Demon King's Gardener

"Your Highness! Good morning!" Exmarre greeted, immediately ushering the King to his board of clothing designs, "A royal wedding! I couldn't beg for a better opportunity to share my skills – and of course, I've been working on designs for the Hundred Years Ball and Royal Trials to follow!"

"Good morning, Exmarre," Jurao replied, looking over the many designs.

"This is why you've come to see me, is it not?" Exmarre asked, tail wagging as he watched the King.

"No," Jurao replied, "but it was for a related matter. If you would not mind, I thought to ask if you would fly me to Scagesmaes so I could search for Mahen's Tears."

Exmarre gasped, his expression reminding the King of Petty Princess Morvvan, before he said, "I would be delighted, Your Highness! Though I do still need to find a jeweler…"

"I heard," Emessi, the inspired demon seamstress from the city, said, hesitating before she added, "I heard that your uncle made the new ring you wear, Your Highness."

"Yes," Jurao confirmed, smiling as he looked down at the band, "Humans in the Reaches use rings when they propose – my aunt made the band, but my uncle cut the stone."

"May I?" Exmarre asked, gently taking Jurao's hand between his own at the King's nod. He turned it to examine the stone.

"Mesaes has been studying with the matriarch of the Unaome family," Jurao said.

"And it shows!" Exmarre declared, releasing Jurao before he added, "If you think he'd be interested, I'd happily hire him."

"I will let him know," Jurao replied with a nod.

"But, that's for another time – do any designs catch your eye?" Exmarre asked, waving to the board, "I have yet to ask your best friend, but I kept in mind his previous advice."

Jurao considered the designs again. He could spot several different styles, but noted, "You have not included any Imperial designs."

"Given our history, their envoy may believe you are mocking the empire by wearing their style of clothing," Exmarre supplied, and pointed to a few designs in particular as he added, "I included several Jostian designs after consulting with Aya and Malson, to instead emphasize your relationship."

"Yes, that makes sense," the King nodded, "Those designs, then."

Exmarre chuckled as he took down those designs, saying, "Well, there are only five of these – two I designed as more casual wear, and three as formal for more delicate political events. Do you wish to wear only Jostian fare, or do other designs interest you as well?"

Jurao sighed – he had forgotten how his station made wearing more than one outfit in a day necessary. Especially during an event like the Hundred Years Ball, where there would be formal events each night leading up to the final ball.

Emessi cautiously approached, glancing at the Royal Tailor before she said, "If you would like an opinion, Your Highness?"

"Yes," Jurao asked.

"Petty Prince Exmarre included designs that use the styles of each city," Emessi said with a smile, "I think… since the petty kings will be attending, it would be good to include those along with the human designs."

"Ah, yes, Forvi has spoken of this," the King said, "He bought Braelin a mountainhound wool shawl as a way to show support for the realm and progressive ideas."

"And excellent choice, on his part," Exmarre said, patting Emessi on the shoulder in support, "Though most would likely not note it, those that would notice are those that care the most about those kinds of details. Though my designs are a bit more generally regional than city-specific, as our regions do tend to share styles. See-"

The Royal Tailor pointed to elements of designs as he spoke, "These two are southwestern designs – I combined Gawuna wool clothing with stone accessories common in Messaonars for the formal look, and Gnomesaroy body painting with a Messaonars-styled skirt for the casual style. For the southeastern formal, I used the Naovojo white robes with Scagesmaes obsidian jewelry – I thought the Mesgaesculs wrap robes with white clay jewelry would be better for a casual look.

"Bone jewelry for both the formal and casual northeastern designs," Exmarre went on, clearly pleased to explain his work, "With a mix of seaweed clothing from Lajaonar and reed clothing from Mesmavas for the formal look – Coujieul, like Caslavven, has a more even mix of styles from across the realm. Being our biggest internal trade city, of course."

"Are siren patterns and cuts common across Mesescima," Jurao asked, indicating one of the designs featuring them.

"They are! And layering a second patterned fabric with the first is common in Naengaquena," Exmarre agreed, "Of course, the hide clothing and wooden jewelry is inspired by Engapoylao and my own humble home in Noskanar."

The Royal Tailor chuckled as he took down more designs, putting them on his nearby desk as he said, "But, I know most do not care for such details – I say our realm's fashion is in its infancy only because the most it communicates at this point is region of origin. Certainly, anyone wearing animal leather would be known to be wealthy, but that and gold being reserved for the King are our only signifiers of status – and even then, most who can afford leather don't wear it often."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Does fashion convey more in other places," Jurao asked, eyes moving from the remaining Hundred Years Ball designs to the wedding designs.

"Oh, yes! A style of headdress might indicate anything from martial status to whether one is recognized as an adult or a position of authority," Exmarre said, tail swaying as he turned to lean back on his desk. He added, "Materials, colors, cuts – how one wears their hair, which style of jewelry one uses… the information fashion conveys through different cultures is a subject I can speak of for an entire day without covering everything."

"He does, too," Emessi added with a chuckle of her own, "It feels like I learn something new every hour, Your Highness."

"I'm glad you appreciate it, Emessi."

Jurao turned as Snap yipped, tail wagging as he went to sniff and greet Exmarre's hound Scuscus – currently leading the Royal Tailor's husband, Oresti, into the studio.

"Hello, spout!" Exmarre said – touching his husband's wrist before picking him up to kiss him.

