Chapter 43 - With Him🔥
The next morning, I woke up feeling unusually excited. Cassian and I were going to the market today, and I couldn't wait to spend some time with him before leaving for the Magic Tower.
It had been a while since I'd last gone out. Lately, I'd spent most of my time cooped up in the library, reading books and practicing how to suppress my divine power.
After getting dressed, I made my way downstairs, where I found Cassian already waiting in the entrance hall.
"You're early," I remarked as I approached him.
Cassian glanced at me.
"Are you that excited to spend time with me?" I teased, grinning.
He frowned.
"As if."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"You're so mean!"
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Shall we go?"
I nodded eagerly.
"Of course!"
We stepped outside, where a carriage was already waiting for us. Cassian offered me his hand as I climbed inside, and I accepted it before taking a seat.
Once we were settled, the carriage began moving toward the city.
I leaned back comfortably, looking out the window at the passing scenery.
"So, what exactly do you want to do at the market?" Cassian asked.
I turned to him with a grin.
"Isn't it obvious? I want to look around, buy some things, and eat delicious food!"
He raised an eyebrow.
"That's quite a list."
"Of course! Besides, I'm leaving soon, so shouldn't you spoil me a little before I go?"
Cassian gave me an amused look.
"Is that so?"
I grinned.
"Absolutely! If I make you poor today, just send the bill to Duke Theon!"
Cassian let out a quiet chuckle.
"Poor? Do you have any idea how much money I have?"
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Oh? Are you bragging now?"
Cassian leaned back in his seat, looking completely unbothered.
"Just stating a fact. You could spend the entire day buying everything you see, and I still wouldn't go broke."
I let out an amused laugh.
"Fine, fine. Whatever you say."
For a while, we continued chatting as the carriage made its way through the city.
Eventually, the streets grew busier, and I could see colorful banners hanging from buildings and stalls lining the roads.
The festival was really just around the corner.
My eyes widened as I took in the lively atmosphere.
When the carriage finally stopped, I practically jumped out of my seat.
"Come on, Cassian!" I called out excitedly.
"There's no need to rush."
I ignored his remark and stepped out of the carriage, immediately looking around at the lively streets.
"Look! There are so many food stalls!"
Cassian stepped out behind me and glanced in the direction I was pointing.
"Let's try that one!"
The first stall sold freshly grilled meat skewers. The moment I caught sight of them, my stomach practically growled.
"Two, please!"
The vendor quickly prepared our order, handing us the skewers while I reached for my purse.
Duke Theon had been sending me money lately, so I figured I might as well use some of it today.
Before I could take out any money, Cassian had already paid.
I looked at him with a satisfied smile.
"You're already spoiling me," I teased, taking my skewer.
"Don't get used to it."
I giggled and took a bite of my skewer.
"Mmm! This is delicious!"
Cassian took a bite of his own, his expression remaining as composed as ever.
"Not bad."
We tried several kinds of street food, from crispy fried pastries to sweet, freshly baked treats. By the time we'd finished, I was already feeling full.
"I don't think I can eat another bite!"
Cassian glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone eat as much as you."
I rolled my eyes at his remark, still smiling to myself.
After we'd finished exploring the food stalls, I noticed a jewelry store nearby.
"Oh! Let's go in there!"
I hurried toward the entrance, while Cassian simply followed me silently.
The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by rows of beautiful jewelry displayed beneath glass cases. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings filled the displays.
"Wow..."
Cassian stood beside me, looking rather entertained by my reaction.
"I didn't know you were interested in jewelry," he remarked.
"I'm not much of a jewelry person, but these are lovely."
Before I could admire the pieces any further, an elderly woman approached us from behind the counter.
"Your Grace! What a pleasant surprise. I haven't seen you here in quite some time!"
Cassian turned toward her.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
The woman smiled warmly at him, then glanced at me with curiosity.
"Oh! Is this the young lady everyone's been saying is Your Grace's sister?"
I blinked, caught off guard by her question.
So the rumors had spread beyond the estate, too.
The woman studied me for a moment before chuckling.
"Although, now that I see you together, she looks more like Your Grace's lover!" she teased.
I felt my cheeks warm at her unexpected remark.
"She's Madam Norma, the owner of this shop," Cassian said, his face red as he turned to me. "When I was young, my mother used to bring me here whenever she wanted to buy jewelry."
I met the woman's gaze and smiled politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Madam Norma. My name is Cosima."
Madam Norma's eyes widened in surprise.
"Cosima...? What a coincidence! Didn't the late Duchess Camilla once say that if she ever had a daughter, she'd name her Cosima?"
I froze in shock and glanced at Cassian. He immediately looked away.
So that's where he got my name from, huh?
"Oh... really? Indeed, what a coincidence," I replied, forcing a small smile.
Madam Norma didn't seem to notice our reaction. She gave us a warm smile.
"I'll leave you two to look around. Just let me know if you need anything."
She turned and headed behind the counter.
I slipped my hand around Cassian's arm and grinned at him.
"Come on, brother. Help me choose something!"
Cassian frowned at me.
"Stop teasing me."
I giggled and turned back to the displays. A delicate bracelet caught my eye. Its fine silver chain was adorned with tiny violet gemstones arranged in a floral pattern.
"Oh, this one is pretty!" I said.
Cassian glanced at it.
"Do you want it?"
Before I could answer, he called Madam Norma over and bought it for me. He picked up the bracelet and gently took my wrist.
"Hold still."
I watched as he fastened the clasp, his fingers briefly brushing against my skin.
"There," he said, letting go.
I turned my wrist to admire the violet stones shimmering against the silver.
"Thanks," I said, then noticed a ring in the display. "Do you ever wear rings?"
Cassian's brows furrowed.
"Why? Are you going to propose to me?"
I stared at him flatly, already regretting asking.
"If I were proposing, you'd already see me on one knee with a ring in my hand," I said with a straight face.
For a moment, we both fell silent, then Cassian shook his head.
"No," he replied. "A ring would interfere with my grip on the sword."
I nodded slowly. That was fair enough. I wasn't planning on asking him to wear it while fighting, anyway.
Since I was going to the Magic Tower soon, I wouldn't be around to help him with his nightmares anymore. So I had been thinking of giving him something infused with my divine power-something that could help him while I was away.
A ring would be perfect. He could simply take it off before training or fighting and wear it when he went to sleep.
I was about to reach for it when a man in his forties, decked out in flashy rings and necklaces, picked it up.
"I'll take this one," he announced.
My mouth fell slightly open.
That was the one I wanted!
Cassian glanced at me. "Did you want that one?"
"No, it's fine. He already picked it out. I'll just find another."
I searched the other displays, but none of the rings appealed to me as much. Then I noticed the next case was filled with couple rings. Several designs caught my eye, but I sighed.
I only need one ring, not a couple ring. Cassian will surely tease me if I buy a set.
Just as I was about to give up, a simple gold couple ring caught my eye. Both rings had plain, smooth bands with no gemstones or decorations. They weren't particularly eye-catching, but something about their simplicity appealed to me.
This will do. I can just have something engraved on the inside.
I was about to show Cassian my choice, but he was busy talking to a man who appeared to be a noble. I decided not to interrupt and turned to Madam Norma instead.
"I'll take these."
Madam Norma looked surprised, but she didn't ask any questions. She simply smiled and picked up the rings.
"Of course, dear."
"Could I have something engraved on the inside?" I asked.
"Absolutely. Come with me."
She led me through a door behind the counter into a spacious room with a sofa and table.
"Please, sit."
She handed me a slip of paper to write down the words I wanted engraved.
"Would you like to wait for the rings, or shall I have them delivered to Duke Cassian's estate?"
"I'll wait," I replied. "How long will it take?"
"Not long. Just a few minutes," Madam Norma assured me.
I nodded slowly and handed her the paper with the words I wanted engraved. She took it along with the rings, then stood up.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Please engrave only the larger ring."
Madam Norma nodded and headed through another door inside the room.
I settled back on the sofa to wait. A few minutes later, Madam Norma returned and handed me the rings. I picked up the larger one and read the engraving inside.
Sleep without fear. - Cosima ?
"Go ahead and pick a box for your rings, dear."
Madam Norma gestured toward the shelves along the walls, where an assortment of ring boxes in different styles and colors was displayed.
I looked over the choices before settling on a small burgundy velvet box with a delicate gold clasp. It was simple and elegant, just what I wanted.
"This one, please," I said, pointing to it.
Madam Norma took the box from the shelf and placed the rings inside before handing it to me.
"Thank you," I said, accepting it.
We left the room and returned to the shop. I spotted Cassian slowly approaching us.
"I already picked out what I wanted," I told him with a laugh. "Just pay Madam Norma."
Cassian and I said our goodbyes to Madam Norma and left the shop.
We continued exploring the lively streets, but after a while, my legs started to ache.
"Cassian, I think my legs are going to give up on me," I complained, slowing down.
He glanced at me.
"Already? I thought you wanted to explore the entire market."
"I did! But my legs have other plans."
He let out a quiet chuckle.
"Then I suppose it's time to head back."
I nodded eagerly, and we headed back to the carriage. Soon, we were on our way to Cassian's estate, bringing our day at the market to an end.