Even though Bubu insisted that we can just rescue Deus later, we had to stop by as his location is nearer than the area where the transformation stone is according to dad.
Dad had told me the location of the transformation stone in which I asked him why he didn't take it.
Of course he didn't take it as he doesn't need it.
Finally, we arrived at the place which turned out to be a trading hub. Not just any trading hub but one of the largest in the land of the deserters.
I looked around in excitement in which I saw all sorts of stuff that is interesting that Lion immediately decided that we can stay for a day or two.
Oh, if it weren't for the fact that we are trying to find the transformation stone and Deus, I would beg him to extend our stay for a week or even a month.
A day or two is too short for me!
I held Bubu's arm as we roamed around excitedly while the rest of our companions followed us.
The trading hub is filled with mostly deserters, who stared at us with interest before noticing the rest of our companions' confident grins towards them.
I remembered when we first arrived on this land, that the pack used to cover me from head to toe because of the fact that the deserters would take females they fancy before realizing that they shouldn't feel threatened in the first place.
Now they are making it as some sort of a game between them on whoever prevented the deserters from carrying me off the most.
I don't want to know how many.
Still, I'm quite happy that Bubu and I can explore the trading hub without any worries of being carried off though I'm sure that Bubu won't mind about that.
In fact, Bubu kept whispering in my ear whenever she finds someone she fancies.
I tried hard to keep a straight face upon seeing that all of the deserters she fancied are extremely attractive.
After several moments of walking, Bubu pulled me towards a tent where there is a huge crowd in front of it.
I asked her if there's something she wants to buy in which she just grinned at me.
She told me that it's really good and that I should definitely try it.
Try what?
I glanced towards Lion to ask him for some details but it seems that he is distracted as he is having a lively conversation with the rest of our companions as they are busy comparing how many deserters they managed to get rid of.
Ugh.
Seeing them bantering, I know that they are trying to outdo each other.
I definitely don't want to know how many deserters had attempted to carry me off!
So I went with Bubu then tried to tell her that we should go somewhere else when I noticed that the merchant seemed to run out of things to sell.
Bubu laughed and told me that it's not a merchant but a magic user who is performing some tricks for entertainment.
Oohh! Like a magician!
We lined up patiently until it was our turn. Bubu said something into the magician's ear before grinning mischievously at me.
Now what is she up to this time?
The three of us went inside the tent in which the magician spoke some mysterious words that made my entire body glow.
I can hear Lion's voice calling me from outside the tent as he must've noticed that i wasn't around anymore.
Sly began yelling Bubu's name, making Bubu clench her teeth with annoyance that she hurriedly went outside the tent to yell back at him.
After several minutes, I can feel that my surroundings started to get bigger.
Or am I just getting smaller?
Oh my gosh! I'm shrinking!
I kept shrinking until my height became like a toddler.
Not just becoming toddler sized but a toddler in both appearance AND size!
I'm a freaking toddler!
The magician must've thought that I'm a toddler entirely as he talked in a sing-song voice towards me until I gave him a glare.
To make things worse, I looked like I'm swimming in my clothes!
After a while, Bubu came back inside the tent, muttering all sorts of expletives until she saw my appearance.
She squealed in delight before asking the magician of some stuff in which both of them began dressing me up like I'm some sort of a doll to them.
Now both of them are having the time of their lives dressing me up and styling my hair into all sorts of elaborate designs until I told them to just tie my hair up into pigtails.
They squealed so loudly after seeing me with my hair in pigtails that the pack and Khamsin entered the tent in alarm.
When they saw me, things got even worse as they tried to buy all sorts of stuff for me that I hurriedly reminded them that the spell is temporary.
Right?!
....
No!!!
The magician has no idea how to turn me back into my adult form.
Then why did he transformed me like this in the first place?!
Bubu! It's your fault!
I yelled at Bubu in frustration though she found my yelling adorable as she just kept giggling at me.
Despite trying hard to control my emotions, I bit my lip as tears started to well up in my eyes.
Immediately, Lion carried me in his arms as he tried his best to comfort me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and snuggled towards him while I sniffled before remembering that I'm a toddler in appearance only.
Good heavens.
This is embarrassing.
I tried to struggle against him before he held my head closer to his chest.
Oh.. this is comfortable..
I can hear his heartbeat..
Hearing it somehow calmed me down as he held me tenderly while whispering all sorts of comfort towards me.
Yeah, it calmed me for a bit before remembering again that I'm an adult in a toddler's body.
I struggled again but stopped when I saw the look on his face.
