Supreme Spouse System.-Chapter 68: Beneath the City’s Gaze [Part-2]

Beneath the City’s Gaze [Part-2]

Ronan moved forward, his countenance serene and respectful as he bowed to Leon.

"Good day, Your Grace," he stated, his voice firm and full of respect.

To his left, just behind him, the girl echoed the gesture with sincere grace. Her brown tunic rustled softly as she bowed silently.

Leon matched the gesture with a smiling face and a silent head bob.

Ronan straightened up smoothly from his bow before Leon and now faced Aria with a courtly bow. "Hello, Lady Aria," he told her quietly, smiling.

Now his keen gaze flicked towards the three ladies just behind Leon. He produced a courteous smile along with a second polite bow. "And greetings to you as well, my ladies.

Leon cocked his head, a faint, wry smile creeping at the edge of his mouth. "Huh... Ronan. And you’re the guide Aria was talking about?"

"Yes, Your Grace. I am," Ronan replied with his customary, unwavering composure.

Leon nodded gradually, although a chuckling smile tugged at the edge of his lips. "But don’t you know that we came incognito today?"

Ronan dipped his head. "Yes, Your Grace.

Leon with amused smile in lips and folding his arms. Asked, "Then tell me, Ronan—we just commoners and merchants are walking around the market with the famous owner of The Moon’s Shadow Tavern... won’t that turn a few heads? Draw a bit more attention than we’d like?"

Ronan’s smile didn’t falter. "Ah, Your Grace, that stings a bit. You really think so little of your own underling? I’m not a fool— That’s why I brought someone more appropriate."

He turned and gestured softly toward the girl standing beside him.

"My daughter, Chloe, will be your guide—not me, Your Grace.

Leon’s eyes came back to the girl beside him—and then it clicked. He remembered, vaguely, from inherited memories: Ronan had a daughter. But the previous Leon never got to meet her in person. She had remained a shadow until today.

Chloe stepped forward, bowing again, albeit a little deeper this time. Her voice was gentle but firm. "It is my honor to serve you and guide around in city, my lord."

Leon offered her a warm smile and said gentle voice. "Then thank you, Chloe... I’ll rely on your assistance today."

Her heart pounded, each beat loud in her ears as his gentle smile met her gaze.

She’d heard the tales—everybody in Silver City had. Duke Leon Moonwalker. War hero. Noble heart. Brooding man of otherworldly eyes. To every young lady, he was the fairy-tale prince to whom they dreamed, wished with all their heart once to get a glimpse; to catch his attention... but never did.

And Chloe was no exception.

And now, here he was—smiling at her, like a prince from a dream made real. In that moment, everything felt like a dream pulled out of the pages of a fairy tale.

Chloe flushed faintly. "Y-Yes, my lord. It would be my honor."

Aria, standing silently by Leon’s side, let out a gentle sigh, while gazing at Chloe, a wry smile pulling at her lips. Another one falls, she thought with a hint of amusement. His charm is unstoppable. She looked at Cynthia, Kyra, and Syra, who, like her, had seen Chloe’s subtle daze and give a pity look this girl. Poor girl, Aria thought. Today won’t be easy for her.

Leon turned to Ronan, his voice changing to business. "Thank you, Ronan. For now, we’ll start our tour of the market. Excuse us, please."

Ronan nodded and moved aside with a slight bow. "As you wish, Your Grace. Enjoy your day."

Leon issued the command, "Ladies, let’s go," and turned to Chloe. "Chloe, lead the way."

Yes, my lord." Chloe led the way; her stance elegant—but her fingers pulled nervously at her cuff.

The group trailed behind her out of the alley, their footsteps light.

Behind them, Captain Black and his guards faded silently into the city’s shadows, already gliding unseen across rooftops and secret ways. Ronan spun and strode back toward his tavern, vanishing around a corner as if he’d never existed.

And then—sunlight.

As they came out of the alleyway into the midst of the market district, Leon glanced up.

It was huge.

Dozens of vendor stalls spilled across the cobblestone square. Colorful banners billowed above in the wind, with signs painted in every color—scarlet, gold, deep green. The smell of charred meat, baked breads, and sweet fruit filled the air. Merchants called out prices with eager grins, children laughed, and guards walked the broad avenues. People moved in every direction, weaving through stands loaded with cloth, spices, weapons, trinkets, and charms.

To Leon, an Earth-born spirit now within this new world, it was like entering a scene from a high-budget anime. The colors were brighter, the sounds crisper, the life more tangible. He kept his wonder behind a stoic mask, but in his mind, he was awed. It was as if pieces of an old dream—brought to life in complete detail.

But the others? They weren’t so stoic.

Cynthia, Kyra, and Syra froze; eyes wide in stunned silence. Their upbringing as noble daughters had instilled in them grace, schooling, and poise, but their childhoods, far from the city, secreted away in Galvia’s woods and old books, meant that they seldom, if ever, saw the pulsing life of the city.

Cynthia and Kyra looked at each other, quietly drinking in the atmosphere, taking it all in with hushed wonder. But Syra, not able to contain her excitement, gasped out loud. "This is amazing! It’s so noisy, and bright, and... alive!"

