The Imperial Marketplace was… loud.
Not in an unpleasant way—more like the kind of loud that made the whole place feel alive. Voices tangled together, merchants shouting out deals, laughter drifting through the air, and the faint clink of coins that never really stopped.
Faye slowed almost right away.
Not because she didn't want to follow, but because there was just too much to take in at once.
Stalls lined both sides of the wide stone street, dressed in bright fabrics, polished metal trinkets, and glass displays that caught the sunlight in soft glimmers. Nobles glided past in elegant clothes, while commoners slipped through the crowd with the kind of ease that only came from doing this every day.
"What else? To shop, obviously," I said.
"I mean, yeah, that much is obvious," she said, "but I kind of need some specifics here."
"Well, do you want some new clothes?"
We drifted from stall to stall, from shop to shop, passing all sorts of interesting things. Yet, somehow, she didn't really stop to look at any of them.
Was she really not interested in any of this?
"Clothes? I already have plenty. It doesn't really make sense for me to buy more," she said.
Ah.
Even with how much she'd changed lately, she was still her—humble and, honestly, a little stingy. It fit her, though. She was already beautiful without needing extravagant outfits to prove it.
Maybe I could use that to my advantage.
"I figured as much. It feels more like the clothes are lucky to be on you than the other way around," I said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Faye chuckled.
"It means you're the one who makes the clothes look good—not the other way around," I replied.
"You're just saying that…"
Faye waved a hand dismissively, as if shooing the compliment away.
Was this actually working? Was I getting through to her? She was a lot harder to sway than I'd thought…
Maybe I needed to be a little bolder.
"Faye."
I slip an arm around her waist as we walk, catching her completely off guard.
"C-Cassian…?"
"Do you hate it?" I ask.
Faye's eyes widen and she quickly shakes her head. "N-no, it just surprised me, that's all."
Gods, my heart is pounding. Being assertive is definitely not something I'm used to. But by the gods, I'm going to make myself get used to it.
Come on.
I look like a Greek god, for fuck's sake. I should at least make better use of it.
I take a slow breath, forcing myself to stay composed.
"Good," I murmured, keeping my voice low—just enough that it didn't carry beyond us.
Her waist was warm and small, way too easy to keep my arm around.
Faye stiffened at first, her posture going rigid from the sudden contact, but after a few steps she didn't pull away; if anything, she became hyper-aware of it—of me, of how close we were.
People passed us, merchants called out, coins clinked, but all of that seemed to fade into the background.
"Y-You're awfully bold today…" she said, trying to sound normal, though her voice came out softer than usual.
"I thought I should act like someone who's engaged," I replied.
"That doesn't mean you have to—"
"What?" I tilted my head slightly, glancing down at her. "This?"
My hand shifted just a fraction on her waist, not inappropriate, but deliberate enough to make her notice.
She definitely noticed; her breath hitched.
"I-I didn't say that," she muttered, avoiding my eyes now.
That was new.
Before, she'd look away out of embarrassment; now… it felt different. Heavier, I guess.
I let a small silence settle between us as we continued walking, not removing my arm. If anything, I slowed my pace just enough to match hers perfectly.
"Then what did you mean?" I asked.
She hesitated.
"…It's just…" Her fingers curled slightly near her chest again, the same hand with the ring. "People are staring."
"I thought you were past that already."
"That's not what I meant, y'know?" she said, her voice dropping. "There's a difference between people thinking you're incompetent and people seeing you… like this."
She flicked her eyes down, nodding toward where my hands were.
A few nobles passing by were definitely looking, not just at me this time, but at us, at how close we were, at my hand on her waist, at the ring.
"…Does it bother you?" I asked.
She shook her head, though the answer didn't come immediately.
"…No," she said. "I'm just not used to it..."
"Then you should get used to it," I said.
"G-Get used to it!?" she squeaked. To her, my words carried two possible meanings: either get used to being seen with me in this way, or get used to my touch.
And to her… both were, unexpectedly, very tempting.
"If we're going to be seen together like this, it's better you don't look like you're about to faint every time I touch you."
"I-I'm not—!"
She stopped herself mid-protest, clearly aware that she absolutely was.
I raised a brow.
She huffed, cheeks burning.
"…I'll try," she muttered.
That earned a small smile from me.
Okay, that's progress...
We started walking again, but this time she didn't stiffen as much. Her steps were still careful, still a little uncertain, but she didn't pull away; if anything, she leaned just slightly closer—barely noticeable, but enough.
I know I was the one who started this, but now I'm actually getting kind of self-conscious.
Still… I guess I just have to push through it. No pain, no gain, right?
I glanced down at her, then forward again.
"Since you don't want clothes," I said, shifting the topic just enough to keep things natural, "what do you want?"
"I already told you, I don't really need anything—"
"Not need," I corrected. "Want."
She went quiet at that; clearly, that question wasn't something she was used to answering.
"…I don't know," she admitted after a moment. "I've never really thought about it."
That figured.
I slowed again, scanning the nearby shops—jewelry, fabrics, perfumes… then something caught my eye.
That should work, right? It's bold and intimate, but still feels pretty normal.
Yeah… that could work.
"…Come on," I said, gently guiding her in a different direction.
"W-Where are we going now?"
"You'll see."
We stopped in front of a smaller, more refined storefront, less flashy than the others, but far more deliberate in its presentation: glass cases, soft lighting, and inside… delicate pieces. Not overly extravagant, but intimate, the kind of things people wore for themselves.
Or for someone specific.
It was perfect for making Faye feel more at ease about spending. Since the shop didn't look expensive, this might help her relax and lower her guard a bit.
Faye blinked, clearly confused.
"Cassian…?"
I leaned slightly closer to her again, my voice dropping just enough.
"You said you didn't want anything obvious," I murmured. "So let's find something that's just for you."
Her breath caught again.
"…Just for me?" she repeated.
I glanced at her, letting my gaze linger for a fraction longer than necessary.
I'm just going to go for it...
"Yeah, something I'd like to see on you."
That did it.
Her face went completely red.
"C-Cassian!?"