Oh..
Oh, right..
He looked like he is feeling overjoyed, as if one of his greatest wishes is being fulfilled...
Yeah..
It's quite obvious that he wants an offspring.
Sigh.
Okay, fine. I'll be a toddler for now though I won't act like one.
For a day.
....
I did say that I won't act like a toddler but when Sly offered me some candy, I hurriedly reached my hand towards him.
Lion held me tightly as he kept telling me that candy is not good for me while glaring at Sly, who only laughed at him.
I'm NOT a toddler!
I asked Alpha to give me some candy but he only grinned at me while offering me some fruit instead.
I DON'T WANT FRUIT! I WANT CANDY!
I frowned at them, refusing to talk to any of them despite their gentle persuations when I saw something from a merchant that caught my attention.
If they treat me like a toddler, then I'll show them what a toddler really is.
In a flash, I got out of Lion's arms and hurriedly ran towards the merchant.
Heh.
All of them are panicking as they tried to chase me except for Bubu, who understood my intentions as she just kept laughing at them.
She signaled me that she is going somewhere again while I gave her a thumbs up before running again.
This is so fun!
I laughed as I enjoyed my antics, definitely not feeling sorry at the pack and Khamsin, who all panted as they tried to catch me.
I should enjoy being young again without any worries at all.
....
Ooohhh.. what's that?!
I looked at Orm, pointing at what I just saw that looks quite interesting.
He caught me first, which is surprising as the rest of the pack and Khamsin run faster than him.
Despite being slower, he knows that I'm easily distracted that he waited for the right moment for me to see something interesting before catching me.
I laughed when he caught me, making him laugh too as he made me sit on his shoulder while holding me securely.
He grinned in triumph towards the rest of the pack and Khamsin, who all looked like they are out of breath.
In an unhurried pace, he brought me to the shops that he thinks that I might find interesting.
The rest of our companions signaled us to go ahead while they all sat on the ground, trying to catch their breath.
Ahh.. it seems that they need to exercise again.
.....
After visiting several shops, Orm noticed me sweating a lot that he stopped in front of a bench that is underneath a tree and sat down.
He placed me beside him while he conjured up a small snowball and gave it to me.
ICE CREAM!
I enthusiastically ate the snowball before he noticed in which he hurriedly told me that it is not supposed to be for eating.
Too late.
He chuckled as he told me that I was supposed to hold it while it melts as it will help cool me down though my method is definitely way better.
Seeing that the rest of our companions hasn't yet caught up with us, he began telling me all sorts of interesting stories while holding my arm securely.
Oh, I won't run! I promise!
I grinned at him then begged him to let go of me but to no avail as he smirked at me, saying that as much as he loves me, he doesn't trust me right now.
Hmph!
I turned my back on him while crossing my arms in which he just laughed then started to sing a song.
He continued singing until my heart softened and I tried to climb on his shoulder.
It wasn't easy at all as I kept slipping down though in the end, he just cradled me in his arms.
His voice sounds soothing to me that I gave a huge yawn and snuggled towards him as I closed my eyes.
But of course I don't feel sleepy at all.
I just acted like it.
He took the bait as he gave a huge sigh then caressed my head tenderly.
To be honest, I did not expect him to act this way as he didn't have a good upbringing when he was young.
Maybe he is good with offsprings or he is just acting this way because it's me.
I don't know.
But I'm hoping for the best though.
...
After several moments, I can hear the rest of our companions approaching us in which Orm instantly shushed them.
I can hear their sighs of relief before deciding to open my eyes.
Surprise! I'm not yet asleep!
Orm chucked with amusement while the others groaned in exhaustion.
I laughed and told them that I had my fun, promising that I will act as an adult despite my appearance.
Lion told me that he doesn't mind at all but begged me not to run impulsively as I might get into an accident.
Okay!
With a smile, I told them that they are way behind with their exercises, making all of them groan even more.
Suddenly, I felt hungry in which I reached out towards Ghost, who looked excited upon seeing me reaching out to him.
He made me sit on his shoulders as I told him that I'm hungry and want something delicious.
Instantly, he marched to the nearest food shop before deciding that he will cook for me instead.
I laughed with glee and told them that I like seeing all of them shopping to their heart's content.
That was a mistake.
Despite them, except Ghost and Khamsin, on having self control when it comes to buying things, they all shopped like they are some sort of a sultan with unlimited wealth.
Uh-oh.
I have a feeling that the remaining empty rooms of Lion's castle will be filled with all our stuff.
