Chapter 27: A Princess at the Market

The Nightmare Grand Hotel had many wonders.

It contained a haunted ballroom, an army of loyal monsters, a sentient tea cart, and a ghostly nun who could emerge from mirrors to confiscate contraband and various cookies.

It also held one very determined little girl.

Gene Gingerline discovered this fact on a bright autumn morning when Lilith Nocturne marched into the dining room with her stuffed rabbit tucked under one arm and an look of full on royal determination stamped on her delicate face.

Gene was halfway through his breakfast.

Selene sat beside him, stirring honey into her tea.

Mother Sarah was at her usual location supervising the children learning how to eat properly at the far end of the table.

The Caretaker walked over and pulled out a chair for the incoming Lilith. 

Lilith climbed into the chair and cutely folded her hands on the table.

“Papa.”

Gene glanced at her.

“Yes, Lily?”

Lilith drew herself up.

“I wish to accompany you and Mama Selene to the market.”

Selene nearly inhaled her tea.

Gene turned to her, delighted.

“Mama Selene?”

Lilith nodded seriously.

“That is her official title.”

Selene’s cheeks turned pink, but she didn’t protest.

Gene looked back to Lilith.

“And why, Your Majesty, do you wish to visit the market?”

Lilith gasped.

“Well as the future Queen of Monsters, I must inspect the local economy.”

Gene snorted.

“Of course.”

She leaned closer.

“And I would also like to see if they have candy.”

There it was.

Gene considered the request.

Today he and Selene had planned to visit the central market district to restock on rare reagents, enchanted fabrics, and, if Gene was honest, enjoy a date disguised as shopping.

Bringing Lilith would transform the outing from romantic excursion to a family adventure.

Gene looked at Selene.

Selene smiled warmly.

“I think that sounds wonderful.”

Lilith’s eyes lit up.

“Truly?”

Selene nodded.

“Truly.”

Lilith squealed and launched herself at both of them in a dramatic hug.

“Best day ever!”

Mother Sarah appeared beside the table with supernatural stealth.

“Under one condition.”

Lilith froze.

Mother Sarah folded her hands in front of her.

“No hidden sweets in the classroom for atleast a week.”

Lilith sighed.

“Yes, Mother Sarah.”

The nun’s expression softened.

“You may allow you one treat if you behave.”

Lilith brightened instantly.

“I shall be the very picture of dignity.”

The Caretaker tilted his head.

Gene could practically feel the masked slasher’s skepticism.

⸻

Preparing for the Excursion

Lilith treated the outing with the seriousness of a diplomatic summit.

She changed outfits no less than three times.

First came a blood red lace dress she discarded for being “too formal for commerce.”

Then a black velvet ensemble “too dramatic for daytime.”

Finally she settled on a dark blue dress with silver trim and a matching cloak.

A tiny crown glittered atop her carefully brushed curls.

She carried her stuffed rabbit and a small purse with exactly three silver coins.

“For emergencies,” she had explained.

Mother Sarah knelt before her and adjusted the collar of her cloak.

“Stay close to Gene and Selene.”

“Yes, Mother Sarah.”

“No wandering.”

“Yes, Mother Sarah.”

“No summoning monsters in public.”

Lilith blinked.

“Even if provoked?”

Mother Sarah gave her a look.

Lilith sighed.

“I will try.”

Gene coughed into his hand to hide a laugh.

Mother Sarah turned to him.

“And you.”

Gene straightened.

“Yes, Sister?”

“Remember that she is still a child.”

Gene placed a hand over his heart.

“Of course! We shall guard her with our lives.”

The Caretaker stepped forward.

For a moment, Gene thought the masked killer intended to join them.

Instead, he crouched and offered Lilith a tiny silver charm shaped like a knife.

Lilith gasped.

“A gift?”

The Caretaker nodded.

Lilith hugged him around the neck.

“Thank you, Mister Caretaker.”

Gene smiled.

The serial killer had just given his adopted daughter a good-luck charm.

His family was definitely a strange one.

⸻

The Market District

The city market was a riot of color, sound, and movement.

Rows of stalls lined broad stone streets.

Merchants called out to passersby.

The air smelled of cinnamon, roasting meat, fresh bread, and exotic spices.

