Chapter 144: Exploring Haunfen City
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Haunfen City...
Jake and Grace walked side by side through one of the busier streets near the harbor.
The city was far more lively than Nasha Town.
Shops lined both sides of the road, selling everything from fresh seafood and dried goods to weapons, tools, and strange trinkets.
The constant chatter of merchants, the smell of grilled food, and the occasional shout of street vendors filled the air.
Grace’s golden eyes kept moving from one place to another, clearly still fascinated by everything around them.
Jake glanced at her and smiled faintly.
"You’re still looking around like it’s your first time in a city."
Grace blinked, then gave a small, embarrassed laugh.
"...It kind of is as Nasha Town was much smaller. This place feels... different."
She slowed down slightly when they passed a food stall that was grilling skewers of seasoned meat, the rich aroma drifting into the street.
Jake noticed her gaze lingering.
"Want to try some?"
Grace looked at him, a little hesitant.
"...Is it okay?"
Jake chuckled and already stepped toward the stall.
"Of course. We’re exploring, aren’t we?"
A short while later, the two of them walked further down the street, each holding a few skewers.
Grace took a careful bite, her eyes lighting up slightly at the taste.
"It’s good..."
Jake watched her reaction with quiet amusement.
"Yeah. Not bad at all."
For a moment, the tension of the voyage, the battles, and everything that had happened before seemed to fade into the background.
Right now, it was just the two of them walking through a new city, sharing simple food under the morning sun.
They continued walking deeper into the city, weaving through the lively streets as they explored more of Haunfen City.
The further they went, the more varied the shops became... clothing stores, weapon stalls, small workshops, and colorful displays of goods from different islands.
Grace still looked around with quiet curiosity, occasionally pointing out something interesting while Jake listened with a relaxed smile.
Then they passed a jewelry store.
The glass display at the front was filled with carefully arranged ornaments... silver bracelets, delicate necklaces, and a few refined pieces set with small gems that caught the sunlight.
Grace’s steps slowed for a brief moment.
Her golden eyes lingered on one of the simpler necklaces near the front, something elegant but not overly extravagant.
For a second, a faint trace of interest appeared on her face... before she quickly looked away and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Jake noticed immediately.
He reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"You can look properly, you know."
Grace stiffened slightly, then turned toward him with a somewhat flustered expression.
"I... I was just glancing. It’s nothing."
Jake raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced.
"You paused."
"...I did?"
"You did."
Grace’s cheeks turned a little pink.
She glanced back at the store for a second, then quickly looked down.
"...It’s just that they’re pretty. But we don’t need something like that right now."
Jake looked at her flustered expression and couldn’t help but smile.
’Truly a young lady.’
With that thought, his smile turned more confident.
Without giving her much time to protest, he gently took her wrist and pulled her toward the entrance of the jewelry store.
"Come on. Let’s go check it out."
Grace’s eyes widened in surprise.
"J-Jake—?"
He glanced back at her with a light, teasing grin.
"Heh. Take a look at whatever you’re interested in. We’re rich now, remember?"
The moment they stepped inside the store, Jake casually took the remaining skewers from Grace’s hand and moved behind her, standing slightly to the side like a quiet attendant.
Grace blinked, clearly confused by his sudden change in behavior.
Before she could ask, a nicely dressed woman approached them with a professional smile.
Her gaze first landed on Grace and for a brief moment, her eyes sharpened with experience.
Grace’s natural beauty already stood out, but more than that, there was something refined in her bearing.
The way she carried herself, the quiet elegance in her posture... it wasn’t the look of an ordinary traveler.
The woman’s expression softened into one of polite respect.
"Welcome, Young Lady. How may I assist you today?"
Grace froze for a second, completely unprepared for the formal address she hadn’t heard in a long time.
Then she lightly cleared her throat and composed herself.
Her posture straightened a little, and her expression shifted into something more refined and elegant... the natural bearing of a true young lady.
"...I am simply looking around for now," she replied in a calm, graceful tone. "If something catches my interest, I will let you know."
