''So…this is where you live?" Chloe looked around in the apartment, somewhat dissatisfied.
Catching on that, Nathaniel answered in exactly the same tone. ''I am terribly sorry, your Highness. I wasn't prepared to be chosen by your Excellency on this wonderful event where my entire life without any doubt got a turn for the absolute better." He even added a courtesy bow.
''Don't give me your sass, Kurtzberg. You didn't have a sign on you that said 'broken'." Chloe turned in his direction annoyed, but as he only gave her a deadpan expression in return, she narrowed her eyes.
''First, why did you choose me anyway? I clearly didn't dress up as a knight or a lord or anything near them that could be appealing to you. And second, I am not broken. I have a decent income and live better than an average artist. I just don't need a fancy place to live. The things I need are all here." He gestured to all his paintings and equipment. She just gave him a hmph and turned away with a pout, but started looking at his artworks.
There was a huge painting unfinished with angel-like creatures. They didn't have wings, but their clothes were heavenly. She slowly brought up her hand to touch it only to stop an inch from one of the faces.
''Do you like it?" Nath asked shyly startling her. She took in the woman on the canvas in front of her. A blonde beauty with crystal blue eyes in a bright yellow tunic with black stripes, holding a strange golden weapon. Her smile confident and proud. Chloe's smile turned bittersweet, but she quick hid it as she faced him.
''Show me." She ordered confidently.
''Show you what?" Nathaniel was confused.
She rolled her eyes. ''What you meant by 'all the things you need' idiot."
He decided not to comment on her rude behavior, instead chose to give her a sweet smile and extend a hand towards her. ''Would you, your Highness?"
She was a little taken aback and her eyes widened, cheeks tinted in a light pink, but she quickly recovered as she saw the wicked smile on his face that followed. She huffed and pushed his hand out of her way as she stepped past him, but suddenly came to a halt as she remembered, she actually didn't have an idea what he wanted to show her. He chuckled and walked to a narrow staircase leading up somewhere in completely darkness.
Chloe flinched.
''So now you want me to go with you to some dark place and get rid of me as soon as you can?" She eyed the dark path wary.
''Of course. Because bringing you home when everybody – especially your father – knows that you are with me and killing you here is definitely the receipt of the 'perfect murder'." He deadpanned. She pouted. He sighed. ''Come on Chloe, get over with it. I still need to hide the body."
She narrowed her eyes and said through gritted teeth. ''Oh with all your sass Kurtzberg, someday I will render you speechless."
He smirked. ''I would beg to differ, but I am kind enough to let you get your hopes up."
''Someday I will silence that fool mouth of you." She said as she made her way up the stairs.
''Of course, sweetheart." He answered on the sweetest tone, following her.
''I am serious."
''I would never doubt that."
''I will kill you!"
''Yeah, that would definitely render my speechless. But you have a lot of planning before doing so. I wouldn't want my wife to get caught and go to jail. That would be awful of me."
''You never give me a break, would you?"
''But why? I am pure kindness and courtesy just for you. Do you know how hard is to keep up this gentlemanly act?"
''You are clearly doing it wrong."
''Really? I didn't know! Please give me your impeccable guidance, your Highness!"
They reached the upper floor of the apartment. A crowded little room with full of art equipment and a small bed that was only comfortable for one person. She didn't really get a good look of the things inside because it was dark even with the large windows that were on the roof. Because of the new moon they didn't give too much light.
''Is it what you wanted to show me?" She asked with disbelief. Here was only a few blank canvas, nothing really to show, especially with all this darkness. The lower floor had clearly more to it.
''We are not there yet." He walked to the door between two large windows with curtains and motioned to her to follow. She tentatively moved closer. He reached out for her hand with his own but she moved out of its way giving him a suspicious look.
