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.

Next: Courtyard incident

Previous: Form of government dialogue