Chapter 386 - The Empire

Just as Karmina expected, the heir of the Serpent will visit the country because of the growing economy. Even the rich aristocrats were showing off generosity and kindness to the people so the Queen would like them. And she's the Queen after all. Now her brother-in-law even mingles with the aristocrats. 

"They are like on vacation," Ian said and checked a few data. "I think I can't go home like this." 

"It's fine." Karmina patted him. "Henry just arrived and you can have a vacation." 

"But there are a lot of things to do. Like these guys. I can watch them if you want." 

"Watch them?" She sneered. "Is it because that man has a pretty lady beside him?" 

"She's the sister." He shrugged at Karmina. "She doesn't charm me at all." He scanned through the woman's profile. "She turned down men many times and I think her father is planning to marry her off to Kennedy Charles." 

"Not bad," Karmina commented and she sat down on her throne. "Okay, you can take your leave and buy stuff for your wife and baby." 

"Great." 

He took out his list and started checking the things that he already did like the Queen's personal Butler. He sighed after he was done.

"You seemed to be a good working husband," Henry said while he was walking toward his wife from the big hall. Ian turned his head toward his brother with a big smile. 

"Yo, you are here." Ian waved at him. Henry patted him and he approached his wife, scooped her hand, and kissed it with a graceful bent. Ian shook her head. His brother was always like that and he can't reach that level of manliness from him. The couple kissed their lips. It was like a smooch. So, Ian put down his tablet. "Okay! I am going to buy stuff for my wife and baby." 

"Go ahead." Henry waved him off and started saying romantic words toward his wife. 

Ian cleaned his ear with his pinky finger. It was itchy every time he heard them mumbling those romantic words on each other. Then, he called out his Butler that Karmina assigned to him. The Butler prepares everything well like he's a baby although he insisted he not to help him with a few things. But he still needs help since his wife is not around to help us put other grand brooch and other things needed in the royal uniform. 

"Help me remove the coat, please." He told his butler. 

"Yes, my lord." 

He gave his tablet to the maid as they undressed his coat and a few things from his belt. He took his wallet from his Butler and car keys. He removed a few buttons from his shirt. His car was just parked right into the entrance and then he hopped in. It's time to have a nice stroll in town. He might have met the heirs of The Serpent. Just in case he gets some lead or something. 

He called his wife while he was on the way to the beautiful city. In a few rings, his wife answered. 

"Hey, babe! What 'ya doing?" 

"I'm peeing. I'm in the bathroom." She said, "I tend to pee a lot. So, what's up?" 

"Anyway, I am on my way to the town. I will buy everything you want before I go home." 

"Home? Here? To me?" 

"Yes, of course. Who else is my home?" He teased her. "I'm going to park here in the plaza." He turned the steering wheel and parked on the blank spot beside the fancy car. He didn't seem to see another fancy car unless it belonged to someone rich, probably an aristocrat or foreign.

"Maybe some delicacies there? Something that won't expire right away." 

"I will buy that." 

He took his wallet and then his phone. He makes sure that his wireless AirPods are connected. He slid his phone into his pocket. Then, his sunglasses. It is still early to leave his work. But since it's Friday, he can do as he wished. He got into the store and took photos of the delicacies. And sent it to his wife. 

"Alright, pick whatever you want. We only have one hour around." He said and checked the dates. The staff bowed at him. "They have the finest cakes here." 

"Pick each of the flavors." She said as he heard the flush in the background. "Except for cinnamon." 

"I got it." He grinned and took a quick clip of each delicacy. "I will have each of the cakes, please." 

"Yes, sir." 

"Please pack it well. I suggest a box?" He requested. 

"Will do, sir!" The staff is very active. 

"Sir, we have a free taste." The nice lady came up with a tray and there were small slices of the cakes. He picked each of the flavors and nodded his head. 

"Babe," He pressed his earpiece. "It's not too sweet. I bet you will love each of these." 