He fished out a key and unlocked the door. ''Come on, Chloe. You need to close your eyes for this." He smiled at her and it was so innocent that after some contemplating she took his outstretched arm and closed her eyes. He opened the door and carefully led her outside. The cool night breeze gave a shiver to her and without any thought Nathaniel stepped to her side and rubbed her back to give some warm comfort. He didn't notice that a very different shiver ran down her spine and she opened her eyes suddenly as they widened and a blush appeared on her cheeks. When she saw he didn't look in her direction, and probably didn't see any of this, she closed her eyes again and pretended nothing happened at all. They didn't walk more than a few meters when Nath came to a halt and with his hands suddenly on her shoulders positioned her body in the exact direction he wanted.
'He has no idea about personal space' she murmured inside her mind but tried really hard to not show any reaction to him. That would only make him more smug.
''Okay, you can open your eyes now." He said excitedly.
She slowly opened her eyes and her breath was caught in her. All the beauty of Aithia laid front of them. All the stars of the night sky and all the lights of the city. The festival down there went on full force, excited noises and cheering shouts of people could be heard. Unaware of the things that were unfolding in the castle, they were carefree, joyful and couldn't be happier after a love filled night. The colorful lights could be seen from everywhere, decorating most of the buildings. Bright lanterns floating up from the celebrating city to the similarly well-decorated airships.
She had spent every matchmaking night at the castle before and had seen the city from the windows a few times, but never had been this close to it. It was a completely different experience, like she was in the heart of the entire bubbling happiness and beauty. It was warm. So warm.
Nathaniel had expected that she would like it. Why wouldn't she? The view from here was beautiful even on average days and at festival nights like this, especially this as it was matchmaking night, the sight was breath-taking. Yes, he expected her to like it. He just didn't expect her to like it this much. As he saw her eyes widened in shock slowly brightened and her whole expression became full of excitement and awe, his smug smile left his face giving place to a tiny blush. He averted his gaze from the girl's face to the city. He didn't want to go back to his shy younger self and especially didn't want to give her the satisfaction to render him speechless.
He gulped, pushing down his momentary nervousness and asked. ''Do you want to go down there?"
She turned in his way, confusion evident on her face. ''What?"
''You know… Go down there, have some fun in the festival." He said suddenly nervous again.
She narrowed her eyes and turned up her nose. ''Please, you can't be serious. Down there with the peasants? You must be kidding."
''You could grace the poor and plain common people with your presence, your Highness. After all, I can't keep all this honor only to unworthy me!" He gave her a courtesy bow again with a perfect gentleman act. When she only huffed he resorted to a pleading expression. ''Come on, Chloe. Not everyday we get married, let's have some fun!"
''If you mean with fun that we should merge with the common people, then thanks, but no thanks." She crossed her arms in front of her chest then rested her upper body on the balcony's railing clearly avoiding him.
''You have never ever been there. You don't even know what you are refusing." He said as he leaned on the railing as well. He looked straight at her, but her gaze was focused on the city lights. They were like this for a minute or so when Nathaniel realized she was too stubborn to change her mind on her own. She needed some… motivation. A plan formed in his mind. ''So what if I will buy something for you? Something you would like." He grinned confidently.
She looked at him skeptically. ''First, you don't have the money to buy me something I really like. And second, I highly doubt they offer anything like that down there. It would be just a waste of time."
He narrowed his eyes and gave her the stingy eyes. ''First, I definitely can buy you anything you want, and second, you don't even know that, you just assume things. Again."
''I don't assume things. I am always right." She said proudly, bringing a hand down on her hair. For this statement he snorted and rolled his eyes. ''And even if I had only one thing to choose, you wouldn't be able to afford it."
''If you are so confident in that, then let's make a bet!" He smirked and it got her attention from the city. ''If I am able to buy you the thing you want you will have to enjoy yourself with me down there through out the entire night."
''And what if you lose?" She asked with an identical smirk.
