Chapter 4:The dark market

Night has come. The pale moon lights up the way of the horse of the carriage. Bumping up and down with rocky road, the beautiful and twinkling stars outshines the darkness.

Lumiere sitting besides the window of the carriage with his hand on his cheek was mesmerized by the stars despite of the rocky road.

Alice on the other hand was sitting in front of him.

Being mesmerized by the stars, the carriage suddenly bumped into something more hard and big that caused the carriage shakes even more. Lumiere sitting besides the window lost balance.

Crap!

Lumiere closed his eyes, seemingly accepting his fate of bumping on the hard wooden carriage, when suddenly a soft and cold thing catches his head.

Lumiere's eyes shifted. As soon as he opens his eyes, A pair of beautiful illuminating amethyst twinlking in the darkness met his eyes.

It was Alice's eyes shining amethyst.

Ame...thyst? Why is his eyes amethyst when it was blue as ocean?

Lumiere looked at his left side and saw Alice's left hand slammed at the wall of carriage while the other hand was supporting his head gently.

"Are you okay?" said Alice

Lumiere turned his head and met Alice's eyes again.

An unusual feeling stirred up inside him again. It was almost the same feeling he felt when he saw Alice for the first time. His heart was beating so fast and he can't explain why. His ears feels so hot and it turned red.

Lumiere couldn't get his eyes off from Alice's. Both of their eyes were locked up on each other creating a subtle tension. They can both feel the warmth of their breathing with just inches between them.

Lumiere didn't have time to think on why Alice is producing some breathing when he's not even a human. Both were just in dead silent while looking at each other's eyes.

"I'm sorry my Lord I bumped into something." said Watari.

"Drive properly Watari." said Alice with a cold and intimidating tone.

The atmosphere changed again. Lumiere placed his hand to Alice's right hand and slowly remove it.

Seeing that, Alice become flustered.

"I'm sorry." he said.

Alice immediately fix his posture and returned to his seat.

"Ah... No, I should thank Alice-sama." Lumiere said.

Suddenly Lumiere noticed something. Alice was looking at his right hand with a worried expression while clenching into it.

Did he got hurt?, Lumiere thought.

"Get some rest we still have a long way." said Alice. "Don't worry about the road. It won't be bumpy anymore. Right Watari?"

"Ah yes my Lord..." said Watari with a trembling tone.

Lumiere leaned at the carriage.

Leaning at it he suddenly smell something sweet and robust.

What is this smell? it's so good...

Smelling it, His eyes slowly becoming so heavy and his head became so light and relaxed despite of having a bad position in carriage.

"Domain magic: Dead Hyacinth void."

...

Dawn has come. Lumiere opened his eyes and was astonished from what he seen before his eyes. A big wall boarder encircled a whole country with a Golden transparent barrier.

He immediately get out from the carriage to see the place.

Getting out from carriage, Lumiere saw Alice talking with a beautiful woman and 4 guards besides her.

The woman is so beautiful. She wears a revealing flowery purple kimono that looks beautiful with her pale white skin tone and black hair. Her eyes shape was almond and pitch black and has a long ears. Her body shape is so good. She has a large breast slim body and has a spider lily tattoo on her cleavage.

Lumiere thought of going further from the carriage to examine the place through his eyes when a voice suddenly a spoke up to him.

"Wear this veil, so they can know that you're a companion of Lord Alice." Watari said as he hands the crimson veil to Lumiere.

"This will also serve as your protection from anything." He added.

"Ah yes... Thank you."said Lumiere.

Wearing a veil as a symbol that one is a companion of Lord Alice and serves as a protection made Lumiere think that Alice is not just a simple noble. Add the thing about the bunch of gold bars he spent to buy him.

Lord Alice must be a big shot, Lumiere thought.

He puts on the veil and was about to go further from the carriage, when suddenly Alice pop out in front of him without making a sound.

"Lord Alice" said Lumiere nonchalantly.

With an intimidating look and aura, if it wasn't Lumiere, a person's soul must've been jump off from their body.

Self-restrain and calmness, if it wasn't thanks that I have that, My soul must've been left out my body.

"How's your sleep?" said Alice

My sleep? He's talking about my sleep again... But...

"My sleep was good."

Come to think of it... My sleep wasn't that so bad despite of sleeping at a carriage. And so the road... It didn't feel bumpy after I closed my eyes... No it's as if I'm not sleeping at a carriage at all. It's even more comfortable than sleeping in bed.

"Let's continue inside by walking. Carriage won't be allowed to enter inside. Don't worry about your stuffs. Watari will take care of it."said Alice

"I understand."said Lumiere.

The beautiful woman earlier came closer to them and beckoned her hand to follow her at the entrance.

Entering the border, a whole darkness welcomed them. As they walk further Lumiere is begins to see some light.

Finally the dark tunnel has end.

After the tunnel there was like a welcome entrance that has a 3 block stairs.

Lumiere was astonished from what he have seen before his eyes.

It's as if he was in another world. The whole place is totally different from outside. Morning has just come but inside the place it was as if it's not daytime. The sky was dark and so there are Luminous twinkling stars. Moon was also bright and beautiful with it's waning crescent appearance.

