Chapter 13: Chapter : 13 : Strolling In The Market!

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the goblin kingdom, bathing the palace in soft light.

Aiden and Lysandra stood before King Kragg Grimclaw, seeking permission for their little excursion.

King Kragg stroked his thick, graying beard thoughtfully before a knowing grin spread across his face. “It’s all right. If you two are to marry, then it’s important you get to know each other.”

Lysandra’s face lit up bright red, the goblin equivalent of a deep blush. “F-Father!”

Aiden chuckled softly, scratching the back of his head. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

With permission granted, Lysandra rushed to her room to change. Minutes later, she stepped out, her elegant curves hidden beneath a simple outfit and a hood. The outfit, while designed as a disguise, hugged her figure in all the right places.

“How do I look?” she asked shyly, her crimson eyes peeking out from under the hood.

Aiden’s throat went dry. “Damn.” He felt his heart skip. “You… Ah… look stunning,” he admitted, breathless.

Lysandra flushed hard. “T-Thank you,” she mumbled, gripping her cloak tighter.

In a playful gesture, Aiden extended his hand like a noble knight. “Shall we?”

She hesitated before slipping her small green hand into his, her heart racing.

But just as they were about to leave, a pair of hands suddenly covered Aiden’s eyes from behind. Softness pressed into his back—very obvious softness.

“Luna?” Aiden smirked, already knowing.

“Yes… Master!” Luna chirped, removing her hands. She stepped in front of him, her wolf ears twitching excitedly, her fluffy tail wagging behind her.

Aiden turned to face her. “Good morning, love. Slept well?”

“The best night!” she beamed before noticing Lysandra, her bright amber eyes narrowing in playful suspicion. “But… where are you going with the princess without me? You didn’t even ask!” She pouted adorably, her tail drooping.

Aiden winced at her cuteness. “Luna, I’m sorry. I just wanted Ly—uh, I mean, the princess—to feel better.”

“Ly?” Luna’s ears perked up. “You’re giving her a nickname? No fair! You’ve never given me one!”

“Well… I named you, didn’t I?” Aiden teased.

“Master! You’re such a smooth talker!” Luna giggled, her cheeks tinged pink as she fiddled with her fingers.

“I get that a lot.”

“But still… where are you two headed?” she asked, puffing out her cheeks.

“The market. Thought we’d check it out.”

Luna’s tail instantly sprang back to life. “Can I come too? Pleeease?”

“Of course.”

Before he could finish, Luna latched onto his arm, hugging it tightly against her chest. Aiden nearly lost balance, but the softness was hard to complain about.

Lysandra watched, a storm brewing inside her. I’m supposed to be his future wife… why does she get to— Her thoughts short-circuited as jealousy flared.

“Ly, let’s get going,” Aiden said, noticing her growing frustration.

“Y-Yeah,” she replied, forcing a smile. “But… wouldn’t it be a problem if they see a human and beastkin walking in the market?”

Aiden grimaced. “You’re right.”

He quickly consulted the system in his mind. System, any ideas?

—

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[CAMOUFLAGE ABILITY: UNLOCKED]

Blend into your surroundings. Take on forms to match local species.

[WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACTIVATE CAMOUFLAGE?]

→ YES | NO

Note: Tamed beasts are included in the transformation.

—

Perfect. Aiden mentally selected YES.

A soft green glow enveloped him and Luna. In seconds, their skin turned goblin green, their features subtly shifting. Luna’s wolf ears flattened and morphed into goblin ears, her tail vanishing.

“Master… is this your doing?” Luna blinked, tugging at her new goblin ears.

Aiden grinned. “Yup.”

Lysandra gawked. “That was… incredible! You can just transform like that?”

“It’s… uh, one of my skills,” Aiden replied, though in truth, even he hadn’t expected that feature. System’s definitely got some hidden tricks.

—

The Market…

The bustling market was alive with color. Stalls lined both sides of the cobblestone paths, goblins bartering loudly over vegetables, weapons, and odd trinkets. The smell of roasted meats mixed with sweet pastries filled the air.

Luna still clung to Aiden’s arm, pressing it firmly between her chest, completely ignoring Lysandra’s fuming glare.

Calm down, Lysandra. You’re a princess. Don’t let her get to— Luna giggled at something Aiden said, and Lysandra’s mental resolve shattered. I will MURDER HER.

Their first stop was a stall selling accessories.

“Master!” Luna tugged at his sleeve, pointing at a hair stick.

“You like them?” Aiden asked, amused.

She hesitated but nodded, her tail—if she still had it—clearly wagging in her mind.

Aiden chuckled and picked up the hair stick. Holding them beside her hair bun, he admired how they sparkled.

He put It inside her bun.

“How do I look?” she asked, her blush reaching her pointy ears.

“Beautiful,” Aiden replied sincerely.

The stall owner grinned. “Ahh, that’s a special stick. Legend says, if gifted by a lover, the bond becomes unbreakable.”

Total sales pitch, Aiden thought, but seeing Luna’s overjoyed face, he didn’t care.

“REALLY?!” Luna squealed.

CRACK.

Lysandra’s mental composure shattered again. UNBREAKABLE?! She nearly fell to her knees, an imaginary glass shattering around her.

Aiden noticed her distress. “Ly, want something too?”

“I—uh—I guess… maybe… that.” She pointed to a butterfly-shaped hairclip, her blush deepening.

Aiden picked it up and gently pinned it in her golden hair.

“How do I look?” Lysandra whispered.