''Hm, I didn't consider that possibility. Truth to be told, it's nearly impossible, but pick what you want. You can force me to do some really humiliating thing, or spent my whole budget on clothes or divorce if that's your heart's deepest wish." He said all of this with a smirk and with even voice, but the last part was surprisingly hard to say. It sent a bitter taste to his mouth and he regretted it a little when he saw the disappointment on her face. They looked into each other's eyes, then after a long moment Chloe averted her gaze.
''The clothes thing is okay with me." She said, but didn't look him in the eyes. He wanted to brighten the mood so he put on his best smile and took her hand to lead her back inside.
''Then we have some preparation to do!"
''Preparation?" She asked confused.
''Of course, we can't just go out in these fancy outfits. We need to blend in!" He answered cheerfully as they got back inside the apartment's main area.
''Dressing up like peasants. It gets better and better…" She sighed, but when he turned away with a pout she smiled to herself. He led her into a room and used one of the magical lamps to lighten the inside. The room was neat and feminine with a soft-looking bed at the middle and giant wardrobes on each side. The back wall had a huge window, now safely covered by a curtain with a delicate pattern. There were some decent looking, handmade clothes as well and a few masks lied on the side of the bed.
''I know, it's probably not your style. I asked the opinion of my female friends, but you are very different from them, so you can redesign it as you want. I wasn't sure if I should get you clothes or not, so I bought some from the most popular fashion houses. I would get Marinette to make some, but she is always busy nowadays and focuses more on armors than clothes. I know it's not the best, but one of the dresses would probably fit and with a matching mask we can go out without sensation." He lost his cool and was rambling now, but she signaled him to stop.
''Wait, what is this place anyway?" She asked, looking around the neatly decorated and furnished room.
''Kind of a… dressing room or a salon for you I guess?" He smiled at her sheepishly.
''For me?" She asked surprised.
''Well… kind of. When I was certain I would be married in a few weeks, as my patrons from here wished, I thought it would be a good idea to prepare this room for my future wife. First I wanted to make it into a normal room that is suitable for a lady, but as some friends of me who have more knowledge of this land and its culture pointed out that according to the tradition husband and wife should sleep in the same bed, I had no other option, but to drop the idea. So my original plan with the second bedroom was dismissed, but I still wanted to do something with this place. It's a really nice room with lots of light in the afternoon, but the morning sun won't disturb much. I used to paint in here, mostly in the afternoons, but now it has wardrobes, and bed and curtains." He was rambling again.
''Why the bed?" She was a little confused, but couldn't hide her smile even if she really really tried. With all his smugness and sass he was still a pretty innocent and shy boy. She clearly had a chance the baffle him. She wanted to smirk, but the pure good intention he meticulously prepared this room for his future wife, now current wife who in fact was her, caused so much warmth inside her that the act couldn't earn anything else but a genuine smile. That she wanted to wipe out from her face in that instant. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
''I already got it before the bedroom idea was doomed, so I kept it. It's way easier to undress and redress with it, so I think it's not a bad thing. But change the room as you like."
''No, the bed is a keeper, but I will work with the colors and the interior decoration. It just doesn't fit to me."
''Yeah, maybe more gold… Anyway, it's time to dress up! Choose anything you like and put on a mask. I go now to change into something else as well." He didn't give her time to react and slipped out from the room immediately. Chloe huffed and looked around to find the clothes he was talking about. Of course, even if they were high quality there was little possibility that she would like any of them. Still, she had to put on something to shut his fool mouth. She can be impressive even with one of those dresses.
Half an hour later – Nathaniel gave her the time she needed, even if he thought putting on a dress and a mask without makeup and other usual things required way less time than half an hour, but he didn't complain – Chloe stepped out to the hall in a bright yellow festive wear with decorating stones shimmering all kind of colors from lilac and red too a deep ocean blue. She had a perfectly matching mask with the same shimmering stones. Even her hair had some of the stones.
''How did you get more of those jewels to decorate your hair?" Nath asked confused. He prepared clothes and masks to the festival, but nothing else.
''The mask was too much, so I cut down the lower part, took out these vibrant little beauties and used some hairpins to fix them." She explained with a proud smile.
