Chapter 247 - The Markets - II
"I swear to God Xavier, I look stupid now." She snapped as much as her dry and rough throat would allow. "I feel like a giant ball of clothes!"
As if what she was wearing that had been laid out on the bed was not enough he had decided to give her a huge fluffy jacket just as they were about to leave the house. On top of that he had given her a woolen cap and a muffler! The only thing that kept her sane was that at least all of the clothes were matching.
He bit the smile. "No on the contrary you look very cute and we are not to focus on whether you look stupid or not. We need to focus on if you will get cold outside." He then raised his arms slightly, "do you see? I am also wearing a jacket that means the temperature might get to me too."
She huffed reluctantly as she stared at the jacket he wore. If the temperature could get to him then it meant that the temperature would definitely get to her. She had seen her uncle time and again put more clothes on her and her aunt where as all he was a thin cotton shirt.
"Lets just go," she resigned and he gave a small Triumph smile before taking her gloved hand in his.
He did not bother locking the door as they stepped outside the snow. Shifters had a highlighted sense of smell and if anyone broke into the house first the gaurds would catch him and other than that he could always tell by the smell who it was.
He watched as his little Penguin fattened by the jackets and sweaters were added on the snow.
Adeline watched as the snow crunched under her shoes. After so long she had stepped on the snow and it felt amazing. She touched the snow as she crossed down before taking it in her hands and circling it making it into a ball.
A silly idea struck her mind and before she could filter out the thought she raised her hand, turned around and threw it right at Xavier's face.
She laughed loudly at how comical it seemed. Rather than expressing pain his expressions expressed the shock he felt.
She laughed so hard that she had to depend on her knees and support herself.
She yelped when saw herself being picked up. Xavier held her and raised her above the ground making her face to face with him as he had raised her by holding her arms like an infant.
She gulped.
"Really?"
She nodded with weary eyes. "It was fun," she said before raising her hand and smudging the snow on his face that was still in her hand. At the cold sensation Xavier dropped her and stepped back making Adeline realise the chance and start running.
He scoffed at that. But a lovesick smile came to his face as he realised why she was running. He chuckled.
"Run, my dear." He yelled making the penguin pick up speed but the snow was not helping.
Adaline was already huffing. The snow made it look like she was walking when she was clearly trying to run! The snow and the weight of the clothes on her made it heavier for her to run.
Just as she heard the snow crunching behind her she tried to quicken her speed only to be thrown up in the air and twirled around.
She laughed as he twirled her around while keeping her in his arms. "Happy now?" He murmured too close to her ear but she nodded with a large happy and loud smile on her face. She was really happy.
He dropped her down and took a hold of her hand. "I do not want you to be left alone in the crowd." He said as he started walking forward with her hand in his.
It was then that she could actually pay attention to her surroundings. Yesterday when they had arrived it was almost sundown and the surroundings were completely dark and. Now, she could pay close attention.
The world seemed to have extraordinary views. Mountains and mountains covered with snow were visible to her. The air seems to be so pure that she could breathe it all her life.
Just as they had existed, a cabin familiar once was all around in lanes. A few of them had smoke coming out of the chimneys. The cabins did not seem to have more than one room though which only made her question. "Do people not come here with large families?"
"Why? Do you want to come with our family here again?"
Adeline's eyes widened and her head snapped towards him in shock. Did he really say that?!
He hare clearly teasing smile and expression over his face making her turn back and look where they were walking. "Just answer the question please."
He chuckled. "Yes, people do come here with their children and families. The only difference is this area is for the mating couples, which means the children won't have to hear sounds that they do not recognise."
That made sense.
Just as they walked out of the lodging cabins it was a small climb up the hill and inside a tunnel before they came to a market just like she had seen in front of the capital only a lot more Messier.
But that was only for a few seconds as everyone calmed down and every pair of eyes turned to them.
Adeline took a small and hesitant step back as soon as she noticed the entire market quieting down and turning to look at her. She look that everyone who appeared to be looking back at her with a amazement and shock in their eyes.
That was the for a second or two or maybe even then before everyone took a small step back and bared their neck to all of them.
Her mouth opened slightly. She was aware what they were doing. It only hurt more to realise what they had taken her as.
They were bowing down to the king and queen.