Chapter 200: Finish It!
A glittering stand caught Riven’s eye next. "Jewels. Look at those. That necklace could pay for an estate."
Each stall was like a miniature palace—gold-plated frames, velvet-draped counters, enchanted glass cases rotating wares slowly for display. One sold enchanted teas that changed flavour based on mood. Another featured feathered cloak, woven with magic that made it light as a feather but kept one just as warm.
Despite their different demeanours, both Riven and Leon were drawn in, unable to look away from the layers of richness laid bare before them.
Leon frowned after a moment. "This is where the tariffs go, isn’t it?" His voice had an edge of bitterness, reminding him how he almost messed things up.
"Among other places," Riven said, looking around. "Still... This is beautiful. Overwhelming. But beautiful."
A few passersby gave them curious looks, but with Leon’s hair dyed black and the both of them dressed in simple but elegant black, they blended in well enough—not nobles, perhaps, but wealthy visitors or eccentric merchants.
They passed by a stall selling intricate chess sets carved from different kinds of rare wood. Leon paused, his eyes lingering on one in particular—onyx and tiger’s eye. The lioness and lion carved into the king and queen pieces made him tense slightly.
Riven nudged him. "You should’ve played with this one. Maybe the pieces would’ve fought for you."
Leon rolled his eyes, but the smirk tugging at Riven’s lips made his shoulders relax.