The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 633: Bodyguard On Duty

Chapter 633: Bodyguard On Duty

In the city market, Erin was leisurely making her way through various shops, taking her sweet time while Lucian accompanied her. She bought whatever caught her fancy and handed it over to him, his hands slowly filling up with her purchases. He followed her without complaint, carrying everything dutifully.

Hours passed, and noon came and went, but she showed no signs of tiring. They stopped at one point while Erin looked around.

"My Lady, what are you looking for?" Bree asked, curious to know what her master wanted to buy next.

"Whatever catches my eye," Erin replied, her gaze sweeping across the row of shops.

"Wait for me here. I’ll first take these back to the carriage," Lucian said firmly. Though a bodyguard, he acted in authority that others could not disobey him.

As her bodyguard, he needed to be ready to protect her if anything happened, and carrying all those items was hindering him.

Without waiting for Erin’s reply, he walked away.

"My lady, are you punishing him for something?" Bree asked. "It’s been hours since he’s been carrying all that heavy stuff."

"He’s the one adamant about fulfilling his job, so let him be," Erin replied, unfazed. "Shall we eat something?"

"As you wish, my lady," Bree said.

"Go to our usual restaurant, which is a little ahead, and reserve a place for us," Erin instructed.

Bree looked around, noticing that Lucian hadn’t returned yet. She hesitated to leave Erin alone.

"I am not a child, Bree. Go ahead. He will return in a while," Erin insisted.

Though reluctant, Bree left, turning around occasionally to check on Erin.

Erin looked around, and her gaze stopped at a footwear shop ahead, across the street. ’Seems like they have something new.’

She started walking, cutting through the crowd crossing the market street in both directions. When she was in the middle of the wide crowded street, she heard a noise, more like the sound of horses despite the crowd.

A sudden commotion erupted as a heavy carriage, galloping at full speed, appeared seemingly out of nowhere, forcing their way through the crowded street. People scattered, screaming and trying to avoid the oncoming danger.

Before she could register and react to the danger coming her way, a strong hand pulled her back, her back colliding against a firm chest, a protective arm encircling her shoulder. She didn’t need to look to know who it was; her instincts told her it was him.

Once the commotion cleared, she heard his voice as he released her from his hold. "Are you alright?"

She waited a few moments before responding, without turning to look at him, "You are a good bodyguard. It will be hard to find your replacement." With that, she walked towards the footwear shop, cutting through the crowd that had gathered once more.

Lucian watched her walk away and followed her. She stopped at the shop, which showcased beautiful footwear through glass walls. A doorkeeper bowed to her, and a salesperson approached, guiding her inside respectfully. Lucian stood by the door, watching her.

A salesperson brought out the shoes she requested—beautiful flat bellies with fine embroidery and embedded stones. She removed her sandals and was about to try them on when the salesperson asked another, "Where is Caisa?"

"She has gone out for something," the man replied.

The salesperson, needed the assistance of a female colleague to help Erin with trying footwear. Being a man it was not proper for him to touch the feet of a noble family woman.

He looked at her apologetically. "Your Grace, apologies."

"It’s alright," Erin said, deciding to try them on herself. As she was about to lean down, a pair of long legs in dark pants and boots appeared in her sight. She raised her gaze to find Lucian standing there.

She moved back from leaning forward, "Do you want to buy something for yourself? You are a rich lord; feel free to go around and have a look."

In response, Lucian knelt on one knee in front of her and picked up the footwear Erin was about to try. He looked at her small, delicate feet and held the shoe in front of her, urging her to put her foot in it.

She hesitated, "You don’t have to do it."

"Though a bodyguard, I am a nobleman. It won’t be wrong if I help you," he said, "at least better than you leaning forward awkwardly."

Erin understood what he meant and straightened her back. "I see you’ve dropped the honorifics with me already." She put her foot in the shoe.

"Apologies, my lady," Lucian said, adjusting the shoe on her foot, his fingertips accidently brushing against her ankle.

Erin flinched invisibly at the touch of his fingertops and retraced her foot which was not clad in new beautiful footwear.

She removed the footwear before Lucian could offer to wear another pair which he had already picked with the intention of making her wear it as well.

She stood up. "I will take this one," she said, pointing to the shoe she had just removed.

"My lady," a salesman said, "don’t you wish to try the others?"

"No, just this one," she said in a hurry, slipping her feet back into her sandals and walking towards the billing desk.

Salesman looked at her in a surprise as to think what happened all of a sudden for her to hurry out like this. He looked at Lucian who stood up as well and he wondered if this young man had done something to offend a young lady while putting shoes on her feet.

Erin paid for her purchase and walked out of the shop while Lucian followed her out, carrying her new purchase.

Bree returned and saw Erin coming out of the shop across the road. Erin spotted her and walked towards her, but someone hurried next to her, shielding her from bumping into anyone in the crowd. With this tall man next to her, who could even reach and harm her?