Chapter 468: A Woman Dressed as a Man!


    "I must admit, I''m not particrly fond of these," Rosalindmented, her mouth still partially full from devouring another Mermaid''s Kiss. Despite herck of enthusiasm for the taste, she continued eating them with determination, having bought a significant quantity at her request.


    Lucas had been observing Rosalind intently for several minutes, his gaze fixated on her.


    She blinked, sensing his scrutiny. "What''s on your mind?" she asked, curious about the thoughts that had captured his attention. Rosalind knew Lucas disliked the food; he hadn''t taken another bite since their initial sampling. However, she found it wasteful to let the uneaten morsels go to waste.


    "You can have mine," Lucas offered, a soft smile ying at the corners of his lips.


    Rosalind chuckled lightly, recognizing the sincerity in his gesture. "You really should not smile like that," she teased, her eyes reflecting her affection for him.


    Despite her yfulness, she graciously epted his offer, acknowledging that as her husband, it was only natural for him to want her to enjoy the food. "Should we also try those colorful balls?" she suggested, referring to another item she had noticed on the menu.


    Lucas nodded in agreement, expressing his interest in sampling the colorful balls as well. He caught the attention of the restaurant attendant and ced an order for more tea and the intriguing treats.


    The attendant, eager to please the couple, revealed an exciting announcement. "Dear guests, there will be a magnificent show tonight, and people are beginning to gather. If you''d like, I can secure the best spot for you to enjoy the spectacle."


    Lucas did not hesitate to ept the offer. "That sounds wonderful," he replied, his anticipation evident.


    "Allow me to show you to your reserved spot before serving your additional food," the attentive attendant offered, guiding them to a private booth with a panoramic view of the window and the stage on the restaurant''s first floor. From there, they could savor the performance without obstruction.


    "This area is reserved exclusively for guests who have spent a significant amount on their dining experience," the attendant proudly informed them, his smile beaming. "Later on, there will be a breathtaking fireworks disy visible from this window. Furthermore, you''ll have a clear view of tonight''s storyteller. Please enjoy the show. I''ll now take your orders."


    Lucas slipped a silver coin into the attendant''s hand, expressing his gratitude for the premium treatment they were receiving. "Thank you," he said warmly.


    "I have a feeling that the attendant may have been dishonest with us," Rosalindmented, her eyes scanning the surroundings.


    Lucas, on the other hand, gazed out of the window, examining the view of the street and the stage set before them. "But, I must admit, this spot does offer an excellent vantage point for both the fireworks and the storyteller," he added, his voice filled with appreciation.


    Rosalind shrugged, her thoughts lingering on the peculiar behavior of the attendant, a young man in his twenties.


    She wondered if his decision to seat them here was influenced by Lucas''s striking appearance. As her gaze rested upon her husband''s face, she couldn''t help but sigh inwardly, acknowledging his undeniable handsomeness.


    "I believe they ced us here to attract young women," Rosalind spoke yfully before indulging in another Mermaid''s Kiss.


    Lucas raised an eyebrow, a yful smirk gracing his lips. "Are you feeling jealous, my love?" he teased, his eyes filled with affection.


    "Jealous?" she giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Would you be upset if I told you I''m merely contemting ways to use your face to earn discounts or make money without offending you?" She yfully pondered the idea of leveraging Lucas''s good looks for food discounts, hoping his charm could secure them some delectable savings.


    Lucas chuckled, finding her words amusing. "You do realize that now you have ess to my wealth, right? But since you''re keen on earning money, how about this: I''ll pay you to apany me to an inn.


    Surely, the beds in Sloryn are morefortable than those in Wugari. Why not assist me in testing them out?" he proposed mischievously.


    Rosalind''s eyes widened, momentarily surprised by Lucas''s audacious suggestion. She nced around, relieved that no one seemed to have overheard their yful banter.


    Her attention was drawn to the bustling crowd below on the first floor, where tables were almost full and people of all ages were delighting in their meals and drinks. The air was filled with contagiousughter, creating a warm and joyful ambiance.


    In truth, Rosalind had never experienced anything quite like this before. She had never attended a festival, and the vibrant atmosphere captivated her.


    "By the way, what festival are they celebrating again?" she asked, lowering her voice slightly, intrigued by the lively event unfolding around them.


