On the capital of the mainland, the night was akin to a day. Many people were still in the street either taking walks or simply enjoying what was in the Capital. The shopping district was also packed with all the ladies and gentlemen shopping for their wardrobes.
It was almost like any city in a country. The only difference was that the people here were vampires, and the shops and stalls didn't offer a slice of simple meat on the stick or steamed buns. But rather, they offer bags of blood of different grades or services to enjoy themselves with blood and pleasure involved.
Aries already heard about it from Maximus, as that man would occasionally tease her about putting her on the market. Every time that was brought up, it would be a battle of tongues to know whose tongue was sharper.
Seeing it with her own eyes, and how it wasn't hidden, slightly threw her off. If this was in a different place, this would be called a black market. It was illegal for the rest of the world.
The capital city of the Mainland truly lived up to the nickname it had: the city of sin.
"How appalling," whispered Aries, standing on the pavement with her eyes on the stall across the street. The merchant was rubbing his hands, smiling like a con, offering a vampire anything the latter could find interesting.
With her heightened hearing, even when the merchant and client were speaking quietly, she could hear their conversation loud and clear.
"Not only he was selling a blood of a siren, but he was also offering furs from a werewolf's pelts." Aries scoffed in disbelief at this conversation unfolding. Her eyes shifted to the people passing by. She was certain they could hear or overheard a glimpse of it, yet there was no sign that they cared even the slightest. If anything, some people found it interesting and lined up in front of the stall.
Aries couldn't help but ball her hands, flinching when Abel spoke from her side.
"What are you going to do about it, darling?" asked Abel, making her look back at him. "This is the land of vampires. What you grew up as wrong might be normal or right in this place."
He arched a brow, tipping his head to her balled fists. "I see you clenching your hand, darling."
"Did you take me here so I get a clear view of what is happening in this land?"
"No. I took you out because I want to spend some time with you." His answer was quick and honest. "For me, this sight is normal. I thought you've grown used to how different and twisted the matters in the royal court."
Aries locked eyes with him for a moment before she loosened her grip. "Sorry. I lost my mind for a moment."
"Don't apologize, darling. It was my fault for forgetting these might be new to you." Abel slowly shifted his eyes to the stall across the street. "But this is called the sinful city for a reason. The mainland claimed to be a secluded land, but its market offered all sorts of atrocity. It was vile."
"I'm surprised you call it vile."
"Darling, I lived thousands of years outside this place." Abel cocked his head back, eyes falling on her. "The norms I grew up in this place slowly changed living outside the mainland. If this market exists in Haimirich, Conan and Isaiah would've ransacked it."
"You're right." Aries rocked her head, seeing him move his arm as a gesture for them to continue their walk. She nodded, taking steps. Abel only walked when she was already beside him, walking side by side with her on the pavement of the wide street of the capital.
"I don't think I would get used to the mainland," she muttered, looking ahead and ignoring the people on the street. "Even if I transitioned, I don't find anything that will make me see the beauty of this market."
"Don't put a period on your statement, darling."
"I am certain." Aries cast him a quick look. "My stomach turns just the thought that this market exists. What made it worse is that this market exists right under my nose, and I know I couldn't just impose my beliefs as a former human just because I am the current queen. My enemies — our enemies would surely find that as an opportunity to mess with me."
Abel studied her displeased expression and shrugged. He peeled his eyes away from her, keeping his eyes ahead.
"Thing was, this market might not last that long." Abel smacked his lips, observing how her brows furrowed from the corner of his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Well…" he trailed off as he stopped in front of a stall. Aries stopped when he did, keeping her curious eyes on him.
"Our stall has yet opened —" the merchant across from the two lifted his head, only for his grim face to brighten up. "My lord!"
'Huh?' Aries slowly moved her gaze to the merchant, only to see the latter grin at Abel.
"My lord, I didn't know you'll drop by here!" said the merchant, clumsily jogging around the stall until he was standing beside Abel.
"It's quite late. I wonder why your stall is still closed," Abel wondered.
"Ahh, about that, it's because the shipments we did last night got delayed till this afternoon," explained the merchant to Abel. "There were just a few problems since the young Lord of the Rothschild suddenly turned up to inspect the fort."
Abel arched a brow, and seeing his expression, the merchant immediately added, "do not fret, my lord. Everything went well in the end."
"That's good." Abel nodded in satisfaction.
"Anyway, my lord, why are you here? Didn't you say you won't be visiting anytime soon?"
"I didn't come intentionally. I was just taking a nightly walk with the love of my life." Abel cast Aries a look, making her merchant look at the other person with Abel.
As soon as the merchant's eyes landed on Aries, his face slightly creased. The look in the merchant's eyes appeared as though the love of Abel's life was horrendous. Well, in his eyes, Aries was horrendous. However, the merchant didn't dare to speak his thoughts aloud.
Meanwhile, Aries focused on Abel and that triumphant grin across his face.
'Abel…' she called in her head, knowing he would hear her voice in his mind. '... what the hell have you been up to?'
Abel's grin stretched even broader. 'Business to pay back my nephew and stop him from nagging me because I donated his fortune to you.'
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