The group dispersed.
Castorice and Derick walked towards their home in the Marmoreal Market. However, after a few seconds, Castorice's footsteps couldn't help but stop.
She and Derick looked behind them. Cipher was strolling leisurely behind them, her hands clasped behind her head.
"Miss Cipher, if you wish to go to the Marmoreal Palace, you should take that path."
"I'm not going to the Marmoreal Palace." Cipher smiled and waved her hand. "How many cats have you seen that enjoy soaking in hot springs?"
"Your Excellency is not a cat."
Castorice looked at Cipher, a hint of an urge to draw her scythe in her stance.
"What does Your Excellency intend to do?"
"I don't have a place to live in Okhema, so I thought I'd follow you and freeload a bit. Don't worry, I'm not picky. Just leave half a bed space for me next to Derry, and I can stay."
"I hardly think Miss Cipher, that you have nowhere to stay." Castorice stepped forward, making a shooing motion towards Cipher.
Cipher's gaze turned to Derick.
"Derry, considering how well I took care of you those two days, put in a good word for me, will you?"
As she spoke, she struck a pose, pushing out her hips, puffing out her chest, and slightly parting her lips to reveal cute canine teeth. Combined with her beautiful figure, the resulting temptation was truly not insignificant.
Sure enough, after she struck this pose, Derick's face turned crimson.
Just when Cipher thought everything was settled, Derick still retreated behind Castorice, lowered his head, and retorted to Cipher, "Cipher, you talk about sharing thick and thin with me, why don't you first talk about where the 'thin' came from?"
I was lying comfortably in Okhema city, but you had to drag me out of the city and make me go through such an adventure.
"Those aren't important," Cipher said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Those are very important!" Derick and Castorice said in unison.
"In short, Your Excellency, you are very unwelcome here." Castorice took Derick's hand and walked quickly towards the Marmoreal Market.
Watching their actions, Cipher crossed her arms. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, as expected of the companion I've taken a fancy to. Even with such great temptation, he can remain calm, completely different from an ordinary thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy."
As for not having tempted Derick? How could that be possible?
She had clearly seen Derick's cute blush just now. Also, as a thief, her eyes were incredibly sharp; she could see Derick's physical reaction even through his white robe.
A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.
Such a challenging situation was the perfect opportunity for her to make a move.
"Phantom Thief Cipher, today I'm not just stealing things, I'm also stealing hearts," Cipher muttered to herself.
"Even if I fail, it will accelerate the feelings between Derry and Castorice. At that time, Castorice will definitely be reluctant to continue the Flamechase Journey..."
The more she spoke, the angrier she felt, and she couldn't help but stomp her foot hard on the ground.
Just a few days ago, she had the idea of taking Derick away, but now, the more Cipher thought about it, the angrier she became.
"It's all that woman Aglaea's fault, secretly plotting against me. And when I was dizzy, she even made me sign a contract that was practically a deed of sale, making it difficult for me to leave Okhema now. It's all her fault!"
She successfully shifted her anger onto Aglaea.
...
Castorice pulled Derick towards home.
The corners of her mouth were turned up, and she was in a very cheerful mood.
Derick hadn't hesitated; when choosing between her and Cipher, he had chosen to stand by her side without any hesitation.
As she walked, she hummed an Okheman folk song.
Seeing the two of them return, the people of the Marmoreal Market couldn't help but gather around.
"Lady Castorice, is Derick alright?"
"Rest assured, everyone, the Elder Council's inquiry didn't say they would do anything to Derick," Castorice quickly said.
Derick nodded from the side. "Yes, the Elders of the Elder Council are still very easy to talk to. That fellow was just one of Elder Caenis's faction. We are now preparing to initiate an impeachment against Caenis as well, which will be put to a vote by the citizens of Okhema at the Citizen Assembly."
"Don't worry, when the time comes, we will definitely go and help you." The people of the Marmoreal Market were eligible to attend the Citizen Assembly. Between an arrogant Elder and the cute little boy who had always been by their side, they would definitely choose the latter.
Not to mention, over these years, the Golden Lineage's Castorice had helped everyone a lot, and everyone had seen these things.
"Thank you, everyone," Derick quickly said his thanks.
The emotions of heroes were intense and exciting, but the emotions generated between them and ordinary citizens were no less significant.
Just as he was expressing his thanks, someone said with a smile, "Hey, Derick boy, no need to thank us. Just buy more things from our stalls in the future."
"Mm... Wait, Auntie Minnie, don't you sell wedding supplies? I can't buy those yet, can I?" Derick subconsciously nodded, then realized something was amiss.
"In a couple of years, it'll be about time." This auntie waved her hand, then looked at Castorice and asked, "Don't you think so, Miss Castorice?"
"This, these are Derick's matters. I, I wouldn't know..." Castorice's tone began to stammer, and her face also turned shy.
Marriage or something...
Seeing both of them blush at the same time, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Eating together, living together, the two of them had lived in the same house for several months. To say they had no feelings for each other, no one present would believe it.
However, they hadn't expected Derick and Castorice to be so innocent.
It's understandable for Derick to be young, but Miss Castorice, you're an adult. How can you still be so shy and innocent?
A mischievous smile appeared on the faces of several older aunties simultaneously.
"Oh my, so there's nothing between you two. Then in a couple of years, I think I should introduce Little Derick to a girlfriend."
"I happen to have a niece who is about the same age as Derick. In a couple of days, I'll introduce them."
"Derick boy, do you want a girlfriend? If you want one, I'll send one your way!"
Derick and Castorice knew they were being deliberately teased, but hearing their words, both Derick's and Castorice's faces turned scorching hot.
Even the tips of Castorice's ears turned red.
However, at this moment, her hand reached out and grasped Derick's.
Facing everyone's teasing, although Castorice felt shy, she still pulled him into her embrace.
"Derick is mine."
She looked at everyone, her tone shy but exceptionally firm.
______________
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