The merchant’s aura was overpowering and far too charming in a way that reminded me of Maximus. He seemed to notice and relaxed. With his charming aura gone he could almost be mistaken for an ordinary man. Almost.

“Cassandra,” I replied, “Would you happen to be the merchant Silas Toll?”

“I would,” he answered, “Were you looking for me?”

“I was hoping you would be able to help me find something.”

“Is it something specific?” he asked with interest.

“Unfortunately not,” I told him, “That is why I need your help.”

“Why don’t we take this conversation to a private dining room,” he brought up, “Bring as many guards as you like, and I will bring the wares I have with me right now to give you a basic idea of what I can offer. Something like a sample case.”

“That would be perfect,” I replied, and Silas went to reserve the private dining room.

I took the opportunity to contact the others about my plans before going to the private dining room Silas had reserved for business. It was definitely meant for business rather than dining. Silas was already waiting inside with a suitcase and two boxes.

He smiled when I stepped in. “Sit down and tell me what details you can,” he prompted.

“As you already know I am the new tenth princess,” I began, “I came to the Lion Port to find something to create my image.”

“Your image,” he mused, “Which direction were you planning on taking? Most princes and princesses choose something shocking, peculiar, or likeable. Think of King Nero and his duck.”

I paused as I thought about it. I always thought of that duck when I thought of Nero but it had never occurred to me that it was his chosen image.

“What do you want people to think of when they think of you?” Silas continued, “Do you want them to feel at ease, be intimidated, or perhaps even underestimate you?”

“I think being at ease would be best. I can be intimidating when it is necessary but I don’t want that to be my main image,” I answered.

“The most important thing is that you like whatever it is that you choose.”

Something that would put people at ease that was shocking, peculiar or likeable, and it had to be something I liked. Nero had gone with a pet but Rosalind definitely didn’t have one. Then again, I heard she completely changed her image after marrying the Head Magician. I should have asked her before I left.

“What about those cookies,” Storm suggested, “They are already your exclusive and you seem to take some everywhere.”

“You just want to eat more cookies,” I accused.

“Cookies?” Silas asked, “Ah, that might be a good idea. There was a very popular princess that was once famous for her delicious snacks. People would come from everywhere to sample her homemade masterpieces.”

I was about to correct him when I realized he was right. However, there was one problem. “I don’t think I am bad at making cookies, but I haven’t really tried to bake them myself.”

“That is an easy issue to solve,” Silas replied, “A lady as bright as you should be able to master baking in no time. I could introduce you to a number of specialists-”

“Don’t give her false hope,” Storm broke in, “I have been trying to cook delicious things for years, but no matter what I do it always tastes disgusting.”

“I don’t think you are a lost cause either,” Silas told him, “But training you to cook would definitely be more difficult than the princess. I have an eye for talent.”

Storm scowled. “Oh? Then what am I talented in?”

“Poisons,” Silas replied, “Most likely why you are having trouble cooking.”

Poisons? I glanced over at Storm, who was clearly irritated, but I couldn’t see anything that would point to him being a master of poisons. Had Silas used some sort of magic? And being a poison master was causing Storm trouble with cooking?

“Is there a problem?” Storm asked, meeting my gaze.

“No. I was just wondering about some things,” I replied.

“So that little detail didn’t scare you off?” He asked, “You truly are defenseless for a princess.”

“If you are the kind of danger that you keep hinting that you are, I wouldn’t stand a chance regardless of whether or not I kept you close or cowered in fear,” I pointed out.

Storm nodded in agreement. “True. Cowards are annoying but not much more.”

“So, princess,” Silas interjected, “Would you like my assistance with your image? I may not have anything personally, but I am sure that I can introduce you to many people who could help you master cookies perfectly.”

“Cookies are a good start, but I feel like I am missing something,” I answered, “I have been thinking about it, and I think just having one image isn’t going to work very well. Two contrasting images would be better.”

“So for your second, what direction will you go?”

“Perhaps intimidating? I am not certain, but I think I will know it when I see it.”

“I think courageous suits you best,” Storm mused, “Even when most people would surrender you keep pushing forward.”

“Isn’t that perseverance?” I asked.

“It depends on the situation. At least, that is how I see it.”

“It can,” Silas agreed as he opened his suitcase, “I don’t think I have anything with that kind of image on hand, unfortunately.”

“That’s fine. I will just take a quick look through what you do have,” I told him.

In his suitcase there were incredible treasures. I knew dragons existed but the amount of items made partially from dragon scales was incredibly large. Dragons did not necessarily hoard treasure, but they were incredibly haughty and collected their own scales with pride. It was dragon custom to respect the dragon with the greatest collection, so no dragon would easily part with any of them. Silas couldn’t have stolen them either. No matter how skilled he was we would have at least heard something.

Then there were many delicate luxury items, jewelry, decorations, and even a dagger that looked fragile enough to snap if it were pinched with any amount of pressure.The woodcrafts were incredible, almost as if the artisan had grown them into shape instead of carving. Every item in the suitcase he brought was top quality.

Then he opened one of the boxes to reveal several orbs that had captured various scenery. There was one with a twinkling night sky. Another was a pristine beach with the water gently flowing up and down the shore. There were snowy mountains, jungle, meadow, fluffy white clouds, sunset, and even various famous castles and creatures. All of it was perfectly three dimensional as if they held a tiny world inside.

The second box held fabric that changed color in the light, fabric that resembled the night sky incredibly, fabric that seemed like someone had stripped off the surface of water and turned it into a bolt of cloth. It was all incredibly remarkable. I was particularly taken with the gradient sunset to dusk fabric, but I had nothing to use it for so I decided against buying it.

“Your reputation was well earned,” I complimented, “If I ever need anything I will be sure to look for you. Let me know right away if you have any items that you think would match the second image.”

“Of course,” Silas promised with a smile, “Please do the same if you come up with any further ideas. It is always a pleasure to work with royalty.”

I wasn’t sure if I was a special case, but Silas did not appear to be flattering me. He seemed to be truly enjoying his business. That must be why he would choose to do the same thing again when given a second chance.

We parted and I left to update the others and discuss our immediate plans.