NIGHTS OF HALLOW

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By the time Sthena and Perdita stepped out of the next shop and returned to the carriage, the hands of the two assistants following them were filled with boxes of shoes.

It almost seemed as though Sthena planned on buying everything from the shop. Every shoe she stared at for too long, he asked to be packed.

It wasn’t an everyday scene to see the king with a woman or to shop with her. And the king of Vamlone was never seen or thought to be such a person as he was known to be feared. His appearance in the town with Perdita had already raised speculations that had traveled across every lip and ear.

Perdita knew she couldn’t avoid being talked about, but still it made her a little awkward to be faced with so many eyes watching her every step and word that left her lips.

About to enter the carriage, Sthena turned towards saying, ”Could you wait for me for just a little while? There’s something that requires my immediate attention. I’ll be back shortly.”

Perdita nodded, and he continued to say, ”You can look around the stalls, if anything catches your fancy, the coachman is here to assist you with it.” He caressed her cheek, rubbing his thumb at the back of her ear. Perdita watched as he walked away and entered a narrow road she assumed led to the alley.

Taking the opportunity instead of sitting idly in the carriage, Perdita decided to stroll as Sthena had suggested.

The first stall she walked past sold jewelry of all kinds, the gold and silver sparkling in the viewer’s eyes. The next shop she stopped at had ornaments, sweet-smelling oils and perfumes, and precious stones. She reached out and took one of the stones that caught her eye.

”Excellent choice, my lady.” The shop owner spoke from the binder that separated him from the goods he sold. ”This stone was brought in just yesterday. It is called the Chrysoprase stone. It symbolizes happiness. It is one of a kind and a perfect gift for someone.”

Perdita nodded to the words of the shop owner, still admiring the stone in her hand. She could make a ring from it, she thought.

”Do you want me to package the item for you, my lady?” The man quizzed, happy to make a sale. ”I also have a rose quartz stone if you would like to check for more stones to buy. It symbolizes unconditional love and inner peace.” He suggested bringing another stone out.

”That’s fine, I need this one only...” Perdita’s words died in her mouth immediately her eyes caught the light pink stone. She took it from the man, accessing it as her mind went to the perfect person it would suit as a ring. ”Put this one also.”

Without wasting time, the shop owner quickly packed everything and handed it to Perdita, who paid and then walked away from the stall back to the carriage.

It didn’t take a long time since Perdita sat in the carriage when Sthena returned and entered the carriage with her.

”Did you miss me?” Sthena cheekily stated. He scouted closer to Perdita and kissed her cheek. ”Did anything catch your fancy in the stalls?”

Perdita nodded with a small smile on her face. She imagined how the stones would look on Sthena once she cut them and made them into a ring.

”What did you buy?” Sthena probed just as the carriage started moving. He stared at Perdita’s hand holding what she had gotten.

”I won’t tell you now until the day I give it to you.” A smile stretched on her lips, imagining how the cut-out stone would be and also Sthena’s reaction to it.

A surprised look crossed Sthena’s face. ”You got me a gift?” A smile equally tugged on his lips. He leaned in towards Perdita to say, ”Though I want to see what it is now, this patient man will wait until that day.” This made Perdita chuckle.

The following day, nearing the hour of six in the evening, Perdita sat in front of the dressing mirror in her room while Emily and four other maids tended to getting her ready for the soiree that would be held later that evening in the town of Blackfang.

Out of the dresses she had gotten yesterday, she ended up choosing the one Sthena had picked. The color complemented her skin so well, and it was also comfortable to wear even with the intricate embroidery design and beadwork done on it.

A knock sounded outside the door as a maid walked in and bowed. She announced, ”My lady, His Majesty seeks your presence.”

Perdita turned to the maid. Standing, she asked, ”Where is he?”

”Near the castle’s entrance, my lady.” The maid responded. Perdita nodded and had the maid leave before stepping out of the room, followed by Emily behind her.

As she got to the hallway that led to the castle’s entrance, she took the stairs, the maids and everyone that heard her coming all stopped in their tracks, watching her with admiration in their eyes. Among whom was Sthena, who now walked towards her, the look on his face like none she had seen before.

Sthena had been speaking with the coachman when he sensed Perdita’s presence and the shift in everyone else’s stance on seeing her. He turned quicker than he had wanted, and the sight before him seemed as though Perdita stepped out of a painting, which she did.

Perdita had her hair in a beautiful ringlet updo. Some strands were let out that softly touched her face and neck, highlighting her delicate neck that made Sthena’s fangs itch for a bite.

From her neck to her off-shoulder dress to the V-neckline dipping down to show just the right amount of cleavage. The sheer flowing sleeves of her dress cascaded down her arms like silken mist and all screamed of beauty and elegance.

A fitted corseted bodice held her waist in place, showing the delicate curves. It was adorned with intricate embroidery and delicate beadwork that resembled frost-kissed vines.

Layers of fine tulle and satin created the depth of the skirt, sweeping gracefully down to her feet. The beadwork and embroidery also continued down the skirt in elegant patterns, enhancing the vertical flow of the dress. On her feet was the finest of shoes that slightly peeked out beneath the flowing skirt of her dress.

Watching Perdita step down the stairs in such a dress spoke volumes of sophistication. The dress was not merely a dress but a statement of nobility, status, and refinement. And Perdita depicted such elegance without effort.

Sthena met Perdita almost halfway down the stairs, his gaze never left hers, which stared at him with an equal intensity.

He stretched his hand before Perdita to place hers on. He leaned in, closed his eyes, and kissed Perdita’s knuckle. The action made Perdita’s heart full, and a beautiful smile graced her lips.

”My sweet girl,” Sthena whispered as he raised his head. His glacial red eyes had darkened as they stared into her green ones that made her heart shudder in her chest. ”They said angels are pure, but you have stolen my heart more times than I can remember.”

Sthena paused, took a strand of Perdita’s hair in between his fingers, and deliberately let it slowly slip from his fingers. He bent towards her this time and, in the shell of her ear, whispered, ”Why don’t you steal this body of mine also?”