Leon laughed at her amusement. "Yes," he said, "but, it’s quite vibrant with all you here." He said in smooth and playful voice.

Aria smiled at the three women, her heart melting as she saw their responses. They’ve never actually been exposed to this sort of crowd, have they? They grew up isolated, so they’ve only ever seen small towns, perhaps border crossings—but this? Her eyes scanned the bustling market. This would be like another world to them.

She nodded to herself, a gentle smile still on her lips as she looked at Leon. "So. what do you think we should get for the princess?" she said, her voice contemplative, but light.

Leon hesitated. "I... don’t know." He looked at her. "Do you have any ideas?"

Aria rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh. "Sometimes you talk as though you understand women better than everyone else in the world. At other times, you turn downright useless when women are involved."

Leon stood up, half-indignant but also entertained. "Really?

Aria smiled tauntingly, her voice light but full of mischief. "Leave it," she said, dusting off the remark. "I expected as much. So, I already had an idea for the present. We can go for a necklace—or perhaps a magical object, something refined and practical.

Leon smiled, his eyes relaxing as he admired her foresight. "Well, that does sound more in keeping with what we require," he replied with a teasing smile.

Leon moved around to Chloe, who had been silently listening to their exchange, but whose eyes locked on him with a stunned admiration.

"Chloe," Leon said softly, his voice snapping her out of her reverie.

She blinked, startled, as if coming back to awareness. "Y-Yes, my lord?"

"You said you had knowledge of the top shops in the city. Do you know where we would find great jewelry or magical goods?"

Her eyes widened with understanding, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, indeed! The Black Gold Company has the finest reputation in the city for both. Fine enchanted goods and mastercrafted jewelry."

Leon smiled. "Perfect. Let’s go there."

Chloe nodded briskly. "This way, please."

They trailed behind as she escorted them onto the busy main street—where pedestrians slowed to gawk.

As they emerged onto the main street, the world about them came to a halt. Leon—tall, elegant, and innately graceful even in his humble black robe—naturally attracted attention. And standing beside him, Aria, Cynthia, Kyra, and Syra moved like visions from a dream, each a kind of beauty. Pedestrians couldn’t help but gawk. Some spoke in hushed tones, others stopped in their tracks, some just stood by silently. No yelling or cussing ensued, only the heavy burden of curiosity and adoration in every look.

Leon experienced it all. The notice grazed his perception like a zephyr, but he declined to pay heed to it, keeping his gaze in front and his stride unbroken. He had grown accustomed to this sort of suspicion – so he decides to ignore this and continue walking.

The ladies were not strangers to glances. Their beauty had long attracted notice, wherever they stepped. Wherever they stepped—they attracted glances of strangers. It was almost routine. So, when passersby in the market turned to look, it didn’t surprise them. The attention stirred a flicker of discomfort—but never enough to break their practiced poise. They had long since learned to carry themselves with quiet dignity, to wear their beauty like a veil of confidence. Ignoring the attention wasn’t difficult—it was second nature.

But Chloe’s feet skipped a step because the burden of dozens of eyes came crashing down on her. The hum of the market disappeared under the beat of her own heart. She flushed with color as she let her eyes drop, searing herself with the attention. She wasn’t accustomed to this—not to the gazes, not to the whispers. Not to walking beside a man like Leon, whose presence alone turned heads, let alone when surrounded by such stunning women.

Unconsciously, she edged closer to Leon, attracted to his calm like a drifting ship to a lighthouse. It was subtle, instinctive. But Leon noticed.

Leon noticed the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled and uncurled nervously. Gently, he leaned in, his voice quiet and smooth, like warm silk over frayed nerves.

"Chloe," he said softly to make her ease, "don’t be nervous. They’re only staring because you’re beautiful. Take it as a compliment."

She blinked, taken aback by the gentleness in his tone. Her heart stuttered, a breath caught in her throat. She eased her tension within herself slowly, looking up at him—his serene smile, gentle eyes—and relaxed. Chloe smiled shyly and nodded. "Yes, my lord. Thank you." Her voice shook, but her steps became more confident.

Leon smiled, not knowing that at his back, Aria and the others shared knowing glances—each of them silently exhaling in amusement. And as they continue walked on. Vendors shouted with fresh vegetables, fruits, and roasted meats. The aroma of spices blended with street food drew Syra noticeably attracted to street food good smell.

She gestured. "That smells so good—"

But before she was able to get out her words, Kyra softly interrupted. "Syra," she said softly, with a subtle hint of warning.

But Leon picked up on Syra reaction, he smiled lightly and spoke to Syra. "It’s okay. When we’ve finished shopping, you can eat as much as you like."

"Really?!"

He nodded. "I promise."

And then, after navigating through two more streets, they came to a big, dark-stone building with silver doors and a black sigil inscribed above the door.

Black Gold Company.

The building stood tall and firm at the plaza’s edge. Large windows shone, showcasing enchanted rings, amulets, crystals, and glittering fabrics.

Leon gazed up at the sign, then at Chloe.

"Well done," he said.

Chloe smiled bashfully.

And so, they walked toward the door—ready to discover a gift worthy of royalty.