After food, sweets, and gifts for every one of his wives tucked safely away in his storage, Aiden guided them toward a quieter lane of the market.
The noise softened here. Fewer food slls, more cloth and dye. Fabric banners hung from wooden fras, swaying gently. Silks shimred.
Wool folded neatly. Enchanted scarves glowed faintly with warmth runes, their threads humming softly to the touch.
"Scarves," Aiden said casually. "It’s getting cold later."
Leona perked up imdiately in his arms. "Pretty clothes!"
Liri nodded too, fingers brushing a hanging scarf as they passed the entrance. "They look warm..."
Aiden pushed the door open.
A bell chid.
Inside, the shop was dimr than outside. Warm light from lanterns reflected off folded fabrics stacked high on shelves. The sll of dye and old cloth lingered in the air.
A middle-aged man looked up from behind the counter. He had slicked-back hair, a thick neck, and a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
"Welco, Sir," He said smoothly. "Looking for sothing special?"
Before Aiden could answer, a thin curtain at the back shifted.
A small figure stepped out.
A demon girl.
She was small—too small. Thin arms, narrow shoulders. Her clothes were dirty and worn, hanging loosely like hand--down rags.
Her skin was deep black, marked with tattoos that ran along her arms, neck, and legs in ritualistic patterns common to demonkind.
White hair fell ssily down her back, tangled and uncombed. Two small white horns curved gently from her head, chipped at the edges.
Her red eyes stayed lowered.
Aiden’s gaze went to her arms.
Bruises.
Old and new.
Purple, yellow, red.
So shaped like fingers.
So like sticks.
So burns, faint but unmistakable, near the collar rune etched into her neck.
"Brat," The man snapped without even looking at her. "Bring the packed scarves."
She flinched hard at the word.
"Y-yes," She said quickly, voice thin and hoarse.
She bowed low—too low—then hurried behind the curtain, her steps rushed, uneven.
Liri tugged Aiden’s sleeve hard.
"Daddy..." Her voice trembled.
Leona went quiet in his arms. She leaned forward slightly, staring at where the girl had disappeared. Her small claws tightened against Aiden’s shirt.
"Daddy..." She said softly, confused and sad.
Aiden didn’t answer.
He saw everything.
The collar rune.
The scars hidden beneath rag.
The way the girl’s shoulders were hunched, like she was bracing for pain even when none ca.
A minute passed.
The rchant forced a polite smile. "Sir, please wait a little longer. She’s... slow."
Then his face twisted, patience snapping.
"Hey!" He shouted toward the back. "Hurry up, you useless thing!"
There was a loud thud from behind the curtain. Sothing falling.
Then hurried footsteps.
The girl ca running out, clutching a bundle of scarves in a wooden box. Her breathing was uneven, chest rising too fast. One foot stumbled, but she didn’t fall—like she’d learned falling was dangerous.
She reached the counter and held the bundle out with both hands.
"S-sorry," She whispered. "I-I—"
Too slow.
The man’s foot slamd into her side.
Hard.
She cried out softly as she hit the floor, the scarves skidding across the wooden planks.
"Useless demon!" The man snarled. "Do you know how long you kept the custor waiting?"
She curled instinctively, arms up over her head. "S-sorry... I’m sorry..."
The man grabbed a stick from behind the counter.
A thin, worn stick. Not enchanted. Used often.
He raised it.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Didn’t scream.
Didn’t beg.
Just waited.
The stick never ca down.
Aiden’s hand closed around it mid-air.
Effortless.
The wood creaked under his grip.
The shop went dead silent.
Even the lantern flas seed to flicker.
"Sir!" The man barked, startled, yanking on the stick. It didn’t move. "What do you think you’re—"
Aiden looked at him.
Not angry.
Not shouting.
Just calm.
Cold.
"How much?" Aiden asked.
The man blinked. "Eh?"
"How much for her."
The words landed heavy.
The man looked between Aiden and the demon girl on the floor.
Then his expression changed.
Greed replaced surprise.
"Ah," He chuckled nervously. "That brat? She’s troubleso, Sir. Lazy. Breaks things. But if you insist..."
He rubbed his chin. "Five thousand gold coins."
Liri sucked in a sharp breath.
Leona’s claws dug into Aiden’s shoulder.
Aiden reached into his storage.
A heavy pouch hit the counter with a dull thud.
"Transfer the ownership," Aiden said. "Now."
The man froze for half a second.
Then moved fast.
Too fast.
"Of course, Sir!" He said eagerly, hands shaking as he pulled out the contract crystal. His heart raced.
*I should have asked for more.* The man thought greedily.
The crystal flashed.
The collar rune flickered.
Then shattered.
The demon girl gasped sharply.
She collapsed to her knees, hands flying to her neck as the pressure vanished. Her breathing broke into ragged sobs she clearly didn’t understand yet.
Then a seal appeared on her chest.
The man laughed nervously. "All done! That demon brat is all yours, Sir."
He waved dismissively at her. "Get up. You belong to him now."
The girl scrambled forward imdiately, crawling until she reached Aiden’s feet. She bowed deeply, forehead pressed to the floor.
"Th-thank you, Master," She whispered, shaking. "I’ll work hard. I won’t be slow. I won’t—"
Aiden knelt.