Still, I had fun watching them shop to their heart's content before seeing Lion buying all sorts of stuff for me.
Wait! That's too many!
Not only Lion, but the others too especially Orm as he bought all sorts of books for me.
But I don't know how to read their written language!
As for Sly, he didn't buy as much stuff like the others did but it seemed like it as the things he bought looked expensive that I'm afraid to know the cost.
He told me that he will decorate his room better at the castle as I will be sleeping there more often.
As soon as he said that, the shopkeeper called his name in which I saw that he is buying a bed.
A bed.
Not just any kind of bed but the most expensive one the shop has.
While Sly paid for the bed, I noticed that Ghost seems to be busy deciding about something.
I walked towards him, curious about what he is thinking about when he immediately told the shop assistant that he is going to buy everything.
Buying what??!!!
I don't want to know.
I have a feeling that Lion will decline his request again to extend his room back in the castle.
Noticing me staring at him, Ghost grinned at me before showing me one of the things he bought.
It's a couch.
But a lovely one, I had to admit.
He averted his eyes while his face turned red as he admitted that he likes lying on my lap.
I see.
Also, he showed me the bags he bought as he told me that as soon as we return to the territory, we will go exploring all the forests in the territory and harvest some ingredients.
Oh! That reminds me!
I told him that I found some seeds back then and asked him if he knows how to cultivate it.
He suddenly looked interested and told me that we will do some gardening too.
And of course we would plant some flowers as well.
I think that Pinky would love it too. I wonder if he still remembers me?
....
Alpha bought all sorts of potions that will make my hair look even better, according to him.
Not only potions but all sorts of stuff including a canoe.
Why does he need a canoe?
I asked him why he bought a canoe in which he told me that he has a surprise for me when we return at the territory.
Now I'm excited to return!
Seeing the happy look on my face, he nuzzled my head before telling me that he has to pay his stuff first and told me not to move from my spot.
I stood there for a while as everyone are busy paying and buying all sorts of stuff, making the shop owner extremely happy that he took out more stuff from his storage and enthusiastically showed it to them.
One of the stuff he showed is a treasure chest that is filled with all sorts of trinkets and jewelry.
Made entirely of gold and rare materials.
I can see Khamsin lit up as he grinned towards me, pointing it as he mouthed that he is going to buy it for me.
PLEASE NO!
I still have plenty of jewelry that he bought for me that I haven't worn yet!
Too late.
He bought it, along with more stuff.
...
Alpha must've forgotten that he told me not to move from my spot as he kept buying all sorts of stuff.
I'm getting bored.
I wished that I am in my adult form so I can shop also!
It seemed that everyone forgot about me and it doesn't help that the shopkeeper and all his assistants didn't take notice of me as they are too busy trying to sell more stuff.
Oh, well.
Maybe I should explore around.
No!
It's not safe!
But against my better judgement, I left the shop.
I know that it's stupid but forgot about it as soon, I got engrossed with my surroundings.
Is this how a toddler acts?! Cause I definitely acted like one!
I kept on walking, thankful that the deserters doesn't seem to take notice of me.
Good.
Everything looks interesting around me and i continued on walking until my feet starts to hurt.
Oops.
I forgot that I haven't worn any shoes.
When I glanced back, I finally noticed that I'm lost.
Uh-oh.
I'm in big trouble.
....
It started to get dark in which I'm beginning to panic.
Oh, no!
Because of my stupidity, I forgot that I have problems with directions most of the time.
Soon, I began to tremble as I'm scared of facing Lion and the others.
I'm sure that he must be furious of what I did.
I deserve it though.
There's a quiet corner beside a closed shop in which I huddled beside it and began to cry.
So stupid of me!
To think I'm supposed to know better!
I'm scared of facing everyone.
They must be furious at me.
I cried for a long time until I heard a voice so gentle that I instantly stopped crying.
Hesitantly, I glanced up and saw a lovely female being reaching her hand towards me.
A female!
I looked at her in which she smiled gently at me, asking me if I'm alone.
I sniffled as I told her that I'm scared of going back to my companions.
It's a bit true though I missed them as well.
She asked me if it's okay for her to carry me.
I tried to decline as I told her that I'm smelly, dirty and definitely in need of a bath.
Of course, i admitted to her that I'm an adult in a toddler's body and told her what happened.
She laughed then assured me that her mate knows how to return me back to my adult form.
Reaching her hands towards me once more, I took a step and held one of her hands, telling her that this will do.
With a grin, she led me to her carriage.
Please don't follow what I did. It's NOT safe to go with strangers.