Explaining my problem to the shop owner didn't take more than just a few minutes. While I have yet to hear about any possible places of seclusion from the sect master, I already managed to find a comfortable, private one thanks to this man gratitude!
Strolling through the streets while holding Eve's hand never felt so good. With all materials stored safely in my storage ring, a good backer for Leila future advancements, Baxhar's face slapped and a place to breakthrough secured, there wasn't anything that I could worry about!
"Don't you think it was a bit excessive?"
Hugging my arm while intervening her fingers with mine was our standard position while slowly relaxing in this small walk. Hearing Eve's voice near my ear as she spoke was yet another pleasant feeling that I couldn't get enough of!
"You mean the shop owner? Yeah, I think so too, but no matter what, it was rather a thrilling experience, won't you admit?"
With how close we believed at that time to be framed as scammers, in a situation where we couldn't really defend ourselves, the adrenaline was at all times high withing our bloodstream. Some people need to go to a rollercoaster, some go to war and some can just try to live a peaceful life just like me to get the same results as those mentioned before!
"Sweet stick! Crushed candy! Come and get one!"
Despite leaving the shop with everything that we needed, I decided to stay within the market area. With no cinemas, theatres or parks, this was the only place I could think of to go on a date with her, so leaving it only because we encountered some troubles would be simply pointless and cowardly!
"Would you fancy something sweet?"
Humans are strange creatures. While the sect had its fair bit of mortals serving as vendors, merchants or menial workers, most of the population of the inner sect where we were at this moment were cultivators themselves. With no more need to eat their fill to sustain their lives, the popularity of varying kinds of sweets, fried meat and other kinds of foods served on the roadside stalls one could understand how deep was human affection for pleasure.
"Sure, why not?"
With a light smile, Eve pulled me towards one of the stalls that was apparently selling that 'crushed candy'. While I was initially puzzled as to what this exactly was, apparently it was something similar to dragon's beard, or in other words - a simple cotton candy made with aged honey!
While the recipe was as simple as turning a solid block of this insect nectar into thin treads, crushing some fruits that I never heard off and then pulling at its ends to extend it, only to twist it, put it together, grab the ends and repeat the process several times.
Pulling out a gold coin from the pouch, I ordered a big serving for us to share, while nonchalantly waving away when the vendor turned pale and started excusing himself for being unable to give me the full change.
This kind of money will be of any use only for as long as I will stay in this sect, so with my intention to leave in just a two weeks time, what's the point of being bothered by some small stuff like that? I won't get poor by overpaying and this man might be able to buy something nice for his family or expand his business with the surplus of money!
Pulling at the big ball of the cotton candy, we continued strolling leisurely through the streets for another hour or two, before finally deciding to go back. While I still had a bit of time to waste before I would feel urged to get ready for my seclusion, I have this paranoic side to me that forces me to always leave a big chunk of spare time whenever something important was going to happen.
No, it's not because I was once late to a school trip and was left behind to stay at home because of that! It's not like this was the first step that leads to my social isolation back in my high school! Not at all!
It doesn't matter what kind of excuse I will make now. As soon as I stopped feeling comfortable on the road, I simply tugged on Eve's robe and told her that I would like to go back. While this made our date a really short one, she didn't seem to be angry or sad about this. I guess even this small breather was already something great when one would take into account how did our time together looked so far!
"There you are! Do you know how long I waited for you guys?"
As soon as we get close to the mansion doorsteps, a familiar voice came from the inside, before the doors burst open, letting Stella walk right through it with Leila following right behind her with a strange look on her face.
"Master, forgive me. I wasn't able to stop her from intruding!"
What a loyal atte… AAAA, the toy I mean! I guess that she really resolved herself to be useful to us! I guess that was the only way for her to improve her own standing and situation, but it still impressed me quite a bit!
"Don't worry about it. Let me introduce you to each other. Leila, this is our sect master, Stella. Stella, this is our slave and attendant, Leila. I hope you will get along with each other!