The city streets were bright with afternoon light, the hum of life weaving through every corner. Merchants called from their stalls, the scent of baked bread and roasted chestnuts floating in the air. Street performers played soft music with lutes and violins, and the voices of children echoed between the stone walls.
Elric walked beside Kael, guiding him through the crowded market square. The hood still covered his pale hair, hiding him among the travelers and townsfolk.
"It seems this city has everything," Elric said with a smile, glancing at the colorful stalls lining the road. "How about after we search for the books you want, we rest at a café? We'll have to wait until sunrise anyway."
Kael didn't answer. He simply followed her, his steps unhurried. His gaze wandered — not at the goods being sold, but at the people.
It was the same type of city he had seen near the Delcra estate long ago, only livelier, larger, and filled with sounds of ordinary life. The music, the laughter, the chatter — all of it unfamiliar and yet faintly comforting.
His eyes softened when they passed by a group of children playing at the street corner. They were chasing each other through puddles, their laughter ringing in the air like bells. One child fell, splashing water everywhere, and the others burst into laughter before helping him up again.
Elric caught the small shift in Kael's expression — the faint warmth in his eyes, rare and fleeting. It made her smile.
"You never change," she said softly, almost to herself. "You love children."
Kael turned to her slightly, his face calm but unreadable.
"Perhaps you want to join them and play?" she teased lightly, trying to draw more of that softness out of him.
He said nothing, his silence quiet but gentle.
Just then, one of the children ran too close and bumped into Kael. The little boy stumbled back, and his toy — a small carved wooden bird — slipped from his hands and fell into a shallow puddle.
The boy froze. His lip trembled, eyes filling with tears as he looked at the soaked toy.
Elric gasped softly and moved forward to help, but before she could kneel, Kael was already crouching down.
Her breath caught.
He reached for the toy, lifting it carefully from the puddle. Mud streaked the wooden wings, but Kael didn't seem to care. With quiet focus, he brushed the dirt away with the edge of his robe, wiping it clean until the little bird's carved feathers reappeared.
Then, without a word, he held it out to the boy.
The child sniffled, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Thank you, mister traveler!" he said cheerfully, clutching the toy close to his chest before running back to his friends.
Kael remained still for a moment, watching the child disappear into the crowd.
Then his hand dropped slowly to his side. His brows furrowed slightly, as though he'd just realized what he had done — how natural the motion had been. His body had moved on its own, guided by an instinct that came from somewhere deep inside him… somewhere he could not name.
Elric rose from her half-kneel and looked at him closely. His face had turned pale. Confusion lingered in his eyes, and his breathing had grown shallow.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her tone soft but edged with worry. "Should we rest at the nearest inn?"
Kael turned to her, meeting her gaze. Then, slowly, he shook his head.
Elric wanted to insist — he looked so fragile — but the quiet resolve in his eyes made her stop. She sighed softly and nodded. "Alright. But tell me if it becomes too much."
He gave no reply. They continued walking down the street, their pace slower now. The noise of the crowd faded gradually as they moved away from the market toward a quieter alley lined with old shops.
After a few minutes, they found a small bookstore tucked between a tailor's shop and an apothecary. The wooden sign above the door had faded from years of sun and rain. A faint chime rang as they stepped inside.
The scent of old paper filled the air — a comforting, dusty smell that spoke of forgotten stories and timeworn memories. The shelves were tall and uneven, filled with books whose spines had lost their color.
Elric looked around with curiosity. "It looks old," she murmured. "Some of these titles must be decades out of date."
Kael didn't answer. The moment they entered, he had quietly slipped his hand free from hers and moved toward the nearest shelf.
Elric didn't stop him. She only followed a few steps behind, watching him from a respectful distance.
He moved slowly, his fingers tracing the edges of the books, their covers rough beneath his touch. His expression was calm but unreadable — as though he was searching for something he couldn't quite name.
Elric tilted her head slightly, still observing him. She couldn't help but think back to the scene with the little boy — how instinctively Kael had acted, how his face had softened for that brief moment.
It was rare to see him react like that. Ever since his awakening, he had been distant — quiet, detached, almost lifeless. But today, for just a heartbeat, he showed emotion again.
It made her wonder — was it a fragment of the Kael she once knew? Or something new, something fragile growing within the silence he now carried?
She watched as he continued to study the books, unaware of her gaze. The light from the window fell on him, turning his white hair faintly silver beneath the shadow of his hood.
Kael's pale fingers brushed against the fragile paper as he flipped through the pages of an aged volume. His crimson eyes scanned each line with quiet concentration, almost as though the world outside the book had ceased to exist. The faint golden glow from a lantern above fell across his white hair, making him look even more otherworldly in the dim bookstore.
Elric watched him with a small smile. There was a gentleness in his expression when he read, something fragile yet solemn. She sank into a wooden chair near the shelves, folding her hands in her lap as her eyes wandered across the shop.
