Chapter 37: Out in the City (2)

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Work really kicked my ass yesterday, so there was no upload, sorry...

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Getting into the carriage, I looked between all the other girls.

Jahi had instantly pulled me into her, looking out the window as she held me.

Anput looked at us with a mixture of a smirk and any in her eyes. Her ears were twitching slightly as she looked at us, and when our gazes met she smiled at me.

Leone was holding Janus close to herself, occasionally shooting glances towards me. Whenever she saw me looking at her she would blush before looking back down, burying her nose into Janus' neck.

Feeling the carriage start, I leaned more into Jahi's embrace.

"So, you two are quite close, huh?"

Hearing that, Jahi looked towards Anput, smirking.

She pulled me closer, before burying her face into the top of my head.

"Mhm~"

Anput's smile stiffened, the envy in her gaze increasing.

"What's that gaze for, hmm~ Are you lonely~? After all, even Leone has something to cuddle~"

Hearing that, Anput turned, looking towards the shy ashen haired girl. Feeling everyones gaze, Leone blush deepened, and she held Janus closer, hiding her face.

Chuckling, Jahi pulled me onto her lap, before patting the now empty seat beside her.

I was frozen in shock, wondering what brought that on. However, before I could question her, Anput grinned widely as she jumped over towards Jahi, quickly taking a seat. Leaning into Jahi and I, she purred.

Looking towards Leone, Jahi pat the empty spot on her other side. Hesitantly, Leone stood up, slowly taking a seat on Jahi's other side. Staying a decent distance away from Jahi, Leone continued to hold Janus close, but she would send glances towards us, her whole face a light red.

Squeezing me, she whispered "I thought I deserved something for the misunderstanding the other day..."

Hearing that, I sighed before leaning back into her. Feeling her squeeze me again, I just smiled and decided to enjoy the warmth.

We slowly made our way towards the town, the only noises the occasional purr from Anput. I slowly dozed off, enjoying the warmth coming from both Jahi and Anput.

Hearing the door open, I blinked my eyes a few times before turning. Seeing the grinning face of the Marquess, I blushed slightly when she gave me a knowing look.

"You enjoying yourself, Jahi~?"

Chuckling, Jahi nodded. "Now I know why Mom had to keep you in check~ This is addicting~"

The Marquess' face paled slightly, before saying "Nope, not me. I was always content with Ria. Yup, always was..."

"Sure, sure... Anyways, come on children, let's go enjoy the city."

Anput got up, excited.

"Phobos City is know for its metalwork right? Think I can get a new sword?"

The Countess smiled down at Anput.

"Well, that depends on your parents no?"

Anput nodded, her excitement halting for a second, before she regained her enthusiasm. Turning towards Jahi, she clasped her hands in front of her and leaned forward, saying "Maybe Jahi will buy me something as a gift~"

Jahi just looked at her, before looking at me, her eyes gleaming slightly.

Standing up, Jahi let me go.

Looking towards Leone, I gave her a smile before saying "Come on, Leone."

Blushing again, she stood up stiffly, before quickly exiting the carriage.

Moving towards her parents, she was greeting with a small laugh from Lorelei as she said "Did you have fun, Leone~?"

Leone nodded her head, before being pulled into a small hug from Lorelei.

Bouncing over to her parents, Anput asked "Can I get a new sword, please?"

Looking down at Anput, Kio said "No." at the same time the Sultana said "Sure."

Glaring at the Sultana, before sighing. "Fine, whatever. You better behave yourself though!"

I looked around, before Jahi pulled me towards her. "Come on, lets go! The market should be in full swing right now!"

The Marquess nodded, looking towards the Empress. "Market first then? See everything that Phobos has to offer?"

The Empress nodded, before gesturing for the guards to follow. Before people could see her, the Empress raised her hands, making a ritual circle appear in front of her. Shining, her appearance slowly changed. Her long, fiery hair turned ashen, and her skin paled considerably.

Looking around, I saw the familiar white buildings and dark wood roofs. The people around us smiled and bowed at the Marquess and Countess, and they looked at the now disguised Empress with intrigue, as well as the exotic appearances of the Sultana and her family.

