We came to a nearby establishment, a few walks from the place we just came from, that he found interesting. Of course, knowing Lukas, his version of that would be different from mine and I was damn right.

Outside, I could already see the stuff the place was selling because of the glass windows. What I could make out of, by all means. It's a weapons shop, I can just tell from the swords.

After entering the shop, the idea got even more cemented for I was greeted with the sight of blades in different sizes and appearances. Yeah, blades. Everywhere you look, there are only blades. Swords… Bayonets… Daggers… Knives… Axes… you name it. It's all here.

I looked around curiously but I didn't dare touch anything. Just looking at them, I could already tell how incredibly sharp they are.. I have this illusion that the edges were winking at me, glinting from the scarce light that reaches them. It's like they are telling me they are deadly so I better not do something funny.

I bet if I did slightly touch it with the tip of my finger, it would immediately slice my skin off and draw blood.

I'm clearly exaggerating but you know… it kind of freaks me out seeing a lot of sharp blades in one place. It sends cold shivers down my spine!

What if I accidentally trip on my feet and land flatly on one of these shelves? Oh, dear…

That would be such a tragic way to die. Being impaled. Brrr!

"You like anything?

" Lukas uttered next to me.

"Geebers!

" I gasped and glared at him--

"Sheez!

"

I almost jumped away because of his sudden appearance which further made my knees buckle under my dress. This bastard… Can't he at least let me know his presence first and not talk out of the blue? What if, due to shock I knocked a blade off and stabbed myself?

Oh gosh, let's not go there.

"No, I don't. Why are we here?

" I responded after calming my chaotic heartbeat down.

"Because it's interesting,

" he automatically replied.

"Ugh…

" I grumbled and rolled my eyes heavenward.

I knew he would answer like that but it still makes me frustrated.

"Hmm… This one looks neat,

" he mumbled as he picked up a dagger on the display.

In the next seconds, he started playing with it with his right hand. Flipping it casually in the air and fiddling it over his fingers. I was just there, watching him at the side with wide eyes. I don't even know whether to be impressed or fear for his life or his hand in general.

One shouldn't play with sharp things such as daggers! What is he doing? What if he accidentally cut himself?

But wow… that's so cool though…

Still… kids, never try this at home, alright? Not just kids, you all should not attempt doing what this crazy man is doing. Love yourself!

"Should I buy this?

" He then asked me while he played with it. His eyes were glued at me and my damn anxiety could never!

At least look at your hands!

"Why are you asking me?

" I replied just as quickly, marveling at how skillful his fingers are.

Okay, that came out wrong.

Lukas's left brow quirked lightly,

"No? Okay then,

" and placed the dagger back to its rightful place.

Shaking my head, I muttered,

"Seriously…

"

Lukas then looked around once more before he grabbed my hand again and tugged me outside to leave the shop.

I stared at his large hand which was covered in gloves yet it didn't make me feel at ease. No matter how you look at it, he's still pretty much holding me. What if someone I know sees us? Are my guards seeing this right now? Goodness…

I tried to jerk away from his grip but it was a pathetic attempt because I can't budge him. So I just sucked it up and stopped minding in the end.

Whatever, am I right? I will only exhaust myself.

--**

"Oooh… Don't you think these dolls are incredibly lifelike?

" I remarked, marveling at the amazingly beautiful dolls that surrounded us.

There was a variety of them. Some have a touch of gothic feel and some are straight-up adorable. It also comes in different sizes as well and the biggest is probably as tall as half of a person. And just as I said, they looked so real it was unbelievably shocking.

"They are creepy, yes,

" Lukas commented, looking at them in disgust.

I don't know whether the owner or the staff of this shop heard us but… oh well.

"Creepy?

" My brows furrowed as I thoroughly inspected the doll in front of me--

"Now that you say that, they do look a little creepy,

" I agreed.

"They looked real… but they are amazing nevertheless.

"

We got to give credit to the person who made these, guys.

Another doll caught my attention and I found myself shaking Lukas's shoulder,

"Hey, look at this! It got your eyes!

"

Though this one has a paler hue than his. Lukas had the most intense purple color I have ever seen in my life. It's as if they are pulsing every time which is oddly hypnotizing.

"Aren't you too old to like dolls?

" He pointed out.

What is this guy saying?

"Come on. I'm just appreciating the craftsmanship of the artist who made these.

"

This is no simple feat, you know! Making these so lifelike it's almost scary.

"Craftsmanship?

" Lukas then stares at the doll in front of him,

"Oh, it blinked.

"

"What?

"

I instinctively took a step back because of what he said, suddenly being wary. The fact that we are enclosed within a bunch of lifelike dolls just dawned on me and now I am freaking out.

"Just kidding,

" he flatly declared.

I gritted my teeth and glared at his side profile.

"You bastard…

"

I heard him snorted once, infuriating me even more. Lukas then wordlessly turned around and went out of the shop without even waiting for me.

Look at this man… He was the one who dragged me around as he pleases and now he's leaving me just like that?

I clicked my tongue and followed behind him, all the while cursing his name over and over my head. I was also cursing his future lineage too because it wasn't enough for me but maybe I shouldn't have done that in the first place.

My feet tried to match his pace as I walked alongside him. It's a good thing he's just leisurely strolling so it was easy for me to follow his lead.

"Where are we even going?

" I then voiced out after a few moments had passed of us just walking in silence.

He didn't answer me and had only kept looking around us. I don't even know what he's trying to do but ever since earlier, as we were both walking outside or wading through the throng of people, he would glance sideways from time to time.

He looked like he's waiting for something to happen but I wasn't sure what it was.

Sometimes, he would stop in his tracks to inspect wares at a stall but he can't fool me. His eyes might be glued on the thing he's holding but I could feel that he's not paying attention to it at all. It's as if he's only doing that to get a full grasp of our surroundings.

Just what is he on? What is he waiting for?

Lukas doesn't look like he's going to ever reply to me so I tactfully shut my mouth.

Why waste my breath, right?

I mean, He was never the type of person who talks much but when he does, it's either words that rile you up or plain insults that could burn down one's sturdiest ego. Lukas would certainly eviscerate someone with his blunt and sarcastic nature. He's a pretty straightforward guy and that's the part of him that pissed me off the most.

Anyways, we continued our routine from earlier which is aimlessly looking at stalls and bicker every now and then due to senseless stuff. Yeah, we do bicker a lot, huh, I just realized that.

Who wouldn't get mad at him? He's so annoying.

For me, at least.

In retrospect, the author of the novel seemed like he hates him too, for some unfathomable reason. Is there even a writer out there who would hate their own creations? Because you know, the author paints him in a bad light, all the time. It only just came to me!

Yeah! The author would always use shady words to describe him as if they are harboring dislike towards him. I wonder why?

My other observation is that the author sounded like a guy and not a woman. I don't know why I felt that way but the way the whole story was narrated, it was like it came from a man's point of view. And yes, weirdly enough, it's kind of narrated in a first person's perspective. Probably the writer themselves.

They would either call him a heartbreaker, a womanizer, a delinquent, a bastard... an arrogant obstinate fool... They even called him ungrateful.

Like wow... This author must really hate Lukas...