Chapter 14: The Capital
Today's the day. I had a noticeable look of delight on my face as I waited at the front gate of our manor, having ensured that my blazer was freshly ironed and my appearance was as neatly groomed as possible before exiting the bedroom.
My looks needed to be sharp as a needle for my "date" with Thora after all.
Of course, being presentable is a natural expectation for anyone walking the streets of Lilith, especially noblemen.
Fortunately for me, I don't need to worry about being recognized while I'm on the streets like most other Heirs and Heiresses need to be. Unlike them, I've spent very little time in public thanks to my parents' insistence on keeping me within our territory.
Therefore, the chances of anyone matching my face to my name are nearly nonexistent. In fact, I think most people don't even believe House Buné has a child other than Ladora. I'm like an urban myth.
It also eliminates Thora's concerns about a maid and a noble walking side by side in public. As much as I'd love to just flat-out tear down the walls of formality between us, but she's not someone I can get closer to with such a brutish approach.
The Underworld's paparazzi can be pretty relentless when they want to be, and Lucifer knows that's the last thing I need at present. I don't wish to be disturbed while I'm frolicking, which is why I also put my house's pin back into my breast pocket.
Cough. I mean conducting critical present-acquiring business in the capital.
"Young Lord, I apologize for the delay." The voice I had been patiently waiting for finally reached my ears like music.
I turned around, ecstatic to be met with the eye candy that was Thora's casual wear.
Her luscious raven locks freely cascaded down her shoulders instead of restricting themselves to a tight bun, and her freshly applied crimson lipstick complemented the hue of her irises to utter and complete perfection.
In place of her traditional maid attire, she wore a white shirt with horizontal red stripes spanning its surface—the tightness of which pronounced the shape of her graced bosom. A view that made it challenging not to gawk at.
Composure Alduin. Composure. You don't want her thinking you're a degenerate.
The fact that I had seen her bare figure when we were in the hot spring made it a little easier.
She wore a dark gray jacket over it, with a drawn bat pattern on all sides. The lower part of her ensemble consisted of a maroon checkered skirt, an incredibly alluring pair of stockings clung to her graceful thighs, and dark loafers.
Thick thighs really do save lives. Praise Lilith for devil bodily proportions!
"Don't even mention it, as it would appear—the delay was well worth it." I said with an assured smirk. "Thora, you look positively stunning in that outfit." I continued, not that I have anything against the esteemed maid's getup.
She'd see through any attempt to masquerade my attraction, so I might as well wear my heart on my sleeve in front of her.
"Y-Young Lord!" Much to my surprise, she blushed a little in response to my earnest compliment.
I think this means our relationship has progressed a little further, nice. Maybe now would be a good time to try to make somewhat of a move?
Yeah, I smell an opportunity here.
"Do you really plan on calling me that while we're among the general public? You'll end up arousing a lot of attention if you do." I sniffled, a fake tear rolling down my cheek. "Or do you truly not wish to say my name that badly? Hmph! How hurtful!"
"But—"
"Ah! It's precisely as I thought, you hate me so much that just uttering my name alone is enough to make you reel back in unparalleled repulsion. Goodness, how will my fragile heart ever recover from such a wound? The anguish! The agony! The torment!"
At this point, it should be evident that I'm not letting her use any excuses as an escape route.
"Alright! Alright! I get it already!" Her blush intensified, probably out of second-hand embarrassment this time.
Not that I blame her, I am yelling in the presence of all the servants who tend to our front courtyard to be fair.
"A-Alduin! There? Are you happy now?" She pouted, planting her hands on her hips in frustration.
How cute.
"One more time? I couldn't hear you very well." I cupped my hand over my ear.
"Hah! Now you're just being plain childish." She stormed past me, flicking her hair and letting it sway in the gentle breeze while walking towards the cab with tinted windows that awaited us at the roadside.
"Can you blame me? It seemed worth a try." I followed her, giving the aged driver standing beside the vehicle a subtle nod of acknowledgement that we were ready to leave. "Ladies first." I held the passenger-side door open.
"What a pleasant surprise, you're actually capable of performing proper etiquette." She lifted her eyebrows, elegantly cupping her palm over her mouth before getting inside.
"Well, it can't be helped when you're the only person I know worth displaying them for." I closed the door beside us, the car taking off and beginning our trip to Lilith.
Damn, this is one smooth ass ride. Kudos to the manufacturer. I should probably get something myself in the future. I'm curious as to what kind of car brands they have down here in the Underworld.
Groan, I suppose that means I'll have to do a driver's test all over again. I hope whoever facilitates that isn't as insufferable as the companies on Earth.
"You don't mean that."
"Why not?" I folded my arms. "My social circle consists of four people, mother, father, the rooster, and you. If you were in my position, I'm fairly certain you'd feel the same way."
"That's not a healthy mindset to have, Alduin. Especially not when you're about to attend Sona Sitri's birthday." She sighed in relief. "Speaking of which, have you decided on what you're going to get her yet?"
"Mhm, but we're not going to Lilith to pick up a direct present. Rather, we're going to pick up inspiration for a handmade project of mine."
Thora leaned back, crossing her arms in evident surprise. "Handmade? That's quite thoughtful of you. Actually, that's really thoughtful of you..."
"What? You don't think I can be thoughtful if I want to?" I narrowed my eyes in an accusatory fashion.
