Chapter 131: Flames in the Alley
She nodded and brushed her fingers lightly against her purse, "Yes...I need to check something."
With that, they entered the shop, making the shopkeeper freeze, his eyes widening at the sight of not only the crown prince, but the most beautiful lady he had ever seen standing at his side. For a heartbeat, he forgot to breathe before hastily regaining his composure.
"Your Highness, it’s such a pleasure to have you in our store today!" he gushed and bowed deeply as he greeted him.
"Just attend to the lady," Ivan said calmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The shopkeeper nodded quickly, a nervous smile on his face. "It would be my pleasure. Please, have a seat," he said, guiding them to the plush chairs in front of the counter.
The display glittered under the soft light, showcasing an array of exquisite jewelry. Delicate necklaces, jeweled brooches, and rings sparkled like they seemed to capture the light itself.
Eve’s blue eyes took in the jewels on display calmly before she asked, "May I see the brooch you have on display?"
"You have very good eyes, Milady. This just arrived today and is one of the finest pieces in the entire kingdom." He instructed his assistant to fetch the brooch.
Once it was displayed on a velvet cushion before her, Eve admired the intricate gold craftsmanship surrounding a large sapphire at the center, encircled by smaller sapphires and delicate diamonds, giving the piece timeless elegance and regal sophistication.
As she picked it up to examine it, the jeweller went on explaining, "The stone at the center is magical, Milady. When infused with power, it can serve as a protective charm for the wearer."
"I see," Eve’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as she continued to study the brooch, while Ivan’s gaze wandered around the shop until something caught his interest, prompting him to rise from his seat before whispering to her, "Get whatever you like. I’ll be back soon."
Eve turned towards him, "Where are you going?"
"I’m just around the shop...need to check something." Not giving away too much, she gave him a subtle nod, and he walked further inside the shop. He then spoke to another salesman in a low voice, who bowed and departed swiftly to carry out Ivan’s instructions.
Returning her attention to the brooch, she asked the jeweller, "How much is this?"
"Just fifteen hundred gold coins, Milady." The shopkeeper’s eyes gleamed like payday when he quoted the price, which was pretty steep, but he saw no issue; after all, the beautiful lady was accompanied by the crown prince himself.
Eve gave him a nod before she pulled out a bag of gold coins from her purse and set it on the counter, "Pack this, please."
The shopkeeper froze for a moment, stunned by her independent payment. He had assumed the prince would handle it, yet here she was, confidently taking care of it herself. A mixture of surprise and curiosity flashed across his face as he wondered what was the identity of the lady. But his years of professionalism stopped him from prying, and he carefully accepted the coins, bowing slightly.
Eve’s eyes remained fixed on the brooch, her expression serene, almost as if the exchange were perfectly ordinary. Ivan returned shortly after his work was done, glanced at Eve to catch her subtle smile on her face.
He walked up to her just as she accepted her latest purchase. "Got something nice?"
Eve looked up at him and beamed. "Yes! Did you finish what you went for?"
"Hm." A ghost of a smile played on his lips as he watched her glowing with happiness. Then he turned to the shopkeeper and said, "Send the bill to the palace to be taken care of."
"Uh... Y-Your Highness, the lady already paid for her purchase," the shopkeeper stammered.
The air inside the shop grew heavy as Ivan’s expression darkened. A wave of dread rippled through the staff as he spoke in a low, dangerous tone, "Are you telling me that, in my presence, you let the lady pay?"
"W-we are terribly sorry, Your Highness!" The shopkeeper bowed deeply, the others following suit. "I’ll return the payment to the lady at once!"
Eve’s brows furrowed. "Ivan, stop it. I wanted to get something, so I paid for it. What’s the big deal?" she said firmly.
He turned his sharp, molten-red eyes toward her. "Not while you’re out with me."
"So? Does that mean I’m not allowed to buy anything with my own money?" she countered, crossing her arms. "Should I be shopping alone then, if you insist on being this way?"
For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them. His jaw worked before he relented under her steady gaze. Then, without a word, he looked away, directing his glare snapping back to the trembling staff.
Eve sighed as she watched the terrified staff shrink under his gaze. ’A little longer and they’ll surely pass out,’ she thought wryly.
Deciding to save them, she brushed her hand against his arm and said softly, "Let it go, alright?" Then added with a gentle smile, "If you want, you can get me something at the next shop, okay?"
He turned his attention back to her and let out a soft sigh, "Fine." And just like that, he was pacified again, much to everyone’s astonishment. They could hardly believe their eyes. Who was this lady who could speak to His Highness so casually and even call him by his name? Each of them silently etched her image into their memories, vowing never to accept any payment from her in the future.
Ivan cast one last sharp, warning glance at the shopkeeper before entwining his fingers with hers and leading her out of the shop.
The moment they stepped back onto the cobbled street, the tension melted away, replaced by the hum of the marketplace and the quiet rhythm of their footsteps side by side. Ivan turned to her and asked in a gentle tone, "Why did you pay? I would have taken care of it."
"And why should you? Just because we’re in a relationship doesn’t mean you have to take care of all my expenses, Ivan. I mean it."
She looked at him firmly, and he could only let out a disbelieving chuckle. ’This is how she’s different,’ he thought. ’Any other woman would’ve jumped at the chance to let me buy something for them.’
He gave her hand a gentle tug, pulling her close enough to slip an arm around her waist. His voice dropped to a low murmur by her ear. "Are you trying to excite me, Eve? Because you should know...it’s working."
Eve’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink as she glanced around, noticing the startled stares of passersby. Flustered, she whispered, "Ivan... people are looking."
"Let them," he said, his lips curving into a smirk as his hand pressed lightly against her waist, making her eyes widen.
Through gritted teeth, she hissed, "Can you not behave like a rogue?"
"Hm... maybe I can’t help myself," he replied smoothly, his tone dripping with amusement. "You bring it out of me."
Seeing the imaginary steam all but rising from her head, Ivan finally relented, letting out a low chuckle, "Alright, where do you want to go next?"
Looking at the shops, she pursed her lips before turning her innocent eyes toward him. "Can we go somewhere where there aren’t any people?" she asked.
"You don’t want to shop anymore?" Ivan questioned.
"No... I think I’m done for the day. Besides, I already shopped a little with Cece earlier... unless you want to?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I’m good," he replied with a faint smile. "As for the place you asked for... I can think of one." Taking her hand, he said simply, "Come with me."
He led her through a few winding turns until they reached one of the darker alleys. Stopping in front of a plain stone wall, Eve frowned and said dryly, "You know, when I said somewhere away from people, this is not exactly what I meant."
Ivan smirked, turning to face her fully before abruptly pulling her by the waist. His arms circled tightly around her, drawing a soft gasp from her lips.
Eve gave him an incredulous look and said breathlessly, "I didn’t take you for the type to do things in a dark alley."
Ivan let out a low, throaty chuckle and cupped one side of her face. "You never fail to surprise me," he murmured, his voice dipping into a teasing husk. "I didn’t know the sheltered princess knew what goes on in dark alleys. You’re quite the naughty little princess, aren’t you?"
"It’s not hard to tell when you are like this right now," she whispered quickly as her heartbeat picked up, half in excitement and half in surprise.
His smirk deepened. "Let me take you somewhere nice. Hold on to me, baby."
Before she could reply, he captured her lips in a kiss, his aura flared a brilliant orange, engulfing them both in swirling flames that shimmered for a heartbeat before dissolving into thin air.