''This actually amazing, didn't expect that." He gave her a smug grin, but this time she didn't waver.
''Better get used to it, Kurtzberg. I am an amazing person!" She gave him the same smug grin, and he rolled his eyes with a smirk, then extended his arm towards her.
''Shall we go, your Highness?" He even bowed to her. She decided to play along and accepted his hand.
''We shall."
~~~oOo~~~
His firm arms held her up as he pushed her body against the door. Her arms came up around his neck and her fingers stroked his hair. The two bodies were pressed into each other not leaving even one inch between them. They kissed as their lives depended on it. She left his mouth to lay kisses to his jawline and moved down until she reached the edge of his armor. She paused for a moment before she sighed.
''Will they be alright?" She asked, separating herself from her new husband.
He groaned and lowered her to the ground. ''Way to kill the mood, Alya."
''Oh please, i am sure I can get you back into the mood anytime." She grinned at him and he couldn't deny it. It was the simple truth. Her grin faded giving place to worry in her expression. ''So do you think they are alright? We left them with those monsters roaming the castle and I am certain my girl got herself in the middle of the trouble again."
''You were the one who said she is the best and they will be fine. Or should I have fears for my best man?" He raised an eyebrow.
''Oh right, your best friend is married now to my best friend. I never even thought that this could happen!" She laughed from her heart and he smiled at her beautiful wife's beautiful laugh. He loved this sound.
''I don't think anyone ever thought that the famous vigilante gets married from one day to the next! And because of the series of random mistakes!" He was laughing too at this point.
''I wanted to see her face so bad when someone broke it to her!" Alya could barely keep it together. She clutched at her stomach with one arm and the door frame with the another, supporting herself.
''You should have seen her face! That utterly horrified expression was priceless! At first she didn't even believe it!" He animatedly gesticulated with his arms then on a mocking voice tried to imitate her. ''No! No way! I am totally can't be married! What will we do with each other with this totally random guy! I don't even know him! He could be a serial killer or a total creep! Just look at that suspicious face!"
''I am dying! You can't be serious! How could I miss out this!" Alya wiped a few tears from her eyes, really really regretting that she couldn't be there. This was utterly hilarious!
''I barely could keep in my laughter, but I had to keep my poor man together. I had to convince him that she was just freaking out, but he asked me again and again that 'Nino, I really have a serial killer face?' Poor guy was totally freaking out after this." Nino sighed at the last part.
''Awwww, poor sunshine boy! I can't believe she said those things in his presence! Wait… I take it back. I can totally picture my bestie freaking out like this. She is rambling and pulling on her hair and can't be stopped until she is about to explode!" She laughed again.
''Until the king successfully gathered everybody related to this hell of a series of totally random events, she couldn't calm down. Then she was dead silent and didn't speak a word until the hearing was over. Adrien was freaking out until then as well, but it became a silent anxiety after she went from full-force-freaking-out to dead-silent-the-world-is-over. I don't know how they would manage this relationship. It's not like they can break it up or anything."
''Don't worry. Maybe they are two over-dramatic idiots, but our two over-dramatic idiots. Even if they are too stupid to function properly we will be able to help them." She smirked wickedly bringing her hands together.
''I feel like my hell-a sexy smutty foxy wife has something on her mind." He crossed his arms front of her stomach from behind and embraced her. ''Should I be worried?"
''Didn't you learn anything from our one year together?" She turned her head up to look at him with a smirk. ''I would think you know better by now."
''It's been only eleven months." He kissed her temple then her cheek. ''And if I learned anything about you…'' He brought up one of his hands and turned her head in his direction then planted a sweet kiss on her lips."…is that I can never be sure in anything when you have something shady in your filthy mind."
''You like my filthy mind though." She turned in his embrace facing him now and started to undo his armor.
''That's definitely true." He smirked at her before kissing her passionately.
