The carriage gradually slowed as it entered the heart of Noct's bustling marketplace. After a final jolt, the wheels rolled to a complete stop. Outside, the coachman carefully climbed down. His joints cracked softly under his weight, but he carried himself with the discipline of someone who had served the royal family for decades. He walked to the door, placed a gentle hand on the handle, and pulled it open with a respectful bow.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness," the old man said, his voice low and raspy with age. "We've arrived."
Alexander barely acknowledged him. His mind was drifting elsewhere, occupied with matters far more important than escorting a human princess to a marketplace. Still, he inclined his head once. That was all anyone ever received from him.
The coachman stepped aside and extended a hand. Amelia grasped it delicately as she descended from the carriage. The moment her feet touched the ground, her eyes widened with awe.
The market stretched out before them like a vivid tapestry of life. People of every age moved between the rows of stalls, carrying baskets, shouting prices, exchanging goods. Colours blurred into one another—rich fabrics, stacks of fruit, glistening metal trinkets. A mixture of aromas filled the air: roasted meat, fresh herbs, ripe berries, and most strongly, the warm scent of freshly baked pastries.
Amelia's stomach growled loudly, betraying her. She pressed a hand to her abdomen. She had eaten very little at breakfast, too anxious after learning the King wouldn't be joining her. Now that decision was coming back to haunt her.
A tall shadow fell over her.
Alexander stepped out of the carriage, his presence shifting the air around them. He towered above her, broad-shouldered and imposing, his sharp eyes scanning the environment with predatory precision. Though outwardly calm, she sensed he despised crowds. His jaw flexed subtly—an inward curse restrained only by royal discipline.
Amelia glanced up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I must say, Your Majesty, it is rather good to be among the common people for once. Don't you think?"
Alexander didn't respond. He didn't even spare her a glance.
Amelia's smile faltered, but she tried again, her excitement bubbling. "Do you come here often?"
"Rarely," he replied, already losing interest.
Their expensive royal garments made them stand out. People who recognized Alexander froze momentarily, then bowed deeply. Some bowed to Amelia as well, though their eyes lingered curiously on her human appearance.
Alexander turned abruptly toward a stall selling bread. Amelia squinted, wondering what he was doing and then realized, with rising embarrassment, that he had noticed her staring longingly at the pastries. She mentally cursed her stomach.
Alexander bought a loaf without a word.
When he returned, he extended it toward her.
"Your Majesty… why buy me bread?" Amelia asked, intentionally playing innocent. She liked the fact that the king was extra attentive to her.
Alexander ignored her question. "We've been standing here long enough. Let's look around."
He started walking, his long strides leaving her scrambling to keep up.
---
As they toured the market, Amelia's attention was captured by a stall overflowing with hairpins. They shimmered under the sunlight, beautiful designs crafted with delicate artistry. She drifted toward it almost unconsciously, Alexander following behind her like a dark, silent shadow.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness," the vendor greeted with a deep bow. "We sell the finest hairpins in all of Noct. Would you like to see some?"
"Yes, show me," Amelia said eagerly.
The woman opened a large velvet-lined box. Inside, hundreds of pins lay arranged in neat rows, some topped with gemstones, others engraved with floral or leaf patterns. They glittered like tiny stars.
"Which would you like, Your Highness?" the woman asked.
Amelia's eyes darted from one to another. They were all so beautiful she felt overwhelmed.
The merchant lifted three pins. "This one has a sapphire that matches Your Highness's eyes. This floral design is perfect for daytime wear. And this leaf-patterned one symbolizes elegance."
Amelia smiled, then turned toward Alexander. "Your Majesty, would you choose one for me? I'm having a little trouble deciding."
Alexander looked at her with clear disinterest. He hadn't even been paying attention.
"How much for all three?" he asked suddenly.
Amelia gasped, turning to him. "Your Majesty… isn't that too much? I only asked for—"
He ignored her protest. He took out the amount the merchant requested, placing the coins with the casual ease of someone who cared nothing for the cost.
As the woman wrapped the pins, something else caught Alexander's eye.
Among the hairpins lay a collection of small jewelry. One item, a bracelet with a water-drop pendant that glowed faintly under the light. The shape, the color, the craftsmanship… it tugged at something in his memory.
"What is that?" he asked.
The woman followed his gaze and smiled proudly. "A rare piece, Your Majesty. The pendant is said to have been carved by the sea itself. Very hard to find."
Amelia leaned closer. "What is it, Your Majesty?"
"I'll take it," Alexander said simply.
The vendor packed the necklace separately and handed it to him. Though Amelia wanted to ask who the other bracelet was for she decided to just keep it to herself but that didn't stop her from wondering. She doubt the king would wear such, which mean he was giving it to someone. Who could that someone be?
---
They walked away toward the famous tower of Noct when a sudden commotion erupted nearby.
"My child—he stole my child!" a woman screamed.
Two men bolted through the crowd—one holding a crying baby, the other running beside him. People gasped and jumped aside.
Amelia covered her mouth in shock.
Alexander, however, stilled. His eyes sharpened, a dangerous glint flashing through them. The running thieves were headed directly toward their path.
Perfect.
Something to add colour to this painfully dull outing.
"Stay here," Alexander said.
"Your Majesty, what—" Before she could finish, he was gone.
Amelia stood frozen as the King walked straight into the thieves' path. The men slowed, horrified.
"I–It's the Vampire King," the accomplice whispered, stumbling backward.
Alexander's gaze locked onto the man holding the baby. His aura dropped like a blade, suffocating the space around them.
"Return the child quietly," he said, adjusting his gloves, "I would hate to stain my new pair with your blood."
Instead of surrendering, the man smirked. He lifted two fingers subtly, signaling something.
Suddenly, six more men emerged from the crowd, carrying axes and daggers. People screamed and scattered in all directions.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," the thief said mockingly, "but I have to make a living. And this child will—"
He didn't finish.
Alexander moved with the speed of lightning.
A blur of black and silver tore through the attackers. In seconds, their screams filled the market as they dropped to the ground—injured, disarmed, or dying.
A cold silence fell.
The man holding the baby trembled violently. He backed away, dropping the child, and tried to flee but froze when he turned and found Alexander standing directly in front of him.
The King's eyes glowed a terrifying golden hue.
"No—please—" the man stuttered.
Alexander grabbed him by the throat.
For a moment, time paused.
Then Alexander ripped the man's head clean off.
Blood sprayed, staining his face and clothes. Gasps rippled through the marketplace. People hid their faces, trembling in horror. He truly was the bloodthirsty king they whispered about. Amelia closed her eyes in fear, he just killed someone, so easy. She thought to herself, her heart racing.
"Damn it," Alexander muttered, wiping the blood off with the back of his hand.
He stripped off his stained gloves, revealing pale, veined hands. He bent down, gently picked up the crying baby, and carried the child back to its mother, who collapsed in relief.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she sobbed, clutching her child.
Alexander nodded once before turning back to Amelia.
She stared at him wide-eyed—horrified, fascinated, breathless.
"Let's go," he said, striding forward.
Amelia hurried to catch up, her heartbeat thundering as she followed the blood-stained king through the silent crowd. There was something she noticed about the king after saving the child, his whole demeanor changed yet again, she couldn't quite pin what it was.