35 Wander

Allyria burst in laughter as soon as they were out of the stall. She was never shamed like that ever before and the thought of it just tugged something in her funny bone, "I can't believe the lady merchant actually said that."

Kaius followed, walking beside her. "Maybe we really looked that good together," he smirked.

Allyria puffed out a breath, "Only a hare-brained person would believe that."

"I guess I am."

"Stop joking."

"I'm serious."

Allyria rolled her eyes, "As if."

They were already in the streets. It's almost noontime so most of the people are clumped in food stalls at the roadside. Families of two or three and workers went inside to have their scrumptious meal and a short period of rest while the others were just passersby, like them, staring through the huge gaps on the walls.

Allyria stomach protested at the first whiff of civet and pottage. It seemed to have a life on its own, kicking her and impelling her subconscious to spend the money on food. The temptation was difficult to ignore. But then again, money spent on food will never be debauchery but there were more essential things to spend on.

"Hungry?" Kaius asked. He must have noticed the fidgetiness of her expression.

Allyria shook her head.

"I could seriously hear your gut crying from here."

"What are you saying?"

"Stop denying it, I know."

Allyria's face went red, "Okay fine. Was it really that obvious?"

Kaius laughed to himself, "Yeah."

They continued strolling around the Mitskapalazah, looking for a food stall with less expensive food. They were hoping they could buy good food with five qintars worth but that was as impossible as to count the waves.

The roads were endless and the people seemed to keep flooding towards the market. The busy streets and crowded places didn't appear to mind about it. Besides, the more demands the better the economy.

"Wait," Kaius said.

Allyria held her eyes for one brief moment and then turned quickly to the nearest stall where Kaius grabbed a strawberry out a tray of fresh ones.

"You want one?" he asked.

"We don't even have much."

"Don't worry," Kaius said and directed her eyes on the lady stall owner, "How much is this, miss?"

"Two qintars, sir."

Kaius placed an elbow on the stall, his face rested on his palm while showing his most striking smile, "Can I get three of these for five?"

Allyria stared at him, waiting. Does he really think being good looking would give him a discount? She'd bet the lady would never agree to it.

Grabbing a fat one, she examined it though it looked like every other strawberry she'd seen. Still not looking at Kaius, she inhaled deeply, letting the sweet and tart scent fill her. She'd want to have one but for sure his charms would never affect anyone in this part of the country.

"Sure!" the lady said gleefully.

'Okay, I guess I was wrong on that part.'

"I'll just get another since my partner here already has hers," Kaius said.

The lady nodded, bewildered by his allure. She looked younger than them, perhaps fourteen, but she didn't seem to mind the age gap at all. No one would. Any girl would most likely swoon over his kind—the rare male species—especially that he was a prince but not Allyria.

"Thank you for this!" he said for one last time and walked away from the stall.

"See?" Kaius took a small bite from the strawberry, "I told you I had it all covered."

"Ew," she stuck her nose in the air.

"Ew what?" Kaius chuckled, "I didn't lie. You saw it earlier. She agreed. Just admit it, Allyria."

"And give you that pleasure?" Allyria scoffed, "Excuse me. I won't let that happen, mister."

"Everyone tells me I look decent. Why don't you just jump in the bandwagon?"

"Correction: not everyone."

"Okay, I give up. I can never persuade you to do anything I say."

"It's a good thing that you're aware."

"And you're a monster."

"Whatever, Kaius."