Still holding Leona in one arm.
The movent made her flinch violently.
She squeezed her eyes shut again, bracing for pain that didn’t co.
Aiden gently placed a hand near her—not touching yet.
"Hey," He said softly. "Look at ."
She hesitated.
Slowly, she opened one eye.
Then the other.
Red eyes t his.
There was no anger in his face.
No disgust.
No expectation.
"You’re safe now," Aiden said quietly.
Her lips trembled.
"I..." Her voice broke. "I-I’m... safe?"
Liri knelt beside Aiden, smiling gently. "You don’t have to be scared anymore."
Leona hugged her bear tight. She leaned forward and spoke in a small, earnest voice.
"You’ll be happy."
The words hit the demon girl like a blow.
Her eyes widened.
Then filled.
She made a broken sound—half laugh, half sob—and covered her face with her hands, shaking uncontrollably.
"I..." She couldn’t finish.
Aiden stood, turning back to the counter.
"I’ll take the scarves," He said flatly.
The man nodded eagerly, pretending nothing had happened.
Aiden wrapped one scarf gently around Leona’s neck.
"There," He said. "You look even more adorable now."
Leona giggled. "Warm!"
He wrapped another around Liri.
She smiled brightly. "Thank you, Daddy."
Aiden picked up a third scarf. Softer. Dark red.
He turned back to the demon girl and held it out.
"This one’s for you," He said. "After you get new clothes."
She stared at it like it was a weapon.
"A-a gift?" She whispered.
"Yeah."
Her hands shook as she reached out and took it.
Tears stread down her face freely now.
She stood and followed them out of the shop, staying close but not touching, like she didn’t know what she was allowed to do yet.
The owner bowed repeatedly, grinning. "Thank you, Sir! Co again!"
Aiden didn’t look back.
Not once.
Not abruptly—but deliberately.
---
The street outside the cloth shop felt quieter than the rest of the market.
Not silent—never silent—but subdued. The noise of bargaining and laughter dulled into distant echoes, softened by the narrow stone lane and hanging fabric banners swaying gently above. The demon girl walked a few steps behind them, unsure, careful not to draw attention to herself.
She kept her head down.
Her fingers clutched the edge of the scarf Aiden had given her like it might vanish if she loosened her grip. Every few steps, she glanced around, flinching whenever voices rose too sharply or footsteps ca too close.
Leona noticed first.
She leaned over Aiden’s arm, peeking back at the girl. Her tail flicked slowly, uncertain.
"Hey," Leona said softly. "You cold?"
The demon girl froze.
She hadn’t expected to be spoken to. Not like that.
Her red eyes lifted hesitantly, locking onto Leona’s small face. For a mont, she looked terrified—then confused.
"I... I don’t know," she whispered.
Liri slowed her steps so she was closer. She smiled gently, the way she always did when soone looked like they might break if spoken to too loudly.
"You can wear it now," Liri said, pointing at the scarf. "It’s warm. Daddy chose it."
The demon girl’s fingers tightened around the fabric.
"...I’m allowed?" she asked quietly.
He didn’t answer her right away. Instead, his gaze lifted, scanning the narrow lane they’d just entered.
A few steps ahead, the market bent slightly, forming a shadowed side passage between two buildings. An alley—quiet, hidden from the main street.
That would do.
"Co with ," Aiden said gently.
The demon girl stiffened.
Her instincts scread danger.
But she still nodded.
"...Yes."
She followed hesitantly as Aiden stepped into the alley, its stone walls closing in softly around them. The noise of the market dulled to a distant murmur. Safe. Private.
Aiden carefully lowered Leona to the ground.
"Stand here," He told her.
Leona obeyed without question.
Liri moved to Aiden’s side automatically.
The demon girl stood awkwardly across from him, unsure where to place her hands, her shoulders hunched out of habit.
Aiden knelt.
Slowly. Calmly.
He reached out and gently rested his hand on her head.
She flinched at first—then froze.
His touch was warm.
Careful.
Not demanding.
"Do you promise to give your loyalty to ?" Aiden asked quietly.
The alley felt very still.
The demon girl closed her eyes.
She felt his kindness like sunlight through clouds. No chains. No threats. Just an offer.
Her voice trembled—but didn’t break.
"...Yes."
Aiden smiled.
He stood and spoke calmly.
"System. Activate Bond."
A familiar interface appeared.
---
[WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO NA HER?]
[NA: ______]
---
Aiden thought for a mont.
Then—
"Noir."
He looked back at her. "Do you like the na?"
She nodded slowly.
A real smile—small, unsure, but real—appeared on her face.
---
[NA: NOIR NIGHTSHADE]
[NA ACCEPTED]
---
A soft, ethereal glow enveloped Noir. She gasped, "What’s happening...?"
The glow was gentle, wrapping around her like a warm blanket. She felt... lighter. Calr. Safe.
"I feel... good," She whispered. "Happy..."
Aiden smiled. "That ans it worked."
Leona clapped quietly. "Shiny!"
"Wow!" Liri breathed.
The light slowly intensified. Noir felt strength return to limbs that had always felt weak.
---
END OF Chapter : 189 : NEW MBER!
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A/N: To see Noir’s character image, join the discord. Because Webnovel doesn’t show more than 50 characters.
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