The bookstore itself felt like a relic from another era. Its scent was heavy with dust and ink, shelves packed tightly with cracked spines and faded titles. The beams in the ceiling were darkened with age, and faint scratches marked the wooden floorboards. Elric could tell from the structure alone that this place had stood for generations, one of the oldest bookshops in the city.
A sudden creak came from the back door. A young woman stepped out, carrying a small stack of books in her arms. Her dark blue hair was tied loosely at her shoulders, and her brown eyes lit up when she noticed the visitors. Setting the books down carefully, she gave a polite bow.
"Welcome," she said softly, before moving toward the shelves to arrange the books back in place.
Elric's gaze lingered on her. Something about the woman's features tugged faintly at her memory, though she couldn't place it. A trace of familiarity… yet the picture in her mind refused to form clearly.
Before she could dwell on it, the quiet atmosphere was broken. The little boy from earlier—the same child who had bumped into Kael on the street—suddenly burst into the store. He rushed straight into the young woman's side, clutching at her clothes.
"Mother!" he called breathlessly, then looked toward Elric and Kael. His eyes widened with excitement. "It's them—the travellers from before!" The boy pointed directly at them, his small voice filled with awe.
Kael didn't so much as lift his gaze. His attention remained buried in the book, eyes moving steadily from line to line as if he hadn't even heard.
The boy tugged at his mother's arm, holding up the toy Kael had cleaned earlier. "They helped me! He—he made it clean again."
The young woman followed her son's gesture, her eyes shifting to Elric. At first there was only polite curiosity, but then something flickered—recognition. She froze. Her lips parted slightly, and her expression shifted into astonishment.
"…Forgive me if I am mistaken," she said hesitantly, "but… aren't you Duke Vaelthorn?"
Elric slowly rose from her seat as the woman approached. Pushing back the hood of her cloak, Elric revealed her pale silver hair, her sharp blue eyes glowing faintly in the shop's dim light. She gave the familiar, practiced smile she reserved for formal introductions.
"Yes," she answered calmly. "And who might you be? You seem… familiar, though I cannot place you."
The young woman's hands tightened slightly on her son's shoulders. For a moment, her gaze wavered as if she feared speaking, but then she drew in a breath and lifted her chin.
"My name is Lucy Hearcy," she said softly. "I… was once saved by you and the Hero's campaign."
Elric's eyes widened, her expression breaking into something warmer, almost tender. The memory surged back—of a trembling palace maid, terrified and helpless, rescued from the darkness only to suffer later from Reinhardt's cruelty. Seeing her now, standing strong with her child, was like a weight lifting from Elric's chest. Relief filled her.
"…Yes," Elric murmured, her voice gentler now. "I remember you. Lucy Hearcy… You've stayed here all this time?"
Lucy nodded, her smile faint but genuine. "Yes. I've built my new life here. This bookshop—" she glanced around fondly "—it's mine now. And this little one…" She rested her hand on her son's head. "…he's my light."
Her gaze then shifted, almost uncertainly, toward Kael. Her brow furrowed slightly. "…And that man. He seems… familiar, somehow."
Elric's shoulders stiffened for the briefest second, but her composure returned quickly. She smiled, her voice smooth and unshaken. "He is my companion. A traveller, nothing more."
Lucy looked at Kael once more—at his distant eyes fixed on the book, the way he seemed utterly detached from everything around him. But she didn't press further. Instead, she turned back to Elric and bowed lightly.
"Then, if you don't mind… Please allow me to thank you properly. Come upstairs, to my home. I would be honored if you shared tea with us."
Elric hesitated only a moment before glancing toward Kael. He hadn't moved, hadn't spoken, but she could see the faintest tremor of exhaustion in his hand as he held the book. They still had hours until sunrise. A warm place to rest, even briefly, would be welcome.
She gave Lucy a graceful nod. "Very well. We'll accept your hospitality."
Lucy's face brightened, and she gently urged her son toward the stairs that led to their living quarters above the shop. Elric followed, her cloak brushing the wooden steps as she ascended.
Behind her, Kael closed the book slowly, his expression unreadable. He slipped it back onto the shelf and lingered for just a moment longer before moving silently after them, the echo of his footsteps trailing through the quiet shop.
Lucy led them up the narrow wooden staircase that creaked softly with every step. The faint aroma of lavender and fresh bread filled the air as they entered her home—a small, cozy space above the bookstore.
Elric glanced around. The house was modest but warm. Everything was spotless, carefully arranged, every item placed with care. The curtains were freshly washed, the floor gleamed faintly, and the furniture—though simple—gave a sense of calm domestic peace.
An ordinary life, Elric thought. Something that had once been impossible for Lucy, and something Kael had never been able to have.