~~~oOo~~~
''Don't you want some ice cream? It's really delicious!" Nath said extending his arm with the sweetness in hand, but she turned up her nose with a frown.
''No way. I will dance as a clown from Canira on summer solstice before you get me taste that pleasant food!"
He gave her a flat look with a frown, but that turned into a smirk fast as he said. ''You mean I have to win the bet before you can finally enjoy yourself. Did you choose what you want yet?"
''No, I didn't see anything I want, as I expected." Chloe answered with a smug smile.
He sighed. ''Then we should keep going. There is no way we can't find something you like."
''Why do you think there is even a possibility I can find something at this mere festival with my high standards?"
''I know. Now keep looking. There is no point of the bet if you don't even try."
They watched the flowing crowd of newly wed couples, while searching for a stand or shop that was selling high quality items. With all the lovebirds around them they mind drifted again and again from the task in hand to each other. Should they try to hold hands or something? Both of them dismissed the idea as they were too stubborn or too self-conscious. They weren't really effective this way, and after some time both of them continued the search half-heartedly only to distract their thoughts from one another without any success. Both of them frustrated with how things were going, Chloe was the first to break the slowly unbearable silence.
''So you are an artist." She started.
''Obviously." He said flatly looking at her. She growled in response, but continued anyway.
''Are you from Pavona?" This wasn't a baseless assumption from her part as pavonians were known from their artistic talents, intelligence and enthusiasm. This three traits were so equally present in those people that they couldn't even agree on which two from the three would describe them the best. There was a nearly perfect split between the two sides; one went with Art and Enthusiasm, the other with Intelligence and Enthusiasm. Which one they used depended on that the person was a researcher or an artist. The ancient descriptions used the former one though.
''No, I am from Entarossa. My grandparents from my mother's side are pavonians though, both of them great artists, especially my grandfather."
''You know that Pavona is part of Entarossa, right?" She asked sarcastically.
''And you know that Pavona is autonomous, and people usually refer to it apart from Entarossa?" He asked flatly.
''Still a part of it." The blonde rolled her eyes.
''Still autonomous, and they don't think about themselves as entarossians." He raised an eyebrow.
''But you think about yourself as an entarossian. Why?"
''Because I grew up in Entarossa and barely visited Pavona or my grandparents."
''You didn't even study art in Pavona?" She asked with disbelief.
''No, I was raised and taught in Virtus. Mostly…"
''Mostly?" This time she was the one who arched an eyebrow at him.
''When the war broke out my parents thought it would be better if I had a second home if things were to turn for the worse. It was ridiculous, there was no way that the war will even get near to the capital, but they still insisted. So I spent almost all my holidays here and took art and fighting classes, because this knight-centered country didn't have a simply art course! Why would an artist even need basic fighting skills let alone advanced weapon-use!" He gestured, his arms in the air with obvious annoyance, and she couldn't stifle a giggle. Then he continued a little calmer. ''It was only bearable because some of my friends spent the holidays here as well, so I wasn't alone. Anyway… After my grandparents learned about my artistic talent they contacted with my parents to send me there, but I refused."
''Because…?"
''Because they were real assholes with my mother. In the end I was forced to visit them, but I only was there three or four times."
''Understandable." The blonde said curtly. Nath was surprised. He didn't expect her to agree with him, let alone be sympathetic instead of laughing at his foolishness for giving up such an opportunity just because he didn't feel like going there. ''So I assume your parents are not artists. At least your father."
''You are right. My mother against all odds was the intellectual-type of pavonian rather than the artistic one, but she was forced to be a second-rate artist instead of be able to purchase her own dreams and never been happy. Not until she met my father. He praised her brain and supported her dreams. My grandparents called him filthy fox that poisoned their daughters mind. My parents left Pavona and moved to Entarossa."
''And I guess, based on that 'filthy fox' praise that your father is from Vulpes."
''Yep, they are both merchants now. Any other question?"
