Chapter 398: The Woman In Black

As the couple wandered through the vibrant maze of the floating market, Aliana took her time exploring every single stall, captivated by the local craftsmanship.

The vendors were more than happy to entertain them, although the couple drew attention for reasons beyond their extreme good looks. There was something about their presence that intimidated even the most confident merchants.

Whenever their eyes fell on Gavriel, they found themselves strangely reluctant to overcharge the woman accompanying him.

It was rather strange, considering Gavriel wasn’t doing anything other than carrying her little shopping bags while keeping his eyes fixed on her as though she were the only thing that mattered.

"Look, Gav!" Aliana’s delighted voice cut through the ambient chatter.

His gaze lowered to a small, circular silver pendant engraved with a dragon.

"What do you think?" Aliana asked, glancing up at him. "It reminded me of you." She unclasped the chain and reached out toward him.

"Hm." Gavriel leaned down willingly, allowing her to step closer and fasten the clasp behind his neck.

Once done, she stepped back to admire it. "I was right. It suits you perfectly."

"A fine piece for a fine gentleman, miss," the elderly stall owner remarked softly.

Aliana offered the woman a bright smile. "I’ll take it."

She pulled out a high-denomination bill to pay, causing the old woman’s face to fall slightly. "Forgive me, miss, but I am afraid I do not have change for this. Let me step out to get it."

The woman reached for her crutches, but Aliana quickly stopped her. "Oh, please don’t strain yourself. I can get the change from the next stall."

"Allow me," Gavriel interjected, taking the note from Aliana’s fingers. "Stay right here, Ana. I will be back in a moment."

Before Aliana could say anything, Gavriel was already walking toward the neighbouring stall.

"Your boyfriend loves you very much," the elderly vendor observed softly, her weathered eyes crinkling with warmth as she studied Aliana.

Surprise flickered in Aliana’s eyes. "Oh..." A faint blush painted her cheeks as she softly corrected the woman. "He is actually my husband."

The old lady laughed softly. "Then your husband really loves you. It is rare to see two people fit together so beautifully."

Aliana’s heart fluttered at the woman’s words, and her gaze drifted towards Gavriel, who was purchasing something at the neighbouring stall to get change.

Her eyes softened as she watched him, thinking about how they had never uttered those three words to each other, choosing instead to express their feelings through their actions.

She knew he held deep affection for her, evident in his possessive touches and protective nature, but she couldn’t help wondering if, deep in his heart, he harboured the same love for her that she felt for him.

A small smile touched her lips before she shook her head.

Love or not, what mattered was that she was happy, incredibly so whenever she was with him, and that was enough for her.

They shared a mutual respect and understanding, and she could feel how deeply they cared for each other. And she wasn’t going to be one of those women who expected a man to love her simply because she loved him.

Just then, a strange prickle ran down her spine, followed by the unmistakable feeling of being watched.

Her eyes snapped instantly toward the other side of the canal.

Despite the walkway being packed with tourists, her gaze instinctively locked onto a figure standing motionless amidst the crowd, clad entirely in black.

Aliana’s brows drew together in confusion.

She couldn’t make out the woman’s face, but her long, jet-black hair was unmistakable. All she could see were the woman’s lips moving, though no words reached her ears.

A faint ringing suddenly filled Aliana’s ears, growing louder as the cheerful bustle of the floating market gradually faded into a distant, muffled echo, as though she were submerged beneath the water. A strange haze crept over her mind, dulling her awareness of everything around her until, without even realising it, she began moving towards the woman.

The woman continued murmuring, and Aliana kept moving forward, drawing dangerously close to the edge of the canal. Her gaze remained locked on the mysterious figure’s lips until she finally made out the words...

’Come to me, child.’

Just as Aliana raised her foot to take the fatal step that would send her plunging into the canal, a strong hand clamped around her wrist and pulled her back into safety.

"Ana!"

Gavriel immediately turned her around, his eyes filled with deep concern as he searched her face. "What were you doing? One more step and you would have fallen in."

"What..." Aliana blinked rapidly, the fog clearing from her brain as she noticed bystanders watching her anxiously.

She looked down at her feet, gasping at how close she was to the edge.

Panicked, she looked up at Gavriel. "I don’t know... I was just by the shop a second ago..."

Gavriel’s expression darkened as he raised a warm hand to cup her cheek. "Are you alright? Are you feeling sick?"

"Y-Yes, I... there was a woman..." Aliana stammered, her memory rushing back. She turned her head toward the opposite side of the canal, only to stop dead in her tracks.

"Which woman?" Gavriel asked sharply, his entire posture stiffening as his gaze scanned the crowd.

Aliana frowned deeply when she realized the figure was no longer there.

For a second, she wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her. Yet none of her past encounters with strange phenomena had ever been a figment of her imagination, no matter how desperately she had wished for them to be.

Gavriel turned his attention back to the quiet Aliana and called softly, "Ana?"

Aliana pressed her lips together before looking up at him. Seeing the worry etched across his face made her feel terrible, but she didn’t want to dismiss what had happened simply because she couldn’t explain it.

"Gav, I saw a woman on the far side of the canal, dressed completely in black. Would you believe me if I told you I have no idea how I reached the edge of the platform?"

"Of course I believe you," Gavriel replied without hesitation, his eyes scanning the opposite walkways once more.

"Can we go over there and look around?" Aliana asked softly.

"Let us do that," Gavriel said, taking her hand.