    "They call it Marina''s Embrace," Lucas replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "It''s an annual celebration that pays homage to the ocean and its abundant gifts bestowed upon thend. The festival takes ce during the peak of the fishing season when coastalmunities eagerly await the bountiful harvest from the sea."


    Rosalind nodded, recalling the fish decorations she had spotted earlier. "I noticed people ying games earlier. Should we join in the festivities?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement.


    The festival was teeming with people, and she had seen booths offering games and prizes. The prospect of trying her hand at winning something enticed hershe had never experienced such entertainment before.


    "Of course," Lucas responded, a yful glint in his eyes.


    Soon after, the attendant returned, gracefully delivering their food and fresh cups of tea. As he ensured theirfort, his gaze remained fixated on Lucas, seemingly oblivious to Rosalind''s presence. She couldn''t help but notice the attention he directed solely towards her husband.


    "Perhaps you should consider putting your mask back on," Rosalind suggested, her brow furrowing slightly.


    Lucas chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Do you not enjoy seeing my face?" he countered, genuinely curious about her preference.


    Rosalind sighed, her affection for her husband evident. "It''s not that, my love. It''s just... you are undeniably too attractive, too handsome," she admitted with a yful smirk. While she considered herself fortunate to have a husband as striking as Lucas, she couldn''t deny that his allure often drew unwanted attention.


    She had wisely chosen to wear a skin mask to conceal her own features, allowing her to blend in more effortlessly. Although she was tempted to suggest that he do the same, she didn''t want to dampen his spirits.


    Lucas''s smirk widened, his head tilting slightly to the side. "Shouldn''t you be proud to have married someone as remarkable as me?" he quipped, his yful gesture earning a genuineugh from Rosalind.


    His words carried a hint of truth, reminding her that she should take pride in her husband''s exceptional appearance.


    As the bustling noise from the first floor gradually subsided, capturing the attention of the restaurant''s patrons, an elderly man dressed in white entered the room.


    Hemanded the stage and began recounting a tale of Finnian Fleur, one of the illustrious ancestors of the Fleur Family. The story unfolded, recounting Finnian''s daring journey across the ocean and his heroic encounter with a fearsome sea dragon that had long gued the Empire''s coastal inhabitants.


    Rosalind''s eyes sparkled with fascination as she listened intently to the riveting ount. Finnian''s tale was a captivating blend of adventure, courage, and familial defiance. The young man had defied the expectations of his parents, embarking on a quest to navigate the treacherous seas and harness his extraordinary abilities to vanquish the dreaded sea dragon.


    Finnian Fleur had be a revered hero, not only for his exceptional looks but also for his remarkable strength and bravery, endearing him to the citizens of Sloryn.


    "This" a man''s voice interrupted the story teller. "Howrge is this sea dragon that you spoke of? Why was it that no one had actually seen this dragon?" All eyes turned towards the interruption, their curiosity piqued by the striking figure who dared to challenge the storyteller. Dressed in sky-blue garments that seemed too delicate for the spirited exchange, the man raised an eyebrow in an arrogantly defiant manner.


    The storyteller, momentarily taken aback by the interruption, recovered hisposure and attempted to assert his authority. "Sir, I do not entertain questions during my storytelling. I expect the audience to show respect and refrain from interrupting," he sternly dered, attempting to restore order.


    The man, undeterred, smirked with confidence. "Why do you act as if I have offended you? Answer my question, and I will reward you with a silver coin. Isn''t that why you chose this venue? Because of the fees you collect?" His voice wasced with a challenge, his chin held high as he stared down the storyteller. "If you possess the knowledge, then share it. Cease your pretense that this is the first time someone has dared to interrupt your story!"


    "Very well," the storyteller acquiesced, a hint of irritationcing his words. "If answers are what you seek, then I shall provide them. The Sea Dragon was a colossal creature, its sizeparable to that of our grand pce. With piercing blue eyes and shimmering silver scales, itmanded both awe and fear. Its presence was said to strike the hearts of those who gazed upon it"


    "Have you seen it?" the man interjected once more, his tone filled with skepticism and a hunger for firsthand knowledge.


    The storyteller paused, his eyes narrowing slightly at the interruption.


    "This man is looking for trouble," Rosalind whispered.


    "What man?" Lucas arched an eyebrow. "That is a woman."