## Chapter 234 – Training (8)
Aser’s expression was bright as she strolled through the city with Ryu alone. She enjoyed holding his hand, wiggling her fingers, and watching him smile at her every time she tickled his palm.
“Is there anything you want to do?”
Aser asked, their fingers interlaced.
“I like anything as long as I’m with you, Aser.”
Aser’s face quickly flushed like a young girl’s at those words. She fanned her face with her hand to cool down the heat rising to her cheeks, and then blurted out something else.
“Even so, there’s nothing in particular to do.”
Even as she said that, the two continued to explore the city, hand in hand. The streets weren’t lined with small shops and stalls to an overwhelming extent, but it was still enough to enjoy.
As if to show that this was Clara’s territory, where she cherished her people dearly, smiles were plastered on the faces of the people walking the streets, and lively voices and laughter never ceased.
Ryu tentatively suggested,
“Shall we look around the market?”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
Her eyes sparkled. The only markets she remembered were the slave markets, stolen goods, and illegal items that operated secretly in her territory.
Of course, thanks to her efforts, many of them had disappeared, but she wanted to observe how people lived in other territories besides her own. She thought that all of this was experience, and that accumulating it would allow her to stand before the people as a better Demon King.
The two headed towards the market. Aser’s expression gradually turned joyful.
Aser smiled like a child as she found the entrance to the market.
“Ryu, I think it’s here!”
The marketplace, filled with fresh fruits of various colors, vegetables, and fresh, bloody meat, was bustling with energy. Merchants shouted to attract people’s attention, boasting about their goods, and people gathered here and there, sampling and bargaining.
Along the way, Ryu’s gaze stopped at a stall selling small dolls. The dolls were lined up on the stand, but not a speck of dust sat on them, as if they were meticulously cared for.
“Aser, look at this. Isn’t it cute?”
Ryu picked up a doll with horns like his and showed it to Aser.
“It looks even cuter because it resembles you, don’t you think?”
When she smiled and gave her honest impression, Ryu avoided her gaze, seemingly embarrassed. Aser took the doll from Ryu’s hand and began to check the price.
“How much is this?”
The owner of the shop stared at the two for a moment before saying casually,
“Just take it.”
“Yes? No, we can’t do that…”
As Aser tried to take out money from her wallet, the merchant waved his hand, adamantly refusing.
“You’re Clara’s guests, right? Then I can’t possibly accept it.”
Aser hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a bright smile.
“Thank you. Then I’ll gladly accept it.”
She took the doll and handed it back to Ryu.
“Here, it’s a gift. Even though it’s free.”
“Thank you.”
Ryu thanked her and held the doll preciously in his arms.
The two continued to walk around the market, looking at various items. The fragrant smell of food wafted from all over the market, and items that couldn’t be seen in the 7th District caught their eyes.
Aser was simply happy to have this time to spend a peaceful daily life with Ryu. Ryu, too, felt the sadness and gloom he had felt before leaving the mansion fade away as he walked around the market with Aser and saw her bright expression.
“Um, Aser?”
“Yeah? What’s wrong?”
The answer to Aser’s question was replaced by a rumbling sound from Ryu’s stomach. He scratched his head awkwardly and pointed to one side with his finger.
“There’s a place over there that smells delicious…”
Aser turned her head and looked in that direction.
“Come to think of it, we came out without eating, didn’t we? Okay, let’s go right away.”
Following the fragrant smell that continued to stimulate his nose, Ryu stopped in front of a stall. The stall was grilling and selling various kinds of meat skewers. Aser was about to buy a few meat skewers, but this time, the merchant refused to take money from them as well.
“It’s okay. I have to treat Clara’s guests with the utmost respect.”
Aser, once again, received the skewers with a thank you and handed them to Ryu.
“Try one, it looks delicious, doesn’t it?”
Ryu took the unidentified meat skewer and took a big bite. At the same time, Ryu’s eyes widened and his voice became noticeably brighter.
“It’s really delicious! Aser, you should try it too.”
Aser replied with a playful smile.
“You feed me.”
Without any sign of embarrassment, Ryu brought the skewer he was eating closer to her mouth. Aser slowly took a bite from where Ryu had eaten, nodding her head.
“It’s good.”
Aser smiled contentedly.
“And everyone seems to enjoy working.”