Grouping up, Jahi led the way towards the center of Phobos, where the Market was situated.

Passing through the city, we saw many storefronts and heard many people trying to peddle their goods.

Jahi ignored everyone, wanting to reach the center, and when I asked why she said "Mother said that they have almost everything in the Market, for cheaper prices too. Also, she said that she managed to find amazing gifts for Mom there..."

At the end of that, Jahi looked away from me, but when I looked towards her ears I saw that they were a darker than normal. Smiling, I followed her happily.

Anput walked beside us, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Y'know, this is amazing! There are so many more buildings here than in the Sultanate!"

Leone was also beside us, and she said in a small voice "This is almost as impressive as the capital..."

"Really? Is Phobos almost as large as the Capital?"

Hearing my question, Leone shook her head.

"No, the Capital is still larger... but the atmosphere here is much better..."

Laughing, Jahi gestured in front of us, making us turn towards the large, bustling square.

"Welcome to the Market! Now, let's look around!"

Looking around, we saw dozens upon dozens of stalls set up, with various goods placed on the counters. Some people couldn't find spot for a large wooden stall, so instead they laid large rugs on the ground, sitting on the top of them and having all their goods laid out on the ground.

"Hey, take this; and stay in sight, you hear me? There are too many people here, so be careful."

Handing Jahi a pouch, the Marquess gave her a stern look before giving her a smile.

Looking into the pouch, Jahi opened her eyes in surprise.

"Use it to buy whatever you want."

With that, the Marquess turned, grabbing the Countess' hand. Smiling at all of us, they watched as Jahi led us to various stalls.

We saw incredible jewelry, blades, loose gems, monster parts, and more.

One of the stalls we stopped at had Leone slightly excited, since it had a small section dedicated to pets. She looked through the various collars, holding them up to Janus' necks.

Moving next to Leone, I said "I think the blue collars look quite nice on him, what with his blue gray fur."

Jumping slightly, she looked at me, before pursing her lips.

"You think? Hmm..."

Holding up the collar again, she nodded. Handing the man a coin that she had in her own small pouch, she turned towards me, smiling.

Feeling the other two move next to us, I looked over, seeing Anput grin.

"Hey, I want a collar too~"

At that, Jahi raised a brow, before looking at me. Smirking, she looked down at the collars before turning.

"Come on, there's more here!"

Saying so, she led us through the market, stopping at various stalls. We would hold jewelry up to each other, holding up clothes, and much to Anput's delight, inspecting various swords.

At one such stall, Anput held a blade up, inspecting it. "Hmm... This feel quite nice... How much, Mister?"

Hearing that, the old man at the stall smiled, saying "For you, how does 100 gold sound?"

Whistling, Anput looked towards Jahi, smiling slightly.

"What do you think? I can reimburse you when we get back..."

Holding her hand out, Jahi took the blade, nodding her head. Tossing the man a few larger coins, she wrapped the blade in a cloth the man offered.

Handing it back to Anput, Jahi smiled. "You owe me the gold and I want to see that sword put to good use~"

Anput smiled as well, her eyes gleaming. "Yea, I'll beat you in a spar tonight!"

I smiled slightly at their interaction, though I felt slightly irked that Jahi bought something for Anput before me. However, I held hope that she would wait for a more... intimate time to give me something.

We continued around the market, however even though we looked at many things, nothing else was bought.

Hearing Leone's stomach growl, we turned to her, causing her too blush. Smirking, Jahi and Anput looked at her, making her blush deepen.

"Alright, let's go get something to eat. Mom's over there, and there's a stall..."

Looking around, Jahi's eyes brightened as she pointed towards a stall.

"There! Selling skewers. That fine with everyone?"

We all nodded, and after making our way over, I could feel my stomach growling as we got closer.

I released Jahi's hand, looking around as I rubbed my rumbling stomach.

However, as we were slinking through the crowd, I felt hands wrap around my body and mouth, dragging me through the crowd.

I tried to say something, to lash out, but I felt something prick my skin, and my consciousness faded.