"No, not at all. I just wasn't expecting you to put as much care into preparing Sona Sitri's gift as you are, nothing more."
"Aren't you the one who stressed how important gift-giving was in the first place?"
"Me telling you things is one aspect, you actually listening to them is another." She smiled wittingly.
"Touché, Thora. Touché."
Time continued to trickle by as our journey persisted, though I hardly noticed how long it took, thanks to the back-and-forth small talk I was making with her.
Actually, on the subject of time, I hardly notice it passing at all. I think I might be afflicted by some kind of aftereffect from the lake that's numbing me to anything that takes an extended amount of time, or at least an amount most would find burdensome.
Either that, or it's just a passive effect of a devil's long lifespan. I believe Sebastian's been alive for nearly a millennium now, and I highly doubt he remembers each and every second of his life.
I'm not sure how long Martha's been around for, and it's probably best left that way—I haven't the faintest clue as to how someone such as herself would react to someone violating the sacred rule of never asking a woman her age, and frankly, I don't want to know.
"Young Lord, we have arrived." The chauffeur spoke, parking the car on a street adjacent to Lilith's commercial center, before exiting and holding the door open for us.
"Thank you." I hopped out and offered Thora my hand.
I'm scoring some serious gentleman points today.
"So, do you plan on telling me where we're going yet?"
"Uhm. I should probably be asking myself that." I scratched my head, whipping out my phone and pulling out the Underworld's version of Google Maps.
I may or may not have forgotten exactly where the store I was planning to visit is situated. Learning navigation skills isn't all that easy when you've parents like mine.
"Ah, there we are."
I opened my palm, looking at Thora in expectation.
"What?"
"We wouldn't want to get separated, would we?" I reached forward, brazenly interlocking our fingers before pulling her along.
"Alduin!" She yelped, her face reddening.
"You can think of this as another extension of your supervision duties if it helps." I slowed my pace on purpose, taking my time to stroll through the extravagant streets of the Underworld's capital.
Countless advertisements lined the avenue in the form of bright, lit-up billboards hanging over the roads, posters attached to the walls of shops for movies, products, and even Rating Games that were soon to occur.
Huh, they've got some good promotional work going on for them.
I know the rooster's competed in a few, but even setting my wholehearted spite for him aside, they weren't all that impressive.
The High Class Devils he fought against were quite mediocre, he's also lost a few games—but word is that he did so on purpose to help his family establish better relationships with other families.
He's strong, but he chooses to waste that strength combating half-assed existences to keep a good record. That's why his potential will forever remain just that—potential, never actualization. Forever incapable of standing on the same stage as his elder brother, Ruval.
Had he had any Clan Trait other than Immortality, I'm not sure how he'd fare.
However, that's a concern for him and his family to tackle. I've already got enough on my plate as is, and I'm not in a position where I can afford to waste time furthering this petty rivalry of ours.
That said, I do understand why "I" decided to pursue it in the first place. It was the first time I had an opportunity to build a relationship with anyone outside of the Buné Territory, even if it was a hostile one.
This life really has been nothing but layers upon layers of drama as of late.
"Ah! Here we are." I stopped, finding myself at the doorstep of a shop that had a profound antique, rustic aesthetic. The design of which was far more simplistic in comparison to most within Lilith, but in an orderly way rather than a bleak one.
"A chess shop?" Thora peered through the windows of the store, observing the rows of chess sets on display, all of varying qualities and compositions.
"It's like I said, I'm here for inspiration." I stepped inside, the bell attached to the top of the doorframe chiming upon entry.
"I see," she remarked in realization. "Do you plan on using your Wood Manipulation to create something of your own?"
"Mhm, I've got some features I have in mind for the finished product—but I'd still like a reference to base the general design of the pieces and board upon."
I felt like just flat out buying a chess set for Sona Sitri would be too bland of a gift, so putting my personal touch on it should help amplify its reception.
We don't have any sort of a personal relationship, so this should be thoughtful enough to be appreciated—but not deemed as creepy. The fact that she enjoys chess is common knowledge after all.
"Welcome to my humble outlet! Esteemed customers!" A welcoming voice greeted us as we were approached by a middle-aged man with a strikingly groomed mustache, the likes of which resembled an infinity loop.
Is that a typical fashion statement in Lilith? How bizarre, in a fun way though.
"My name is Reginald, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He placed his hand upon his chest, performing a courteous bow. "How might I be of assistance to a lovely young couple such as yourselves?"
"We're not a—!" Thora attempted to interject, but I quickly cupped her mouth with my palm.
"Our children recently started playing, we were just hoping you'd have something with a more unique design that we could buy for them as a birthday present." I said shamelessly.
Thora's expression immediately contorted, as if it were asking me if I had completely lost my mind.
Sorry, but I'm having way too much fun right now to let up.
I'll probably get whooped after this, but I think this is a fair trade, all things considered.
"Unique? Hmm. I'm not sure if I have what you're picturing in stock, but I'll gladly lead you around so you can observe the full depth of my inventory." He motioned for us to follow along.
"Your help is deeply appreciated." I returned the formality.
Ding!
Surprisingly enough, the bell chimed again only moments after we had entered.
How strange, this shop doesn't seem to get a whole lot of traffic since Thora and I are the only ones here at present.
"Saira! Are you sure about this? What if Sona finds a chess set a bit too basic for her taste? Most of the other attendants are probably thinking of getting her the same thing."
———
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