I'm Your Brother's Wife Dear Ace

Chapter 13

Lyra

The moment Ace walked away, the rigid tension left my shoulders and I turned back to Elin, a massive, breathless grin breaking across my face.

“My Lady, have you truly never been to the town before?” Elin asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

I shook my head, my smile widening.

“Then I am going to show you everything you’ve been missing,” she said happily, leading me out toward the courtyard.

The carriage was already waiting for us, gleaming under the morning sun. I didn't count them individually, but a massive guard detail, at least ten heavy warriors or more…. surrounded us, their expressions grim and alert.

“Elin, I have never left the safety of my father's walls... or these ones,” I confessed in a quiet whisper as the carriage lurched forward, the wheels rattling against the path. “I truly have no idea what the outside world even looks like.”

“Don't worry, my Lady, I will show you around,” Elin smiled warmly, reaching across the plush seats to hold my hands in a reassuring squeeze.

The ride was fast, but my heart beat even faster as I sat on the edge of my seat, a volatile cocktail of pure excitement and raw terror fluttering in my chest.

What if something happens? I worried, staring out the tiny window. The world is cruel dad always told me that.

“We are here,” Elin announced with a brilliant grin. “My Lady, get ready to have your mind blown.”

She stepped out first and offered her hand to help me down from the carriage. The moment my boots touched the cobblestones, my eyes widened in utter shock. The sheer scale of the sight before me was overwhelming. The town square was a sea of movement, packed tightly with women, men, and laughing children.

Voices crashed over me in waves.

Merchants shouted out the prices of their goods, silver coins clinked rhythmically in leather pouches, and children giggled as they chased each other through the crowd.

But the moment I stepped fully into the light, a sudden, heavy hush rippled through the immediate area and all eyes snapped to me.

“The wolfless princess,” a low whisper drifted through the air, quickly picked up by others nearby. “Look at her... an ethereal beauty.”

Nobles dressed in fine silks and high-status pack wolves walked the same paths, buying goods and talking business. Amidst the heavy scents of horse leather and sweat, a incredibly sweet aroma of warm flour and sugar drifted past my nose.

“Hmm.” I gasped, grabbing Elin’s sleeve. I quickly gestured toward the delicious scent, my eyes tracking it down the street.

“You want to buy some? Let’s go,” she laughed, pulling me gently through the crowd toward a small, bustling shop.

“My Lady, this is a bakery. They make all sorts of different desserts,” Elin chuckled, watching my curious face as I scanned the glass displays.

I gulped, my mouth watering as I pointed at a round, golden-brown pastry like an eager child.

“Those are buns, my Lady. Have you never eaten one before?”

I shook my head no.

“Give us fifty coins' worth,” Elin told the shopkeeper.

The seller’s eyes had never left my face from the moment I entered, wide with recognition. “No need to pay,” the woman murmured softly, bowing her head. “It is completely free for the Luna.”

My eyes shone with genuine happiness. Because I couldn't vocalize my gratitude, I offered her a deep, respectful bow of thanks instead.

As we left the bakery, clutching the warm paper bag, I noticed colorful banners and intricate decorations hanging from the shop roofs. It looked like the town was preparing for a massive celebration. I'll have to ask Elin about this later, I thought to myself.

I reached out, intending to take Elin’s hand again, when a tiny figure in a dark corner of the alleyway caught my attention. The child’s eyes suddenly locked onto mine, and I froze right in my tracks.

Elin noticed I had stopped and she turned around, concern etching her features, as she followed my gaze to the alleyway.

“Ah... that child is said to be a cursed child, my Lady. Let’s go, we shouldn't linger,” Elin whispered, trying to pull me away.

But I paused,..... A cursed child?. I stared at her small, trembling form. If anyone in this world is a curse, it's me.

I quickly gestured to Elin, signaling that I wanted to go to her. I pointed toward the guards and motioned for Elin to hold them back so they wouldn't follow me into the narrow space but Elin hesitated, looking nervously between me and the grim-faced warriors, but she finally nodded in agreement.

“I’ll wait right here for you,” she whispered.

I rushed into the dim corner and as I approached, the little girl retreated back against the brick wall, her shoulders shaking with fear. But as she looked up, I realized her eyes were stunning….a striking, beautiful shade just like my own. I stole a quick glance over my shoulder to check if anyone was watching. The crowds were still there, but if I kept my back turned completely, my body would block their view. No one would see my face. No one would ever know I spoke.

“Hey, take this,” I whispered softly, pulling a warm bun from the paper bag and extending it to her.

She hesitated, her small fingers trembling, but the scent of food won over. She took it from my hand.

“Don't be scared, little one,” I murmured, a soft smile gracing my lips. “If people say you are a curse... well, then I am the curse bearer. So don't be afraid. Your eyes are absolutely lovely.”

I gently reached out and caressed her cheek.

“My Lady!” Elin’s voice called out from the street.

I stood up straight, giving the little girl a final, cheerful wave. She actually smiled back and waved her tiny hand in return.

Walking back to the guards, a bitter thought crossed my mind. So, Father was right all along. If I wasn't the most beautiful she-wolf to ever exist, my lack of a wolf would have turned me into a miserable slave long ago, so iIn his own cruel, twisted way, my father had just been trying to protect my currency. He was protecting my face.

Elin took my hand securely in hers as she led me into a grand fabric store, the guards filing in closely behind us. Inside, the shop was filled with towering rows of colorful materials. We began walking through the different sections, but Elin made sure never to leave my side.

I spotted a bolt of beautiful, shimmering fabric. Just as I reached my hand out to touch the material, a strong, iron grip suddenly clamped onto my waist and before I could even gasp, I was dragged backward into a narrow, dark alcove between the shelves. A large hand clamped firmly over my mouth, stifling my scream.

“Scared?” a low, smooth voice whispered directly into my ear.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

Ace.

What on earth was he doing here? I gulped, turning slowly within his iron grip to face him, but the hidden space was so small and confined that my front was pressed flush against the broad, hard expanse of his chest, and my breathing became rapid, my chest rising and falling in sheer nervousness as I looked up at him.

He reached up, his long fingers gently moving a stray strand of hair away from my face, tucking it carefully behind my ear.

“I love it when you smile with genuine happiness,” he murmured, a dangerous, mocking smirk plastered to his face. “It suits you far better than that practiced smile you always wear.”

My breath hitched. How did he know I wear a practiced smile? I felt cold. I thought I had hidden my artificial expressions perfectly from the rest of the world.

I placed my hands against his chest, trying to push his heavy frame away when I heard Elin’s voice calling out for me in the distance, but Ace didn't budge rather he held me firmly in place, trapping me between the shelves.

He leaned down, his eyes locking onto mine with a terrifying, piercing intensity.

“You talk... hmm?” he asked softly.

I stiffened instantly, terror seizing my throat.

My heart stopped beating. Why was he asking that? Did he see me? Fear flooded my veins…. because I had been so sure, so absolutely certain, that no one had seen me when I spoke to that child.