The Smiling Death

"Hmm... so how much have you written?"

"Just a few Chapters."

Scarlett stared at Amon’s face for few minutes. Then her lips slowly curved upward.

"Amon... you being an author sounds funny."

Amon’s eyebrow twitched.

"Hey! What’s so funny about it?"

The two stood together on a small stone bridge overlooking one of the narrow rivers running through Elarith City.

The afternoon streets were lively. Carriages rolled across the roads, merchants called out from their stalls, and groups of Arcadia Academy students wandered between shops and restaurants.

Amon had just told Scarlett about something he’d recently started doing in his free time, writing a novel. He planned to publish it eventually with Selena’s help.

Scarlett’s reaction had been exactly what he’d expected. She was in disbelief.

"You doubt I can write a novel?"

"Well..."

Scarlett casually turned her face away.

"No. Of course not."

"Tch."

Amon narrowed his eyes.

"Look at me when you say that."

Scarlett suddenly became extremely interested in watching the river beneath them.

Amon clicked his tongue.

"Just you wait. One day, I’ll become a famous author. People will go crazy waiting for my next book."

"Oh my~"

Scarlett finally looked back at him.

"Then are you going to publish it under your real name?"

"No."

"A pen name?"

"Exactly."

Scarlett frowned.

"Then how are you supposed to become famous?"

Amon grinned.

"That’s the best part."

He leaned against the bridge railing.

"My pen name will become famous while nobody knows who I actually am."

He raised a hand dramatically.

"I’ll remain hidden in the shadows, secretly watching thousands—no, millions—of people going crazy over my work."

Scarlett stared at him.

"..."

"What?"

"You really are delusional, dear."

Amon’s face fell.

"That’s harsh."

Scarlett laughed.

"But..."

She stepped closer.

"As your woman, I suppose I’ll believe in you."

Amon looked at her suspiciously.

"You suppose?"

"Hehe~"

Scarlett leaned forward and softly kissed his cheek.

Chuu~

Amon immediately stopped complaining.

"I’m only teasing you."

Her amethyst eyes softened.

"If you’re serious about it, then I believe you can do it."

"Now that’s what I wanted to hear."

Scarlett smiled.

"Just don’t write anything perverted."

"Define it?"

Scarlett narrowed her eyes.

Amon immediately changed the subject.

"Anyway! Enough about my writing."

He took her hand.

"When the book is finished, I’ll give you the first copy before it’s officially published."

"Oh?"

Scarlett intertwined her fingers with his.

"Then I’ll be your first reader?"

"Exactly."

"I suppose that’s an acceptable privilege for being your lover."

"Acceptable? You should be honored."

"Don’t push your luck."

Amon chuckled. Scarlett suddenly tugged on his hand.

"Come on."

"Where?"

She pointed toward the opposite side of the street.

"There are several food stalls over there. I want to try some of them."

Amon glanced in that direction. Then another idea came to him.

"How about we buy some clothes for you first?"

Scarlett looked down at herself.

"Clothes?"

"Yeah. You’ve barely brought anything with you."

She thought about it.

"Hmm... not a bad idea."

"Good."

Amon smiled.

"I know a place."

A short while later, they stopped before a large clothing store. It was the same shop where Amon had previously bought dresses for Aisha, Eliana, and Seraphina.

Now it was Scarlett’s turn.

"This place is nice."

Scarlett stepped inside and looked around curiously.

The store was spacious and elegant, with dresses and outfits arranged neatly according to style and occasion. Several mannequins displayed complete ensembles, while accessories, shoes, belts, gloves, and jewelry occupied separate sections.

A woman standing behind the counter noticed them immediately.

"Welcome."

She bowed politely.

"Please feel free to look around. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask."

"Thank you."

Scarlett walked deeper into the store.

Amon followed her.

She stopped beside a rack filled with dresses.

"Hmm..."

Scarlett pulled out a dark crimson dress and held it against herself.

"What do you think?"

Amon examined it seriously.

"No."

Scarlett blinked.

"That quickly?"

"You already have red hair and red eyes... I mean red when you are hungry. Wearing red as well is too much red."

Scarlett looked at herself.

"Fair."

She returned it.

Amon began looking through the nearby dresses himself. Eventually, he found one.

"How about this?"

He pulled out a dark blue dress with subtle silver embroidery.

Scarlett’s eyes immediately moved toward it.

"Oh?"

She took it from him.

"This is actually beautiful."

"Obviously. My taste is excellent."

Scarlett gave him a doubtful look.

"Let’s not get carried away."

"Go try it."

"Fine."

Scarlett disappeared into the changing room.

Amon waited outside for her.

A few minutes later.

"Amon."

"Hm?"

He turned. And went silent. Scarlett stood outside the changing room wearing the dark blue dress.

The fabric complemented her bright red hair beautifully, while the fitted waist emphasized her mature figure without being overly elaborate. Silver embroidery decorated the sleeves and lower skirt, giving the outfit a refined appearance.

Scarlett slowly turned once.

"Well?"

Amon continued staring.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow.

"Amon?"

"...We’re buying it."

Her lips twitched.

"That’s your review?"

"Yes."

"That was very informative. Well I will consider it as compliment."

Amon walked closer.

"It looks beautiful on you."

Scarlett’s teasing expression softened slightly.

"Really?"

"Really."

His gaze moved over her once more.

"The color suits you much better than I expected."

Scarlett smiled.

"Then I’ll take it."

"Good."

She leaned closer.

"But you’re paying."

Amon stared at her.

"You didn’t even hesitate."

"Why should I?"

Scarlett smiled sweetly.

"You brought me shopping, dear."

"Fair enough. I was going to buy for you anyways." He leaned and kiss her lips lightly.

One dress quickly became three.

"This one."

"No."

"Why?"

"It makes you look like someone’s strict aunt."

Scarlett slowly turned toward him.

"Excuse me?"

Amon immediately pointed toward another outfit.

"Try that one!"

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Amon."

"That black one would look amazing!"

"Come here."

"No."

"Amon."

"Nope."

Scarlett chased him between the clothing racks while Amon desperately tried not to laugh too loudly. The shop assistant watched the pair with a helpless smile.

Eventually, Scarlett caught him by the back of his shirt.

"Got you."

"Violence against your boyfriend inside a respectable establishment?"

"You deserve worse."

"Hehe~"

Despite her words, Scarlett was smiling.

Eventually, she tried the black dress Amon had pointed toward. Then a cream-colored blouse with dark trousers. Then a simple long-sleeved shirt and comfortable pants that would be easier to wear while traveling.

Amon insisted on buying all of them.

Scarlett crossed her arms.

"Isn’t this enough?"

"No."

"Amon, I don’t need an entire wardrobe."

"You’ll be staying around for some time, won’t you?"

Scarlett paused.

"Yes."

"Then you need clothes."

She looked at him for several seconds.

"Fine."

Amon smiled triumphantly.

Scarlett stepped closer and gently poked his forehead.

"But don’t waste all your money trying to impress me."

"I’m not trying to impress you."

"Oh?"

"I’m investing."

Scarlett frowned.

"In what?"

"My happiness."

"..."

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