Katia stood behind the stall, nervously tugging at the corner of her apron as she stared at Angelica. The sudden appearance of a dark-clad agent from the lord's manor had her completely on edge.

  "He said he was sent by Lady Selene, asking about the lanterns."

  Angelica wiped the sweat from her forehead with practiced ease, her expression calm and composed.

  It wasn't her first time dealing with Selene. She still remembered that meeting in the castle—Selene's gaze had been cool and intelligent, but not entirely unapproachable.

  "The lanterns, huh?" Angelica turned and shouted, "Rurik!"

  Amid the noisy market, Rurik almost didn't hear her. He quickly wiped some grime off himself and rushed over.

  "That thing's called a lantern. It was an idea from our leader in the Black Flag Territory," he said, pointing carefully at the two strings of bright red round objects hanging by the entrance.

  "It's not that complicated. You take a wild boar's bladder, dry it out, dye it, then stuff in some oil wax and light it up. You can see it from miles away at night."

  The masked agent visibly flinched at the mention of "boar bladder," his brow twitching slightly. Though his face was unreadable, the atmosphere instantly became awkward.

  Rurik, oblivious, kept explaining how to treat the materials and hang the lanterns for the best lighting.

  The agent turned and left without saying a word.

  "If you're interested, we've also got some mushrooms" Rurik started, but the figure had already vanished into the night.

  Angelica stepped in close and whispered, "You think Lady Selene likes our lanterns? Maybe you should make a few big ones and send them over to test the waters?"

  Rurik froze, blinked, then muttered, "Don't be ridiculous. That's Selene. There's no way she'd like our stuff. But..."

  He paused, his eyes starting to gleam. Boar bladders weren't exactly classy—but what if he used sheepskin instead? Or the dried membrane from a fast-curing magical beast?

  As the ideas turned in his head, he walked back behind the stall to keep scrubbing the horn cups and wooden bowls. His hands were working, but his mind was clearly elsewhere.

  The night deepened. As the wind swept past the towers of Selene City, a sudden bolt of lightning slashed across the sky, followed by a deafening crash.

  A torrential downpour struck without warning, soaking the entire market in seconds.

  "Damn it, we were so close to selling out tonight!"

  Angelica puffed out her cheeks and shouted, "Pack up! Cover everything, get the mushrooms wrapped—nothing goes to waste!"

  Rain pelted Rurik, jolting him into action. He grabbed a nearby oilcloth and threw it over the wooden crates.

  "Got it, my darling Angelica! As you command!"

  Katia stood in the doorway holding several plates of mushrooms. Her shoes were already soaked, but her face still wore a smile.

  Once everything was packed up, Angelica double-checked it all, then pulled out a few oilskin cloaks from under the counter and helped Rurik into one herself.

  "Make sure you wear it properly! I made it myself after watching Bran wear one last time."

  "Raincoats really are a great invention," she marveled, handing another one to Katia.

  "Everything our leader comes up with is always useful," Rurik said proudly, puffing out his chest.

  The three of them jogged through the downpour back to their stone house. Outside, the wind howled, but inside, it smelled warmly of wood and alcohol.

  "Take off those raincoats before you come in! Don't bring water inside."

  Angelica didn't wait, quickly dumping the wooden box she carried onto a fur rug with a loud clatter.

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  "Whoa!" Katia squealed with excitement, her hands diving into the pile of metal coins.

  "This is so much! Way too much!"

  "Enough roasted meat for half a month!"

  Rurik sat cross-legged beside them, silent, just watching their laughter. His mind was still on the sheepskin lantern idea. Maybe he should try scraping one thin with a blade and test the translucency.

  "Go wash up outside!" Angelica suddenly shoved him from behind.

  "Aren't you two even tired?" he said with an exasperated smile.

  But the two bunny girls were standing shoulder to shoulder, eyes bright, faces lit up with playful, knowing smiles.

  Rurik chuckled, stripped off his clothes, and walked into the rain with his hair loose.

  The cold rain ran down his spine, sending a shiver through his body—but somehow, his heart felt warm.

  Inside, the girls pressed up against the window, pointing and laughing hysterically at him.

  A while later, Rurik came back in, completely soaked and dripping with rainwater. Hair hanging down, he ducked into the house.

  "Wait, Your hair's still wet!"

  Angelica, already tackled to the floor, still managed to toss a prepared fur cloth toward Katia.

  Katia swiftly began drying his hair, then hugged him from behind, resting her cheek against his back.

  ......

  Early the next morning, Draven had a pounding headache.

