A shop for criminals

Dahlia never knew riding a carriage could be fun. Through its window, she looked outside to watch the scene unfolding before her eyes. However, she could sense how Sullivan had his eyes on her. Dahlia wondered if she again acted out of place and sat straight.

"What happened? Do you have something to say to me?" Her gaze was curious. "You have been staring at me for a while," she added.

"What kind of clothes do you wish to wear? Loose fitting gowns are not available in the market. You should have asked the seamstress to make the clothes of your choice," Sullivan opined.

"I need to select the fabric of my choice for that. The colors of the gowns in my wardrobe are either too dull or bright for me," Dahlia opined. "I need different kind of colors," she stated.

"Hmm. I am unable to understand you. You were the one, who ordered such kind of gown before the wedding," Sullivan reminded her. "It seems you have forgotten about it," he asserted.

"No, I haven't. I thought these dresses would look good on me and I'd be in comfort, but it didn't happen," Dahlia asserted. She asked Sullivan if he didn't like to shop. "You can go back after dropping me to the market. I'll return with Nylie," she murmured.

"I'll be killed if anything happened to you in my absence. You are the Duke's daughter, after all," Sullivan remarked.

Dahlia smiled thinking he did care for her despite he would not show it with words. The carriage entered the market soon. The people gave it a way seeing it was from the palace.

Finally, the carriage gradually halted and the coachman opened the door for them. Sullivan stepped out of the coach. He glanced at Dahlia and extended his hand to her. She placed her gloved hand above his and got down.

Dahlia wandered her eyes around and saw that the shops were of old style. However, from the modern world this style was much better. The atmosphere was lively and vibrant.

Sullivan let go of her hand and walked ahead of her. Nylie came to Dahlia's side and opened the ornated umbrella. She put it above Dahlia's head, covering her from the scorching heat of the sun.

"I will hold it," Dahlia took it from Nylie and ran to Sullivan. Grabbing his arm, she startled him as he came to a abrupt halt. Keeping the umbrella above their heads, she passed a bright smile to him. "Let's go together," Dahlia suggested.

"People are watching. You need to behave," Sullivan said.

Dahlia looked around and saw the people did have astonished gazes toward them. But why? She could hold Sullivan's arm because he was her husband. Was there something wrong in that? She hooked her arm around his and said, "Ignore them and focus on us."

She dragged him ahead while holding the umbrella in the other hand. "Which shop do we need to enter? Ahh, shall we eat first something? I can smell the roasted chicken," Dahlia said as she inhaled the aroma that entered through her nostrils.

Before Sullivan could refuse to it, she dragged him toward the restuarant, which lie ahead in the same route on which they were while asking the people to give them the way.

Nylie and the four soldiers too ran after them.

Sullivan tried stopping Dahlia, but she only stopped outside the restaurant. She closed the umbrella and walked in with Sullivan.

"We cannot eat here. This place isn't a good one," Sullivan told her.

"How do you know? I smelled the roasted chicken," Dahlia said and pushed the door open. The moment she did it, the males eyes directed at her. Dahlia realized that there was not a single woman in that restaurant. And the men present there didn't look good.

"Are you from the palace?" One of the men asked, who was seated on a table close to the door.

"No." Dahlia turned around and scolded Sullivan for not telling her that the goons were seated there. She saw the large knives and guns on those tables. They left that place while Nylie asked Dahlia why she ran like that.

"I was hungry and I couldn't resist the aroma of the food," Dahlia murmured.

Nylie slowed down as Sullivan gestured to her to stay behind them.

"You have turned a bit crazy," Sullivan stated. "That wasn't a restaurant, but a shop for the famous criminals," he pronounced.

"No. That cannot be true," Dahlia refused to trust his words.

"Didn't you see how one of them reached for the gun?" Sullivan pressed, his tone stern. "You need to tell me who you truly are! Because you're not the Dahlia I know. You're someone even more unpredictable and crazier," he added, causing Dahlia's heart rate to quicken.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I'm still Dahlia, here to offer you love and respect," Dahlia asserted, prompting a strange sensation to stir once more within Sullivan's heart.