''In fact I barely asked any question, you just told me your whole background on your own." She smirked smugly. He averted his gaze in embarrassment.
''Sorry I bored you with my life." He said, still not looking at her.
Chloe walked a few steps forward and looked back at him still with a smug but somewhat kinder smile. ''Don't be sorry. It was pretty interesting, Red."
''Red?" Nath asked confused.
''I can't keep calling you Kurtzberg forever. It's too damn long."
''You know, you can call me my actual name." He answered flatly.
''Oh please. As if I would call you on your first name. Keep dreaming Red!"
He narrowed his eyes at her retreating figure, but couldn't stop a smile forming on his lips. What will he do with this woman? One thing was sure, he couldn't let her win, and he just spotted the perfect strand to win the bet.
''Chloe! I think I found what we were looking for!" He yelled after her and she looked back at him with a confused expression on her face.
''What?"
''Look at that stand! It's selling high class jewelry. It could match even your high standards." Nathaniel smirked as he led Chloe to the booth in question. The blonde gave a look to the merchandise and had to agree, those were in fact all high quality items. Not just jewelries and not just simply jewelries. Many people were looking at the gorgeous neatly crafted accessories, each of them a fine piece of artwork, but most of them turned away disappointed when they found out the price. Of course, high quality items were offered for an equally high price.
Her eyes wandered around; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and many other accessories lied or hung everywhere, each one neatly crafted and decorated with gems such as diamonds and emeralds. Yes, she could definitely pick something worthy from here that suited her taste and was expensive enough to win the bet. She didn't even know why he pointed out this stand. There was no way a poor artist like him could afford anything from this booth. Maybe he have been saving up for this occasion? To buy something nice for his future wife? Even if that was true this still was a risky move according to Chloe. If she went with something from the 'cheaper' collections then that could be fine, but if she chose something from the priciest ones then he was doomed. The real question for her was; what did she really want? She wanted a gift from her new husband or winning this bet more? She was contemplating this as her eyes caught on something. The blonde let out a surprised gasp, and she forgot about the bet in an instant. There was the perfect match. She couldn't even look elsewhere as her eyes fixated on the golden bee brooch. Nathaniel following her gaze looked at the beautiful accessory as well with a satisfied smile.
''I think we found what we wanted." He got Chloe's attention, smiling confidently before he turned to the merchant. ''Excuse me sir, can we get a better look of that bee brooch right there."
The merchant tuned in their way with a bright smile that slightly faded as he got a better look of them. That red hair of the young man wasn't so promising, but the young lady made the impression that this could still be a good deal. He decided to be careful.
''Of course young man. It would be for the lady, right?" He gently picked out the brooch from under enchanted glass that protected the expensive merchandise from stealth and handed it to Chloe. The girl twirled her fingers endearingly around the jewelry with a found smile. ''But sir… you are aware of that these fine, well-made, valuable rarities are not for the average costumers, right? That brooch is a special class rarity; made from gold, diamond and sapphire, crafted with the use of strong magic, coming right from the kingdom of Apidas. In the right hands it even have a very special ability." The man said pointing at the engraving. For sure, the brooch had many layers. As it opened up, the wings opening as well, the gleaming core became visible and the letters on the golden parts lit up. It had a special aura to it, clearly well enchanted.
''I see, it has magic in it for sure. But I still can't see what purpose it serves." Nathaniel said with a smug smile on a skeptical tone. ''If it's just a fleshy trick without any use then why should I pay for it. I can buy gleaming magical items for a much cheaper price."
''It's not just a fleshy trick, I can reassure you!" The merchant glared at him, taking the brooch back from the girl. ''But it only works in the right hands."
''What's its ability?" Asked Chloe suddenly out of her daze.
''You should look for another one." The man gestured to all the other items. He didn't really want to dicker with the red haired young man. He was clearly from the nation of foxes. It wasn't really his night.