"Please, have a seat," Lucy said cheerfully, gesturing toward a small sofa near the hearth.
Elric sat gracefully, folding her cloak beside her. Kael, however, stood uncertainly near the doorway, his crimson eyes wandering across the room. The warmth of the place seemed to make him uneasy, as if he didn't belong there.
Elric noticed his hesitation. She patted the empty space beside her gently, her voice soft but firm. "Sit," she said quietly, enough for him to hear.
Kael's gaze flicked to her hand, then back to Lucy. After a brief pause, he obeyed, sitting down beside her. His movements were careful, almost reluctant, as though he feared disturbing something fragile.
Lucy soon returned with a tray of steaming tea and a plate of cookies. The gentle clinking of porcelain filled the silence as she poured for them. The fragrance of chamomile and honey wafted through the room.
"I don't have much," Lucy said humbly, placing the tray on the small table between them, "but this is all I can offer."
She smiled as she set down a plate of warm bread and cookies in front of them. Her little boy clung shyly to the edge of her skirt, peeking out from behind her legs. His curious eyes were fixed entirely on Kael, wide and unblinking.
Elric watched the child for a moment, noticing the hesitation in his small steps. Quietly, she reached out and rested her hand over Kael's—just enough to ground him, to remind him he wasn't alone.
"It's fine," Elric said kindly to Lucy. "I'm just glad you've found peace and started a new life."
Lucy's face brightened. She took a seat across from them, her hands resting protectively on her lap—and on her small, rounded belly. Her son climbed beside her, curling against her arm.
"Me too, Lady Vaelthorn," Lucy said softly. "Even though the past was cruel… I was given a second chance."
Elric's gaze softened as she noticed the slight swell of her stomach. "You're expecting," she said with a faint smile.
Lucy nodded, her hand brushing affectionately over her belly. "After I was released from palace service, I met a merchant. His family owned this bookstore. He was kind… patient. We married a few years ago, and now—" she smiled, almost glowing "—we have this little one, and another on the way."
Her gaze then shifted toward Kael, lingering for a moment on how their hands still rested together. "And… this man," she began gently, "is he your partner?"
The question caught Elric slightly off guard. She hesitated, her eyes flicking briefly toward Kael. He hadn't moved, his expression still unreadable as he watched the child sitting near Lucy. For a heartbeat, she wasn't sure how to answer.
"…He is my…" Her voice faltered before she steadied it again. "He is my travelling companion."
Lucy tilted her head slightly, a knowing smile touching her lips. "Ah. Forgive me, I didn't mean to pry. It's just—seeing the two of you together, you seem rather close."
Elric's lips curved faintly. "I would appreciate it if you didn't mention my visit here to others," she said, her tone polite but firm.
Lucy nodded immediately. "Of course. Don't worry, I would never speak ill or spread rumors about the ones who saved me."
Elric relaxed at that, sipping her tea quietly. The warmth spread through her, but her eyes kept drifting to Kael, who hadn't touched his cup. He sat in silence, his pale hands folded neatly on his knees, gaze unfocused—until something tugged lightly at his leg.
Both women turned.
The little boy—Lucy's son—had run straight to Kael and was now hugging his leg tightly, his small arms wrapped around him as if claiming him.
"Joe!" Lucy gasped, her tone rising in embarrassment. "Don't bother our guests!"
But the boy only looked up, unbothered, his wide brown eyes glimmering with curiosity. "Mister traveller, let's play with me?" he asked eagerly.
Kael blinked, unsure what to do.
Lucy started to stand, but the boy held on tighter. "Mister traveller, what's your name? Why is your hair white? You look like a fairy!"
Elric froze for a moment, torn between alarm and amusement. She expected Kael to retreat or pull away—but instead, he remained still. Slowly, almost hesitantly, his hand moved. He reached out and patted the boy's hair.
His expression didn't change, his voice low and almost detached as he answered,
"...My name is Licht."
Lucy blinked in mild surprise. The name sounded unfamiliar, but she didn't question it. The boy's face lit up with delight. "Licht! That's a cool name!"
Elric, however, couldn't help but laugh softly—truly laugh. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to Kael. He looked exactly the same as before—expression stiff, posture unchanging—yet hearing him use that name, the name of the ancient dragon, stirred a strange amusement in her.
"You really… chose that name?" she murmured under her breath, hiding a smile behind her teacup.
Kael said nothing, his hand still resting gently on the boy's head.
Lucy's gaze softened as she watched them. "He seems to like you," she said fondly. "He's usually shy with strangers."
Elric smiled faintly, though her eyes lingered on Kael—on the way he seemed lost in thought, the faint trace of melancholy beneath his calm.
And for a fleeting moment, as the sound of the child's laughter filled the small house, the air between them no longer felt cold. It was warm—fragile, like the glow of a candle in the quiet dusk.