Enchanted lanterns floated overhead like lazy stars.

Summons of every description accompanied their masters.

Tiny dragons perched on shoulders.

Clockwork birds whirred through the air.

A hulking stone guardian patiently carried sacks of produce.

Lilith’s eyes widened to impossible proportions.

“Papa.”

Gene smiled.

“Yes?”

“I think I love everything.”

Selene laughed and took Lilith’s hand.

“Then we’ll have to see everything.”

The next two hours were magical.

Lilith sampled candied apples and squealed over enchanted dolls.

She watched street performers and applauded so enthusiastically that one illusionist gifted her a silver ribbon that changed colors in the light.

Gene and Selene purchased reagents for Victor and Morrigan.

Lilith carefully selected a box of imported chocolates “for sharing.”

Gene bought her a plush black cat with glowing button eyes.

Selene purchased matching silver bracelets—one for herself and one, to Lilith’s delight, sized for tiny wrists.

The little girl vibrated with happiness.

When Gene fastened the bracelet onto her wrist, she hugged him tightly.

“This is the best family outing ever.”

Selene’s eyes softened.

Gene kissed the top of Lilith’s head.

“I agree.”

⸻

Lunch in the Square

They settled at an outdoor café overlooking the central fountain.

Lilith sat between them, feet swinging beneath the chair.

She was on her second sandwich and had somehow convinced Gene to split his pastry.

Selene watched the two of them with a smile.

“You know,” she said softly, “you’re very good at this.”

Gene looked up.

“At what?”

She nodded toward Lilith.

“Being a father.”

Gene blinked.

The words hit him with surprising force.

He glanced at Lilith, who was carefully feeding tiny crumbs to a flock of spirit birds.

Then back to Selene.

“I never expected this.”

Selene rested her hand over his.

“Sometimes the best things are the ones we never planned.”

Lilith looked up.

“But I planned dessert.”

Gene laughed.

“Of course you did.”

⸻

Unwanted Company

The pleasant atmosphere shattered when a sharp, disdainful voice cut across the square.

“Well.”

Gene looked up.

An older noblewoman stood beside their table.

She wore an elaborate lavender gown and enough jewelry to fund a small war.

At her side stood a stern gray-haired man in a formal coat.

Behind them were two children: a boy of around thirteen and a girl perhaps eleven, both dressed in expensive clothes and wearing identical expressions of practiced superiority.

The noblewoman’s eyes swept over Gene, Selene, and Lilith.

Her lips curled.

“What an unusual little arrangement.”

Selene’s posture stiffened.

Gene set down his teacup.

“Can we help you?”

The nobleman sniffed.

“Our children wished to know if the rumors were true.”

The older boy smirked.

“The commoner really is dating her.”

Selene’s expression turned glacial.

Lilith’s crimson eyes narrowed.

Gene remained calm.

“And you are?”

The noblewoman lifted her chin.

“Lady Corvina Blackwell.”

Her husband added stiffly, “Lord Alistair Blackwell.”

The girl peered at Lilith.

“Is that your summon?”

Lilith drew herself up.

“I am Lady Lilith Nocturne, Queen of Monsters.”

The boy snorted.

“You look like a doll.”

Lilith’s eyes flashed.

Gene rested a hand gently on her shoulder.

Lady Blackwell turned to Selene.

“I expected better from one of your lineage.”

Lord Blackwell sniffed.

“To attach yourself to an outsider with such questionable taste.”

The boy looked Gene up and down.

“My father says your summons are vulgar.”

The girl wrinkled her nose.

“And creepy.”

Gene smiled thinly.

“That’s kind of the point.”

Selene stood.

“Leave.”

Lady Blackwell feigned surprise.

“We are merely expressing concern.”

Lilith rose onto her chair so she could glare at the adults properly.

“You are being rude.”

The noblewoman waved a dismissive hand.

“Hush, child.”

Gene’s smile vanished.

He did not appreciate many things.

Insulting Selene.

Insulting his summons.

Patronizing Lilith.

All of those were near the top of the list.

Selene’s hand touched his arm.

Before Gene could respond, Lilith spoke in a clear, ringing voice.

“Papa.”

Gene looked at her.

