Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!
Chapter 200: Finish It!

Chapter 200: Finish It!

A glittering stand caught Riven’s eye next. "Jewels. Look at those. That necklace could pay for an estate."

Each stall was like a miniature palace—gold-plated frames, velvet-draped counters, enchanted glass cases rotating wares slowly for display. One sold enchanted teas that changed flavour based on mood. Another featured feathered cloak, woven with magic that made it light as a feather but kept one just as warm.

Despite their different demeanours, both Riven and Leon were drawn in, unable to look away from the layers of richness laid bare before them.

Leon frowned after a moment. "This is where the tariffs go, isn’t it?" His voice had an edge of bitterness, reminding him how he almost messed things up.

"Among other places," Riven said, looking around. "Still... This is beautiful. Overwhelming. But beautiful."

A few passersby gave them curious looks, but with Leon’s hair dyed black and the both of them dressed in simple but elegant black, they blended in well enough—not nobles, perhaps, but wealthy visitors or eccentric merchants.

They passed by a stall selling intricate chess sets carved from different kinds of rare wood. Leon paused, his eyes lingering on one in particular—onyx and tiger’s eye. The lioness and lion carved into the king and queen pieces made him tense slightly.

Riven nudged him. "You should’ve played with this one. Maybe the pieces would’ve fought for you."

Leon rolled his eyes, but the smirk tugging at Riven’s lips made his shoulders relax.

He planned on buying it on their way back, determined to hone his skills the next time Sahira visits, he planned to take her down.

As they continued walking, a procession passed by—dancers in gold body paint, wearing translucent silks, moving in perfect unison to the beat of a slow drum. Behind them was a panther noble riding a carriage drawn by what looked like golden-furred antelope, their antlers adorned with bells and charms.

Riven let out a low whistle. "Guess the relation between you and the panther clan isn’t as bad as I expected."

If it were, the Dowager Queen would have stripped him of the title then and there, the relationship was still salvageable. The people from there kept visiting the savannah, a popular tourist destination.

"It could’ve been worse." Leon commented, his voice barely above a whisper.

Riven glanced at him but didn’t press further. Instead, he tugged Leon toward a tea house built into the base of an old marble arch. A quiet alcove, just slightly raised, with soft velvet cushions, and tables shaded by flowering trees in hanging ceramic pots. It was the first moment of calm.

As they sat, a silent server brought out iced fruit tea in glasses shaped like blooming lotus petals. Leon took a sip and immediately froze. "What... flavour is this?"

Riven sipped his own and grinned. "Peach. No—wait. Mango now. Oh god, it’s both. It changes."

Leon narrowed his eyes at the drink like it had insulted his lineage.

Riven laughed. "I’ll admit. I thought dragging you out here would be a good way to mess with you, but now I feel like I’m the one being seduced. By tea. And possibly a cake stand over there that smells like love itself."

Leon’s lips twitched. He looked out at the bustling richness of the market.

Leon followed Riven’s gaze, expecting some jewelled trinket or another illusionary performance—but no, Riven’s eyes were locked on a floating bakery sign that read in bold, sparkling text:

"Finish the 6-foot-long baguette sandwich in 20 minutes and it’s FREE!"

Ugh, not this again.

Yes, Riven loved food, but it would undignified if they participated in that contest. Wasnt Riven from a noble family too? So where was his sense of manners, etiquette and prestige.

Before Leon could even blink, Riven had already grabbed his wrist, dragging him through the crowd like a man possessed. "Come on, Leon! We’re doing this!"

Leon barely managed to keep his hood up as he stumbled behind him, trying not to trip over the trailing edge of his cloak. "Wait—what? We?"

"You’re the one who made me walk all over this golden city," Riven said, tossing him a grin. "Now we feast."

Leon was too embarrassed about people staring at him, so he refused to bring along the royal carriage, he made Riven walk a lot and now he was hungry!

Within moments, they were seated at an outdoor table across from each other, an impossibly long sandwich laid out in front of each of them. It was comically large—layers of roast meat, cheese, roasted vegetables, and a sauce that smelled suspiciously addictive. The timer was enchanted above them, glowing with a slow, menacing red countdown from 20 minutes.

"You’re not seriously doing this," Leon muttered, eyeing the mountain of bread and meat in front of him.

Riven already had his sleeves rolled up. "Too late. It’s us against the sandwich. Winner gets bragging rights. Loser pays."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "You just said it’s free if we finish it."

"Exactly. So if you don’t, you owe me dessert."

Before Leon could object, the enchanted timer let out a chime, and the challenge began.

What followed was a blur of frantic chewing, muffled grunts, and the occasional muffled cough as sauce or lettuce tried to escape mid-bite. Riven attacked the sandwich with the focus of a beast at war, tearing through layers like he was personally offended by each tomato slice. Crumbs stuck to his cheeks, and his tail was flicking with excitement.

Leon, meanwhile, made a valiant attempt. He wasn’t exactly weak of stomach, but there was something humiliating about trying to cram a three-inch stack of sandwiches into your mouth while people passed by whispering and watching.

He would not have done this. Over his dead body! But Riven threatened him again. He told him that he HAS to participate. He could not wait for this torture to end. Riven has been troubling him too much. Now he was practically forcing him to debase himself.

"Halfway there!" the bakery staff called cheerfully.

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