“Stunning,” Aiden smiled. “You’d look beautiful in anything.”

Lysandra nearly fainted. “Y-You’re too smooth!”

Luna pouted, clutching her arms around his arm, pressing her boobs against them.

Aiden and Lysandra glsnced at her and instantly realise that she is jealous.

Aiden chuckled, petting her head with a smile.

Luna instantly melted into the touch, nudging her head on his palm.

Lysandra growled internally.

They continued strolling down the bustling market path, the sun casting a golden hue over the cobblestone streets. Merchants shouted deals, children laughed, and the air smelled of roasted meat. Despite the lively atmosphere, an awkward tension simmered between the trio.

Lysandra glanced sideways at Luna, who was still shamelessly clinging to Aiden’s arm, pressing it tightly against her chest. *Brazen wolf girl…* Lysandra thought, a twitch of jealousy sparking in her chest.

“Aiden-sama,” Lysandra finally spoke, her voice laced with forced politeness, “may I ask… what exactly is your relationship with… her?” She gestured stiffly towards Luna, who didn’t even flinch at the loaded question.

Before Aiden could open his mouth, Luna pounced on the opportunity. “We’re lovers, of course! And we’re gonna get married!” she declared proudly.

CRACK.

Lysandra’s mind practically shattered like glass. Her face flushed a deep crimson, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. “Wha—wha—WHAT?! M-married?! But—but—” Her words tumbled out in a flustered mess, her regal composure crumbling like sand.

“And we already had sex.” Luna added, puffing her chest, full of pride.

CRACK!

Lysandra’s whole world was crumbling.

“S-s… What?”

Aiden rubbed the back of his head, sighing deeply. Here we go again… He stepped closer to Lysandra, leaning in until their faces were mere inches apart. Lysandra’s breath caught in her throat, her crimson eyes wide as saucers. Her heart hammered so violently, she was convinced he could hear it.

Too close… TOO CLOSE! She panicked internally.

Aiden smirked, his voice dropping to a softer, reassuring tone. “Don’t worry, Ly. I’ll marry you both. Because… I like you both.”

BOOM.

Lysandra felt her brain short-circuit. Her entire face turned beet red as steam practically hissed out of her ears. She stumbled back a step, clutching her chest. “Y-You can’t just say things like that so casually!” she stammered, but the soft smile that crept onto her face betrayed her true feelings.

Aiden leaned back, grinning like a troublemaker who knew exactly what he was doing.

Before Lysandra could recover, a sudden scream tore through the market square.

“HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!”

The light-hearted moment shattered instantly. Aiden’s instincts kicked in as he spun towards the direction of the commotion.

“Did you hear that?” Luna’s ears shot straight up, her playful demeanor gone in an instant.

“How could I not?!” Aiden snapped, already dashing forward.

Lysandra tried to keep up. Aiden noticed, halting briefly to grab her hand. “Come on!” he urged.

The simple touch sent another wave of heat rushing to Lysandra’s face, but she pushed it down, focusing on running alongside him.

They reached the source of the screams—a small crowd had scattered, leaving the path open to a horrifying sight.

An enormous orc, towering with rippling muscles, stood in the center of the square. Its tusks jutted out in a feral snarl as it clutched a struggling figure by the throat.

A young goblin girl, frail and dirt-smudged, dangled helplessly in the orc’s massive grip. Her tattered, patched-up dress barely clung to her thin frame, her tiny feet bare and caked in dust. Her large crimson eyes were wide with terror, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clawed weakly at the orc’s hand.

“An orc? In the market? How did this happen?!” Lysandra whispered, horror-struck.

“No time to think—Luna, get ready!” Aiden barked.

“I’m on it, Master!” Luna growled, her eyes glowing gold as she shifted into her half-beast form. Her claws elongated, and her canines sharpened.

—

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

SUDDEN EVENT: DEFEAT THE ORC

REWARD: ???

BONUS: Save the Goblin Girl for Extra Rewards!

—

Like I needed you to tell me that! Aiden scoffed mentally.

“Inventory!” he commanded. Electricity crackled in his palms as the air shimmered in front of him. A sleek, twin-edged dagger materialized from the void, spiraling into his hand with a satisfying CLANG.

“Stormfang,” Aiden muttered with a smirk, twirling it effortlessly.

With a burst of speed, Aiden launched himself forward, electricity trailing behind him like a comet. In a single, fluid motion, he slashed the orc’s wrist—ZAP!—the blade cutting clean through muscle and bone as arcs of lightning surged from the dagger.

The orc howled In agony, its thick hand severed mid-air, green blood spraying across the cobblestones.

The goblin girl dropped like a stone.

“Luna!”

“I got her!” Luna dashed forward, catching the fragile girl just before she hit the ground. She cradled the goblin against her chest, her claws retracting so she wouldn’t scratch her.

The girl whimpered, tiny hands gripping Luna. Her pointy ears twitched as she peeked up with watery eyes. “T-Thank you, miss…”

“You’re safe now,” Luna cooed, her warm smile softening the sharpness of her beastly form.

But the orc wasn’t done.

It roared—a thunderous, guttural sound that vibrated through the air—before turning its bloodshot eyes onto Aiden. Rage and hatred boiled within its gaze.

“Hurts, doesn’t it?” Aiden taunted, spinning Stormfang between his fingers, lightning crackling along its blade.

The orc charged.

“Let’s dance,”

—

END OF Chapter : 8 : STROLLING IN THE MARKET!

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A/N: Sorry for the late. Hope you like the Chapter.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep