The square of Sorriso was filled with the heat of the festival. Colorful banners, the aromas of spices, and the sound of bards filled the air. Lukas, who only wanted to keep to himself, was now surrounded by women from all corners of the Empire.

  A young Summer elf handed him a small box carved with golden flowers.

  “Starflower honey. It strengthens the body… and warms cold nights.”

  Morgana laughed in his mind:

  “‘Warms cold nights’... chocolatinho, that one already comes with an instruction manual.”

  Next, a white-furred fox demi-human, with timid eyes, placed a scarf in his hands.

  “From the Inari clan. So the wind won’t freeze your neck… and so you’ll remember who warms you.”

  Morgana purred:

  “She looks fragile… and has a sweet way about her. I bet she cries easily.”

  That was when Darian, who had been watching the scene, commented with disdain:

  “That one from the Inari clan… she must make lovely sounds and has a weak cry. Easy to tame after a few slaps… she’d obey without much effort.”

  Lukas tensed. César seethed:

  “This man is vermin.”

  Before Lukas could respond, Luiz appeared behind him, having heard the last sentence clearly. He placed a hand on Darian’s shoulder with enough force to make him stiffen.

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  “Repeat that, Darian. Go on.”

  “It’s only the truth…” Darian smirked arrogantly.

  “The only truth is that if you keep talking, you’ll leave here spitting teeth,” Luiz said, low but firm. “Get lost.”

  Darian stared for a moment, but backed away and vanished into the crowd.

  “And that’s why you owe me one, brother,” Luiz said, turning to Lukas with that mischievous smile. “Now… let’s get to the real business.”

  He didn’t wait for a reply. A desert warrior appeared, offering a small vial of amber glass.

  “Myrrh oil. We only give it to men who deserve respect… or curiosity.”

  “By the Sun…” Lukas thanked her, awkwardly.

  While Lukas was storing the gifts, a dark-skinned demi-human with long black hair approached, visibly nervous.

  “Lord Luiz… will you… marry me?”

  Luiz smiled kindly:

  “You’re amazing, but marriage is far too soon for me.”

  “It’s because I’m demi-human, isn’t it? Or because I’m ugly… and have too many teeth. Humans always say that.” She began to cry.

  Lukas, distracted, turned red as he noticed that when she spoke, her breasts bounced.

  Morgana sang in his mind:

  “Ooohhh… I saw that! Chocolatinho noticed.”

  “Ugly?” Luiz chuckled. “With your charms, you catch anyone’s attention. Trust me.”

  She blinked, surprised.

  “Really?”

  “Really,” Luiz confirmed. “In fact… how about a date? And bring a friend… someone who’d suit my brother.”

  “Luiz…” Lukas tried to protest.

  “You’re going,” Luiz cut him off, amused. “And maybe you’ll lose your virginity — might stop being so bitter.”

  “This is a deadly trap!” César thundered in Lukas’s mind. “I already saw how you blushed at that girl’s charms — run, boy!”

  “You owe me, for the training and for chasing off Darian,” Luiz concluded. “So you’re going. End of story.”

  Morgana laughed out loud:

  “Oh, I’m going to enjoy this so much, seeing where it all goes.”

  Lukas only sighed, realizing that the traps of Copas were worse than those of the Tower itself.

  End of Chapter 20