Lilith pointed at the Blackwells.

“Challenge them.”

The entire square seemed to pause.

The boy laughed.

“You want a duel?”

Lilith folded her arms.

“I want Papa to defeat you so thoroughly that Mother Sarah has to explain humility to your entire family.”

Gene pressed a fist to his mouth to hide a laugh.

Selene failed entirely and let out a startled snort.

Lord Blackwell drew himself up.

“We do not answer to children.”

Lilith stared.

“You are already losing to one.”

A nearby merchant burst into laughter.

Lady Blackwell flushed.

Gene turned to the nobles.

“Well?”

The boy stepped forward eagerly.

“I accept.”

Lord Blackwell hesitated.

Selene’s reputation was formidable, and Gene’s victories were becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss.

But the eyes of the market were on them now.

Pride did the rest.

Lord Blackwell raised his chin.

“My son Adrian will represent our family.”

A system notification appeared.

⸻

FORMAL MATCH REQUEST

Challenger: Gene Gingerline

Opponent: Adrian Blackwell

Accept?

⸻

Gene selected yes.

The notification chimed.

⸻

MATCH SCHEDULED

Seven Days

⸻

Lilith smiled sweetly.

“Thank you, Papa.”

Gene bowed his head.

“Anything for you, Your Majesty.”

⸻

Exit, Humbled

The Blackwells withdrew with as much dignity as they could muster.

The noblewoman shot Selene a final icy glare.

Selene returned it with calm indifference.

Adrian smirked at Gene.

“I hope your monsters are ready.”

Gene smiled.

“Oh, they are.”

When the family finally disappeared into the crowd, the market erupted into excited chatter.

Lilith sat back down and picked up her pastry.

“That went well.”

Selene laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

Gene shook his head.

“You weaponized social embarrassment.”

Lilith took a dainty bite of cake.

“I learned from the best.”

Mother Sarah would have been so proud.

⸻

A Family Promise

The afternoon resumed, but the confrontation lingered in Gene’s thoughts.

As they walked through the market, Lilith held both his and Selene’s hands.

After a while, Gene knelt in a quieter side street.

“Lily.”

She looked up.

“Yes, Papa?”

Gene brushed a curl from her face.

“Thank you for standing up for us.”

Lilith frowned as though the idea were obvious.

“Family protects family.”

Selene knelt beside them, eyes shimmering.

Lilith turned to her.

“They hurt your feelings.”

Selene smiled softly.

“A little.”

Lilith squeezed her hand.

“I don’t like that.”

Selene kissed her forehead.

“Neither do I.”

Gene wrapped his arms around both of them.

The three of them stayed there for a long moment amid the bustle of the market.

A small family.

Unusual.

Unexpected.

Perfect.

⸻

Returning Home

Back at the Nightmare Grand Hotel, Lilith burst into the dining room.

“Mother Sarah! We challenged nobles!”

Mother Sarah looked up from grading arithmetic sheets.

“I see.”

Lilith climbed into her lap and held up a box of chocolates.

“They were mean to Papa and Mama Selene.”

Mother Sarah’s eyes sharpened.

“And so your father arranged a formal response.”

Lilith nodded proudly.

Mother Sarah accepted a chocolate.

“An appropriate solution.”

The Caretaker tilted his head.

Gene sensed immediate interest.

Victor nearly dropped a beaker.

“Another match?”

Morrigan clasped her hands.

“How delightful.”

Selene settled beside Gene as the household buzzed with excitement.

Lilith recounted the entire encounter with dramatic embellishment.

By the end, the children were cheering.

Gene leaned back in his chair, smiling as he watched his family.

He had once imagined power as something cold and solitary.

Now he understood better.

True strength was not just the monsters at your command.

It was the people who stood beside you.

The little girl who demanded justice.

The woman who believed in you.

The strange and wonderful household waiting for you to come home.

Gene squeezed Selene’s hand.

She smiled.

Lilith raised her juice glass.

“To Papa beating bullies.”

The room erupted in agreement.

Gene lifted his own glass.

“To family.”

And as the Nightmare Grand Hotel rang with laughter and anticipation, Gene began planning exactly how he intended to teach the Blackwells a lesson they would never forget.