The Ghost King's KeeperCh101 - The Vendor’s Pursuit of the Keeper’s Favor

It took a total of four hours for Ruzen to finally release the guilt he experienced whenever a merchant presented their finest goods to him. 

Despite his newfound fame, Ruzen possessed an enchanting aura that captivated people, whether he intended to or not. His background lent a distinctiveness to his manners and speech, but he remained oblivious to his own charm.  dyT mi

Ruzen shook his head disapprovingly at the flashy, bulky bracelet, physically pushing it away as the vendor attempted to put it on him. The exorbitant cost of the bracelet, evident at first glance, made it far too extravagant even for a Keeper. 

Undeterred, the vendor swiftly retrieved another bracelet, one that was less flashy but still shimmered brightly. “How about this one? Does it meet the Keeper’s preferences?”  

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Before Ruzen could even react, the crowd that had been observing from afar took it upon themselves to respond, openly mocking the vendor with disdain. 

“Are you attempting to swindle our esteemed Keeper with those worthless trinkets? How pathetic!”  wtsAz8

“Hahaha, not again. I wouldn’t accept those even if they were offered for free.” 

As the jeers continued, the stall owner exchanged a glance with them, silently conveying the message, “Is that the best you can come up with?” 

Some found amusement in his nonchalant demeanor, while others playfully taunted him. The vendor had encountered various situations like this before, rendering these wealthy individuals insignificant in his eyes. He merely sought to earn some gold and establish a reputation for himself. Among his fellow villagers, he was the sole person who dared to embark on a different path, one that was challenging but potentially lucrative. If Keeper Ruzen were to actually wear an item from his collection, it would serve as a significant stepping stone towards his success. 

“Would you consider this?” he inquired, presenting an exquisite silver bracelet. Its surface appeared plain, yet intricate markings resembling scales adorned the inside. The vendor was aware that this particular piece was not overly expensive, but if it brought satisfaction to the keeper, it would suffice. 

Feelings of envy had consumed him as he watched others succeed in selling their wares to the Keeper. News had already spread about their stalls, leaving his as the final one to be graced by the Keeper’s presence. He had also noticed the weariness etched on the Keeper’s face, realizing that pushing for too much negotiation might result in losing this opportunity as well. 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

So, with his decision made, the vendor retrieved another silver bracelet, capturing the curiosity of the onlooking crowd. His expression turned solemn and serious. “This,” he remarked, gazing at both bracelets with awe, “represents the finest silver in my humble collection. While they may appear ordinary compared to my other pieces, they possess their own extraordinary qualities. They have the ability to change color, turning a rustic red on the inside, as a warning when the wearer is in danger.” 

Gasps and murmurs of admiration emanated from the crowd as the vendor smirked in response, yet his confidence wavered when his eyes met the bodyguard stationed behind the Keeper. 

Suppressing his flattery, the vendor transitioned to business mode, aware of the numerous eyes fixated on his every move. He deftly unlocked the pair of bracelets, explaining, “These two are interconnected. Whenever either wearer is in peril, both bracelets will change color. To activate this feature, a mere drop of blood is required to soak the outer surface.”  wlG1D9

Ruzen smiled upon hearing the sales pitch, although he harbored doubts about whether his King would actually wear them. Nonetheless, taking into account the vendor’s struggle, he ultimately decided to purchase the pair, regardless of the unknown cost in gold. He had long lost track of such details. 

“I find it quite pretty, I must say,” Ruzen remarked halfheartedly, not wanting to make the merchant feel neglected. He had already made purchases from around 200 to 300 shops thus far, and some merchants had been overly eager to stuff him with whatever they could offer. 

Observing the now smiling vendor, Ruzen felt an internal sigh of relief. He hadn’t anticipated that ignoring an enthusiastic merchant would prove to be one of the most challenging tasks in the world. They would flatter incessantly, leaving him at a loss for words. 

The dense crowd surrounding him could suffocate even a fly, and their curious and eager gazes added to the feeling of being overwhelmed. Fortunately, his King stood guard behind him, deterring anyone from blocking his path. Ruzen didn’t dare imagine the consequences if someone did manage to hinder him, the feeling would really not be good. This was like a fantastical version of being chased by fervent fans.  D1b3Kl

While there were guards present along the entire street, keeping a watchful eye from a distance, the situation remained mind-boggling. 

“Thank you, everyone, for accompanying me thus far. I must take my leave now. It has been an enjoyable experience,” Ruzen expressed with a bright smile, his face aching from exerting all his energy into his smile. Alas, he was so exhausted he could sleep right on the street. However, maintaining his kind and gentle image was a priority. He didn’t want to appear self-important despite being bombarded with excessive enthusiasm. Perhaps he should have asked the King for a disguise. 

“Keeper, please get some rest. You must be tired.” 

