Justine

This is chapter number nine out of ten, I am lowkey impressed with the amount of dedication I possess for things I enjoy doing.

Have a good one and remember, if the novel gets like 100 pps by Friday I will do a triple release on the weekend.

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How soft.

I let myself be pulled slowly towards the counter, where my drink and armrest were. As we got closer I notice her head move slightly in the direction of the head, now, I would have ignored this if our hands were not entwined, that is due to the fact that the moment she laid her gaze on the head her small palm squeezed mine lightly.

She must be displeased.

It's certainly the head, should have someone move it away from here. Thinking this I take a look around only to notice the silence, I was so focused on her I didn't notice it before, taking a look around I instantly notice the reason, every single person here had passed out for some reason.

Most of the giants were sprawled over the tables, some even still had a tankard in their hands. The ladies were also around, some of them were sleeping on the tables while some seemed to have fallen over while resting on the walls.

How odd, did they really have to drink so much, I will discipline them later.

While thinking about how to deal with them I stopped moving, my multitasking abilities seem to have been lightly affected. Can't think and walk at the same time, great.

Turning my head back towards my beautiful companion I see her looking right at me, my face feels even hotter under her inquisitive gaze.

''Is there anything wrong''. She asked in one smooth breath. As I try to answer her I can't help but notice how dry my throat is, it feels like sandpaper.

''Of course not miss, I couldn't help but notice how we are the only ones left standing''. She too takes a look around then nods.

''Indeed''. Is all she said.

Feeling awkward I take the initiative and walk forward, switching position with her, now I am the one that pulled her soft hand towards the counter.

Unable to decide where to sit I just return to my original seat, I really like the armrest after all.

As I turn around and take a seat I can help but notice that there is only one chair. Quickly I take a look around and see another one a few steps away, so, full of regret I try and free my hand from hers in order to bring over the chair.

Before I could do it tho, she does an unexpected move, with o a short leap she jumps onto the counter and uses it as one would a chair. Her long legs were now swinging in front of my eyes.

I swallow a gulp of dry air, it stings as it goes down.

Taking my eyes off her legs I lift my head in order to see her face, she had a light smile adorning her lips.

''So tell me miss, what brings you here tonight?''. How did I do this again, I feel old.

She seems to stop and think about my questions for a moment before asking me back. ''Would you not first introduce yourself before questioning a stranger''. Her voice is unusual, it is not high pitched like most female voices, on the contrary, it has a low magnetic pitch, very beautiful.

Not only that but this is the most she has spoken yet, how wonderful is this, and her hand is so soft and no longer as cold since I've been holding it for a while now.

I can't help but squeeze lightly with one finger after the other just to see how the flesh underneath would react.

To my surprise, she squeezes back which makes me quickly remember what I was doing and panic slightly while fumbling for an answer.

''Excuse me miss, i got distracted''. I say slowly,

As I speak I feel my hand being lifted, she pulls it up until it is right between us.

''Yes, i noticed''. She says smilingly.

''Of course''. Alright, I'm all out blushing at this point, no reason to hide it. ''My name is Caspian Season, merchant by profession''. I say my well-practiced line.

Our entwined hands slowly go back to resting on the table

''A merchant?'' She asked surprised. ''I thought you to be a hunter, did you not say you managed to capture the monster single-handed''.

Hearing her words I swallow another mouthful of air.

''I am not what one would call a renowned hunter miss, it is but an insignificant hobby of mine''. Did I ever say I captured it?

''A hobby you say''. Her eyes narrow as she leans forward, her hair lightly brushing my arm, it smells of oranges.

''Quite the dangerous hobby you have there sir merchant, not many would risk their lives out in the woods, alone''. I clench my teeth and try not to lick my dry lips.

''Please call me Caspian, miss...''. I squeeze her hand and she leans further.

''Oh my, forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself''. She is but a breath away from me, the smell, her smell, tingles my nose.

''You may call me Justine, a wanderer''. That's a lie if she's a wanderer then I traveled through dimensions.

''I see, it is a pleasure to meet you lady Justine''. Hearing me address her as lady she straightens her back in a sudden, fast motion, which causes her hair to swing forward brushing my face, it is silky smooth.

''Only Justine, Caspian, there is no need for lady''. Whatever you say.

''Of course Justine''. I pull her hand closer to me and plant a kiss on the back of her hand, she does not react. ''Yet again, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance''.

Letting out a small giggle she says. ''I feel the same way Caspian, meeting you today was a wonderful surprise''. Take it easy on me lady, my heart isn't ready.

Unable to take the feeling of my dry lips anymore I stretch my free hand and grab the bucket half full of the mystery drink. It felt awfully heavy to me, but I still manage to lift it to my face and take a large mouthful of the substance. It burns my throat as it goes down.

Trying my best not to cough I place down the liquor and continue.

''Now that we have introduced ourselves, may I ask what brings you here tonight Justine?''. Feeling the hot sensation in my stomach caused by the liquor I lean back on my armrest, now also serving a double role as a backrest.

She looks at me as I make myself comfortable, in this position I have sadly gotten slightly farther away from her, but I no longer have to crook my neck upwards to look at her.

''I come and go as the wind takes me Caspian, it just so happens that winter came sooner this year, which meant I had to hurry onward, stopping here is because of some circumstances'' Her eyes flicker to the Vulnosgs head for a mere a moment.

''Now would you tell me how you picked up the hobby of monster hunting, you do not look like one, no offense''. None taken love.

I smile at her and say. ''You see Justine, I am the sole provider of firewood in this great city of Westerngrad!''. She did not quite understand what I meant, or so I feel at least.

While using my thumb to play with her wrist I continue. ''Do you know where the wood I trade comes from Justine?''. Without ever thinking she says.

''From the will of mother nature''. Her answer made me lift my right brow, well, that was unexpected, how do I deal with this one.

''Not quite, what I am referring to is the forest surrounding the city''. Her eyes narrow slightly which causes my toes to curl, they are a radiant sunset colored.

Seeing her quickly fading smile and lack of response I notice my mistake, never contradict a woman, I swiftly go into damage control, pulling myself forwards I once again plant a kiss on the back of her hand.

''What I meant to say by this, is that the monsters, known and Vulnogs, haunt the woods and make it fatal for my workers to acquire wood, it is by the blessings of mother nature that some of them managed to survive, but still, this made it necessary for me to take care of them''

''So you do not hunt them for sport then, Caspian?''. She asks slowly.

''By my honor, I swear that if I could I would not take a step in that forest with any evil intent towards any of its inhabitants''. Well, there's one thing in a forest that I want to get rid of, but he's not in 'that' forest, he's in another one so it still counts.

She seems to accept my reasons as her face regains her radiant smile.

''I believe you Caspian, you would not lie to me right?''. My legs go weak and my bottom half, cough, twitches.

''I would not dare''. This time the smiled reached her eyes, her whole face was radiating.

''Let us have a nice talk Capsian''. her gaze moves from me to the closed wooden window, only darkness is visible through the small slits.

''The night is still young after all''