The Obsessive Male Lead Is Actually Scary-Chapter 41: In the Blink of a Market Stall

"Miss Sonia, look at this!"

Emir tugged at my sleeve, holding up a small carved dragon figurine from a nearby stall. Its wings were painted with gold flecks that shimmered in the sunlight.

"Isn’t it cool?"

"It is," I said with a grin. "Looks fierce enough to guard your dreams at night."

He beamed at my response.

"Look, look! There’s a whole set!" Amira pointed excitedly at a neighboring vendor, who had a display of tiny animals carved from polished stone.

"I want to try carving something like this someday," she added, her eyes shining.

We continued strolling through the market, laughter and conversation weaving between the crowd’s gentle hum. Alessio walked a step behind me, calm and alert. Every now and then, I’d catch him glancing at me and the kids, watchful, thoughtful, protective in a way he probably didn’t even realize himself. freēnovelkiss.com

Just as Emir began hesitantly asking if we could buy a second dragon figurine, Caleb suddenly stopped. His hand shot to his chest, pressing over his shirt where something was vibrating faintly.

"The pendant," he muttered, stepping aside.

Alessio noticed. "Team from the capital?"

Caleb nodded and pulled out the communication artifact, whispering something under his breath.

"Yes?"

— "Sire. It’s urgent. We’ve confirmed everything! Paper trails, witness testimonies, even records from the hidden ledger. Count Belmont can be arrested immediately. The empire’s orders are to proceed."

Caleb’s expression sharpened.

"Understood. I’ll notify the others."

He turned to Alessio and Mateo, voice low. "It’s time. They have enough to move against Count Belmont."

Alessio stiffened slightly, eyes flicking toward me and the children. "...Now?"

"Yes. Any delay, and he might be on the next ship out," Mateo said, his voice steady.

Caleb added, "Since his attempt to reassemble the goods failed, it’s likely he’ll try to flee the empire, and this kingdom, at any cost."

Mateo nodded. "He’s also been in contact with his family back in the capital. We’re still monitoring the Countess, along with both his son and daughter. Their recent behavior has raised suspicions, including discreet visits to old associates, sudden requests for large sums of coin, and attempts to access sealed property records. Nothing conclusive yet, but it’s clear they’re preparing for something."

Count Belmont’s temporary residence in Kalvena had also been under close watch since the day of the warehouse incident. Mateo’s team, trained for discretion, had been stationed in key vantage points around the property. The Count was clearly stalling. Despite claiming he would return to the empire soon, he had postponed his departure multiple times.

Through intercepted messages, they discovered the Count had informed someone, most likely a broker, that there had been a slight complication preventing the shipment. He was trying to reassemble the goods meant for transport, but Alessio’s men had already begun sabotaging his efforts from the shadows. His every move was watched, and any attempt to reroute the cargo was blocked before it could begin.

The black market operation had taken years to uncover, and now that concrete evidence of his corruption had surfaced within the empire, there was no need to wait. They could apprehend him here without fear of legal blowback. Mateo had even coordinated with agents back home to ensure a warrant for his arrest would be sanctioned retroactively if needed.

In a hushed conversation about a week ago, Mateo had reported to Alessio.

"The Sultan’s hand is in this as well," he said grimly, keeping his voice low as they spoke in the back corner of the tavern.

"You met the Sultan?" Alessio asked.

"No. Just one of his men. A middleman. The Sultan’s involvement is veiled. He’s careful not to leave direct traces. But one of our people tailed Belmont two nights ago and saw him meeting the man in secret behind the spice trade hall."

Alessio didn’t respond immediately. He didn’t have to. Both of them knew what this meant. The Sultan’s indirect involvement made the politics even messier, but Count Belmont’s arrest was no longer just an option.

It was a necessity.

"..."

He hesitated for another second before walking to my side.

"I have to go. Something came up."

"I figured," I replied, giving him a knowing look.

He frowned slightly. "...Can you handle it from here?"

I reached up and patted his arm.

"Go. I’ll look after the kids."

He didn’t look convinced.

"We’re just strolling around a sunny market. What’s the worst that could happen?" I said with a soft laugh.

He still didn’t smile. But he gave a small nod and turned to the children.

