A stolen moment in the marketplace

A Stolen Moment in the Marketplace

The bustling city streets were alive with energy as Amelia walked beside Ceaser, her eyes flickering with curiosity. It had been a long time since she had seen such a lively atmosphere—street vendors calling out to customers, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the air, and the colorful display of trinkets and fabrics lining the shop fronts.

The scene was so different from the suffocating halls of the palace. Here, people moved freely, talking, laughing, haggling. It was chaotic yet comforting, and for a moment, she felt like just another person in the crowd, not the noblewoman bound by duty and expectations.

She stepped closer to Ceaser, enjoying the warmth of his presence. However, before she could get too comfortable, Logan, Ceaser's ever-loyal aide, smoothly slid between them.

Amelia blinked.

Did he just—?

She tried again, shifting to Ceaser's other side.

Logan followed.

Her eye twitched. Seriously, dude?

Suppressing an annoyed sigh, she glanced around, searching for a distraction. That was when she spotted it—a street vendor selling cotton candy, its fluffy pink and blue swirls calling out to her like a forbidden temptation.

She needed to have it.

Without hesitation, she poked Ceaser's arm.

"What?" he asked, barely sparing her a glance.

"Can we go there?" She pointed at the vendor, eyes shining with anticipation.

Ceaser raised an eyebrow. "No. That's unhealthy."

Amelia huffed. "But—"

"You'll get sick if you eat that."

She pouted, lower lip jutting out in a dramatic display. "No, it's really good."

"Pleaseee?" she tried again, leaning closer with her best attempt at an adorable expression.

Logan groaned from beside them. "His Highness already said no. Stop acting like a child and accept it."

Amelia shot him a glare. "I wasn't asking you, you dumb human."

Logan gaped at her. "D-Did you just call me dumb?"

"Yeah, I did," she said flatly, crossing her arms.

Ceaser sighed, clearly exasperated. "Stop it, you two."

Amelia ignored him, determined to win this battle. "Please, I really want to try those."

Ceaser stared at her for a long moment, as if debating whether arguing with her was worth the effort. Eventually, he relented.

"Fine. Make it quick."

A triumphant smile lit up her face. "Thank you!"

She dashed toward the stall, practically bouncing as she exchanged coins for the delicate treat. The first bite was heaven—sweet, airy, melting instantly on her tongue.

Turning back to Ceaser, she tore off a piece and held it out to him. "Here~ Try it."

Ceaser gave her a deadpan look. "You want me to eat this?"

"Yeah, it's good!" She beamed.

He wrinkled his nose. "There's no way in hell that I'm going to—"

Before he could finish, Amelia grabbed a small piece and swiftly popped it into his mouth.

Ceaser's eyes widened in shock.

She stifled a laugh, watching as he hesitantly chewed. His expression was torn between annoyance and intrigue, and she wasn't prepared for what happened next—he absentmindedly licked his fingers, tasting the lingering sweetness.

Her cheeks burned.

Why does that look... weirdly attractive?

Flustered, she grabbed his wrist and yanked his fingers out of his mouth. Ceaser arched an eyebrow at her but said nothing.

"So?" she asked, clearing her throat. "Isn't it good?"

"It's too sweet," he replied, brushing past her as he resumed walking.

"You don't like sweets?"

"Not really."

Amelia tilted her head, watching him curiously. Interesting.

As they continued strolling, Logan suddenly turned to her, his gaze expectant.

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Logan crossed his arms. "Where's mine?"

"Your what?"

"My cotton candy," he said, glancing at the half-eaten treat in her hand.

Amelia blinked before looking down at the sugary fluff. "Oh, you mean this?" She held it up.

"Yeah."

Without hesitation, she stuffed the entire thing into her mouth, cheeks puffing like a squirrel.

Logan's jaw dropped.

Amelia grinned, sticking out her tongue. "Oops, it's already gone."

Logan frowned, crossing his arms. "Childish."

She giggled, feeling a rare sense of lightheartedness.

But her amusement was short-lived.

Because reality came crashing back into her.

She had another reason for coming here—something far more important than teasing Logan or making Ceaser eat sweets.

She needed to find a doctor for her mother.

Her smile faded as she stole a glance at Ceaser and Logan. They were distracted, talking to a shop owner about something trivial.

This was her chance.

With one last look at them, Amelia turned and slipped away, her heart hammering as she hurried toward the darker alleyways of the city.

The further she went, the livelier the streets became. Not in the cheerful, welcoming way of the marketplace, but in a more dangerous, unpredictable manner.

This place was infamous—known for criminals, outcasts, and even witches.

In her past life, she had ignored the rumors, dismissing them as foolish superstitions. But now?

She wasn't so sure.

She had heard whispers that witches lived here…

And if she could find one, maybe—just maybe—they could cure her mother's illness.

Her heart pounded as she approached a small, rundown shop at the edge of the district.

Its wooden sign creaked in the wind, the door slightly ajar as if inviting her inside.

She hesitated, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. A loud creak echoed through the silent space, sending a shiver down her spine.

She stepped inside cautiously, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. Shelves lined the walls, filled with vials, strange herbs, and odd trinkets. It smelled of incense and something else—something metallic.

Just as she was about to take another step—

A strong hand grabbed her arm.

Before she could react, a cold blade pressed against her throat.

Her breath caught.

What the—?!

Her mind raced, adrenaline surging through her veins.

The door behind her had shut.

She was trapped.

A low voice whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine.

"Who sent you?"

Her blood ran cold.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

She had only come looking for a cure.

But it seemed she had just walked into something far more dangerous.

---