Another demon entered behind Oresti – an arcane demon with pink skin and lighter pink wavy markings and curly gray hair. Fos chuckled and said, "You're in a good mood, Your Highness."

"The King was listening to him explain his designs," Emessi said.

"That would do it," the other demon – ah, yes, Oresti's valet that arrived with Kylse's guard – said.

"Did you want a kiss as well, Klaen?" Exmarre asked with a grin, setting Oresti back on his feet.

"Of course," Klaen replied.

The Royal Tailor did kiss the valet as well, but bent down to do so – likely as Oresti and Exmarre's infant son was clinging to Klaen's back.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Oresti said, patting the arm Exmarre still had about his waist. He added, "Have you met my friend, Lord Klaen?"

"We met briefly when he arrived," Jurao said.

"I'm surprised you recall, Your Highness," Klaen said, "With so many petty royals arriving at the same time as I did."

"It did take me a moment to recall," Jurao agreed, then said, "Before I forget – my Right Hand suggested I begin a kennel. Would you wish to participate, Exmarre."

"Certainly!" the Royal Tailor replied, "I admit, I was not sure what I would do with the other pups."

"Probably try to give them all to Petty Prince Malson," Oresti replied dryly.

"Most likely," Exmarre agreed. Then he said, "The King has asked me to fly him to Scagesmaes to look for Mahen's Tears."

Oresti smiled warmly and said, "Congratulations on your engagement, Your Highness."

"Thank you," Jurao replied, and asked, "Did you enjoy the feast."

"I did not attend," Oresti replied, "I find such large events difficult to manage. But Klaen brought me back some of the food, and it was quite delicious."

"I did enjoy myself," Exmarre said with a grin, "Many times."

"Suame and I did as well," Klaen added, "He's a second valet that joined us from Noskanar."

"Originally my valet, but I asked him to help Oresti after we wed," Exmarre said.

"I'm glad it was enjoyable," the King said. Glancing at the designs again, he asked, "Would I be able to take some of the wedding designs with me. I will see my partner later today, and can ask which he likes as well."

"Of course!" Exmarre said, trotting over to pull the designs down himself, "These are only preliminary designs, so I would be happy to create more or expand on them."

"After he gets some sleep," Oresti said pointedly.

"I-" Exmarre began.

"You are going to bed," Oresti repeated, using his cane to search for obstacles as he walked over to his husband. Taking one of the Royal Tailor's hands, he said, "Forgive me, Your Highness, but my husband stayed awake all night in a 'flurry of inspiration', and if I do not make him sleep now, he might push himself all day."

"Of course," Jurao said, "Rest is important to performing your best work."

Exmarre chuckled, and some of his energy seemed to drain out of him as he said warmly, "That's my spout – keeping me from burning myself out."

"I should return to my duties as well," the King said, "Enjoy your rest, Lord Exmarre."

"Do let me know when you wish to travel, Your Highness," Exmarre said, smile gentle as he let his much shorter husband 'drag' him out of the office. He added, "You are in charge in my absence, Emessi!"

"That would intimidate me, if it were the first time," Emessi said, chuckling.

"Are you settling well, Emessi," Jurao asked.

The inspired demon woman offered him a smile and said, "Yes, Your Highness – I was worried to be working for a petty royal, even if my family could use the money, but," she looked at the six other tailors working in the room, which Jurao then noted were mainly beastkin and even a human, "Petty Prince Exmarre doesn't seem to care about anything besides making clothing."

"Yes," Jurao agreed, "I understand why you would be concerned. Many nobles and royals can be demanding as employers."

"I was actually more worried about living in the castle," Emessi said, "Ah, Your Highness. I'd heard the rumors about inspired demons being treated poorly here, and I wouldn't know where I was safe compared to the city."

"Safe," Jurao asked.

Emessi stared a moment, then started and said, "Ah – where I knew there wouldn't be anyone giving me a hard time just for being an inspired demon, Your Highness."

"Or where thieves and thugs operate," the human tailor said dryly.

"I thought you were a thief?" the cranekin asked.

"I was a thief," the human replied, "Now I'm sewing weighted hemlines."

Jurao nodded and said, "Ah, yes. We do our best to prevent such a thing, but the castle is very large. If you do run into any poor treatment, please let Exmarre know and file a report with the administration office so the crown can address it properly."

Emessi laughed, then cleared her throat to say, "Sorry, Your Highness – that's just exactly what Lord Hujur said when he visited the office. I didn't even bring it up myself then. I… thought it was just talk, but…"

"But then Petty Prince Exmarre hired a former human thief, and no one batted an eye," the human tailor said, as Emessi's eyes trailed to fos. Fos sighed and set fos work aside, walking over and bowing to say, "Good morning, Your Highness. I'm Cousuliga – Emessi's husband."

Emessi's tail swayed as she said, "When I told Petty Prince Exmarre how much Cou helped me, he was happy to hire us both."

"Were you born in the Demon Realm, Cousuliga," Jurao asked – primarily for the Demonae name.

"I was, Your Highness," the man replied. He smiled wryly as he said, "And I'm looking forward to growing old with my wife."

"I am glad my Wish will help you," Jurao said, and glanced at a timekeeper on the wall as he said, "I do need to return to work. Thank you for speaking with me."

"Of course, Your Highness," Emessi said, bowing as she added, "Have a good day."

"And you as well," Jurao replied, inclining his head to her and her husband as he left. It pleased him to see two happy marriages, and he looked forward to planning for his own.