“Keeper, please grace us with your presence again tomorrow. It makes me feel special.”  QwsBlS

“You are so kind, Keeper. Now my stall will be known all over Manjo!” 

Bidding farewell to the dispersing crowd, Ruzen departed with his King by his side. 

Chrysanthemum Garden.

~ 

Returning to the resting hall brought about a distinct sense of tranquility, as if Ruzen had found solace and settled comfortably within his own sanctuary.  dEbhWY

Reclining on the bed, Ruzen gazed once again at his King, who had reverted to his original form, fortunately. The soft flickering of the firelight cast an ethereal glow across the starlit hall, while the night’s serenade offered a slow and eventful backdrop. 

Wearing a small smile, Ruzen propped himself up on his elbows and positioned himself on his stomach, fixing his gaze upon the serene Ghost King. 

Amused by his own thoughts, he couldn’t help but giggle softly, rolling onto his back once more, his soft belly stretching in a comfortable posture. Lying with his belly up, he extended his hand and motioned for his King to join him, indicating a spot beside him on the bed. 

Mozen remained oblivious to the little Keeper’s intentions, yet he gracefully complied, naturally taking a seat on the bed. As he settled, his hood fell back, allowing his hair to cascade from his robes. Leaning in closer, he peered down at his “beloved.”  KFOd8f

“We thought Ruzen was tired?” 

Ruzen emitted a soft hum as he extended his arm, delicately wrapping his hand around Mozen’s waist. His fingers subtly lingered near the parting of the robe. 

Anticipating Ruzen to fully unveil his robes, Mozen was somewhat ‘surprised’ when instead, Ruzen’s hand followed a gentle path downwards, reaching his shaft and applying a stimulating touch to it, as if silently conveying an unspeakable desire, shy but not reluctant. 

Tilting his head, Mozen noticed Ruzen’s reddened ears and flushed cheeks. The trembling hands betrayed his flustered state.   dmtRpc

Ruzen’s eyes avoided direct contact, yet his hands remained boldly adventurous. 

Unlike humans, Ghosts lacked sensitivity in that area. Their purpose did not involve procreation or indulging in pleasures like humans did. However, if they wished, they could emulate human sensations. To preserve his Keeper’s ‘pride’, Mozen maintained his human essence, allowing his shaft to stir with awakening tingles. 

Moving with utmost care, he gradually guided Ruzen’s trembling palm to rest against his awakening desire. The surge of warmth caused Ruzen to stiffen like a startled small animal. His heart raced faster as his gaze slowly met Mozen’s, peeking over with a mix of something very different, Mozen had to apply his human knowledge to understand that he was ‘shy’ but also very ‘excited’. A contrast of nervousness and courage. 

To Ruzen, experiencing physical pleasure equated to enjoyment, Mozen surmised. However, for Mozen, the pleasure lay in the mere sentiment itself. The fact that Ruzen, his Keeper, willingly indulged him signaled an effort to satisfy him. It was a demonstration of their evolving connection.  oPd7Vn

Deep within, this notion stirred something primal and intense, awakening a cold tendril of possessiveness that reverberated through Mozen’s being. He found it peculiar how his ghostly inclinations responded to the mere thought of locking in his Keeper, yet it wasn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility. Human and ghostly pleasures entwined body and mind, driven by greed and desire. Be it material or emotional, every being grappled with their essence and desire. 

Mozen comprehended that a ghost might not be so different from a human. As this realization settled, he seized Ruzen’s waist and pulled him onto his lap, positioning him to straddle himself. 

Ruzen’s heart pounded loudly within his chest as he gazed down at his King. The previous excitement dwindled yet was replaced by a more sensuous desire—a yearning to give and please. 

All traces of sleepiness and fatigue dissipated as soon as he laid eyes on his King.   PCiVea

With an almost jerky movement, Ruzen slid over, pressing his heated body against the front of his King’s robes. Pleasure surged within him, causing his breath to falter and his senses to ignite. 

~

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[A/N: I rewrote this chapter several times to really gain that ‘expert’ level, this chapter actually took 3 days to write, which had never happened before. Haha~

It feels great to be back with this novel. I’m feeling super refreshed after such a long break. geZlb

You all know that I had issues with my writing skills and plot itself. But now, not only have my grammar and comprehension skills improved, but I’ve also learned to be more clever with my sentences, swapping out plain English for fancier Oxford words. I got inspired by those YouTube channels that are always giving tips on how to speak English well. So I decided to sit down and read some old English novels to really get some insights. You can totally sense the improvement in my writing style. I haven’t lost my unique essence, but I’ve definitely gotten a good handle on my own vibe. I really love that harry potter British tone, so I threw away lots of “so’s” and “however’s” and rewrote the sloppy casual sentences. Hopefully, this makes the reading experience even more enjoyable. Thanks for always being there for me and having the patience to support me through everything.]