"Stay close to Sonia, alright?"

"Yes, Mister!" Emir saluted with a grin.

"Be careful," Amira added.

And then the three of them—Alessio, Caleb, and Mateo—disappeared into the side alley, their figures blending with the crowd.

With the boys gone, the atmosphere lightened again.

"Now then, what else do we want to look at?" I asked, turning to the kids.

"I saw a scarf stand back there!" Emir said. "They had ones with tiger patterns!"

"And I saw embroidery kits," Amira added shyly. "Can we go there?"

"Of course."

We headed back toward the rows of craft vendors, pausing at colorful stalls. Emir ran to a wooden toy booth and called us over.

"Miss Sonia! Look at this carved riddle-box!" he called.

I turned to look, smiling at his enthusiasm. Amira had stopped by a stand with embroidery thread spools in every shade imaginable.

A woman behind the counter smiled kindly. "Do you like crafts, little one?"

"Yes... I want to learn to make something pretty. Maybe a ribbon or a doll."

"Do you want to try?"

Amira looked toward me for approval.

"Go on," I said. "I’ll be right over."

She turned back toward the counter, her eyes wide with wonder as the vendor showed her a hoop and some basic cloth.

But just as she turned to call me again—

A hand shot out from behind the stand.

"Mmmph—!"

A dirty cloth covered her mouth. Arms wrapped tight around her waist, yanking her back.

The man’s hood was deep, his cloak wide. No one noticed as he scooped her up in one swift motion and vanished between the gaps of nearby tents. The vendor had turned to grab thread spools and never saw it happen.

I was still looking at the toy Emir showed me when I heard his voice again.

"Wait... Where’s Amira?"

I blinked. "...She was just there."

My eyes snapped back to the embroidery stall—

Empty.

"Amira?" I called.

Nothing.

Panic spiked in my chest.

"Amira!"

I pushed past a family standing near the counter and scanned the area. No small figure. No little girl in a pale blue dress. No—

"Emir, stay with me!" I said quickly.

He nodded, now frightened.

I looked around frantically. My heart pounded in my ears.

She wouldn’t just wander off. Not like this. Not without saying something.

Then I saw it.

A spool of pink thread. It rolled slowly across the ground. Her favorite color.

And something else...

A child-sized footprint, half-smudged, leading away from the stall. Toward the quieter edge of the market.

Where there were fewer people.

Where it would be easier... to vanish.

’No...’

Without thinking, I grabbed Emir’s hand and pulled him close.

"Emir, stay behind me and don’t let go."

He nodded, eyes huge.

I took off running.

Not far ahead, in a narrow alley between stone buildings, Kareem gritted his teeth as he moved quickly, cradling the squirming bundle beneath his cloak.

"Stop moving," he hissed.

Amira tried to scream, but her mouth was still covered. Her eyes were wide with tears, her tiny fists beating uselessly against his chest.

"You’re gonna be quiet now, girl. Just a little leverage. I won’t hurt you if they do as they’re told."

His breath came fast.

Everything was falling back into place.

Revenge...

He would have it.

Back in the market, I reached the end of the stall rows, scanning everywhere. I was sure now. Someone had taken her.

But where—?

Just then, from down the street, I saw a flash of something dark and heavy flick through a gap between two stalls. A cloak. A figure.

And clutched in his arms was something small, wrapped in blue.

"Amira!" I shouted.

The figure darted left, disappearing down a narrow alley.

"Stay here!" I said to Emir, gently but firmly pushing him toward a nearby vendor. "Stay with this man until I come back!"

"Miss Sonia—!"

"I’ll be back soon. I promise!"

And then I was off, sprinting full speed into the alley, heart in my throat.

Whoever took her...

They picked the wrong girl to mess with.

My boots slammed against the cobbled stones as I tore down the alley, each breath sharp and burning in my chest. The narrow path twisted between walls of hanging laundry and stacked crates, but I didn’t slow.

My hand shot behind my cloak.

The cold, familiar weight of my hand crossbow met my palm as I pulled it free from its hidden strap. My fingers moved quickly, checking the bolt, steadying the grip.

My eyes were locked on the dark cloak just ahead. His pace fast, but not fast enough.

He had Amira.

And I was going to get her back.

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