Ryu nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. Everyone looks happy, and this market has a really lively and enjoyable atmosphere.”
Aser listened to Ryu’s words and fell into thought. She reaffirmed what efforts she needed to make to make her territory a better place.
Ryu smiled and held Aser’s hand tightly.
“Our territory can definitely be like this too.”
“If you stay by my side, I’ll definitely make it happen.”
With that, the two enjoyed walking around the market, looking at various foods, accessories, and small items. While with Aser, Ryu forgot all his worries and anxieties, as well as the giant being he had discovered in his subconscious, and fully enjoyed this happy moment.
Ryu received a sweet fruit juice from a stall and handed it to Aser first.
“Aser, try this. It smells amazing.”
“Really?”
Aser took the drink from Ryu, took a sip, and smiled contentedly.
“This is really good. Thanks, Ryu.”
But as time passed, Aser’s reaction became increasingly strange.
She kept flapping the chest area of her clothes to let the air flow through, as if she was feeling hot, and her face gradually turned red as her breathing became rapid.
“Ryu, let’s go to that alley next.”
Aser said, reaching out her hand. She didn’t seem to have anything wrong with her. Is she just hot from walking around for too long? He thought so lightly.
“Yes, Aser. I’ll follow you anywhere.”
He answered like that.
Ryu held Aser’s hand tightly and moved forward. The two’s date continued in this bright and happy atmosphere.
But the place Aser led Ryu to was a shabby inn.
When they arrived in front of the shabby inn after passing through a quiet alley, Ryu felt his heart beating fast.
“Aser, why are we here…?”
He couldn’t adapt to the sudden change in atmosphere.
Could the drink he had earlier be the problem?
Ryu asked cautiously. But his premonition had already read Aser’s next words.
Aser smiled and led him into the inn, holding Ryu’s hand tightly. Unlike the shabby exterior, the inside of the inn had a rather warm and cozy atmosphere. Aser received a key from the counter and took him upstairs without a word.
Aser entered the room, locked the door, and cornered Ryu against one wall, opening her mouth with rough breaths.
“I just… wanted to spend some time alone with you before going back… Charlotte is the person I trust the most, and Clara is my friend, but I don’t like seeing you getting along with those two.”
She spoke in a low, soft voice, filled with deep emotion, as if she was being spoiled.
“Ryu, I wish this time with you would stop.”
Aser approached Ryu’s ear and whispered as if murmuring, with a hot breath. Immediately after, her hand gently stroked Ryu’s face.
Ryu’s face turned red and he felt his heart beating fast. He naturally wrapped his arms around Aser’s waist and opened his mouth.
“I love the time I can spend with you too, Aser.”
Aser smiled as if satisfied with his answer, and slowly embraced him. Her hand went down along Ryu’s back. She put her hand inside his clothes and felt his soft skin.
“Ryu… I wonder how great it would be if your heart was the same as mine right now?”
Aser whispered.
Ryu buried his face in Aser’s chest and replied.
“It’s already the same.”
Aser, hearing the affirmative answer, let out a sigh of relief. She grabbed Ryu’s chin and carefully raised it, making eye contact with him and speaking softly.
“Ryu, you’re a really special person to me… I never knew I could love someone like this. I, who always wears stiff clothes like suits, want to look like a woman in front of you, so I put on this dress, fix my hair… and my face turns red at just one compliment from you.”
Ryu looked at Aser’s warm eyes and hugged her even tighter.
“I love you too, Aser.”
He was sincere. He had met many women and had countless relationships, but his affection for Aser was genuine.
Aser listened to his words and lightly kissed Ryu’s lips. A short kiss. A short time of less than 2 seconds, but it was enough to ignite the desires of the two.
In the cozy atmosphere of the room, they could feel their feelings for each other growing.
Aser grabbed Ryu’s hand, laid him down on the bed, and got on top of him, looking down at him.
Aser caressed Ryu’s cheek and slowly lowered her head. The distance where their lips would touch, Aser’s sweet scent tickled Ryu’s nose.
He led Ryu’s hand to his chest and slowly lowered his body. They could feel each other’s warmth from their close skin. Then, her lips gently caressed Ryu’s lips.
The scent of the fruit he had eaten earlier faintly spread inside.
Sweet, but bitter, the two’s kiss continued.