"Great!" Tracey exclaimed. "I want something~~like… not dessert. Maybe like the first course?" 

"Alright, we will get to that. Maybe something to cook."

His other ear quickly heard two people, female and male speaking in Russia. He looked at the clear silver wear to see them in fancy clothes. They both went closer to the counter table. The lady bent down and pointed at the cakes. 

"Oh! Can you check on the baby clothes? I bet they have adorable knitted ones." 

"Okay," he said. The two beside him seemed to glance at him. He sensed them through his peripheral vision. "I think I have to list down the things you need." He said and pulled out his phone. 

"Babe, you don't have to. You got a great brain." 

"Sir, it might take a while." The lady who offered him the free taste said. 

"I will come back to pick it up." He said and pulled out a bill and put it on the tip can. "I will be back." He snapped and winked at the lady. He turned back with a big smile. 

"Oh, come on! Stop charming them." Tracey exclaimed at him. 

"Love, I might charm a lot of ladies or men around the world, but you are the only one I love." He told her. "I will even shout here like crazy if you want." 

"Yeah, do that." Tracey dared. "Wait, no. You are the Queen's adviser. You can't just scream out there, for God's sake!" 

"I was about to shout." He was dead serious while walking through the stores. 

He continued walking and noticed around ten men from The Serpent. They didn't even hide that they are the biggest Mafia with those snakes as their accessories or tattoo a few visible parts of their body. 

"Uh, yeah. I can't shout here. Lots of pretty girls are around. Snakes." 

"Hmm, snakes?" She asked. "You mean your subject is there?" 

"Yup. This Kingdom is a pretty place now. I will take you here if it wasn't this chaotic." 

"But, it is chaotic." She seemed to sighed. "Love, I won't sleep yet. I want to see around the store too." 

"Okay, uh, the video call will do but don't turn on your camera. I don't want anyone to see you." 

"Fine." 

He turned on the camera and showed every store to her, touring her around. 

"What is that store?" She asked. 

"I will go inside." He walked into the store and roamed his phone. "It seemed to be scrunchies and other scars for hair." 

"Tour me there! I need to see what's there." 

"Great, we only have fifteen minutes." 

"I want headbands, scrunchies, and hair scarfs." 

"Fine," 

He asked the sales lady for the scars and other things that she liked. Unfortunately, he saw them again through the mirror. They seemed to notice him as they murmured at each other. Their assistant mumbled something to them. 

"Can you please pack all of these?" he said and took out his Platinum card and tapped it on his mobile. 

"So, is that all?" He asked her. "We don't have all of the time here, babe." 

"Why do you look so handsome and so alluring? How are you charming women there?" 

He cleared his throat and took the bag that they packed well. 

"Thank you." 

He quickly left and used a different direction before anyone approached him. 

"Okay, what else? I think we need to find that baby's section." He mumbled. "I need to go home to you." 

"Wait, cancel the baby stuff." 

He stopped walking. 

"Get the dessert and go home right away." 

"Are you sure?"

"Yup, I need you now." 

He grinned slyly like he heard something very romantic and sexy. 

"I will be home." He turned back and walked past the group of The Serpent. 

"My Lord!" He didn't look around but the Butler was running toward her. "Everything is ready, sir." 

"Oh, sorry that I didn't see you there." He nodded his head. "You are coming with me." He gave the paper bag to him as they walked downstairs to the bakery shop and took the box of delicacies. 

"Are they still following?" He asked his Butler who nodded his head. "I can't talk to them right now." He said and went to the parking lot. "Baby, I'm coming home." 

"Hmm," Tracey hummed. "Have a safe trip, I love you." 

"I love you more." He was grinning. Then, the Butler took the box and put it at the back of the car. "Hop in." He said and looked at the rear mirror. There, he saw the daughter of the Marquess who had those eyes on him. "Hurry!" He said as the Butler got in the passenger seat. 

"Why are you in a hurry?" Tracey asked. 

"Oh, you are still there, babe.." He swiftly turned the steering wheel.