The Dark Fairy King
Chapter 32: To The Marketplace

Chapter 32: To The Marketplace

So we walked to the market through the woods. Just like regular people.

No flashy trumpets to announce our arrival.

No carriages to chaperone us either.

Surprisingly, Scarlette enjoyed the walk. She smiled and even skipped along—until I had to remind her:

"You’re supposed to be a Dark Fairy, Charlotte," I whispered.

"Who’s Charlotte?" she asked, blinking at me.

That question nearly made me faint. Or nosebleed. Or both.

"Erm—we’re pretending, remember?" I hissed, already regretting everything.

"Oh, right!" She chuckled nervously, scratching her head.

"You have all the signs of a bad liar. That hasn’t changed," I muttered.

"And you seem to forget you’re supposed to have a permanent smile plastered on your face, Ravos," she shot back.

I froze. Of course. I was Ravos the Love Fairy today—not Veravos the Dark Fairy King.

"Right back at you," she gloated.

I gave the most unnatural smile ever attempted by any creature, mortal or immortal.

"Love Fairies don’t smile like that. It’s creepy," she said, shaking her head disapprovingly.

I dropped the grin.

"Sheesh, you’re so critical," I scoffed.

As usual, we bickered and bantered our way through the woods. We passed the Love Fairy homes—huts shaped like hearts. Then came the Light Fairy homes, shaped like oil lamps (from the outside only, of course). And finally, the Dark Fairy treehouses: tall, brooding, and grim.

An eclectic mix in a land we created, where Light, Love, and Dark Fairies supposedly live in harmony.

"Can you imagine living in these?" Scarlette asked.

"We could buy one," I joked.

But truthfully, I’d long grown tired of such passé architecture. I used to live in one of those treehouses. The memory tugged at something deep in my chest—an old ache I didn’t have time for today.

Scarlette tugged at my tunic.

"Are we still going to the market, or are we just property hunting now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Was I staring too long again? Ugh. I keep doing that. Yikes.

"Right. We need to turn right," I said quickly, pointing toward the path to the market.

Scarlette walked ahead, humming to herself.

"Think murder and fire," I muttered behind her. A gentle reminder.

She instantly dropped the smile and adopted a cold, brooding glare.

"Much better," I grinned.

And now, we stood at the edge of the Marketplace.

A detailed map of all the stalls was drawn at the entrance—courtesy of the ever-systematic Light Fairies, of course.

The Dark Fairy stalls? Never in their assigned places. Chaos incarnate.

The Love Fairies? Always obedient and sweet, following orders to a fault.

It was already 10 a.m., and the market buzzed with the usual hustle and bustle.

I turned to say something witty to Scarlette—

—but she was already gone.

Of course she’d wandered off.

Where did she go?

From the edge of the market, I scanned the crowd, calling her name—well, her fake name, at least.

"Charlotte... where are you?"

No answer. Everyone else carried on with their lives, locked in their noisy conversations.

A Dark Fairy child shot me a suspicious glance while he hid in the corner. Or maybe it was just indigestion. Either way, I didn’t like being alone in this crowd.

Then, as a group of Love Fairies passed by, I noticed them staring a little too long.

Did they recognize me? Was my cover already blown?

One of them broke away and walked toward me—a young Love Fairy, blushing and stuttering.

"I... I know this is very forward of me, but are you here alone?" she asked softly. "Need help?"

Seriously? A Love Fairy offering help? Not preaching about the importance of starting a family?

Surely she must have recognized me.

Then I saw it—the batting of eyelashes, the delicate tuck of her hair into her bun.

Yes, she’s definitely flirting.

"Come, I’ll show you around," she offered sweetly, linking her arm through mine.

Excuse me? Do I even know you?

Was this supposed to be Love Fairy culture? Or was my disguise working a bit too well?

"Sorry, miss. I’m looking for my wife," I said evenly, gently unlinking her arm from mine.

"Wife?" she echoed, stunned.

"Of course, an unusually attractive Love Fairy like yourself must have already found someone." She sighed. "Why are the good ones always taken?"

That’s when Scarlette appeared behind her.

"My dear husband," she said—loud and dangerous.

The Love Fairy jumped, her wings trembling.

"You’re with a Dark Fairy?" she stuttered.

But I ignored her.

"And this is?" Scarlette asked, folding her arms.

"Someone who was offering to show me around," I replied coolly. "But she should probably catch up with her friends."

Scarlette gave her a look that could curdle milk. The girl vanished without another word, flashing us what I thought was a judgmental look.

Honestly, I didn’t know I had charm like that.

And yes—that’s one way to find your wife in a crowded market.

Who says shopping is for the weak?

"We should stick together," Scarlette said, tugging my arm possessively. "Lest you accidentally add a concubine to the palace."

"But I refused her. And besides, you’re the only woman I need," I protested.

"And that’s why I haven’t smacked the daylights out of you," she shot back.

"Someone’s taking their Dark Fairy cover a little too literally, ain’t it? Charlotte?" I teased.

She ignored me.

"Come. Let’s take a look at that Light Fairy stall over there. They have spices."

Scarlette yanked me forward before I could reply.

The stall was huge—lined with spices in hues that danced like sunsets—golden yellows, blood reds, phantom greens. It smelled like memories and fire.

A Light Fairy shopkeeper appeared behind the counter, cheerful.

"Good taste!" he said, noticing my gaze. "We’re having a special today. For every two baskets, I’ll throw in a third of red chilies—free."

Scarlette couldn’t help herself.

"But he doesn’t know how it tastes," she teased. "Can we have a sample?"

I saw it—that glint behind her innocent smile.

"Have one, Ravos. My dear," she grinned.

I picked one up reluctantly, already regretting it. Chili, arsenic—what’s the difference? Why do people even eat these?

Sure, you could say the same for venom or poison apples, but it’s just different. I insist it is.

Then I saw her bite into one with ease. She smiled contentedly.

Adorable. Dangerous.

"I’ll take three baskets," I told the shopkeeper, handing over two ingots—United Fairy Kingdom currency.

Much to my relief, Scarlette snatched the chili from my hand and popped it into her mouth like candy.

I looked at her lips, horrified.

Yes, she still horrifies me from time to time. Never a bland day with this one.

Can’t imagine life without her either.