AN: From now on, I'll be updating one chapter every two days since the chapters are getting longer averaging about 1500 words each. Plus I'm in a bit of a writing block so I've not able to write new chapters much. Rest assured, the updates will be regular because ✨ consistency ✨.
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The newcomer was tall — as tall as Aiden, which was saying something, because you rarely saw men that height outside the military. He looked young too, about Aiden's age. Midnight-black hair, skin as pale as moonlight, and eyes like the deep, stormy sea.
He had an easy-going smile. His clothes were understated, but you didn't have to look twice to know they were expensive. He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. Everyone here seemed to know him — and more than that, listen to him.
He stepped between the two merchants without touching either of them. He simply spoke to each one, his voice low, too quiet to carry over the crowd, and somehow... the tension bled out of the air. Merchant 1 lowered the silk, no longer clutching it like a makeshift weapon. Merchant 2 tucked the coins away, no longer looking tempted to use them as projectiles.
Moments later, they were shaking hands — a sure sign of no bad blood — and resuming their business. The man just smiled, as if this was the easiest thing in the world. As if he'd done it a thousand times before.
Elliott raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "He could resolve a fight with just a few words. Impressive."
Aiden hummed in acknowledgment, though his gaze was flat and assessing. Unlike Elliott, he didn't trust so quickly — and something about this man rubbed him the wrong way. Not in a "he's definitely dangerous" way... but in a "I don't like this and I don't know why yet" way.
The man turned. His eyes landed on Elliott and Aiden, meeting Elliott's curious look with an amused one of his own. For a second, there was something in his expression — recognition? — but it was gone as quickly as it came, smoothed over with that same easy amusement. Elliott wondered if he'd imagined it.
Then the man smiled. Whether it was aimed specifically at Elliott or not, Aiden decided it was. His jaw clenched.
The man walked over. "Tourists?" he asked. His voice was deep — not unlike Aiden's — but where Aiden's had the sharpness of a sword's edge, his was warm and rich. Not intimidating on the surface... though there was power in it. He glanced at the sun charm still dangling from Elliott's fingers. "Or just admirers of fine craftsmanship?"
Elliott blinked, not expecting him to approach so suddenly. He opened his mouth to answer — only to feel Aiden's hand brush his arm, the silent signal to let him handle it. Elliott closed his mouth.
Aiden, posture glacial, replied in a voice that could have frozen wine solid. "Just passing through."
Elliott, ever the diplomat, pinched Aiden's hand for the unnecessary frost and smoothly cut in with a cover story. "He means — we're from the countryside. Came to the capital to witness the Ascension Festival."
The man nodded. "Ah, countryside. Which area?" His tone could have passed for polite curiosity, but Aiden read it differently. This wasn't small talk — it was an interrogation. Elliott, if he could hear Aiden's thoughts, would've rolled his eyes and said something along the lines of 'Not everything is a personal attack on you, Aiden.'
Aiden answered anyway. "The western vineyards."
The man's mouth curved slightly. "Ah, the western part of our empire. Quite famous for its vineyards, isn't it? Western wine speaks for itself."
Elliott nodded. "It does."
"How are you liking the festival? Enjoying the capital?" the man asked, still not walking away.
Elliott smiled faintly. "The festival has been... enlightening. We saw you resolve that argument there — you handled it very well."
The man waved a hand like it was nothing. "Oh, that? Just guild business. The Myraethra doesn't want brawls in the market — bad for trade, you know."
Elliott tilted his head, surprised. "You're from the Myraethra Guild?"
The man gave a playful bow. "Carlson Veyth of Myraethra, at your service."
Since the man—Carlson, apparently—had introduced himself, it was only polite that Elliott and Aiden did too. Elliott, grabbing the first two male names he could think of from the top of his head, said, "I'm Jason." He pointed to Aiden. "That's Scott."
Carlson nodded. "Ah. Lovely names," he answered, though there was an amused twinkle in his eyes.
He glanced at the sun charms Elliott was still examining. "Good choice. These are blessed, you know. The priests anoint them at dawn. These are the real deal," he said, taking one from Elliott's hand. "How do I know they're real, you ask?" He tapped the side of the charm, where a small slip was attached, bearing the logo of the Myraethra Guild.
"Verified and tested by yours truly."
Elliott couldn't help chuckling. "You test the charms too?"
Carlson shrugged, flashing a charming smile. Elliott smiled back. Aiden did not. Aiden was practically radiating murderous aura. He was not jealous. Really. He was just... wary. Wary for Elliott's sake. Not at all because Elliott's smile was directed at another man. Not at all. And when he nudged Elliott's arm in a silent wrap it up message, it was purely for protection. No personal feelings involved.
