Bab 65: Small Crimes
It's a new year, and I'm walking through the bustling streets of Valonial, a city transformed by the festive season. The air is filled with laughter, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and the glow of countless lights casting a magical sheen over everything. The joy in the atmosphere is infectious, making the moment all the more special because I'm on a date. It's been a while since we've had one, and, in fact, this is our first real date in this new world.
Everyone else is off on their own adventures, leaving us to enjoy this rare, uninterrupted time together.
"A flower for the lady?" A small voice pipes up, and I look down to see a little child holding out a beautiful, delicate flower. The sight is endearing, the boy's wide eyes full of hope.
"Sure, how much is it?" I ask, already reaching for my coin pouch.
"A silver coin," he replies, his voice quivering slightly. A silver coin? That's like paying a hundred dollars for a single rose—outrageously steep. I glance at the boy, noting his nervous stance, the way his eyes dart around. He looks like he needs this more than he's letting on.
"Sure," I say with a warm smile, handing him the coin. His face lights up with relief and gratitude, and he scurries off at the speed of light, disappearing into the crowd. I can't help but laugh at his haste. Turning back to Selene, I present her with the flower.
"Why thank you," she says, accepting it with a graceful smile. She holds the flower up to her nose, inhaling its sweet fragrance. "It's pretty."
"It definitely is," I agree, watching her with fondness. "I mean, it should be, considering it cost a silver coin." Selene laughs, the sound light and melodic, blending perfectly with the festive noises around us.
We continue our walk, the city unfolding around us like a living tapestry of joy and celebration. Street performers entertain the crowds, vendors call out their wares, and children run about with carefree abandon. The lights twinkle like stars brought down to earth, reflecting in Selene's eyes as she looks around in wonder.
From the corner of my eye, I notice a few people eyeing us. I'm not having any interruptions on my date; it's why I hired some mercenaries to guard us in secret. If anyone tries anything, they are goners.
"How generous, your kind heart moves me," Selene says, her tone light but sincere. That statement pulls me back to our days on Earth and reminds me of why it was so difficult for anyone to pin us down.
Sure, I dabbled in the illegal: small crimes like murder, drug distribution, and a bit of terrorism here and there. But I also built schools and hospitals, helped impoverished villages with infrastructure, provided aid after natural disasters, and funded numerous charities. To those in the know, I was a ruthless mafia leader and boss. Yet to the world and the general public, I was seen as one of the few "ethical" billionaires. My philanthropic efforts allowed me to get away with a lot, as many governments turned a blind eye to my darker dealings.
I'm considering doing something similar here. The only form of relief for these people is the Church of the Sun and a few countable nobles. People in power often make the mistake of looking down on those they rule. I'll teach this world a lesson.
I look at my beautiful lover and hold her hand tighter. She looks at me, and I'm once again stunned by her beauty, as I often am.
"What?" she asks, noticing my intense gaze.
"You're beautiful," I say with emotion. She merely rolls her eyes, but I can see the faint smile tugging at her lips.
We continue our walk, and I watch the blue-flared dress move with the graceful sway of her body as she steps in front of me to look at some trinkets being sold on the streets. The vendors shout their prices, the air filled with the scent of spiced goods and freshly baked bread.
Selene stops at a stall filled with delicate, handcrafted jewelry. She picks up a necklace adorned with a small, intricate moon pendant, turning it over in her hands to admire the craftsmanship. I step up beside her, my presence close and protective.
"Do you like it?" I ask.
"It's beautiful," she replies, her eyes sparkling with interest.
"We'll take it," I tell the vendor, handing over a few coins without hesitation. The vendor's eyes widen at the sight of the money, and he quickly wraps the necklace in a soft cloth before handing it to Selene.
She puts it on immediately, the pendant resting perfectly against her collarbone. "Thank you," she says softly, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.
As we move on, I can feel the eyes of the curious and envious on us, but I pay them no mind. My focus is on Selene and the joy of this rare, peaceful moment. The lights of Valonial glow brighter as night falls, casting a magical hue over the city. Music fills the air from nearby street performers, and the laughter of children playing in the streets is a pleasant background to our evening.
We pass a bustling tavern where patrons are spilling out into the streets, singing and celebrating the new year. I pull Selene closer, wrapping an arm around her waist protectively as we navigate through the crowd.
Eventually, we find ourselves at the edge of a serene park, the noise of the city fading into a gentle hum. We sit on a bench, the cool night air refreshing after the warmth of the crowded streets.
"Do you remember the first time we went on a date back on Earth?" I ask, breaking the comfortable silence.
Selene smiles, her eyes reflecting the twinkling stars above us. "Of course. It was nothing like this, but just as special."
I nod, feeling a rush of nostalgia. "This world may be different, but moments like these remind me of the good times we had. And the better ones we can create here."
She leans her head on my shoulder, and we sit there in contentment, watching the moon rise higher in the sky.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Sofie_Vert01
Sofie_Vert01 Lollll...
Honestly I love these two.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone