Chapter 139
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a bright light over the bustling market area in the southwestern part of the city.
The air was thick with the mingling scents of fresh produce, fragrant spices, and the occasional waft of baked goods from nearby stalls.
Vendors shouted their wares, and laughter erupted from clusters of people enjoying the midday bustle.
“Stay close to me, so we don’t split up,” Draco called out, his voice slightly strained above the din.
He knew how easy it was to lose sight of each other in such a crowded space, and the last thing he wanted was to have to search for Vasiliki and Bahamut amidst the sea of bodies.
Bahamut, with a gleam of determination in her eyes, grabbed one of Draco’s free hands, holding it tightly.
“This way, we definitely won’t be separated,” she declared, a confident smile gracing her lips.
Vasiliki, not wanting to lose, quickly seized Draco’s other hand, her grip equally firm.
“I’m not letting go either!” She beamed, glancing at Bahamut with a playful smirk.
As they maneuvered through the crowd, Bahamut couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the sight of Vasiliki’s earnestness.
However, Draco felt a wave of discomfort wash over him.
With both of their hands holding onto him, his arms were forced out from the covering of his cloak, leaving his front exposed.
It made it quite difficult to hide his tail and the clothing he wore.
The tight-fitting clothing he wore outlined his physique with some parts being rather short, making it painfully apparent that they didn’t fit.
Adding to the embarrassment, his horns had grown longer and more pronounced, and his cloak hung awkwardly over his head like a tent, making him look quite ridiculous, further drawing curious glances from passersby.
The stares were relentless, and whispers floated through the air, speculating about their relationship.
“Are they all related?” one voice questioned, while another chimed in, “They must be family!”
Draco’s heart sank a little after eavesdropping on what people thought of them.
With matching hair colour and their beauty, it seemed as though the trio bore a resemblance that suggested a familial bond.
The onlookers, seemed to have settled on the idea that he was a young father out shopping with his two daughters.
The thought which made Bahamut and Vasiliki fume.
The two ladies looked extremely young and were way shorter than Draco, so it wasn’t a strange assumption.
“This is ridiculous!” Vasiliki hissed, her cheeks flushing with indignation.
“They think you’re my dad?” she said.
Bahamut nodded vehemently, her expression mirroring Vasiliki’s outrage.
“I can’t believe this! Do I look that young” she complained, even though she liked being called young.
“Focus, ladies,” Draco interjected, pulling them a bit closer to avoid any potential confrontations with the gossiping crowd.
For someone supposed to keep his identity a secret till after Denatus, Draco felt a bit conflicted.
Denatus was going to happen the next day, so there should be no point in being so secretive, his identity was going to be revealed to all in Orario the next day.
And he doubted that anything substantial would happen even if a few people in the market saw him now, but there was always a what if..
With the attention of the onlookers weighing heavily on him, Draco pushed onward, determined to reach the clothing stalls without any trouble.
They finally arrived at the section of the market where various fabrics and garments were displayed.
Vasiliki and Bahamut immediately sprang into action, excitedly darting from shop to shop in search of clothing that would suit Draco’s unique physique.
Draco, however, had other priorities.
While the girls focused on finding outfits, he quietly sought out a more personal purchase: good underwear.
The current pair he wore felt constricting and uncomfortable for his balls, and he certainly wasn’t going to tolerate that much longer.
“Hey, check this out!” Bahamut exclaimed, holding up a dark cloak adorned with golden intricate patterns.
“This would look amazing on you!” she said.
Vasiliki chimed in, “And what about this tunic? The colour would really complement your eyes!” she said.
Draco smiled at their enthusiasm but couldn’t shake the feeling of being overwhelmed.
He admired their efforts, but as the hours trickled away, he couldn’t help but feel they were spending more time shopping for themselves than for him.
“Are we supposed to be shopping for me or just using me as an excuse to browse?” Draco teased, raising an eyebrow.
Vasiliki shot him a playful glare. “You’re the canvas, Draco nii! We’re just trying to make you look good!” she replied.
After three hours of relentless shopping, they finally gathered their selections and began the trek to the tailor’s workshop.
The journey had taken longer than anticipated, but Draco couldn’t complain too much.
The laughter and banter shared among the three had lightened his heart, making the day feel less burdensome.
………………………………………………………………………
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling streets of Orario, Draco found himself entangled in a lively debate between Bahamut and Vasiliki about the latest adjustments to his wardrobe.
Their enthusiasm for fashion was good, but Draco’s patience was wearing thin.
"Ladies, we need to head home," he insisted, trying to gently coax them away from the tailor's workshop.
The last thing he wanted was to delay his plans for the evening.
With a reluctant sigh, they finally emerged from the shop, having settled on several adjusted and tailored outfits that fit Draco’s physique perfectly.
The tailor was able to complete three outfits in their time at the store, the rest to be delivered at a later date.
Bahamut had insisted on a striking new cloak, one that he could hardly refuse given her persuasive charm and the way she had practically thrust it into his hands.
Meanwhile, Vasiliki had commissioned several plain black cloaks to be adorned with the insignia of the Bahamut familia, along with several other clothing to be delivered at a later date.
Draco’s wallet felt considerably lighter, and he grimaced at the thought of the paperwork he would need to sort out later, as the unplanned expenses would require some careful accounting.
Once they reached home, Draco quickly changed into one of the freshly tailored outfits.
The fabric felt soft against his skin, and the fit was undeniably flattering, boosting his confidence.
He draped the new cloak over his shoulders, hating its design.
Rabbit ear-like pieces were sewn at the top to cover his horns, making it look quite ridiculous.
However since Bahamut and Vasiliki found it cute, he endured and put it on.
After which, he gathered the rest of his familia, including their goddess, Bahamut, who was busy admiring her own handiwork.
Together, they set off towards the guild, the lively streets filled with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional argument among returning adventurers.
‘I wonder how shocked she will be,’ Draco pondered, excitement bubbling within him.
It was a mix of anticipation and nerves as they navigated through the throng of people, their presence barely making a ripple in the sea of adventurers.
Upon arriving at the guild, the atmosphere was electric; the air was thick with the scent of sweat and the faint aroma of food from nearby stalls.
Adventurers crowded the entrance, recounting tales of their day's exploits, while guild employees bustled about like bees in a hive.
Draco, however, focused solely on finding Rose, their guild advisor.
His heart raced at the thought of her reaction.
After a brief search, he learned that Rose was occupied in a meeting.
Returning to his group, he shared the news, and they settled into the lounge, the chairs creaking under their weight.
The wait felt interminable, but Draco’s excitement kept his spirit buoyant.
He glanced around at his familia, their faces a mixture of eagerness and curiosity.
It wasn’t long before the door swung open and Rose emerged, flanked by a group of young adventurers who appeared fresh and eager.
As she bid them farewell, Draco seized the moment, stepping forward and lightly tapping her on the shoulder.
“Who are you?” Rose asked, startled, her voice laced with apprehension.
Her eyes darted nervously over Draco's new form, apprehending the strength that radiated from him.
Draco couldn’t suppress a laugh at her reaction.
“Relax, it’s me—Draco,” he replied, a teasing grin spreading across his face.
Rose narrowed her eyes, skepticism etched on her features.
“Stop lying! Get away from me before I call someone!” she threatened, her instincts kicking in.
“Rose-san, wait! This is truly Draco nii!” Vasiliki interjected, stepping forward with a reassuring smile, her presence somewhat softening the tension.
“Vasiliki! Is that really true?” Rose asked, her voice now tinged with curiosity rather than suspicion.
“Yes! We were all as shocked as you are,” chimed in Dimitra, adding to the chorus of disbelief.
“How can this be? Can someone really change so much in such a short time?” Rose muttered, her mind racing as she processed the transformation before her.
“Can you get us a secure room? We have a lot to discuss,” Bahamut interjected, her authoritative tone leaving no room for doubt.
The presence of the goddess shifted the atmosphere entirely.
Rose’s demeanour transformed; she realized this was no prank.
“Come with me,” she said, leading them through the bustling main hall to a quieter room equipped with a silencing magic tool. The door clicked shut behind them, and the noise of the guild faded into the background.