  Sitting across from him, Liliana's eyes were red and puffy, looking like she'd suffered some terrible injustice. She glared at him angrily, cheeks puffed out.

  "Liar! You're such a liar!" She slammed her spoon onto the table and stood with her hands on her hips.

  "You promised to take me to Selene City last time! You said it—I heard it! Viola was right there too!"

  "I said that?" Draven frowned. He honestly couldn't remember making such a promise. "Are you sure you didn't just make that up?"

  Liliana's voice rose in pitch. "You said you'd take me when there's a chance! That means you promised!"

  Her eyes were turning redder as she spoke, lips jutting out in a pout. She only repeated the same few lines, but her stubborn repetition was surprisingly effective.

  Draven regretted letting slip that morning that he was heading to Selene City. It had just been an offhand remark, but the moment Liliana heard it, she latched onto him like a tick. Honestly, he hadn't planned on bringing her.

  The two mid-tier Short-Horned Demon Bulls outside the village were not to be trifled with. Other than Liliana, who could communicate with them properly, anyone else approaching them risked serious trouble. If she wasn't around and the bulls went berserk, who in the village could stop them?

  "I'm not saying I won't take you," Draven said, trying to sound as gentle as possible, "but this time is different. Selene City isn't a place you can just waltz into. You're too young."

  "I'm not a kid!" Liliana huffed, cheeks puffing like an overbaked loaf ready to explode.

  "You are a kid." Draven sighed. He'd been trying to explain this for over half an hour, but she just wouldn't budge. No matter how he coaxed, she refused to give in.

  Left with no other choice, he played his final card: "Viola!"

  Viola happened to walk in just then and instantly understood what was happening. She gave a soft smile and walked over, gently patting Liliana's hair.

  "Liliana, don't be mad. Draven's just worried about you."

  "I don't care!" Liliana turned her head away stubbornly, tears welling in her eyes. "You're both liars!"

  Even that didn't work—Draven was stunned. He'd thought Viola's gentle touch would be enough to calm the little devil. But this time, not even Viola could sway her.

  "You really want to go that badly?" Draven asked again.

  "Yes!" Liliana nearly shouted. "You promised! You're a liar, Draven!"

  Seeing her on the verge of bursting into tears, Draven finally gave in. He set down his utensils, stood up, and sighed. "Alright, fine. But there's one condition."

  "What?" Liliana's eyes lit up instantly.

  "You have to talk to the demon bulls first. Tell them to stay put, not cause any trouble. And you'd better mean it."

  "Got it!" Liliana cheered and leapt up, dashing outside, completely forgetting she'd been crying just moments ago.

  Watching her disappear, Draven felt a bit speechless. "Who's the one being lied to now, huh…"

  Viola chuckled behind her hand and gently leaned in to comfort him. "Just take her. Sylvia's here in the village—she can handle anything that comes up."

  Draven pulled her into a tight hug and murmured, "Two, maybe three days at most. I'll be back before you know it."

  Viola nodded softly. "Go on. Just remember to bring back some of Selene City's sweet wine."

  She wasn't particularly interested in the city itself—what mattered was whether Draven was thinking of her while he was away. And Draven wasn't oblivious to her mood last night either.

  Viola had been unusually passionate last night, to the point where he'd felt like he'd been ridden like a warhorse by an elven princess for hours. Even that morning, his back was still sore. Seeing her now looking so calm and composed, he couldn't help but rub his lower back.

  Viola turned and walked off, planning to chat with Sylvia about what kinds of mounts elves usually rode.

  ...

  Liliana's efficiency was unexpectedly high. In less than half an hour, she returned, beaming. "All done! They promised to stay home and behave!"

  With everything ready, Draven mounted the Nightmare Horse with Liliana. It took some effort for her to get on—her legs were too short—so Draven had to lift her up.

  This trip didn't require many supplies, and there was no need to bring the Eyebrow-Patterned King Serpent along.

  The serpent had been acting oddly lately—mood swings, refusing its favorite food. Draven suspected it was about to evolve.

  The Nightmare Horse took off into the sky, trailing a faint mist of black smoke as it sped toward Selene City.

  Draven instinctively held Liliana in his arms, resting his chin on the tiny horn on her head.

  "Here, you take the reins," he said, handing them over.

  Liliana's eyes sparkled as she grabbed them like a new toy.

  She let out an excited yell, which startled the Nightmare Horse into rearing up, nearly flipping over mid-air.

  Draven flinched hard, instinctively leaning back.

  "What just poked me from behind?" Liliana frowned, looking down.

  Draven blinked and grinned. "Nothing! Just ride properly and don't get distracted."