene, who did not anticipate personal shopping, is only carrying 100,000 gold.
 * Money
 * The kingdom's currency is gold.
 * For reference, 1 yen = 1 gold.
 * 100,000 gold is a substantial amount for commoners but pales in comparison to nobility.
 * In this respect, Blume prices are quite unreasonable.
 * As they decide against going to Blume, Claire makes eye contact with two beggar children.
 * One had an injured foot wrapped in bandages.
 * Misha explains how conflict with the Naa empire led to an increase in beggars as well as the cost of living.
 * As she stated it as a matter of fact, Lene looked at the beggars with sympathy.
 * Rei illustrates this as a difference between a former noble and a commoner.
 * What follows is a quick discussion of Sticky Wage Theory:
 * As prices are rising, wages have been falling behind.
 * Employers choose to raise wages by a small amount and slowly.
 * This is due to difficulty lowering wages once raised.
 * There is an argument whether it is the employers' responsibility.
 * Another point to realize is that some employers are also commoners.
 * During the discussion, Claire broods silently.
 * At that same moment, the François Head Maid notices Claire.
 * She was sent by Dor to bring Claire back with her.
 * Although Claire states she's conducting an errand, Dor was insistent that she come back.
 * Given that there was no room for denial, Claire heads back with the Head Maid.
 * They meet with Dor at a luxurious carriage.
 * Claire explains her business to Dor to which he feels that he should take priority.
 * Dor decides, despite commoner status, to allow the group to travel together as they all shop.
 * During the ride, nobody talked causing Dor to start a conversation about school.
 * Claire brings up the commoners' movement.
 * Dor is insulted by it, calling it a foolish interpretation of the meritocracy policy.
 * He then states his opposition to it.
 * He then asks Rei's opinion on the matter.
 * Claire is surprised by Dor's question as well as remembering her name.
 * Dor responds with curiosity as he's heard of Rei's outstanding academic results.
 * Rei iterates, as she told Claire, that she only cares to be by Claire's side.
 * Dor presses by asking if Rei wants an improvement to her quality of life.
 * Rei responds by saying that Claire's happiness is all that matters to her.
 * What follows is a brief stare down between the two.
 * Dor finally comments that Rei knows "her place" and wishes to see more commoners like her.
 * Rei narrates that she may refuse going along with the movement but she has never believed it to be worthless.
 * It has admirable aspirations.
 * It's a good idea to close wealth inequality.
 * She just wants to be at Claire's side which is the highest priority.
 * Dor decides to reward them with Blume sweets and asks the Head Maid to drive the carriage there.
 * He also stresses his influences by asking the group to use his name if their detour gets them in trouble.
 * He asks the group if they have ever eaten chocolate in a manner that reminded them of their gaps in status.
 * With the aid of Dor's carriage, they are able to go to Blume, finish their errands, and return back to the academy earlier.
 * The Order of the Academy was also amazed that the group was able to bring them back chocolate as well.

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