Carlson, meanwhile, chuckled as if he could taste the tension. "Ah, your... companion is quite protective, isn't he?"
Elliott shot Aiden a reproachful glare before offering Carlson an apologetic smile. "He's just shy."
Aiden rolled his eyes, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. Carlson's eyebrow twitched. "Shy... right. He seems very shy," he said dryly.
Aiden, meanwhile, was done with this conversation. He turned to Elliott. "Look—the seller is back, you can buy both charms, let's just go. We're late."
Before Elliott could reply, Carlson smoothly slid back into the topic, his focus returning to the charms. "The charms, yes. We were talking about those. Sun charms are traditional, yes—" he mused, "but very predictable. I think you'd prefer something more... special. Unique, if you will."
Elliott glanced at him, curious. All he saw here were sun charms—especially since it was the festival. "Oh?"
Carlson just smiled. He stepped toward the seller's collection and plucked something from under a pile of charms—something that had been tucked away, out of sight.
A pendant.
It was, in one word, mesmerizing. One half was a blazing sun, the other a crescent moon. Their edges interlocked like two lovers' hands. Elliott's breath caught. It was... beautiful. So beautiful. Suddenly, the sun charms in his hands felt bland—predictable, just as Carlson had said.
Seeing Elliott's reaction, Carlson handed it over for him to inspect. The pendant was made of two detachable halves, meant to be worn by two people.
"...How did you know I'd like it?" Elliott asked, turning it over in his palm. The gold sun felt warm, the silver crescent moon cool to the touch—each half seeming to carry the nature of its celestial twin.
Carlson's smile was soft—like a blade wrapped in silk. "Call it a merchant's intuition." He tilted his head toward Aiden. "And besides, you had your companion here with you. I thought you'd prefer something like this. You can keep one, give the other to him."
Aiden's glare was colder than ever. Elliott, meanwhile, was beaming. The pendant felt... perfect.
Carlson continued, "It's not just any charm either. This one is blessed to keep the wearers together forever. Mostly purchased by lovers as a gift for their beloved." His tone was casual, but the way he said it was heavy with implication. Carlson was studying them both. Carefully.
Aiden stiffened. His glare sharpened. Elliott's cheeks flushed and he immediately stammered, "That's—We're not—"
Carlson waved it off. "That's just one aspect of it. It's also popular among friends. The main concept is keeping the wearers together—in what sense, well, that's up to the wearer."
Aiden had truly had enough. Before Carlson could speak again, he turned to the merchant. "How much for that?" His voice made it clear: buy it, leave, now.
The vendor glanced at Carlson.
"Put it on my tab," Carlson said with a dismissive wave.
Aiden stepped forward, posture screaming intimidation. "Not necessary. We'll pay."
Carlson took a step of his own, the smile still there but his eyes now sharp—making it clear he was not intimidated in the slightest. "Ah, such coldness, Scott. I'm almost hurt."
His voice was mocking—especially at the name. Another step forward, and he was close. Too close. Close enough to lean in and whisper, low but clear enough for both of them to hear:
"Consider this my first offering to His Majesty, Your Highness."
Aiden's eyes widened. His hand snapped to his cloak—dagger half-drawn—but Carlson had already stepped back, disappearing into the crowd.
The moment he was gone, Aiden turned to Elliott. This was not the exasperated, fond Aiden from moments ago. His voice was hard, leaving no room for argument.
"We're leaving. Now."
Elliott might have protested—they hadn't even gone to the moonlight canals yet—but he'd heard Carlson's words too. He stared down at the pendant still clutched in his hand, then at the crowd.
"Yes. We... should. We can float the candles in the palace."
Before they turned to go, Elliott detached the halves, slipping the crescent moon into Aiden's palm without a word. Aiden's breath caught.
Sun and moon.
Emperor and prince.
Inseparable.
Aiden huffed, shoving the charm back.
"That bastard gave it. It's probably cursed or something."
Elliott sighed. "Carlson literally picked it out in front of us. You're no fun," he added, tucking it back into Aiden's palm. "I'm going to wear mine. Your choice—wear yours or not."
Aiden didn't shove it back this time. He knew Elliott had said that on purpose. And Elliott knew Aiden would wear it if it meant matching with him.
"This is forced exploitatiron," Aiden muttered.
"I'm very persuasive."
"Smug and tyrannical is what you are."