Cipher played with the cat-patterned gold coin.
Beneath the hood was a pretty face. The sleeved black bodysuit reached only to her upper thighs, exposing her plump and shapely thigh curves without reservation. Golden leg armor extended up past her knees, encasing both her feet and calves.
Slender waist, upright chest, snow-white thighs full and elastic. Clearly an attractive older-sister type figure, yet combined with her expression and the cat ear and tail decorations on her body, Cipher exuded a strong air of cunning mischief.
Like a cat-like phantom thief, Cipher, the demigod who inherited the power of Zagreus, the Titan of Trickery.
"What do you want me to steal? Don't worry, just name it, and I'll definitely steal it for you."
Cipher asked Caenis.
Caenis shook her head, "What I want to steal isn't an object, but a living person."
"Steal a living person? That's quite difficult."
"If it were easy, I wouldn't have come looking for you." Caenis told Cipher, "There's a young man named Derick. I hope you can bring him to me."
Hearing Caenis say this, Cipher's fingers paused while playing with the coin. She glanced sideways at Caenis and said irritably, "Elder Caenis, do you think I know nothing in Okhema? That little brother is protected by Castorice. And his relationship with the other Golden Ones isn't bad either. If I steal him, are you sure they won't come looking for trouble with me?"
Caenis looked at Cipher, "You, Cipher, would be afraid of this?"
"Not afraid." Cipher shook her head. "But, you have to add more money."
"Bring him over, I won't be stingy."
Caenis agreed without even asking the price.
"Alright then, I'll get started." Cipher walked outside.
Caenis watched Cipher's departing figure, a triumphant smile appearing on her lips.
"Aglaea, this time I won't let you have your way."
Caenis whispered softly.
With Cipher making a move, even with Castorice protecting him, it would be useless.
...
Marmoreal Market, Castorice and Derick were strolling.
To calm their nerves and celebrate the smooth conclusion of their previous mission, Derick suggested having a big meal with Castorice.
Before setting out, he spread his hands towards Castorice and said, "It's just that I don't have a single penny on me right now. Tonight, I can only ask Sister Castorice to treat me."
Castorice subconsciously wanted to nod.
However, just before nodding, she paused halfway, not immediately agreeing.
"Ah? What's wrong?" Seeing Castorice not nodding immediately, Derick was a bit dumbfounded.
This wasn't how he had imagined things!
Castorice looked down at Derick and said to him, "Derick, treating you to dinner is fine. However, I need you to agree to one condition."
"What condition?" Derick replied weakly.
"We'll talk about it later when we eat." Castorice's gaze quietly shifted to Derick's fair cheek.
She still wanted to secretly pinch Derick's cheek later.
"Alright, alright." Although unsure what medicine Castorice was selling in her gourd, Derick agreed anyway, knowing she wouldn't harm him.
Could she possibly harm a handsome young boy like me?
There was no food in the house. Derick originally wanted to go out for a big meal. But at this moment, Castorice thought for a moment and said to Derick, "Derick, can we buy ingredients and cook at home tonight? I, I'm not very good at cooking, but..."
"I kind of want to cook for you."
Castorice wasn't very good at cooking, but when looking at recipes, she could always 'see' herself cooking. And now with Derick here, she felt she could not only see the scene of cooking but also the scene of sharing the dinner she worked hard to make with Derick.
"Then I'll look forward to Sister Castorice's feast." Derick agreed with a smile.
"Let's go buy ingredients now."
Castorice was now eager to go buy ingredients with Derick.
Her heart itched.
"Let's go then."
Derick and Castorice went shopping in the market together.
The people in the market were already used to seeing Derick and Castorice together. After today's incident with the Senate, seeing them now didn't bring surprise, but rather more kind smiles.
Derick still handled the food purchasing. Castorice stood at a distance, watching with interest as Derick picked and chose at the stalls, haggling with the vendors.
It was just that when those auntie vendors pinched Derick's cheek, Castorice pouted slightly, somewhat displeased.
Derick's cheek, she still had to find an excuse to pinch. How could these vendors pinch it so freely?
Why don't I have such thick skin?
Derick carried a large pile of ingredients back to Castorice.
"Sister Castorice, let's go home."
"Mm." Castorice nodded and very naturally took half of the ingredients from Derick's hands to help him carry them.
Derick's strength was actually sufficient to carry these, but Castorice just wanted to carry things together with Derick.
"This way, it feels more like family."
Castorice thought to herself.
The two returned home together.
Castorice picked up the ingredients.
"Derick, you rest here for a bit, I'll go cook."
"Let me help you," Derick said to Castorice.
"No need, I can do it alone." Castorice shook her head.
She wanted to cook this feast for Derick all by herself. Besides, after finishing, Castorice could also ask Derick for permission to pinch his cheek.
"Alright then, I'll wait here for Sister Castorice's feast."
Derick didn't insist and lay back down on his small bed.
Castorice said to Derick, "Derick, take a nap. When you wake up, dinner will be ready."
"Mm."
Derick closed his eyes, preparing to rest.
Castorice, on the other hand, went to the kitchen to cook.
...
"Hum hum hum..."
Humming a tune, Castorice used all her skills to prepare the meal.
Soon, a sumptuous dinner was ready.
Castorice looked at the food before her. It wasn't perfect, far from the level of professional chefs, but it was at least acceptable.
"With more practice in the future, my cooking skills should improve."
Castorice walked out of the kitchen, ready to call Derick for dinner.
However, at this moment, she saw the small bed was empty.
Hmm? Did Derick go out for something?
Castorice thought to herself.
But just then, she saw a note and a cat-patterned coin on the table.
She sensed something was wrong and quickly walked to the table.
[Castorice, I've taken Derick away - Cipher.]
______________
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