Houses were also very similar at Blood moon's . Everything was full of lantern lamps. From trees, houses, poles, everywhere you look there are many lantern lamps which makes the place look beautiful.

Everyone was also wearing kimono and masks. Every single person was holding a flower of autumn equinox. If so not one was holding a lantern.

Everyone have also a long ears. And white pale skin.

Suddenly the woman spoked up "Welcome to Vampire's dark market."

Hearing that, Lumiere was just Dumbfounded. He was so confused because he thought that they're going to elf empire not vampire empire.

You're not serious right?! This couldn't be vampire empire! Architectures were totally different! And so clothing was! The closest thing I could think of if I don't know that we are going to elf empire is elf empire!

"Lord Alice I thought we are going to Elf empire. Why are we here?"said Lumiere.

"Yes we are. Welcome to Elf empire's border labyrinth: The vampire's dark market"Said Alice.

Hearing that, Lumiere become even more confused.

Suddenly a familar elegant demeaning voice spoked up.

"Oh my, if isn't it my dearest friend and his kitsune."

Long braided hair, white skin tone and an elegant face.

Azazel folds his fan half and wave it slowly.

"Greetings Lord Azazel." said Lumiere.

"Fancy seeing you guys here." said Azazel.

Alice was just apathetic.

"Let's get going shall we? There are many things I want to show you guys here." said the woman.

"Alright." said Lumiere.

"tch! why are you guys ignoring me?! " said Azazel as he opens his fan and cover his face with it.

Everyone still ignored him.

The woman then started to walk to the path. She came down from the three blox stairs and followed by others.

Lumiere was about to follow up when he suddenly pauses.

"Oh my Little kitsune what's the matter?" said Azazel.

"It's cold." said Lumiere. "I want Lord Alice to hold my hand."

Hearing that, all of them looked into Lumiere. Azazel suddenly choked.

Alice then offers his hand to Lumiere.

All of them then fixed their composture proceeds to walk.

Walking in loud silence, Watari cough and said,

"If Lumiere-sama is confused, then I shall explain the things to him. Long time ago after the war against the bloodmoon's reaper, the elf empire split in two. Moonlit elf and Dark elf. Well actually elf empire was already split before the war, it's just after the war the dark elves decided to dettach from the clan." Said Watari.

"Dettached? Why is that?" said Lumiere.

"Why don't you find it yourself,since we are here?"

Hearing that, Lumiere begins to Look around.

Architecture seems the same yet there's a little difference from the elf empire. Clothes were also like that. They seems the same but different. Oersons are also mixed. There are vampires and so dark elves,but no moonlit elves could be seen. The lanterns,stall , persons are giving off more vibes like Blood moon empire than elf empire. And the most intriguing thing is the big statue at the center of the place.

The statue look so stunning and feminine. from it's face to his toes everything was feminine except for one thing; it doesn't have a breast. Clothes also indicates that the gender of the statue is man.

A statue that is so big indicates nothing else but a God. With so many food offerings and so many spider lily flowers around it, there's no doubt that the statue is a God.

thinking it all through Lumiere finally get it.

Everything was different from elf empire. Clothes, architecture all was different. Usually The architectures should be expected at elf empire

Clothes are kinda different... Wait... Are these people even elves? Ah... They are mixed . There are vampires but there are also dark elves. Clothes are very close to blood moon's rather than elves'. The surrounding also feels like in the blood moon's everything resemble it, And... That big statue in the middle! Is that a God? What God is it? As I know Elf empire's God is the Goddess of beauty. The statue look so stunning and feminine except it doesn't have big breast... The clothing also indicate that it is a man so there's no chance that this is the Goddess of beauty... He thought.

"I think I get it." said Lumiere.

"Oh really?" said watari.

"Their God. Dark elves have different God. Moonlit elves God was the Goddess of beauty. But the offerings indicate it all. That statue could be associate with dead since the flower was red spider lily. And... Let's just set aside the offerings and let's focus on the appearance. The statue really look beautiful and stunning. everything is feminine but clothes indicate t all. This statue is a God not a Goddess. "

"You're pretty sharp." Said Watari.

While walking, a woman suddenly approached Alice.

She wraps her arms to Alice's shoulders. Her physique is so good she also has a large breast, pale white skin and a pink revealing kimono. Her hair was long and has a beautiful face.

The tie of kimono was infront.

Her breast was already touching Alice's shoulder.

"Alice-sama it's been a while since you came here. Do you want to spend the night with me~."

Holding Alice's hand, Lumiere looked at girl coldly.

Seeing the girl clinging into Alice made Lumiere's mood change for no reason.

The girl's spine run cold.

Oiran...Poor girl... Becoming a prostitute at a young age. Sigh... Why am I even surprised? This is a dark market after all. All sorts of evil doings should be here. Now... Lets see if Lord Alice will take her offer.

Atmosphere suddenly changed. Alice paused from walking and so all of people's attention around went drawn to them.

"hey what's with that cold aura? It's scary!" Someone said.

"Hey I think it's coming from that pretty boy with veil."