''What's its ability?" The blonde girl asked again slowly on a low voice, making her impatience clear. The man turned to her a little annoyed, but his eyes widened a little and his expression changed as soon as her piercing gaze locked with his. There was something scary in this girl. Something demanding.
''It attracts bees and can control them for some extent, but it's useless for you as it only works for people from bee bloodline. The clearer the heritage the better it works."
''You are right, it's useless for us." Nath stated, stealing a side-glance at Chloe as he said this. ''But it's seems like my queen took a liking in it. However, with a useless ability you can't possible want me to pay the full price." He grinned.
The merchant glared at him with displeasure. ''I won't give it for a lower price just because you can't use the great magic in it."
''Sorry to break it for you sir, but you can barely find a person in this country who can make a good use of it, not to mention one who can afford such a pricey item. In this land or Entarossa these bee themed accessories are not even popular, and it's not like you would travel all the way to sell this in Apidas. Sell it to another merchant wouldn't give you much profit either. So…" Nathaniel's smirk became so wide it almost pierced his face, and so smug it almost annoyed the man to the death. ''You want to make some profit or you want to keep that brooch to your death bed?"
''I can lower the price, but it will still be too much for you, you pesky fox!" The merchant said between gritted teeth.
He was about to make the deal but the last rude remark of the merchant made a change in his plans. ''Oh right, I just remembered my budget is low for this night!" He snapped a hand to his forehead tuning to the man with an apologetic smile. '' I am a poor artist. Not to say, I just got married and spent so much money on my wife. Even if you would give me this one for half of its original price I still couldn't afford it. Sorry for bothering you." He said taking Chloe's hand and turning away from the stand.
The man laughed. ''Hah! I wanted to be a real knight with you and give it to you for half-price as noble as I am. But what a shame, you can't afford such a delicacy after all." He shrugged his shoulders with a satisfied smirk.
Nath turned back with an innocent smile. ''Really? For half-price? How kind of you would have been that!"
''Of course, of course. I am from the land of knights after all." The man grinned proudly.
''Knights who are noble, brave and would never take back their words, right?" Nathaniel said boasting his ego further.
''Of course, of course. That kind of man I am!" The merchant answered straightening his back, his chest swelled with pride.
''Then half the price." The red-haired fox said, placing the right amount of gold on the stand, snatching the brooch out of the man's hand. The merchant could only gap at them. They were far away from the booth when his brain proceeded what just happened and anger surged inside him.
''Don't ever come back you filthy bastard of a fox!" The angry shouts echoed behind them.
''Here." He gave Chloe the bee brooch. ''I won." Nath said triumphantly.
''You cheated." She said mockingly, clipping the jewelry to her chest.
''No, I didn't." He answered smugly.
''Yes, you did. You didn't have the money to pay for it."
''First, that wasn't a condition in our agreement; just as you could choose anything no matter how cheap or expensive it was, I could get it any way as long as I paid for it. And second, I had more than enough money to pay for it."
''Then why didn't you just buy it?" She said, disbelief lacing her voice.
''Because I don't want to spend money unnecessarily, and I wanted to save up for my victory. We have so much to do for the night after all!" Nath smirked, pulling a groaning Chloe after him.
''This night will be so long…"
~~~oOo~~~
''So say little king, where can I find the last fragment?" The shadow creature lifted the king's limp body up with only one hand. Roubur was badly injured, blood flowing from every part of his body, his battle axes long forgotten on either side of the throne room.
''You…" He breathed heavily as he tried to form his next words. ''You will…never…get the…last fragment…..of the miraculous…"
The humanoid monster dropped him to the floor. ''Alright. We will do it on the hard way then." He brought up his shadow limbs circling his fingers around the king's head. ''If you don't want to tell me…'' Pulsing energy went through his body entering the king's and dark veins ran down from the points the monster touched his head. Roubur gasped, his eyes turning black and he screamed in pain. ''Then you will show me."
So my epic and never-ending battle with line breaks ended. I couldn't figure them out on this site so I technically cheated, but who cares? I don't.