Max stopped in front of the same stall as last time.

  “Hi,” he said, resting a hand on the counter. “Three great-owl sandwiches, please.”

  The merchant looked up… and froze.

  His eyes went from Max…

  to Elanor…

  to the royal emblem…

  and finally to the little dragon girl clinging to Max’s leg, her tail swaying back and forth.

  “…Oh.”

  He pressed a hand to his chest.

  “P-please forgive me, Your Highness,” he said, bowing deeply. “If I had known who you were last time, I never would have charged you.”

  Elanor frowned gently.

  “No,” she replied with polite firmness. “A person’s work deserves to be paid.”

  Before the man could say anything else, she placed ten gold coins on the counter. No asking the price. No waiting for change.

  The merchant stared at the coins. Then at her.

  His eyes grew moist.

  “…Thank you,” he said softly, bowing much deeper than before.

  Max watched the scene in silence, a faint smile on his face.

  The sandwiches were ready almost immediately. Max took one and carefully split it.

  “Alright,” he said, bringing it closer to Moonlight. “Slowly.”

  Moon stared at it for a few seconds… then took her first bite.

  Her eyes went wide.

  “…Hot!” she exclaimed.

  Then she chewed.

  And chewed again.

  Her wings trembled.

  “…Tasty!”

  She took another bite—bigger this time—and sauce smeared around her mouth.

  Max sighed with a resigned smile and pulled out a handkerchief.

  “Hey, hey—”

  He gently wiped her mouth.

  “There. Better.”

  Moon stayed perfectly still, letting him do it, then smiled at him.

  “Thanks, Daddy.”

  Elanor watched the scene without saying a word.

  Something tightened in her chest. A strange, unfamiliar feeling as she watched Max like this. Calm. Attentive. Natural.

  ‘…He’s way too good at this,’ she thought—and immediately blushed, annoyed at herself.

  Just then—

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  “CHARGE!”

  A group of children ran past them, laughing loudly. They wore cardboard armor and carried wooden swords, clashing them together with enthusiasm.

  Moonlight stared, eyes sparkling.

  “…Play?”

  And she took off.

  “Moon—!” Max exclaimed.

  Too late. The little girl ran straight ahead… and slammed into something solid.

  —BAM!

  She bounced backward. Before she hit the ground, a large hand lifted her up with ease.

  “Huh?”

  The man held her up in front of his face, examining her closely. It was Gawain, frowning in curiosity.

  “This is new,” he muttered. “Since when do draconic critters in aprons show up in the city?”

  Max stepped forward immediately.

  “Let her go.”

  Gawain raised an eyebrow and looked at him… then laughed.

  “Relax.” He glanced down at Moon. “So she’s under your care?”

  Moon stared at him.

  “…Big.”

  Gawain burst out laughing.

  “Then she’s the pet…” he looked Max up and down “…of the royal pet.”

  He lowered her carefully and set her on the ground.

  “Listen to me, little one,” he said, bending slightly. “Don’t get yourself into trouble. There are a lot of crazies in the city.”

  Moon nodded enthusiastically.

  “Yes!”

  Max let out the breath he’d been holding.

  “Thank you,” he said sincerely.

  Elanor inclined her head slightly as well.

  “Thank you, Gawain.”

  The knight smiled… then studied her more closely.

  “Would you like me to escort you during your walk, Your Highness?”

  Elanor smiled.

  A perfect smile. Polite. Fake.

  “That won’t be necessary,” she replied gently. “We’re fine as we are.”

  Gawain watched her for another second… then finally nodded.

  “As you wish. Have a good day.”

  He walked off, disappearing into the crowd.

  Max took Moon by the hand.

  “Alright,” he said. “No running off without warning.”

  Moon looked up at him.

  “…Promise.”

  Elanor watched them walking ahead of her. The boy. The little dragon girl. And once again, she felt that strange warmth.

  ‘This outing…’ she thought. ‘It won’t be simple at all.’

  And yet, she smiled.

  And they continued on through the city.

  ***

  They kept walking through the streets, tasting sweets and wandering around.

  Suddenly, a burst of color caught Elanor’s attention.

  “Huh…?” she murmured, stopping.

  In the middle of the street, a tall, slender elf dressed in extravagant, garishly colored clothes spun in place. His face was painted, a fake red nose sat on his face, and a pointed hat—far too big even for him—wobbled atop his head.

  “Ladies, gentlemen, and creatures of every race!” he announced in an overly theatrical voice. “Authentic magic, guaranteed—or your illusion back!”

  A small crowd was already forming around him.

  Elanor stepped closer, fascinated.

  “Oh…” she whispered. “Look at that, Max.”

  The elf snapped his fingers, and in a cloud of violet smoke, floating flowers appeared in the air. Then he turned them into glowing butterflies that fluttered over the crowd, drawing applause and laughter.

  Moonlight opened her mouth.

  “…Lights!” she said, pointing.

  Max crossed his arms, watching carefully.

  ‘Flashy magic,’ he thought. ‘Not bad.’

  The elf raised one hand—and out of nowhere produced a dove that transformed into an endless ribbon of colors.

  The crowd applauded enthusiastically.

  Elanor’s eyes sparkled.

  “It’s amazing,” she said, without looking away.

  Max glanced at her.

  ‘Yeah… though yours is still way more impressive,’ he thought, remembering the precision with which she had extinguished the forest fire.

  The show continued for a few more minutes. Sparks. Lights. Fast, eye-catching illusions.

  And then—

  Max frowned.

  Something was wrong.

  He looked down.

  His hand was still there… but it wasn’t holding anything.

  “…Moon?” he murmured.

  He looked to his side. Nothing.

  Elanor was still watching the show, completely absorbed.

  “Moon,” Max repeated, louder this time.

  No response.

  The elf took a deep bow.

  “And with that, the show concludes! Thank you, thank you!”

  The crowd erupted into applause.

  From among the people, dwarves, goblins, and small devilfolk began moving through, carrying hats, bags, and open boxes.

  “One coin for the magic!”

  “The circus will be in the capital for a whole week!”

  “Don’t miss the grand nighttime show!”

  Coins began to fall.

  Max wasn’t watching the performance anymore. He spun around, his heart starting to race.

  “Moon?” he called.

  Elanor blinked, snapping out of her trance.

  “What is it…?” she asked—and then realized. “Moon?”

  The crowd began to slowly disperse, everyone heading on their way.

  And Moonlight was gone.

  “Moonlight,” Elanor called, now worried.

  Max pushed through the last of the passersby, scanning every corner.

  Nothing.

  Max clenched his fists.

  “…No,” he muttered. “No, no, no.”

  Elanor stepped up beside him, her voice tense.

  “Calm down,” she said, though she wasn’t calm herself. “We’ll find her. She has to be nearby.”

  Max took a deep breath.

  ‘First day,’ he thought. ‘First damn day.’

  And he raised his voice.

  “Moon!”