"wait He's a boy?! Look at him he's so pretty. What a shame..."

"Ayo... Look at that jealous wife glance. Poor prostitute she choose the wrong customer."

"haha if a glance could kill, then it is 'it' "

"Hay yay yay! Handsome faces what a waste!"

Lumiere could clearly hear the loud whispers from his ears. Obviously Lumiere know that they're gossiping about them, though he couldn't care less about their comments because for him, "fools could only speak foolishness, what doesn't affect me is no longer my concern".

"ahahaha Lord Alice your companion seem a little mad." said the oiran."He's not. Let's get going shall we?"Alice said.

Azazel waves his fan and covers his face with it.

They then arrived on a fancy house. At firstEntering there 4 beautiful ladies with a revealing kimono welcomed them.

"Lord Alice you came here." Ai said as she push away the first girl who approached Alice and wraps her arms around him.

"Hey! That was mine! Go get yours!"said the first girl.

L

Suddenly the first girl's spine run cold again. She felt again the same deadly gaze earlier.

She slowly stepped back and said, "Ah... I changed my mind you could have him."

"What a cutsleeve!" She murmured.

Seeing that, Ai sneered. "Hah! Good for you to know your place!"

Suddenly she felt a cold aura piercing her back.

Ahh... Why do I feel like someone wants to kill me right now...

She took a deep breath and prepared herself mentally and physically before turning her back.

As she turns back she saw Lumiere's cold and piercing eyes looking at her.

Seeing that, all the colors on her face went drained. she then immediately took back her head.

"Ah... Lord Alice maybe we could do it next time..." She said as she incline her head while smiling.

She immediately took a back along with the other girls.

"Lumi, how long do you wanna keep scaring all the girls approaching to me?If you keep doing that no one will do your makeup for our transaction." Alice said.

Come to think of it... He said that I'll be helping him for his transaction...

"Is that so? I understand..." Lumiere said.

Alice sits down at the table and sips a wine.

"Idk. Make him like an oiran. The customer came from Eastern desert"

"Oh... From the dessert of east... I understand Lord Alice."

The women then guides Lumiere on a room.

As they open the door, a beautiful woman sitting on a gigantic bed welcomed them. Her hair is silver and was long. her eyes were sharp and her skin was pale white. Her breast is so big and also wears a revealing kimono.

The room is quite spacious

In the room another woman was sitting on the bed

I'm going to be sold again huh...

The 3 women proceeds to get something on the cabinet, while the silver haired woman left with Lumiere.

"Young man please remove your veil." Ruri said.

Lumiere then removes his veil.

"Oh my Goodness!" Lilia cried.

Hearing that the other woman startled amd immediately came to them.

"What's the matt-" before the woman finishes her words she froze in shock.

Seeing that Lumiere's eyelashes went down. Whenever someone sees his face his face they would be frightened like a rabbit and stay away from Lumiere like they've seen a monster.

"Damn brat everything about you is curse! Your name! Your family! Your face!"

I guess that old hog is right... Everything about me is curse...

"Oh my celestial virtuous! What kind of diety beauty is this!"

Hearing that Lumiere's eyes shifted.

"You're so beautiful!" Lilia said.

"Idiot look closely at his face he's so handsome!"

"You're right!"

"Amazing you can do both!"

"Heh? Could this be that you are the heavenly diety from underworld?!" Sana said as she laughs off.

Lumiere couldn't get a single thing on what they're saying,so he just smiled and said,

"Please let's just continue what we're supposed to be doing."

"Ahh look at that he smiled at me! " Lilia said

"No that's for Ruri barked

"Hey young man... Why don't we do something else here, since we're in a room?" Sana said.

"I'm afraid that I cannot agree with that. I can't make Lord Alice wait."Lumiere response nonchalantly.

"Aww come on let's do it. Forget about Lord Alice... What are you a cutsleeve?" Sana said.

She then wraps her hands around Lumiere's neck. Her big breast were already touching Lumiere.

"Please don't do that." Said Lumiere.

"Do what?"

Sana started to remove her haori and kimono,when Lumiere spoke up.

"It's futile. Doing it with me is futile. It won't stand up."

"Huh why?! Hey you're just saying that cuz you don't want to do it with me!"Sana barked.

"That's right! Give us a valid and believable reason!" Lilia added.

These oirans are stubborn... Sigh... I have to think something that they might believe.

"Young man...If that's true, why don't you go kiss me to find out if you are lying or no-"

Before the woman finished her words, Lumiere grabbed her waist. He brought his face closer to the woman's

Seeing that, the silver haired woman who have been watching the whole time walked and slammed the door.

There was a moment of silence before Lumiere spoke.

"I can seduce more man than you young lady." Ling Xie said.

All of the oirans went froze. Loud silence in the whole place.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"See? nothing happened" said Lumiere.

"Ahh... yeah."

atmosphere were still cold. None of the other oirans seems to initiate snap out from the slamming of the beautiful silver haired woman, so idk did the work.

"Ahh... let's get back to work shall we? It's not that as if your lives flashed before your eyes."

Yes they did! I know you guys felt it and I felt it too! But we have to continue on our main objective or else we're actually dead!