Stepping into the city, dressed in common clothes was something Eleanor didn't expect as a disguise. She had hoped for a mask, a sword, or at least a flamboyant costume, maybe even a beard! Her fingers drifted to her chin as she smiled wistfully at the thought.
Ares watched her, amused by the eager glint in her eye, his own lips curling into a smile.
The city pulsed with vibrant energy, its streets teeming with life, the darkness of night hardly dimming its radiance.
"Stay close to me, little bird," He whispered, his voice low and protective, and she nodded, her bright smile never wavering.
As they navigated the bustling market, a thought struck him. Perhaps she'd want to pick up a memento to commemorate her first taste of the outside. He couldn't fathom the depth of her emotions, having been confined for so long.
"Look! Look!" Eleanor exclaimed, tugging vigorously on his arm, her eyes shining with excitement as she pointed to a stall overflowing with oversized, fluffy stuffed animals.
"Why on earth would you want one of those?" Ares had to ask. He couldn't see the point of her zeal.
"To cuddle, of course. What else would I want it for?" She released his arm, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Come on, buy one for me!"
As they approached the stall, Ares teased, "Just one? You're not going to ask for the whole menagerie?"
The vendor's eyes widened in surprise as they approached the stall, taking in the sight of the beautiful young couple. However, he instantly picked up the obvious.
The young woman. She was not a vampire. Instead, she emitted a tantalizing aroma, a unique and alluring scent that was utterly irresistible.
His eyes turned bright red, flashing ominously at her.
Eleanor gasped and she instinctively clung to Ares' arm, her fear clear at the vendor's sudden hostility.
"I suggest you quench your urge elsewhere, away from my wife." Ares' voice dropped to a menacing growl, his words dripping with possessive protectiveness.
The air vibrated with his displeasure, and the vendor's eyes snapped back to their normal brown, clearly terrified as he stuttered, "I-I apologize, sir."
There was an unmistakable aura of dominance and danger emanating from this vampire, a dark and sinister energy that made his skin crawl. He couldn't bring himself to meet Ares' eyes, as if the vampire's eyes would incinerate him whole.
Eleanor observed the vendor's fear, but it didn't evoke any sympathy from her. Her attention shifted to Ares, who was watching her with an impatient gaze.
"Go ahead, take your pick," he said, his tone hinting at a desire to move on.
Eleanor's eyes sparkled as she scanned the stuffed animals, her focus immediately drawn to a plush white bear. "I'll take that one," she said, her voice filled with delight.
"Hmm." Ares swiftly retrieved the bear and placed a small pouch of gold coins on the table, prompting Eleanor to ask, "Isn't that too much?"
Ares said nothing. He handed her the bear, then grasped her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers as he gently pulled her away from the stall.
Eleanor rolled her eyes, yanking her hand free and clutching the stuffed animal tightly to her chest. "Why have you been living away from your family for three hundred years?"
Ares' gaze lingered on her before dropping to the stuffed toy, his expression turning somber. "I am an illegitimate child."
Eleanor was stunned by his immediate reply. Estelle had told her this, but she didn't want to pry from the maids at that time.
"Illegitimate? Your father..."
"My mother." He cut in, his voice heavy. Not at her words but at the sight of her squeezing that stuffed toy so affectionately.
Why is she hugging it like that? That thing is literally dead. Did she like dead things? People did call vampires undead...
"Oh, so you're an outcast?" Eleanor cut into his thoughts. Her voice bubbly.
Ares' lips curled into a wry smile. "If you put it like that."
Eleanor clicked her tongue shaking her head. "If you're an outcast, why did your parents arrange for us to be together before I was even born?"
That question. Of Course. Ares' expression turned stern, his eyes flashing with a hint of warning. "Stop saying outcast."
"If you're an outcast, why do you want a throne that isn't yours?" Eleanor's smile only grew brighter as she pressed on, her voice dripping with sly curiosity.
"It's not a question of whether it's mine or not. It's a matter of what I want, and I will have it."
Eleanor's smile vanished. She pressed her lips into a thin line hating the way fear crept into her soul, sending goosebumps racing across her skin.
She breathed in, her lips twitching. "So, you wanted me, and that's why you came for me? The lives of the other phoenixes meant nothing to you, only mine, because you desire me?"
"Exactly." Ares nodded.
Rage filled Eleanor. "How could you be so heartless? Why did you— ugh!"
Ares felt the need to defend himself, his voice taking on a hint of urgency. "I had no hand in the eradication of the phoenixes. I—"
But before he could continue, Eleanor cut him off, her voice cold and detached. "Enough. I'm hungry." She strode away, her small frame moving rapidly in anger.
Menace....
Ares sighed deeply, his eyes following her as he matched her pace, his gaze scanning their surroundings for a place to eat.
"What is that place?" Eleanor pointed at a vibrant building, its bright lights and pulsating music drawing her attention.
The sound of laughter and merriment filled the air, accompanied by the sight of half naked women and men mingling with their guests.
Curiosity sparkled in her eyes. "A brothel?"
Oh she knows the place.
"That is not a safe place for you, little bird." He said to her and she looked at him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly and she raised an eyebrow. "You're going to protect me, aren't you?" she asked, her tone implying that she wasn't quite buying into his 'I will protect you!' persona.
Ah... Ares realized he had underestimated her. He had already pegged her as a child, or rather, a toddler. But he almost forgot that her knowledge was incredibly vast. She was far from stupid.
It was evident from the way she danced with him in the ballroom that she was highly skilled.
His eyes focused on her with renewed interest. What else can she do?
"Why do you want to go there?" He asked.
"Experience." Eleanor replied with a smile.
"Experience?" Ares couldn't believe his ears.
"There's so much I want to see and do!"
"You want to visit a brothel for experience?" He couldn't fathom why she'd want to venture into such a place.
"Uh huh." Eleanor nodded slowly. "Are you afraid of us being caught?"
Afraid?!
Ares was tempted to facepalm himself in exasperation. Eleanor seemed to be growing increasingly comfortable around him, oblivious to the fact that she was the sole phoenix in existence and was now eager to venture into a brothel teeming with lustful vampires.
At this point, he didn't care about their disguise as commoners anymore.
"Little bird," He called, his voice gentle, his eyes burning fiercely.
Eleanor shot him a fierce glare. "Stop calling me that."
Ares's lips curled up. "If you're plotting your escape from me, you're deeply mistaken. I am not a good being, and everyone is aware of that fact. So, let's simply crush any hopes of escape you may have right now, alright?"