The attendant smiled politely and gave a small bow.
"Of course of course, Young Lady. Please take your time. Should you require any assistance, do not hesitate to call for me."
Behind her, Jake watched the sudden change with quiet amusement, still playing the role of her silent attendant while holding the leftover skewers in one hand.
Grace, however, could already feel a faint heat rising to her ears... but she kept her composed expression as she began looking at the displays.
Grace began walking slowly along the displays, her golden eyes carefully examining the various pieces.
At first, she still carried herself with that refined composure, only glancing at a few necklaces and bracelets.
But as the moments passed, her expression gradually softened.
The soft glow of polished silver, the delicate craftsmanship, the way some of the gems caught the light... it all slowly drew her in.
Without realizing it, her steps became lighter.
She paused in front of a tray of elegant hair ornaments, leaning in slightly to take a closer look.
A faint spark of interest appeared in her eyes.
Then she moved toward a display of simple yet refined necklaces, her fingers hovering just above the glass without touching.
The more she looked, the more the earlier awkwardness faded.
A small, genuine smile slowly appeared on her face.
Jake, still standing a short distance behind her, watched the change quietly.
Seeing Grace like this... relaxed, curious, and clearly enjoying the moment more and more, made the corner of his mouth lift slightly.
Soon, Grace’s gaze settled on one particular necklace.
It wasn’t the most extravagant piece in the store, but it had a quiet elegance... a slender silver chain with a small, clear gem at the center that seemed to softly catch the light.
She stopped in front of it, her eyes lingering a little longer than before.
Jake noticed immediately.
Without saying a word, he calmly raised his hand.
From a short distance away, the attendant who had been discreetly watching them approached at once.
When she saw the necklace Grace was looking at, a professional smile appeared on her face.
"You have a good eye, Young Lady."
Grace blinked slightly and turned toward her.
The attendant gestured politely toward the display.
"This piece is one of our more refined designs. The chain is made from high-purity silver, carefully refined so it remains light and comfortable to wear for long periods."
"The gem in the center is a low-grade Moonstone... not the rarest type, but it has a soft, natural glow under both sunlight and moonlight. Many young ladies prefer this style because it is elegant without being overly flashy."
She paused for a moment, still smiling.
"It is also quite popular among those who prefer something understated, yet meaningful."
Grace looked back at the necklace, her expression thoughtful... and clearly more interested than before.
But then she hesitated.
She was just about to step back when Jake’s calm voice came from behind her.
"Wrap it up."
Grace’s eyes widened as she turned toward him.
"Jake?"
He didn’t look the least bit hesitant.
Standing behind her with that same composed expression, he spoke to the attendant in a confident tone.
Jake stepped a little closer and looked at the attendant.
"How much is it?"
The attendant answered politely without hesitation.
"This piece is priced at fifty gold coins."
He didn’t look the least bit hesitant.
"We’ll take it."
The attendant’s smile brightened as she gave a polite nod.
"Of course, sir. Please wait a moment."
Grace still looked a little flustered, her cheeks faintly pink.
"...You really don’t have to spend that much."
Jake glanced at her and smirked lightly.
"I already decided. Just accept it."
While the attendant turned away to carefully take the necklace out of the display and prepare the packaging, Jake casually stepped a little closer behind Grace.
Without warning, his hand slipped down and firmly groped her soft, supple butt through her clothes.
Grace’s body stiffened at once, a small, surprised sound nearly escaping her lips.
Before she could react further, Jake leaned down slightly, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered in a low, teasing voice.
"...After all, my young lady deserves the best in the world."
Grace’s face instantly turned red.
She bit her lower lip, trying hard to keep her expression composed while the attendant was still nearby.
"...J-Jake..." she whispered back under her breath, her voice slightly shaky. "Not here..."
Jake only smiled faintly, giving her one last firm squeeze before calmly withdrawing his hand as if nothing had happened.
A moment later, the attendant returned with the neatly wrapped necklace, completely unaware of what had just taken place.