As Nia and her maids left the palace, they made their way towards the waiting royal carriages. Nia greeted the driver cheerfully. "Good afternoon, sir. We are on our way to the market town, if you please." The driver tipped his hat and climbed up onto the bench, taking the reins in hand. With a clatter of hooves, the carriage began to move forward, carrying Nia and Qadira towards their destination. The other maids took a separate carriage.
Peering eagerly out the window, Nia watched the bustling town come into view as the carriage wound its way through the streets. Vampires of all ages and walks of life milled about, some haggling over the price of produce in makeshift stalls, while others perused wares laid out on blankets spread across the cobblestones. The air was filled with the lively chatter of vendors and patrons alike, as well as the tantalizing scents of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and exotic spices.
"Please stop the carriage here, Qadira," Nia called to her maid, pointing to a small stall nestled between two larger shops.
Qadira bit her lip uncertainly. "Your Majesty, I am not sure if that is wise... King Kiyoshi gave strict instructions-"
Nia smiled but calmly waved away her concerns. "It is all right. I just want to look around a bit, that is all." The maid hesitated, but finally nodded and rapped on the carriage door. The driver slowed the horses, and the carriage came to a gentle stop beside the stall. As Nia stepped outside, the rest of her nervous entourage followed close behind. Curious eyes turned their way, to face their unfamiliar queen walking freely through the streets.
Approaching an old vampire man tending the small stall, alongside a young vampire child, Nia felt her heart flutter with nervous excitement. "Greetings good sir, little one." Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
"Blessings, Your Majesty!" the elder vampire cried. "We are honored." The young girl beside him dipped into a shallow curtsy. Nia felt a warmth spread through her chest.
The young assistant held out a wrapped treat. "Would you care for a blood-drop candy, My Queen?"
"I would be delighted," Nia replied. As Nia reached for it, a sword shot out, stopping barely an inch from the child's outstretched fingers. Nia jerked back, her heart leaping to see Kiyoshi glaring at the blade, his expression murderous. Kiyoshi glared at the child. "The queen will not be sampling petty street food. It may be unsafe." His tone was clipped, commanding. The elder vampire nodded hastily, bowing low and taking the treat back. The young girl's face fell, and she looked as if she were about to cry.
"My King, why are you here?" Nia stammered, her cheeks flushing as she struggled to maintain her composure in the face of Kiyoshi's anger. She glanced back at the distraught young girl, whose face had crumpled into tears. "And why can I not have a simple treat?"
Kiyoshi ignored her, his gaze fixed on the elder vampire. "Please do not give her such treats in the future, sir. It can be very dang-" He paused, his eyes flicking to Nia, before continuing in a lower voice, "distracting."
"Honestly, must you overreact so? It is just a sweet." Nia felt heat creep up her neck as she tried to defend the child, glancing once more at the elder vampire. The old man's expression softened, a twinkle in his eye, as if he could see right through her attempt at defiance.
She plucked one of the candies and held it to Kiyoshi's mouth. "Here, my love. You can have it. It is delicious, I promise." Her words were barely a whisper, her gaze demurely cast downward, but there was a hint of steel in her voice. The old vampire watched them with interest, his expression unreadable.
Nia leaned closer, her voice a teasing whisper. "Remember, darling, people are watching. We have to look convincing, or they might think...you know." She cast a meaningful glance around, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. The old vampire nodded sagely, his gaze traveling between the two of them.
With a long-suffering sigh, Kiyoshi reluctantly parted his lips. Nia popped the candy onto his tongue, grinning mischievously as he closed his mouth, the hint of a blush creeping into his pale cheeks. The elder vampire chuckled softly, his gaze flicking between the two of them.
"Well? Is it not delicious?" Nia whispered, her voice barely audible even to Kiyoshi's keen vampiric hearing. She leaned closer still, her body brushing against his as she waited for his reaction.
"... It is adequate," Kiyoshi grumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nia turned back to the vendor. "We'll take a whole bag, please!" As the child hurried to fulfill her request, Nia cast a meaningful look at Kiyoshi. "My dear husband, the payment, if you please." Her voice was soft, demure, but it carried an unmistakable hint of command. Kiyoshi sighed, reaching into his pocket to retrieve several coins. He placed them in the vendor's hand.
Carrying her sweets, she continued down the bustling market street, Kiyoshi trailing after and glaring at any who dared to meet Nia's gaze for too long. Nia felt a thrill of excitement course through her veins as she navigated through the crowd, her afro hair swirling about her shoulders like a waterfall of ink. Despite her shyness, there was an undeniable grace to her movements, a regal air that commanded attention. Even the most hardened vampires could not help but turn and watch as she passed, their eyes drawn to the striking beauty of her ebony skin and the piercing brown of her almond-shaped eyes.
When they passed by an open-air library, Nia impulsively went inside.
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